JP6176018B2 - Wireless connection system, wireless terminal device, and wireless connection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for establishing a wireless connection between devices.

  Conventionally, AOSS (AirStation One-Touch Secure) is a technology for simplifying the work of a user when setting up an information processing apparatus for wireless connection to a wireless LAN access point (hereinafter also referred to as “AP”). System, registered trademark) and WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) are known (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2007-110670 A JP 2009-94852 A JP 2012-217045 A

  As an information processing apparatus that is wirelessly connected to an AP, an Ethernet converter (hereinafter also referred to as “Isakon”, “Ethernet” is a registered trademark) can be cited. The Isacon is connected to the electronic device by a wired connection so that the electronic device can be connected to the wireless network by the AP.

  Here, if the following Isacon or AP does not have a function for simplifying wireless connection such as AOSS or WPS, wireless connection information such as SSID (Service Set Identifier) necessary for wireless connection is stored. The user needs to input when setting the wireless connection between the Isacon and the AP. On the other hand, there is a case where the Isacon on the client device side with respect to the AP does not have a user interface such as an input screen or an input button for accepting input of wireless connection information. In this case, it becomes difficult for the user to wirelessly connect the AP and the Isacon. Even if the electronic device connected to the Isacon has a user interface, if the web browser function for browsing the content provided by the web server device is not installed, the input setting screen etc. The user cannot access the content information. Therefore, even in this case, it is difficult for the user to wirelessly connect the AP and the Isacon. Therefore, a technology that can easily perform settings necessary for wireless connection between a wireless terminal device such as an Isacon and an AP is desired.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device, a wireless terminal device wired to the electronic device, a relay device that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal device, and a terminal device are provided. A wireless connection system is provided. In this wireless connection system, the terminal device includes a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for receiving input from the outside, and a wireless communication function unit for performing the wireless communication, The wireless terminal device is necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device for the terminal device and an allocating unit for assigning connection information for connecting to a network to the terminal device. An information providing unit that provides setting screen information for displaying a setting screen for performing settings, and the relay device includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal device, and the allocation of the wireless terminal device The unit transmits connection information for performing network connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device, and the terminal device uses the connection information to communicate with the wireless terminal device. The network connection is established, and the information providing unit of the wireless terminal device transmits the setting screen information to the terminal device after the network connection with the terminal device is established. The terminal device displays wireless connection information for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device using the setting screen and the input unit, and the received wireless device receives the wireless connection information. Connection information is transmitted to the wireless terminal device, and the wireless terminal device establishes a wireless connection with the relay device using the wireless connection information.
According to the wireless connection system of this aspect, settings necessary for wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device can be performed via the terminal device having the input unit and the display unit.

(2) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless terminal device that is wired to an electronic device and transmits data from the electronic device received by wire to the relay device wirelessly. This wireless terminal device assigns connection information for connecting to a network a terminal device having a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for receiving input from the outside, and a wireless communication function unit for performing wireless communication And an information providing unit for providing setting screen information for displaying a setting screen for performing settings necessary for establishing the wireless connection of the wireless terminal device to the relay device. And the allocation unit transmits connection information for establishing a network connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device, and the information providing unit transmits the network connection with the terminal device. Is established, the setting screen information is transmitted to the terminal device.
According to the wireless terminal device of this embodiment, the user is necessary for the wireless terminal device to wirelessly connect to the relay device using the terminal device by transmitting the setting screen information to the terminal device having the input unit and the display unit. Settings can be made.

(3) In the wireless terminal device of the above aspect, the setting screen information causes the display unit to display the setting screen for inputting the identifier of the relay device and the encryption key set in the relay device. It may be information for.
According to the wireless terminal device of this aspect, by transmitting the setting screen information to the terminal device and displaying the setting screen on the terminal device, the user uses the setting screen to perform wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device. Can be set.

(4) The wireless terminal device according to the above aspect, wherein the wireless terminal device functions as an access point mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as an access point for the terminal device, and functions as the station for the relay device. The wireless terminal device may perform the wireless communication with the relay device in the station mode.
According to the wireless terminal device of this aspect, the wireless terminal device can perform wireless communication with the relay device in the station mode.

(5) The wireless terminal device according to the above aspect, wherein the wireless terminal device functions as an access point mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as an access point for the terminal device, and functions as the station for the relay device. The wireless terminal device may simultaneously execute the access point mode and the station mode.
According to this form of the wireless terminal device, communication can be performed with the terminal device in the access point mode while performing communication with the relay device in the station mode. Thereby, for example, information on the wireless connection status between the relay device and the wireless terminal device can be transmitted to the terminal device in real time. As information transmitted to the terminal device, for example, information indicating that connection is being established or connection establishment is complete can be cited.

(6) The wireless terminal device according to the above aspect may further include a notification unit that transmits a connection status between the wireless terminal device and the relay device to the terminal device.
According to the wireless terminal device of this aspect, the user can easily grasp the connection status with the relay device via the terminal device.

(7) In the wireless terminal device according to the above aspect, an identification input screen for inputting identification information assigned to the wireless terminal device before the information providing unit transmits the setting screen information. Input screen information to be displayed on the display unit is transmitted to the terminal device , and the input information that is identification information input via the identification input screen matches the stored information that is identification information stored in advance in the wireless terminal device An identification information function unit that determines whether to perform the operation, and the information providing unit displays the setting screen information when the identification information function unit determines that the input information and the stored information match. If the identification information function unit determines that the input information does not match the stored information, the setting screen information may not be transmitted to the terminal device .
According to the radio terminal apparatus of this embodiment can improve the security between the terminal device and the wireless terminal device.

(8) A wireless terminal device according to the above aspect, further comprising: an authentication relay unit that relays authentication of the wireless terminal device with respect to an authentication server device based on IEEE 802.1X; You may have the authentication request | requirement function part which requests | requires the authentication for communicating with another different apparatus.
According to the wireless terminal device of this aspect, the security of the wireless terminal device can be improved.

(9) In the wireless terminal device of the above aspect, after the network connection with the terminal device is established, the connection in the data link layer with the wired electronic device is disconnected, You may have the reconnection part which performs the connection in the data link layer between the said electronic devices connected by wire again. According to the wireless terminal device of this aspect, the trigger for performing the network connection between the relay device and the wired electronic device by disconnecting the connection in the data link layer and performing the connection in the data link device again Can be generated.

(10) According to another aspect of the present invention, a wireless connection method executed by a wireless terminal device for wirelessly transmitting data from the electronic device that is wired to the electronic device and received by wire to the relay device Is provided. In this wireless connection method, (a) the wireless terminal is connected to a terminal device having a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for receiving input from the first unit, and a wireless communication function unit for performing wireless communication. A step of transmitting connection information for establishing a network connection with a device; and (b) after the network connection between the wireless terminal device and the terminal device is established using the connection information, Transmitting to the terminal device setting screen information for causing the display unit to display a setting screen for performing settings necessary for wireless connection of the wireless terminal device to the relay device.
According to the wireless connection method of this aspect, setting for wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device can be performed via the terminal device having the input unit and the display unit.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each embodiment of the present invention described above are not essential, and some or all of the effects described in the present specification are to be solved to solve part or all of the above-described problems. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with a new component, and partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components. In order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

  Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes. For example, the present invention is implemented in the form of a wireless connection system, a wireless terminal device, a wireless connection method, a computer program for realizing these systems, devices, and methods, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like. be able to.

It is a figure for demonstrating the wireless connection system as 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an internal block diagram of AP. It is an internal block diagram of Isacon. It is an internal block diagram of a mobile phone. It is the process sequence which a wireless connection system performs. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on a mobile phone during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. 5. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. 5. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. 5. It is an internal block diagram of the Isacon used in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is the process sequence which a wireless connection system performs. 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. 9. It is a figure for demonstrating the wireless connection system as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an internal block diagram of Isacon. It is the process sequence which a wireless connection system performs. It is a screen which a mobile phone displays on a display part.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a wireless connection system 90 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless connection system 90 includes a set-top box 22 (hereinafter also referred to as “STB22”) as an electronic device, an Ethernet converter 40 (hereinafter also referred to as “Isacon 40”) as a wireless terminal device, and a relay device. Wireless LAN access point (hereinafter also referred to as “AP30”) and a mobile phone 50 as a terminal device. The mobile phone 50 is a so-called smartphone. The wireless connection system 90 performs settings for performing wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 using the mobile phone 50.

  The mobile phone 50 has a display unit 59 for displaying various information such as image information and character information. The display unit 59 is a touch panel and also functions as an input unit that accepts external input. That is, the display unit 59 is a user interface having a display function and an input function. The AP 30 performs wireless communication with the Isacon 40 and relays communication with other client devices connected to the AP 30 and devices connected to the Internet 20. The AP 30 is connected to the Internet 20 via a wired cable. The Isacon 40 has two modes: an access point mode 426 that functions as an access point for the mobile phone 50 (AP mode 426) and a station mode 427 that functions as a station for the AP 30 (STA mode 427). In addition, the Isacon 40 includes a setting button 41 for giving an AOSS start instruction to the mobile phone 50 or the AP 30. On the other hand, the AP 30 in this embodiment does not support AOSS. AOSS is a function for automatically setting communication information and encryption information for a client device. The “communication information” means information necessary for establishing communication such as BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier), ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier), and SSID (Service Set Identifier). "Encryption information" refers to wireless LAN encryption methods such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key), and encryption It means the key used in the case of The STB 22 has a DHCP client function unit 221 that makes a request for acquiring its own IP address to the DHCP server device.

  FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the AP 30. The AP 30 includes a CPU 32, a RAM 35, a storage unit 36, a wired LAN interface 381, and a wireless LAN interface 383. Each part 32,35,36,381,383 is mutually connected by the bus | bath. The CPU 32 controls the operation of the AP 30 by developing the computer program stored in the storage unit 36 in the RAM 35. Specifically, the CPU 32 functions as a relay processing unit 321, a setting control unit 323, and a DHCP server function unit 325. The storage unit 36 is a flash ROM.

  The relay processing unit 321 executes a relay process of transferring the received packet according to the destination. The setting control unit 323 controls setting processing for establishing wireless communication between the client device and the AP 30. The DHCP server function unit 325 transmits connection information including an IP address to the STB 22 via the Isacon 40 in response to a connection information acquisition request from the DHCP client function unit 221 of the STB 22. When the connection information is received by the STB 22, an IP address is assigned to the STB 22.

  The wired LAN interface 381 is connected not only to a line on the Internet 20 side but also to a device that is a communication partner through a wired cable. The wired LAN interface 381 includes a PHY / MAC controller (not shown) and has a function of adjusting a waveform of a received signal and extracting a MAC frame from the received signal. The wireless LAN interface 383 includes a transmission / reception circuit (not shown), and has a function of demodulating a radio wave received via an antenna and generating data, and generating and modulating a radio wave transmitted via the antenna. The wireless LAN interface 383 is compliant with IEEE 802.11, and can communicate with other devices provided that a wireless LAN interface compliant with IEEE 802.11 can demodulate received radio waves and generate data. Can communicate wirelessly.

  FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the Isacon 40. The Isacon 40 includes a CPU 42, a setting button 44, a RAM 45, a storage unit 46, a wired LAN interface 481, a wireless LAN interface 483, and a USB interface 485. Each part 42, 44, 45, 46, 481, 483, 485 is mutually connected by the bus | bath.

  The CPU 42 controls the operation of the Isacon 40 by developing the computer program stored in the storage unit 46 in the RAM 45. Specifically, the CPU 42 functions as a reconnection unit 421, an operation mode control unit 425, a setting unit 428, and a notification unit 429.

  The reconnecting unit 421 once brings down the wired LAN connection between the AP 40 and the device connected to the wired LAN, and then raises the link again. In other words, the reconnection unit 421 causes the AP 40 to detect that the connection in the data link layer between the AP 40 and the device connected to the wired LAN is interrupted, and then the connection to the AP 40 in the data link layer is performed again. To detect. The reconnection unit 421 executes the above-described process after a wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 described later is established.

  The operation mode control unit 425 controls two modes, the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 that the Isacon 40 has. The Isacon 40 of this embodiment can execute the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 simultaneously. Note that “can be executed simultaneously” means that the CPU 42 is not executed at the same time in units of clocks, but two modes of the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 are executed within a predetermined time during which a plurality of clocks are generated. Means that.

  Further, the CPU 42 includes a DHCP server function unit 452 as an allocation unit, a WEB server function unit 454 as an information providing unit, and a DHCP client function unit 456. The DHCP server function unit 452 and the WEB server function unit 454 function when the Isacon 40 is in the AP mode 426. The DHCP client function unit 456 functions when the Isacon 40 is in the STA mode 427. The DHCP server function unit 452 assigns to the mobile phone 50 connection information for the mobile phone 50 to make a network connection with the AP 30 or the Isacon 40 via the Internet 20. The connection information is information including an IP address. The WEB server function unit 454 provides setting screen information 462 for displaying a setting screen for performing setting necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 to the mobile phone 50 via the WEB browser. . The setting screen information 462 is stored in the storage unit 46. The DHCP client function unit 456 functions as a client device of the DHCP server function unit 325 of the AP 30 and sends a request (connection information acquisition request) for acquiring connection information for performing network connection to the AP 30 via the Internet. Do. The connection information is information including an IP address.

When the setting unit 428 detects that the setting button 44 is pressed, the setting unit 428 transmits an AOSS start instruction to the terminal device (mobile phone) or the relay device (AP) that supports AOSS. The setting unit 428, Isakon 40 when the AP mode 426, transmits setting information for establishing a wireless connection with Isakon 40 (for example, SSID and encryption scheme Isakon 40) to the client device. The Isacon 40 has a virtual port that has an SSID value of “! ABC” and does not use encrypted communication. The setting button 44 is a momentary switch provided on the housing of the Isacon 40. The setting button 120 is preferably realized by a switch that does not maintain the state. The notification unit 429 transmits the wireless connection status between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 to the mobile phone 50.

  The wired LAN interface 481 is connected to a communication partner device through a wired cable. In the present embodiment, a wired connection is made to the set top box 22 (FIG. 1) via a wired LAN interface 481. The wired LAN interface 481 includes a PHY / MAC controller (not shown) and has a function of adjusting a waveform of a received signal and extracting a MAC frame from the received signal.

  The wireless LAN interface 483 includes a transmission / reception circuit (not shown), and has a function of demodulating a radio wave received via an antenna and generating data, and generating and modulating a radio wave transmitted via the antenna. The wireless LAN interface 483 is compliant with IEEE802.11, and is capable of demodulating received radio waves and generating data with other devices having a wireless LAN interface compliant with IEEE802.11. Can communicate wirelessly.

  The USB interface 485 is connected to another device according to the USB standard. In the present embodiment, the USB interface 485 is connected to the set top box 22 and used to receive power from the set top box 22 through VBUS.

  FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of the mobile phone 50. The mobile phone 50 includes a CPU 52, a RAM 55, a storage unit 56, a wireless LAN interface 581, a mobile communication interface 583, and a display unit 59. Each part 52,55,56,59,581,583 is mutually connected by a bus.

  The CPU 52 controls the operation of the mobile phone 50 by developing the computer program stored in the storage unit 56 in the RAM 55. Specifically, the CPU 52 functions as a display control unit 521, an input control unit 522, a communication control unit 523, a WEB browser function unit 524, and a DHCP client function unit 526. The display control unit 521 controls the operation of the display unit 59. For example, the display control unit 521 displays various information such as character information on the display unit 59. Specifically, the mobile phone 50 of the present embodiment is a so-called smartphone, and a touch panel is used for the display unit 59. The input control unit 522 controls input information received from the outside with respect to the display unit 59 which is a touch panel. For example, the input control unit 522 converts the input information into a program that can be executed by the mobile phone 50. The communication control unit 523 controls data communication of layer 3 or higher corresponding to the network layer in the OSI reference model. The WEB browser function unit 524 is a computer program used for browsing content information acquired from the WWW (World Wide Web) based on, for example, a data transfer protocol such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). The DHCP client function unit 526 makes a request (connection information acquisition request) to acquire connection information for performing network connection via the Internet 20 to the DHCP server function unit 452 of the Isacon 40. The connection information is information including an IP address.

  The wireless LAN interface 581 includes a transmission / reception circuit (not shown) and has a function of demodulating a radio wave received via an antenna and generating data, and generating and modulating a radio wave transmitted via the antenna. The wireless LAN interface is compliant with IEEE 802.11, and can communicate with other devices as long as the received radio wave can be demodulated and data can be generated with other devices equipped with the wireless LAN interface compliant with IEEE 802.11. Wireless communication can be performed between the two.

  The mobile communication interface 583 conforms to a communication standard for a dedicated line such as a mobile communication network, and is configured to be able to communicate with a mobile communication base station (not shown) connected to the Internet 20 by radio.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure executed by the wireless connection system 90. The wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 is established by executing the processing procedure shown in FIG. During the execution of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, the Isacon 40 always executes the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 simultaneously. FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone 50 during execution of the processing procedure of FIG. FIG. 7 is another example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone 50 during execution of the processing procedure of FIG. FIG. 8 is another example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone 50 during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that a wireless connection is established in advance between the mobile phone 50 and the Isacon 40.

  First, the STB 22 and the Isacon 40 are connected by a wired LAN with an Ethernet cable, and the STB 22 and the Isacon 40 can communicate with each other via the Ethernet cable (link up; step S10). After the link up, the STB 22 broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER packet every predetermined time interval via the Isacon 40 and waits for a response from the DHCP server device (step S12). At the time of step S12, since the wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 is not established, the DHCP server function unit 325 of the AP 30 cannot make a response to the DHCPDISCOVER packet transmitted by the STB 22.

  Further, after step S10, the user presses the setting button 44 of the Isacon 40. Thereby, the Isacon 40 detects pressing of the setting button 44 (step S14). Using the detection of pressing of the setting button 44 as a trigger, the setting unit 428 of the Isacon 40 performs broadcast transmission by including the SSID having “! ABC” as a value in the beacon (Step S16). The mobile phone 50 receives the beacon transmitted by broadcast. Step S16 is executed in the AP mode 426 of the Isacon 40. Note that in step S16 described above, it is assumed that the Isacon 40 performs passive scanning, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another example, an SSID may be included in a response (Probe Response) to a Probe Request from the mobile phone 50.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the mobile phone 50 receives a beacon including the SSID, the display control unit 521 of the mobile phone 50 displays a connection screen Wa for wireless connection with the Isacon 40 on the display unit 59. In the present embodiment, the display unit 59 displays a message “Do you want to connect to the device 40” and a connection button Ba. When the user presses (tap) the connection button Ba displayed on the connection screen Wa (step S18), a process for establishing a wireless connection between the mobile phone 50 and the Isacon 40 is started, and the mobile phone 50 and the Isacon 40 are started. Is established (step S20). Specifically, an authentication method is exchanged between the mobile phone 50 and the Isacon 40 (Authentication), and then the Isacon 40 sends an association response to the mobile phone 50 in response to an association request from the mobile phone 50 to the Isacon 40. By doing so, a wireless connection is established. In step S20, a wireless connection at the physical layer level between the mobile phone 50 and the Isacon 40 is established.

  After the wireless connection at the physical layer level between the Isacon 40 and the mobile phone 50 is established, the mobile phone 50 searches for the DHCP server device on the established wireless LAN interface, and the default gateway and itself are detected from the detected DHCP server device. Get the IP address assigned to. In this embodiment, the Isacon 40 has a function (DHCP server function unit 452) as a DHCP server device. As a result, the default gateway is appropriately assigned the IP address set in the Isacon 40, and the IP address of the mobile phone 50 is appropriately assigned using the DHCP server function unit 452. In this embodiment, after step S20, the DHCP client function unit 526 of the mobile phone 50 transmits a DHCPDISCOVER packet to the DHCP server function unit 452 of the Isacon 40 (step S28). The DHCP server function unit 452 of the Isacon 40 that has received the DHCPDISCOVER packet transmits connection information for establishing a network connection with the Isacon 40 to the mobile phone 50 (Step S30). This connection information includes an IP address. Step S30 is executed in the AP mode 426 of the Isacon 40. By assigning the IP address to the mobile phone 50, the mobile phone 50 can perform data communication using the IP address.

  After the network connection between the Isacon 40 and the mobile phone 50 is established, the Isacon 40 transmits a probe request packet for searching for nearby APs in the STA mode 427 (step S32). The AP that has received the probe request packet returns a probe response to the Isacon 40 (steps S34a and 34b). Next, the Isacon 40 creates a list (connection target list) including the SSID of each AP of the probe response received within the predetermined period (step S36). In addition, after the IP address is assigned to the mobile phone 50 in step S30, the mobile phone 50 issues a connection target list acquisition request to the Isacon 40 using HTTP (step S38). Upon receiving the connection target list acquisition request, the WEB server function unit 454 of the Isacon 40 displays a setting screen for performing settings necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 via the WEB browser. Setting screen information is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 (step S40). This setting screen information includes information representing the connection target list and information for performing wireless connection to the AP. Step S40 is executed in the AP mode 426 of the Isacon 40.

  After the mobile phone 50 receives the setting screen information, the WEB browser function unit 524 of the mobile phone 50 displays the setting screen W1 for performing settings necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30. It displays on the display part 59 via a browser (step S42). FIG. 7 shows a setting screen W1 displayed on the display unit 59 in step S42. As shown in FIG. 7, the setting screen W1 includes AP information lists N1 and N2 represented by the connection target list created by the Isacon 40, and a connection button B11. Here, it is assumed that the information list N1 represents the AP 30.

  When the user selects the information list N1 on the setting screen W1 and presses the connection button B11 (step S43), the WEB browser function unit 524 is necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the selected AP 30. A setting screen W2 for setting is displayed on the display unit 59 via the WEB browser (step S44). FIG. 8 shows a setting screen W2 displayed on the display unit 59 in step S44. As shown in FIG. 8, the box C1 is a box for inputting the SSID of the AP. In the present embodiment, the SSID of the AP 30 selected by the user in step S43 is automatically input in the box C1. The box C2 is a box for selecting the type of encryption method used for wireless communication between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 and the authentication method for wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40. In FIG. 8, “no encryption” for wireless communication without using an encryption method, “WEP” for an encryption method, “WPA-PSK (AES)” for an authentication method and an encryption method, and “WPA2-EAP” can be selected. In this embodiment, it is assumed that “WPA-PSK (AES)” is selected by the user. The box C3 is a box for inputting an encryption key used for wireless communication between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40. The box C3 is a box that can be input when anything other than “no encryption” is selected in the box C2. The user inputs the encryption key described in the AP 30's housing or manual into the box C3. In the setting screen W2, in addition to the SSID, the type of encryption method in the box C2 and the authentication method may be automatically input. In this case, the encryption method and authentication method set for the AP selected in box C1 are automatically input in box C2. By doing so, the user can complete the input of the necessary items on the setting screen W2 simply by inputting the encryption key in the box C3, so that it is possible to improve the security while improving the convenience for the input.

  When the user inputs necessary items on the setting screen W2 and presses the send button B6, connection information for establishing a wireless connection including information input on the setting screen W2 is transmitted from the mobile phone 50 to the Isacon 40. (Step S46). The Isacon 40 that has received the connection information establishes a wireless connection using the connection information with the AP 30 in the STA mode (step S48). By using step S48 as a trigger, an authentication method is exchanged between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 (Authentication), and then the AP 30 sends an association response to the Isacon 40 in response to an association request from the Isacon 40 to the AP 30. A wireless connection is established between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 (step S50).

  After the wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 is established, the reconnection unit 421 of the Isacon 40 once links down the wired LAN connection with the STB 22 and then increases the Link again (Step S52). In the present embodiment, the Isacon 40 disconnects the data communication between the Isacon 40 and the STB 22 while maintaining a physical connection with respect to the Ethernet cable between the Isacon 40 and the STB 22 so that the data communication can be performed again. return. As a result, the firmware in the STB 20 determines that a new LAN connection has been made, and acquires the IP address and default gateway of the STB 22 itself from the wired LAN port to which the Ethernet cable is connected. Specifically, the DHCP client function unit 221 of the STB 22 transmits a DHCPDISCOVER packet via the Ethernet cable (step S54). In step S54, the Isacon 40 operates in the STA mode 427 and does not operate in the AP mode 426. Therefore, the DHCP server function unit 452 executed in the AP mode 426 is not functioning. Thus, the DHCPICONCOVER packet is transmitted to the AP 30 by the Isacon 40 relaying the DHCPDISCOVER packet transmitted from the STB 22 to the wireless LAN side.

  Upon receiving the DHCPDISCOVER packet, the DHCP server function unit 325 of the AP 30 assigns an IP address to the STB 22 by transmitting connection information for the STB 22 to perform network connection (step S56). The connection information includes information indicating the default gateway, and the STB 22 acquires the default gateway from the AP 30 in step S56.

  In addition, the notification unit 429 of the Isacon 40 transmits information indicating the status of the wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 to the mobile phone 50 at predetermined time intervals after Step 48 (Step S49, Step S49a, Step S49b). ). The information indicating the wireless connection status is transmitted until information indicating that the wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 is completed is transmitted. Step S49 is executed in the AP mode 426 of the Isacon 40. The information indicating the wireless connection status transmitted in step S49a is information for causing the display unit 59 to display “wireless connection established”. The information indicating the status of the wireless connection transmitted in step S49b is information for causing the display unit 59 to display “wireless connection complete”.

  If the AP 30 does not support a function for easily performing wireless connection such as AOSS or WPS, the user needs to manually set the wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40. Here, as in the present embodiment, when the electronic device (STB 22 in the present embodiment) wired to the Isacon 40 does not have a user interface including a display unit and an input unit for setting a wireless connection, There is a case where a WEB browser function for displaying a screen for setting wireless connection is not installed. However, according to the present embodiment, using the mobile phone 50 (specifically, a smartphone) that is widely used by users, the user can perform settings necessary for wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30. it can.

  Further, the Isacon 40 transmits the setting screen information to the mobile phone 50 to display the setting screen W2 (FIG. 8) on the display unit 59 of the mobile phone 50 via the WEB browser. As a result, the user inputs information for establishing a wireless connection in accordance with the item displayed on the setting screen W2 and transmits the information to the Isacon 40, thereby performing settings necessary for the wireless connection between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30. be able to.

  The Isacon 40 can simultaneously execute the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 (FIG. 5). Thereby, it is possible to communicate with the mobile phone 50 in the access point mode while communicating with the AP 30 in the station mode. Thereby, the notification unit 429 of the Isacon 40 can notify the mobile phone 50 of the wireless connection status between the Isacon 40 and the AP 30 in real time. For example, this allows the user to easily grasp the wireless connection status via the display unit 59 of the mobile terminal 50.

  Further, after the wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 is established, the Isacon 40 once links down the wired LAN connection with the STB 22 and then increases the Link (step S52). Thereby, the STB 22 can generate a trigger for starting its own network connection. Therefore, the STB 22 can acquire an IP address from the AP 30 and establish a network connection between the STB 22 and the AP 30 via the Isacon 40.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 9 is an internal block diagram of the Isacon 40a used in the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the wireless connection system 90a of the second embodiment and the wireless connection system 90 of the first embodiment is the configuration of the Isacon 40a and the processing procedure executed by the wireless connection system 90a. Since other configurations (for example, AP30) are the same configurations as those of the first embodiment and the wireless connection system 90, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The difference between the Isacon 40a of the second embodiment and the Isacon 40 (FIG. 3) of the first embodiment is that the Isacon 40a newly includes the identification information function unit 422 and the identification information 464. Since other configurations are the same as those of the Isacon 40 of the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The identification information 464 is information for identifying the Isacon 40a assigned to the Isacon 40a. In the present embodiment, the identification information 464 is information representing a three-digit number. Further, the three-digit number that is the identification information 464 is described in the housing or the description of the Isacon 40a. The identification information function unit 422 broadcasts the input screen information for displaying the identification input screen for inputting the identification information on the display unit 59 of the mobile phone 50 to the mobile phone 50 before the WEB server function unit 454 transmits the setting screen information. Send. Further, the identification information function unit 422 determines whether or not the input information, which is identification information input via the identification input screen displayed on the display unit 59, matches the identification information 464 stored in the storage unit 46. .

  FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure executed by the wireless connection system 90a. FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed on the mobile phone 50 during the execution of the processing procedure of FIG. The difference from the processing procedure (FIG. 5) executed by the wireless connection system 90 of the first embodiment is that the processing of steps S15a to S15c is added before step S16. Since the other steps are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same steps are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  The identification information function unit 422 of the Isacon 40a transmits the input screen information to the mobile phone 50, triggered by the detection of the Isacon 40a that the user has pressed the setting button 44 of the Isacon 40a (Step S15a). The mobile phone 50 that has received the input screen information causes the display unit 59 to display the identification input screen W5 as shown in FIG. The identification input screen W5 is a screen for inputting identification information composed of a three-digit number assigned to the Isacon 40a. On the identification input screen W5, boxes C1a, C2a, C3a for inputting three-digit numbers, boxes B12 displaying numbers 0 to 9, and a cross mark as a cancel button, a send button B13, Is arranged. The user inputs the three-digit identification information assigned to the Isacon 40a into the boxes C1a to C3a in order from the left, and presses (selects) the transmission button B13. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the mobile phone 50 transmits the input information to the Isacon 40a (step S15b). The identification information function unit 422 of the Isacon 40a that has received the input information determines whether or not the identification information 464 (also referred to as “storage information 464”) stored in the storage unit 46 matches the received input information. (Step S15c). If it is determined in step S15c that the stored information 464 and the input information do not match, the wireless connection system 90a stops the subsequent processing. If it is determined in step S15c that the stored information 464 and the input information match, the wireless connection system 90a executes the processes in and after step S16.

  According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, there exist the following effects. That is, the setting required for wireless connection between the Isacon 40a and the AP 30 can be limited to users who know the identification information of the Isacon 40a. Thereby, the security between AP30 and Isacon 40a can be improved.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a wireless connection system 90b as a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the wireless connection system 90 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The wireless connection system 90b is configured by a plurality of different LANs each capable of accessing the Internet 20. In this embodiment, a plurality of different LANs are configured by a first LAN and a second LAN. The wireless connection system 90b includes a printer 24 as an electronic device, an Isacon 40b as a wireless terminal device, wireless LAN access points (AP) 30b and 70 as relay devices, a mobile phone 50 as a terminal device, and an authentication server. The apparatus 60 includes personal computers (PCs) 80a, 80b, and 80c. In the wireless connection system 90b, the authentication server device 60 is a RADIUS authentication server device, the AP 30b has a function as an authenticator (authenticator function unit 328), and the Isacon 40b requests the authentication server device 60 for authentication. Therefore, it has a function as a supplicant (supplicant function unit 458 in FIG. 13). The printer 24 includes a DHCP client function unit 241 that makes a request for acquiring its own IP address to the DHCP server device. The mobile phone 50, the printer 24, the Isacon 40b, and the AP 30b are arranged on the same LAN (first LAN). The authentication server device 60, the AP 70, and the PCs 80a to 80c are arranged on the same LAN (second LAN). Here, the supplicant function unit 458 corresponds to the “authentication request function unit” described in the means for solving the problem. The authenticator function unit 328 corresponds to the “authentication relay unit” described in the means for solving the problem.

  The printer 24 is connected to the Isacon 40b by a wired LAN via an Ethernet cable. The authentication server device 60 conforms to the IEEE 802.1x authentication standard. The AP 70 executes a relay process for transferring the received packet according to the destination.

  FIG. 13 is an internal block diagram of the Isacon 40b. The difference from the internal block diagram (FIG. 3) of the Isacon 40 of the first embodiment is that it has a supplicant function unit 458 for requesting authentication to the authentication server device 60 in accordance with the IEEE 802.1x standard. is there. Since other configurations are the same as those of the Isacon 40 of the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The supplicant function unit 458 is executed in the STA mode 427 of the Isacon 40b.

  FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure executed by the wireless connection system 90b. The difference from the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 is that the contents of the screen W3 of the display unit 59 displayed in step S44b and steps S45a to S45f are added. Since the other steps are similar steps, the same steps are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 15 shows a screen W3 displayed on the display unit 59 by the mobile phone 50 that has received the setting screen information transmitted in step S44b. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects “WPA2-EAP” from the box C2 and presses the send button B6 on the setting screen W2 (FIG. 8) displayed on the display unit 59 in step S42. Thereby, 802.1x authentication by PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) is performed.

  In step S44b shown in FIG. 14, the setting screen information is transmitted to the portable terminal 50 by the WEB server function unit 454 of the Isacon 40b. The mobile phone 50 that has received the setting screen information displays the setting screen W3 on the display unit 59 as shown in FIG. 15 (step S44b). The setting screen W3 includes boxes C1b to C3b and a transmission button B6. The box C1b is a box for inputting a user name for performing PEAP authentication. The box C2b is a box for inputting a password for performing PEAP authentication. A box C3b is a box for inputting a domain name for PAEP authentication. The user presses the send button B6 after inputting necessary items in the boxes C1b to C3b on the setting screen W3. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, the mobile phone 50 transmits the authentication information necessary for the IEEE802.1X authentication processing performed between the Isacon 40b, the AP 30b, and the authentication server device 60 to the Isacon 40b (step) S45a). The authentication information includes the information selected in step S42 (SSID for specifying the AP 30, authentication method and encryption method, encryption key). The supplicant function unit 458 of the isacon 40b that has received the authentication information makes a PEAP authentication request to the authenticator function unit 328 of the AP 30b (step S45b). The authenticator function unit 328 of the AP 30b that has received the PEAP authentication request makes an authentication request to the authentication server device 60 (Step S45c), and the authentication server device 60 that has received the authentication request authenticates the connection of the Isacon 40b (Step S45c). S45d). After step S45d, the authentication server device 60 transmits a permission notification indicating that authentication is permitted to the Isacon 40b via the AP 30b (step S45e). As a result, the AP 30b permits the relay of data (packets) to the other device (AP 70) arranged in the second LAN of the packet from the Isacon 40b (step S45f). Next, the wireless connection between the Isacon 40b and the AP 30b is established by executing the process of Step S48 of FIG. 5 (Step S50). Further, the processing after step S50 is the same as the processing after step S50 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, an authentication operation in accordance with the IEEE 802.1x authentication standard is executed between the Isacon 40b, AP 30b, and the authentication server device 60 (steps S45b to S45f). When the authentication operation is completed in steps S45b to S45f, the Isacon 40b can perform wireless communication with the PCs 80a to 80c arranged in different LANs (second LANs) via the APs 30b and 70. Accordingly, a print instruction from the PCs 80a to 80c to the printer 24 can be transmitted to the printer 24 via the APs 70 and 30b and the Isacon 40b.

  According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, there exist the following effects. In other words, the wireless connection system 90b performs an authentication operation according to the 802.1x authentication standard between the authentication server device 60 and each of the devices 40b and 30p, with the Isacon 40b as a supplicant and the AP 30p as an authenticator. Thereby, before the authentication operation is completed, data communication between the Isacon 40b and a device (PCs 80a to 80c in this embodiment) arranged in a different LAN from the LAN in which the Isacon 40b is arranged can be prohibited. Thereby, the security of the Isacon 40b can be improved.

D. Variations:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. Good. In addition, the following modifications are possible.

D-1. First modification:
In the above embodiment, the assigning unit 421 of the Isacons 40 to 40b assigns an IP address to the mobile phone 50 by DCHP, but other functions for assigning an IP address may be used. For example, the assigning unit 421 may assign an IP address to the mobile phone 50 by BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol).

D-2. Second modification:
In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 50 is used to set the wireless connection between the Isacon 40 to 40b and the AP 30 to 30b, but a terminal device other than the mobile phone 50 may be used. For example, a tablet PC may be used as the terminal device. As the terminal device, it is preferable to use a device that is generally widely used. By doing so, more users can set the wireless connection between the Isacon 40-40b and the AP 30-30b using the terminal device.

D-3. Third Modification In the above embodiment, the Isacons 40 to 40b always execute the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 simultaneously (for example, FIG. 9), but the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 always execute simultaneously. You don't have to. For example, the AP mode 426 and the STA mode 427 may be switched and executed. The STA mode 427 is always executed, and the AP mode 426 is executed when necessary, for example, when performing step S16 (FIG. 9). You may do it.

D-4. Fourth modification:
The second embodiment and the third embodiment may be combined.
Further, the notification unit 429 (FIG. 3) may not be provided.

D-5. Fifth modification:
In the above embodiment, after the wireless connection between the AP 30 and the Isacon 40 is established, the reconnecting unit 421 of the Isacon 40 once brings down the wired LAN connection with the STB 22 and then brings it up again. (Step S52 in FIG. 5) is not limited to this. For example, the user may physically disconnect the wired LAN connection between the Isacons 40 to 40b and the STB 22 or the printer 24 and physically perform the wired LAN connection again.

20 ... Internet 22 ... Set Top Box 24 ... Printer 30-30b ... Access Point 32 ... CPU
36 ... Memory 40-40b ... Ethernet converter 41 ... Setting button 42 ... CPU
44 ... Setting button 46 ... Storage unit 50 ... Mobile phone 52 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 56 ... Memory | storage part 59 ... Display part 60 ... Authentication server apparatus 90-90b ... Wireless connection system 120 ... Setting button 221 ... DHCP client function part 241 ... DHCP client function part 321 ... Relay processing part 323 ... Setting control part 325 ... DHCP server Functional unit 328 Authenticator functional unit 381 Wired LAN interface 383 Wireless LAN interface 420 Supplicant functional unit 421 Reconnecting unit 422 Identification information functional unit 425 Operation mode control unit 426 AP mode 427 STA mode 428 ... Setting section 429 ... Notification section 452 ... DHCP server function section 454 ... WEB server function section 456 ... DHCP client function section 462 ... Setting screen information 464 ... Storage information (identification information)
481 ... Wired LAN interface 483 ... Wireless LAN interface 521 ... Display control unit 522 ... Input control unit 523 ... Communication control unit 526 ... DHCP client function unit 581 ... Wireless LAN interface 583 ... Mobile communication interface

Claims (11)

A wireless connection system including an electronic device, a wireless terminal device wired to the electronic device, a relay device that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal device, and a terminal device,
The terminal device is
A display for displaying information;
An input unit for accepting external input;
A wireless communication function unit for performing the wireless communication,
The wireless terminal device
An assigning unit for assigning connection information for connecting to a network to the terminal device;
An information providing unit for providing setting screen information for displaying a setting screen for performing settings necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device to the terminal device; ,
The relay device is
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal device;
The allocation unit of the wireless terminal device transmits the connection information for performing network connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device,
The terminal device establishes the network connection with the wireless terminal device using the connection information,
The information providing unit of the wireless terminal device causes the display unit to display the setting screen by transmitting the setting screen information to the terminal device after the network connection with the terminal device is established. ,
The terminal device receives wireless connection information for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device using the setting screen and the input unit, and transmits the received wireless connection information to the wireless terminal device. Send
The wireless connection system, wherein the wireless terminal device establishes a wireless connection with the relay device using the wireless connection information. A wireless terminal device for wirelessly transmitting data from the electronic device that is wired to the electronic device and received by wire to the relay device,
An allocating unit for allocating connection information for connecting to a network a terminal device having a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for receiving input from the outside, and a wireless communication function unit for performing wireless communication;
An information providing unit for providing setting screen information for displaying a setting screen for performing settings necessary for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless terminal device and the relay device for the terminal device;
The allocator transmits connection information for establishing a network connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device;
The information providing unit is a wireless terminal device that transmits the setting screen information to the terminal device after the network connection with the terminal device is established. The wireless terminal device according to claim 2,
The said setting screen information is a radio | wireless terminal apparatus which is the information for displaying the said setting screen for inputting the identifier of the said relay apparatus, and the encryption key set to the said relay apparatus on the said display part. The wireless terminal device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The wireless terminal device has an access point mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as an access point for the terminal device, and a station mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as a station for the relay device,
The wireless terminal device performs wireless communication with the relay device in the station mode. The wireless terminal device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The wireless terminal device has an access point mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as an access point for the terminal device, and a station mode for causing the wireless terminal device to function as a station for the relay device,
The wireless terminal device is capable of simultaneously executing the access point mode and the station mode. The wireless terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising:
A wireless terminal device comprising: a notification unit that transmits a connection status between the wireless terminal device and the relay device to the terminal device. The wireless terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising:
Before the information providing unit transmits the setting screen information, and transmits the input screen information for displaying an identification input screen for inputting the identification information assigned to the radio terminal device to the display unit to the terminal device An identification information function unit that determines whether input information that is identification information input via the identification input screen matches storage information that is identification information stored in advance in the wireless terminal device;
The information providing unit
When the identification information function unit determines that the input information and the stored information match, the setting screen information is transmitted to the terminal device ,
A wireless terminal device that does not transmit the setting screen information to the terminal device when the identification information function unit determines that the input information does not match the stored information. The wireless terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising:
Authentication requesting authentication for performing communication with another device different from the relay device to the relay device having an authentication relay unit that relays authentication of the wireless terminal device to an authentication server device based on IEEE802.1X A wireless terminal device having a request function unit. The wireless terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising:
After the network connection with the terminal device is established, the connection in the data link layer with the wired electronic device is disconnected, and the data link layer with the wired electronic device is again connected A wireless terminal device having a reconnection unit for performing connection.   The wireless terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising:
  Sending setting information for establishing a wireless connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device, and having a setting unit for establishing a wireless connection with the terminal device;
  The allocating unit is a wireless terminal device that transmits the connection information for establishing the network connection with the wireless terminal device to the terminal device after the wireless connection is established. A wireless connection method executed by a wireless terminal device for wirelessly transmitting data from the electronic device that is wired to an electronic device and received by wire to the relay device,
(A) A network between a terminal device having a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for receiving input from the first unit, and a wireless communication function unit for performing wireless communication with the wireless terminal device Sending connection information for establishing a connection;
(B) After the network connection between the wireless terminal device and the terminal device is established using the connection information, settings necessary for wireless connection of the wireless terminal device to the relay device are performed. Transmitting a setting screen information for displaying the setting screen on the display unit to the terminal device.

Images