JP2002351766A - Setting file transmission system and transmitting method for setting file - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user who uses a terminal to easily set a setting file needed to connect the terminal to the Internet through an access point. SOLUTION: When a notebook type personal computer 8 of a user A is put closer to a notebook type personal computer 5 in a store, the notebook type personal computer 5 makes a Bluetooth communication with the notebook type personal computer 8 and a setting file managing server 4 transmits the setting file that the notebook type personal computer 8 requires to connect to the Internet 1 through the access point 3 to the notebook type personal computer 8 through the notebook type personal computer 5. On the store side which prepares the access point 3, paper on which the contents of the setting file are written need not be bulletined in the store.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a setting file transmission system for transmitting a setting file necessary for a terminal to connect to the Internet through an access point to the terminal, and a method for transmitting the setting file.

[0002]

In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) connectable to the Internet, such as a store called an Internet cafe, has been installed in the store. Many stores are offered. In such stores, customers can browse websites and send and receive e-mails while eating and drinking, for example. By the way, conventionally, a customer operates a personal computer prepared in advance by a store, browses a Web site, and sends and receives an e-mail.

[0003] However, if the customer carries a notebook computer, for example, he or she does not operate the personal computer prepared in advance by the store, but brings the notebook computer carried by the customer into the store, and There is a demand to operate his / her own notebook computer brought to the company, browse websites, and send and receive e-mails. Therefore, it is conceivable that the store side prepares an access point for connecting the notebook computer brought by the customer into the store to the Internet in order to meet such a customer request.

[0004] When an access point is prepared in this way, a customer first connects a laptop computer brought into the store to the Internet, first of all.
The settings file needed to connect your laptop to the Internet through an access point,
You have to set it on your own laptop. In other words, on the store side, it is necessary for the customer to have the notebook computer brought by the customer himself into the store set the necessary settings file for the notebook computer to connect to the Internet through an access point. , The contents of the configuration file (for example, SSID (Service
t ID) and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

Here, as a method of transmitting the contents of these setting files, for example, a paper on which the contents of the setting files are written is posted at a predetermined place in a store, or a recording medium in which the contents of the setting files are recorded. Medium (for example, FD (Floppy
Disk (registered trademark))). However, in the method of posting the paper on which the content of the setting file is written in the store, the customer is required to manually input the content of the setting file, and thus there is a problem that the quality of service is reduced. Also, the method of distributing the recording medium on which the contents of the setting file are recorded can be reduced only by transferring (copying) the contents of the setting file recorded on the recording medium to the notebook computer, thereby reducing the burden on the customer. Although it is possible, it is necessary to prepare a recording medium and distribute it to a customer or to collect it from a customer, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a user who uses a terminal with a simple setting file required for the terminal to connect to the Internet through an access point. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a setting file transmission system and a setting file transmission method that can enhance convenience.

[0007]

According to the configuration file transmission system of the present invention, the terminal manages the configuration file necessary for the terminal to connect to the Internet through the access point, and transmits the configuration file to the access point. Since the configuration is provided with a setting file transmission unit that transmits to the terminal via a communication path that does not go through, it is not necessary for the store that provides the access point to post a paper with the contents of the setting file in the store. ,Also,
There is no need to prepare a recording medium on which the contents of the setting file are recorded, and the user of the terminal can easily set the setting file necessary for the terminal to connect to the Internet through an access point, Thereby, convenience can be improved.

According to the setting file transmission system of the present invention, the setting file transmitting means transmits the setting file to the terminal by causing the short-range wireless communication terminal to perform short-range wireless communication with the terminal. With this configuration, the shop that has prepared the access point can prepare the short-range wireless communication terminal so that the user who uses the terminal can easily set the setting file.

According to the configuration file transmission system of the present invention, when the short-distance wireless communication terminal detects that the distance between the short-distance wireless communication terminal and the terminal has become equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the configuration file transmission means transmits the setting file. Since it is configured to automatically send to the terminal, stores that have access points can easily set up the setting file without forcing the user using the terminal to receive the setting file Can be done.

According to the setting file transmission system of the present invention, the setting file transmitting means performs telephone communication with the terminal by using a mobile telephone connected to the terminal, thereby transmitting the setting file. Since it is configured to transmit to the terminal, on the store side that has prepared the access point, by having the user who uses the terminal transmit, for example, the setting file transmission means as the destination,
The user using the terminal can easily set the setting file.

According to the setting file transmission system of the present invention, the setting file transmitting means is adapted to detect a position detected by the mobile phone from a plurality of setting files corresponding to a plurality of access points having different installation locations. The configuration file is sent to the terminal, so the store that provides the access point uses the terminal even if, for example, a similar system is built in a plurality of locations. The user can easily set an appropriate setting file according to the position.

According to the method of transmitting a setting file according to the sixth aspect, the terminal manages the setting file required for connecting to the Internet through the access point, and transmits the setting file via a communication path not passing through the access point. Since the information is transmitted to the terminal, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be obtained. That is, the store providing the access point can provide the user using the terminal with the information. A configuration file necessary for the terminal to connect to the Internet through an access point can be easily set.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention applied to a system constructed in a store called an Internet cafe according to claims 1 to 3 of the present invention. An example will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, the store has an Internet 1
-Up router 2, access point 3, setting file management server 4 (setting file transmitting means in the present invention) and notebook computer 5 (short-range wireless communication terminal in the present invention)
Are connected to an Ethernet (registered trademark) 6. In this case, when there is a connection request to the Internet 1 from any device connected to the Ethernet 6, the dial-up router 2
And when the communication is completed, the connection with the Internet 1 is cut off.

The notebook personal computer 5 includes various ICs (Integers).
grated Circuit) It has card slots 5a and 5b for inserting cards, and as one of IC cards,
When a Bluetooth communication card 7 having a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication function as a short-range wireless communication is inserted into, for example, the card slot 5a and the Bluetooth communication card 7 is in an operable state, a communication with a terminal capable of Bluetooth communication is performed. Establish a Bluetooth communication line between the
It is configured to be able to communicate. Note that, in this case, the notebook computer 5 has a terminal capable of Bluetooth communication approaching, and the terminal capable of Bluetooth communication is located within a communication range (for example, a radius of 10 around the notebook computer 5).
Meters), the Blueto
It is configured to automatically establish a Bluetooth communication line with a terminal capable of oth communication.

Notebook personal computer 8 (terminal in the present invention)
Is carried by the user A who enters the store, and is provided with card slots 8a and 8b for inserting various IC cards in the same manner as the notebook computer 5 described above. For example, a Bluetooth communication card 9 having a Bluetooth communication function is inserted into one of the card slots 8a, for example.
When Bluetooth is operable, establish a Bluetooth communication line with a terminal capable of Bluetooth communication and
It is configured to be able to perform oth communication. The notebook computer 8 is a wireless LAN as one of the IC cards.
When a wireless LAN card 10 having an AN (Local Area Network) function is inserted into the other card slot 8b, for example, and the wireless LAN card 10 is operable, a wireless LAN is constructed with the access point 3. It is configured.

The setting file management server 4 manages a setting file for connecting the notebook personal computer 8 to the Internet 1 through the access point 3 and, when a read command is input from the notebook personal computer 5, manages it. The configuration file is configured to be output to the notebook computer 5. When the configuration file is input from the configuration file management server 4, the configuration file is transferred between the notebook computer 8 and the configuration file.
It is configured to transmit to the notebook computer 8 by performing Bluetooth communication. Here, the setting file is an SSID (Service Set ID) or WEP.
(Wired Equivalent Privacy) etc. are included.

The notebook personal computer 8 performs Bluetooth communication with the notebook personal computer 5 so that the setting file management server 4 sends the notebook personal computer 5
When the configuration file is received through the DHCP, the received configuration file is set, and thereafter, the DHCP (Dynamic Host
It is configured to be able to connect to the Internet 1 through the access point 3 using an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to itself by the server 11.

Next, as an operation of the above-described configuration, a case where the user A enters the store with the notebook computer 8 carried will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the notebook PC 5 at the store side is Bl
The uetooth communication card 7 is inserted into the card slot 5a, the Bluetooth communication card 7 is in an operable state, and the notebook PC 8 carried by the user A is
Means that the Bluetooth communication card 9 is inserted in one card slot 8a in advance, and the wireless LAN card 10 is inserted in the other card slot 8b in advance.
It is assumed that the Bluetooth communication card 9 and the wireless LAN card 10 are in an operable state.

First, when the user A carries the notebook computer 8 and enters the store, the notebook computer 5 on the store side communicates with the notebook computer 8 based on, for example, the received electric field strength of the radio wave received from the notebook computer 8. Detect the distance between. Then, the notebook-type personal computer 5 on the store side stores the user A
When it is detected that the notebook personal computer 8 has entered the communication range, a request for connection of a wireless link is made to the notebook personal computer 8 of the user A (step S1).

Next, the notebook computer 5 at the store side
When a Bluetooth communication line is established with the notebook PC 8 of the user A, a read command is output to the setting file management server 4. When a read command is input from the notebook computer 5 on the store side, the configuration file management server 4 stores the managed configuration file on the notebook computer 5 on the store side.
(Step S2). When the setting file is input from the setting file management server 4, the notebook computer 5 on the store side communicates the input setting file with the notebook computer 8 of the user A by Bluetooth communication. (Step S3).

When the user A's notebook computer 8 receives the setting file from the setting file management server 4 through the notebook computer 5 on the store side, the liquid crystal display 8
On c, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, it notifies that the setting file has been received, and opens a window W asking whether to set the received setting file (step S4). Here, it is assumed that the user A clicks the “OK” button, and when detecting that the user A has clicked the “OK” button, the notebook computer 8 of the user A sends the notebook file of the store from the setting file management server 4. The setting file received through the personal computer 5 is set, and a wireless LAN is constructed with the access point 3 (step S5).

The DHCP server 11 assigns an IP address to the notebook computer 8 of the user A in response to the fact that the notebook computer 8 of the user A and the access point 3 have established a wireless LAN (step S6). Then, the notebook computer 8 of the user A receives the I assigned to itself.
The access point 3 is used to connect to the Internet 1 using the P address (step S7).

In this manner, the user A puts the notebook computer 8 brought into the store into the access point 3
The user can easily connect to the Internet 1 through the Internet, and thereafter, can operate the notebook computer 8 brought into the store, browse a Web site, and send and receive e-mails.

By the way, the case where the setting file management server 4 is connected to the Ethernet 6 has been described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the setting file management server 4 is connected to the Ethernet 6. Instead, a configuration file management server 12 (a configuration file transmission unit in the present invention) having a function equivalent to the configuration file management server 4 may be installed as a server on the Internet 1. In this case, when the notebook-type personal computer 5 on the store side establishes a Bluetooth communication line with the notebook-type personal computer 8 of the user A, the dial-up router 2 makes a dial-up connection, and issues a read command through the Internet 1. The file is transmitted to the setting file management server 12. And the laptop 5 at the store
Is transmitted from the setting file management server 12 to the Internet 1
When the setting file is received through the PC, the received setting file is transmitted between the user A
By performing the uetooth communication, the data is transmitted to the notebook computer 8 of the user A.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the setting file necessary for connecting the notebook computer 8 carried by the user A to the Internet 1 through the access point 3 installed in the store. Is managed by the setting file management server 4, the notebook PC 5 is installed in the store, and the notebook PC 5 on the store side is the user A.
The configuration file is transmitted from the setting file management server 4 to the notebook computer 8 of the user A through the notebook computer 5 at the store by performing Bluetooth communication with the notebook computer 8 of the user A. The store that has prepared the point 3 does not need to post, for example, a paper on which the content of the setting file is written in the store, and it is not necessary to prepare a recording medium on which the content of the setting file is recorded. , User A, the user A
The setting file required for the notebook computer 8 to connect to the Internet 1 through the access point 3 can be easily set, thereby improving the convenience.

In this case, when the notebook computer 5 of the user A approaches the notebook computer 5 of the store and detects that the notebook computer 8 of the user A is within the communication range, Since the configuration file is automatically transmitted from the configuration file management server 4 to the notebook computer 8 of the user A through the laptop computer 5 at the store, the store A where the access point 3 is prepared is used for the user A. For example, the setting file can be easily set without forcing the user to perform an operation for receiving the setting file.

For a store, by constructing such a system, it is possible to improve the quality of service for customers, thereby achieving differentiation from others and expecting an effect of attracting customers. can do.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, different parts will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the notebook PC 5 is installed in the store, and the notebook PC 5 in the store communicates with the notebook PC 8 of the user A by Bluetooth. A from the user A through the store-side laptop 5
In the second embodiment, on the other hand, the transmission to the notebook computer 8 is described.
In this configuration, a portable telephone is connected to the notebook personal computer 8, and telephone communication using the portable telephone is performed, so that the setting file is transmitted from the setting file management server 4 to the notebook personal computer 8 of the user A via the telephone network.

That is, in FIG. 5, the notebook personal computer 8 carried by the user A is a portable telephone card to which a portable telephone 21 is connected instead of the Bluetooth communication card 9 described in the first embodiment. When the mobile phone card 22 is inserted into one of the card slots 8a and the mobile phone card 22 is in an operable state, telephone communication using the mobile phone 21 can be performed.

In this case, when the user A performs an outgoing operation on the mobile phone 21 with the setting file management server 12 installed as a server on the Internet 1 as a destination, the setting file management server 12 In response to the transmission from the mobile phone 21, the management file is transmitted to the mobile phone 21 through the Internet 1 and the mobile phone network 23, and the mobile phone 21 transmits the setting file from the setting file management server 12 to the Internet 1 and the mobile phone network 23. When the setting file is received through the PC, the received setting file is transferred to the notebook computer 8 of the user A.

Then, the notebook computer 8 of the user A
When the setting file is transferred from the mobile phone 21,
Thereafter, as described in the above-described first embodiment, a window W for notifying that the setting file has been received and opening a window W for asking whether to set the received setting file is opened on the liquid crystal display 8c, User A is "OK"
When it is detected that the button is clicked, the setting file received from the setting file management server 12 via the Internet 1 and the mobile phone network 23 is set, and a wireless LAN is established with the access point 3.

As described above, even in this case, the user A can use the notebook computer 8 brought into the store.
Can be easily connected to the Internet 1 through the access point 3, and thereafter, the user can operate the notebook computer 8 brought into the store, browse a Web site, and send and receive e-mails. it can.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the portable telephone 21 is connected to the notebook personal computer 8 carried by the user A, and the setting file management server 12 communicates with the notebook personal computer 8 of the user A. Since the configuration file is transmitted from the configuration file management server 12 to the notebook computer 8 of the user A through the Internet 1 and the telephone network 23 by performing the telephone communication using the mobile phone 21 between The same operation and effect as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, at the store where the access point 3 is prepared, the notebook computer 8 of the user A is provided to the user A through the access point 3. A setting file required for connecting to the Internet 1 can be easily set.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the above-described second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, different parts will be described. In the third embodiment, the setting file management server manages a plurality of setting files corresponding to a plurality of access points whose installation locations are different from each other.
A portable telephone having a position detection function is connected to the notebook personal computer 8 of the first embodiment, and a setting file corresponding to the position detected by the portable telephone is set from a plurality of setting files managed by the setting file management server. In this configuration, the data is transmitted from the server to the notebook PC of the user A.

That is, in FIG.
Generates demodulated GPS radio waves received from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite 32 to generate position information indicating a position. The setting file management server 33 (setting file transmitting means in the present invention) installed as a server on the Internet 1 manages a plurality of setting files corresponding to a plurality of access points (not shown) having different installation locations. are doing. In addition, in FIG.
Although only one S satellite 32 is shown, the mobile phone 31
Is for demodulating GPS radio waves received from at least three GPS satellites and generating position information.

In this case, when the user A performs an outgoing operation using the mobile phone 31 with the setting file management server 33 as a destination, the setting file management server 33
In response to the call from the mobile phone 31, the mobile phone 3
1 to extract a setting file corresponding to the position information received from the mobile phone 31 from a plurality of setting files managed by the mobile phone 31 and transfer the extracted setting file to the Internet 1 and the mobile phone network. 23 to the mobile phone 31. As described above, according to the third embodiment, the portable telephone 31 having the position detection function is connected to the notebook personal computer 8 carried by the user A, and the setting file management server 33 is connected to the notebook personal computer 8 of the user A. Since the configuration file is transmitted from the configuration file management server 33 to the notebook computer 8 of the user A through the Internet 1 and the telephone network 23 by performing the telephone communication using the mobile phone 31 with the PC 8. The same operation and effect as those described in the second embodiment can be obtained. Also,
In this case, since the configuration file according to the position detected by the mobile phone 31 is transmitted from the configuration file management server 33, the same system is provided on the store side where the access point 3 is prepared. Even in a case where the file is constructed at a place, the user A can easily set an appropriate setting file according to the position.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The terminal that the user brings into the store is not limited to a notebook personal computer, but may be a portable information terminal or the like. The present invention is not limited to a store called an Internet cafe, but may be applied to other stores and facilities such as, for example, a store selling electric appliances and an amusement facility.

The notebook computer of the user is Bluetoot.
h The communication function and the wireless LAN function may be initially installed, and the laptop computer at the store may be initially equipped with the Bluetooth communication function. In a user's laptop,
The configuration file received from the configuration file management server may be stored, and when the user next enters the same store, the stored configuration file may be read out. Each time, there is no need to receive a setting file from the setting file management server.

In the first embodiment, the notebook personal computer at the store may have a configuration file management server or a function as a DHCP server. In the third embodiment, instead of detecting a position based on a GPS radio wave, a configuration may be employed in which a position is detected based on a radio wave received from a base station.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of processing flows;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an entire configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is the Internet, 3 is the access point,
4 is a setting file management server (setting file transmitting means), 5 is a notebook computer (short-range wireless communication terminal),
8 is a notebook personal computer (terminal), 12 is a setting file management server (setting file transmitting means), 21 is a mobile phone, 31 is a mobile phone, and 33 is a setting file managing server (setting file transmitting means).

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system in which a terminal connects to the Internet through an access point, wherein the terminal manages a setting file required for connecting to the Internet through the access point, and stores the managed setting file in the terminal. A setting file transmission system, comprising: a setting file transmission unit that transmits the setting file to the terminal via a communication path that does not pass through an access point. 2. The setting file transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising: a short-distance wireless communication terminal that performs short-distance wireless communication with the terminal; A setting file transmission system, wherein the setting file is transmitted to the terminal by performing short-range wireless communication with the terminal. 3. The setting file transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the short-range wireless communication terminal includes a distance detection function for detecting a distance between the short-range wireless communication terminal and the terminal. When the wireless communication terminal detects that the distance to the terminal has become equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the setting file transmission system automatically transmits the setting file to the terminal. 4. The setting file transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to be connectable to a mobile phone, and the setting file transmission unit is connected to the terminal and connected to the terminal. A setting file transmission system, wherein the setting file is transmitted to the terminal by performing telephone communication using a telephone. 5. The setting file transmitting system according to claim 4, wherein the mobile phone has a position detecting function for detecting a position, and the setting file transmitting means corresponds to a plurality of access points having different installation locations. A setting file transmission system, wherein a setting file corresponding to a position detected by the mobile phone from among a plurality of setting files is transmitted to the terminal. 6. A method for managing a setting file required for a terminal to connect to the Internet through an access point, and transmitting the managed setting file to the terminal via a communication path not passing through the access point. How to send the configuration file that is the feature.