JP2006186941A - Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication system in which wireless communications of different characters can be smoothly operated at one access point and can be easily accomplished at low running cost. <P>SOLUTION: A connection information storage unit 15 comprises a data storage region 151 corresponding to a virtual AP 200 and a data storage region 152 corresponding to a virtual AP 201. Thus, another simple and temporary second wireless communication can be established relative to a main first wireless communication without cutting it off, and wireless communications of different characters for a plurality of stations can be accomplished at one access point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus such as an access point that performs wireless communication with a communication terminal such as a PC, and particularly to a wireless communication system. In particular, wireless communication having different properties can be smoothly operated at one access point, and at low running cost. The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication system that can be easily realized.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as personal computers (PCs) and information portable terminal devices having a wireless communication function have been widely used, and accordingly, it is possible to easily establish a wireless local area network (LAN) at home, workplace, etc. It has become to. In addition, public wireless LAN services capable of broadband connection by wireless LAN are spreading even in outdoor places such as restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, hotel lobbies, etc., and the Internet can be used quickly and easily. be able to.

  For example, in order to use a PC in a wireless LAN, it is necessary to set the PC so that wireless communication is established with an access point connected to a communication network such as the Internet. For this purpose, firstly, an interface necessary for wireless communication is prepared, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) setting necessary for network connection, SSID (Service Set ID) which is wireless LAN setting information, wireless communication data Encryption parameters such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), which is the encryption setting of the Internet, and various parameters necessary for the setting of the Web browser used for browsing the Web page must be set in the communication terminal. For the user or the elderly, these setting operations are complicated and not easy, and there is a disadvantage that the service cannot be used easily.

  In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a parameter setting system has been proposed that can easily, accurately, and automatically set parameters necessary for using a wireless LAN (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

  The parameter setting system described in Patent Document 1 stores parameters of each setting (TCP / IP setting, wireless LAN setting, Web browser setting) in advance as a network connection information file for each network to be connected. When the wireless LAN function of the PC searches for a SSID code from a beacon transmitted from an access point and the searched SSID code is in the stored network connection information file, the contents of the network connection information file are stored in the PC registry ( Set network connection information by writing it as a setting value in registry).

According to the parameter setting system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the labor for setting many parameters for each connection location by registering the parameter values of all the networks in the personal computer in advance. Also, erroneous input associated with manual input can be avoided.
JP 2003-204335 A ([0016], [0033], [0034])

  However, according to the invention described in Patent Document 1, the network connection information setting by the beacon transmitted from the access point and the wireless communication between the access point based on the wireless LAN and the communication terminal are in the same wireless communication environment. Therefore, there is a problem that reliability is lacking due to a mixture of wireless communication requiring confidentiality and normal wireless communication.

  In order to avoid this, for example, a method of providing a plurality of access points and setting parameters according to the purpose of communication can be considered, but the configuration and setting are complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the running cost increases due to an increase in the number of access points.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication system that can smoothly operate wireless communication having different properties at one access point and can be easily realized at a low running cost.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first communication unit that performs first wireless communication with a communication terminal, a second communication unit that performs second wireless communication different from the first wireless communication, A connection information storage unit having connection information for performing the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication with the communication terminal, and the first wireless communication and the first wireless communication according to a communication state with the communication terminal. And a control unit that selectively executes the second wireless communication.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a communication terminal capable of wireless communication, a first communication unit that performs first wireless communication with the communication terminal, and a second different from the first wireless communication. A communication state between the second communication unit for performing wireless communication, a connection information storage unit having connection information for performing the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication with the communication terminal, and the communication terminal And a controller that selectively executes the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, and performs the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication simultaneously with the plurality of communication terminals. A wireless communication system having a wireless communication device is provided.

  According to the present invention, communication having different properties can be smoothly operated by one access point, and can be easily realized at a low running cost.

  Hereinafter, a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, a plurality of access points are virtually included in a wireless communication device that constitutes an access point.

(Configuration of wireless communication system 100)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wireless communication system configured around a wireless communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system 100 includes an access point 1 having first and second virtual access points (AP) 200 and 201 as the wireless communication device in the same device. Connected to a communication network.

  The access point 1 generally uses a wireless communication function based on radio waves in a predetermined frequency band (for example, 2.4 GHz) using IEEE802.11 technology, and a communication control function such as a routing function and a NAT (Network Address Translation) function. And a communication unit that connects to another communication terminal in the same network by wireless communication and a different network via a communication network such as the Internet. A plurality of communication terminals can be connected under the access point 1, and the plurality of terminals can be simultaneously accessed by wireless communication, and thus are also called wireless LAN access points.

  The virtual AP 200 has a BSS (Basic Service Set) 203 grouped by parameters 202 such as SSID and encryption key necessary for establishing wireless communication. FIG. 1 shows a state in which stations 204 and 205 which are communication terminals such as PCs that have been set by the parameter 202 and have been authenticated for connection to the virtual AP 200 are in the BSS 203.

  Similar to the virtual AP 200, the virtual AP 201 includes a BSS 207 that restricts wireless communication with parameters 206 such as an SSID and an encryption key necessary for establishing communication. FIG. 1 shows a state in which stations 208 and 209 which are communication terminals such as PCs that have been set by the parameter 206 and have been authenticated for connection to the virtual AP 201 are in the BSS 207. Further, the virtual AP 201 is wirelessly controlled so that the radio wave reachable range is smaller than that of the virtual AP 200, but the virtual AP 201 is equivalent in the drawing.

(Configuration of access point 1)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an access point according to the first embodiment. The access point 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that controls overall processing, a network control unit 11 that is connected to the CPU 10 and controls the entire network, various operation buttons, switches, display lamps, a keyboard, and the like. The user interface 12 used when the user directly inputs information to the access point 1 or gives instructions, the wireless control unit 13 that controls transmission / reception by wireless communication with an external terminal, and the wireless control unit 13 The antenna 14 to be connected, parameters 202 and 206 for the virtual APs 200 and 201 constituting the access point 1, and a connection information storage unit 15 for storing other information necessary for wireless communication are included.

(Network configuration)
Next, the network configuration of the access point according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, a method of separating one access point into a plurality of segments using the OSI hierarchical model and operating as a plurality of access points will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the OSI hierarchical model constituting the access point. Here, the physical layer 311 as the first layer to the transport layer 314 as the fourth layer are shown, and the fifth and subsequent layers are not shown.

  The access point 1 has a physical layer 311 that performs electrical conversion for sending data to a communication line as a first layer, and a data link that secures a physical communication path with a communication partner as a second layer. Layer 312, network layer 313 that performs communication path selection and address management within the communication path as the third layer, and data compression for the high efficiency of data transmission as the fourth layer For the data link layer 312 to use a plurality of BSSs, the MAC (Media Access Control) and LLC (Logical Link Control) corresponding to the BSS 203, the MAC corresponding to the BSS 207, and LLC is provided to separate the virtual region range.

  In the BSS 203, as parameters 202, SSID: ABCDEFG and WEP key: Z1Y2X which is an encryption key are set.

  In the BSS 207, SSID: GHIJKL and WEP key: 0A9B8 are set as parameters 206. As the parameters are different, the BSS 203 and the BSS 207 are recognized as different BSSs. In addition to the WEP key described above, a WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) key having a user authentication function for the SSID and WEP key can be used as the encryption key.

  Such a configuration is used for the purpose of the first wireless communication as a main purpose when it is desired to perform communication with different communication applications and communication forms, so-called different properties, but does not want to increase the number of access points 1. For example, this is used when another simple and temporary second wireless communication is desired to be established without disconnecting this.

  Each station performs a prescribed authentication and association connection procedure for the access point to the BSS operated by the access point 1 based on the SSID and encryption key corresponding to the target BSS. If the connection procedure is correct, the access point 1 accepts participation in the BSS for the station that has requested connection.

(Configuration of connection information storage unit 15)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of connection information stored in the connection information storage unit. The connection information storage unit 15 includes connection information 153 and 154 of the stations 204 and 205 connected to the virtual AP 200 of the access point 1 and parameters such as SSID, encryption method, encryption key type, maximum radio wave transmission output, and access range. 202, data storage area 151 for storing 202, connection information 156 and 157 of stations 208 and 209 connected to virtual AP 201, parameters such as SSID, encryption method, encryption key type, maximum radio wave transmission output, and access range 206, and a data storage area 152 for storing data. FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which MAC ADDRESS, Service Type, Association ID, Authentication Algorithm, etc. are stored as connection information.

(Operation of Wireless Communication System 100)
Hereinafter, an operation of the wireless communication system using the access point 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

(Frame reception processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reception process when a frame, which is a unit of information based on wireless communication, is transmitted from a station to an access point. In the following description, the processing in each step (S) is performed by the CPU 10 of the access point 1 unless otherwise specified.

  First, the access point 1 receives a frame transmitted by radio waves from the station 204 (S11). Next, the SSID of the MAC frame in the received frame is examined (S12).

  Next, referring to the connection information storage unit 15, it is determined from the connection information included in the received frame whether or not the transmission source station 204 is a station that can participate in the BSS (S13). .

  If it is determined that the transmission source station 204 is a station that can participate in the BSS (S13: YES), access is received and frame processing is performed (S14).

  On the other hand, if it is determined from the connection information of the received frame that the transmission source station 204 cannot participate in the BSS (S13: NO), the frame is discarded (S15).

(Frame transmission processing)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a transmission process when a frame transmission request is made from the station to the access point.

  First, the access point 1 receives a frame transmission request transmitted by radio waves from the station 204 (S21). Next, the BSS information included in the received frame transmission request is investigated (S22).

  Next, with reference to the connection information storage unit 15, it is determined to which BSS the transmission source station 204 of the received frame transmission request is a participating station (S23).

  Here, when it is determined that the transmission source station 204 is a station participating in any BSS in the access point 1 (S23: YES), the SSID of the BSS is assigned to the station 204 (S24). The connection information storage unit 15 creates a MAC frame using other parameters of the BSS (step S25).

  Next, the transmission power between the access point 1 and the station 204 is set (step S26). When determining the value of the transmission power to be set, the connection information storage unit 15 is referred to, and the transmission power is set within a range not exceeding the preset maximum transmission power. Thereafter, the frame requested by the station 204 is transmitted at the set transmission power (S27).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission source station 204 of the frame transmission request is a station that does not participate in any BSS at the access point (S23: NO), the generation of the transmission frame is stopped (S28).

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, since the data storage area 151 corresponding to the virtual AP 200 and the data storage area 152 corresponding to the virtual AP 201 are provided in the connection information storage unit 15, the main first wireless Another simple and temporary second wireless communication can be established without disconnecting the communication, and wireless communication with different properties can be easily performed with a single access point for a plurality of stations. Can be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the data link layer 312 constituting the second layer of the access point 1 is provided for each of the plurality of BSSs as shown in FIG. 3 is described. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another OSI hierarchical model constituting the access point. As described above, not only the data link layer 412 that is the second layer but also the network layer 413 that is the third layer and the transport layer 414 that is the fourth layer are included in the virtual region range in order to use a plurality of BSSs. Only the physical layer 411 which is the first layer may be used without separating the network. In this configuration, although not shown, for example, parameters of higher layers such as an IP address are individually prepared for each BSS.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a radio communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, parts having the same configuration and function as those of the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals.

  In the wireless communication system 100 according to the second embodiment, a maximum value of transmission power is set for each of a plurality of BSSs in one access point 1. With this setting, new operations can be performed. For example, the radio wave arrival range is simply controlled by dividing data contents or communication target devices into groups and changing transmission power according to the nature of the wireless communication.

  The access point 1 operates two BSSs 203 and 207 and sets different maximum transmission powers in the BSS 203 and the BSS 207. In the second embodiment, the transmission power of the BSS 203 is made smaller than the transmission power of the BSS 207. For this reason, the radio wave reachable range of the BSS 203 has a communication radius smaller than the radio wave reachable range of the BSS 207.

(Operation of Wireless Communication System 100)
When four stations 204, 205, 208, and 209 are trying to access the access point 1, the stations 204 and 205 that want to connect to the BSS 203 have the transmission power of the BSS 203 set to low by the access point 1. Therefore, the access point 1 cannot be accessed within the radio wave reach of the BSS 207, and it is necessary to move to the vicinity of the access point 1 in order to perform wireless communication based on the SSID of the parameter 202 described above.

  On the other hand, since the transmission power of the BSS 207 is set to be large by the access point 1, the stations 208 and 209 that want to connect to the BSS 207 can access the access point 1 in the radio wave reach outside the BSS 203. Wireless communication based on the 206 SSID can be performed. Further, the access point 1 can be accessed even in the radio wave reach of the BSS 203.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the second embodiment described above, since different transmission powers are set in a plurality of BSSs based on the contents of data or conditions such as communication target devices, the access point installer does not increase the number of access points. The access point 1 can be easily controlled according to the purpose of communication. Therefore, it is possible to define a BSS that targets a station that is within a range that is visible to the access point installer, and security can be improved without requiring complicated settings.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a radio communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, in order to participate in the BSS 207 having a wide radio wave coverage, it is necessary to once participate in the BSS 203 having a narrow radio wave reach and receive parameters necessary for participation in the BSS 207.

  Parameters such as an SSID and an encryption key necessary for participating in the BSS 207 cannot be obtained unless connected to the BSS 203. The BSS 203 is used only for assigning the parameter, and is not used for other communications. Therefore, the station 208 that wishes to participate in the BSS 207 is once located in the radio wave reachable range 601 of the BSS 203 and participates in the BSS 203.

  This radio wave reachable range is, for example, a visible region in which only one or two users who assign the parameter 206 can enter in a space with a radius of about 2 m. The access point 1 assigns parameters 206 such as authentication information necessary for participating in the BSS 207 to the station 208 wishing to participate in the BSS 207 via wireless communication in the BSS 203.

  The station 208 receives parameters necessary for participating in the BSS 207, and when the setting is completed, switches the wireless communication connection from the BSS 203 to the BSS 207 with a high level of security. By connecting to the BSS 207, the communicable range with the access point 1 extends to the radio wave reachable range 602 of the BSS 207, so that the station 208 can sufficiently perform wireless communication even if it is away from the vicinity of the access point 1.

(Operation of Wireless Communication System 100)
FIGS. 10A to 10C are operation explanatory diagrams illustrating a typical operation of the wireless communication system according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 10A shows a parameter transmission request operation. The station 208 enters the radio wave reachable range 602 of the BSS 207 in order to receive the parameter 206 from the virtual AP 201 (not shown) of the access point 1, and further enters the radio wave reachable range 601 of the BSS 203 provided inside the station 208.

  At this time, the station 208 receives a radio wave based on the BSS 207, but cannot set the parameter 206 because it does not have the parameter 206, and cannot participate in the BSS 207.

  The station 208 transmits a transmission request signal of the parameter 206 to the access point 1 in the radio wave reachable range 601 of the BSS 203. When the access point 1 receives the transmission request signal of the parameter 206, the access point 1 starts operating the BSS 203.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a parameter receiving operation. The access point 1 wirelessly transmits the parameter 206 based on the parameter transmission request from the station 208. When the station 208 receives the parameter 206, the station 208 performs settings necessary to participate in the BSS 203. When the access point 1 receives wireless communication based on the completion of the setting of the parameter 206 from the station 208, the access point 1 stops the operation of the BSS 203.

  FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication operation in the BSS 207. The station 208 can perform high-security wireless communication based on the parameter 206 received by participating in the BSS 203. In this case, the operation of the BSS 203 is stopped in order to prevent the parameter 206 from being wiretapped.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio communication system according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, an operation that enables participation in the BSS 207 through participation in the BSS 203 will be described. Note that the following processing is performed by the CPU 10 that controls processing in the access point 1. Further, it is assumed that the station 208 has already set the SSID (SSID 1) and encryption key of the BSS 203.

  First, the station 208 is located within the radio wave reachable range of the BSS 203 and connects to the access point 1 with SSID1 (S31). As a result, the station 208 participates in the BSS 203.

  Next, by participating in the BSS 203, the parameter 206 for participating in the BSS 207 is received from the access point 1 (S32). The BSS 203 is a BSS only for the purpose of passing the parameters 206, and cannot perform normal communication.

  Therefore, when receiving the parameter 206, the station 208 disconnects the connection to the BSS 203 (S33), and sets the parameter 206 for connecting to the BSS 207 obtained in S32 (S34). In the station 208, the SSID (SSID 2) of the BSS 207 and the encryption key are set based on the parameter 206.

  Next, the station 208 connects to the access point 1 with the SSID 2 and the encryption key (S35). As a result, the station 208 participates in the BSS 207, and normal wireless communication with a high level of security is started (S36). In addition, since the BSS 207 has a wider radio wave reachable range than the BSS 203 with respect to the communicable range, the station 208 can perform stable wireless communication even if the station 208 leaves the vicinity of the access point 1.

  In addition, when there is a station that is already performing normal communication with the access point 1 in the BSS 207 that is secured, even if a new station appears to join the BSS 207, the wireless communication using the SSID 2 is not disconnected and is stable. And continue.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the third embodiment described above, the parameters for connecting to the BSS 203 temporarily appearing in the vicinity of the access point 1 and performing the connection to the BSS 207 when performing normal communication with the BSS 207 having high level security. Since information 206 is obtained, security-related information is not transmitted over a wide range, and wiretapping by a third party can be physically prevented. In addition, since wireless communication can be easily set based on the settings of the virtual APs 200 and 201 constituting the access point 1, it can be realized at low cost without increasing the number of access points 1.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which two virtual APs constituting the access point 1 are provided has been described, but a configuration in which two or more virtual APs are provided may be employed.

  Also, wireless communication is not limited to 2.4 GHz radio waves, but may be other radio waves such as 5 GHz or UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the radio | wireless communications system comprised centering on the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the access point which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic of the OSI hierarchical model which comprises an access point. It is a schematic diagram of the connection information stored in the connection information storage unit. It is a flowchart which shows a reception process when the transmission of the flame | frame is made | formed with respect to the access point from the station. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission process when the transmission request of the flame | frame is made with respect to the access point from the station. It is the schematic of the other OSI hierarchical model which comprises an access point. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) to (c) is an operation explanatory diagram showing a typical operation of the radio communication system according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio communication system according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Access point, 11 ... Network control part, 12 ... User interface, 13 ... Wireless control part, 14 ... Antenna, 15 ... Connection information storage part, 100 ... Wireless communication system, 151 ... Data storage area, 152 ... Data storage area , 153 ... connection information, 156 ... connection information, 200 ... virtual AP, 201 ... virtual AP, 202 ... parameter, 203 ... BSS, 204 ... station, 205 ... station, 206 ... parameter, 207 ... BSS, 208 ... station, 209 ... Station, 311 ... Physical layer, 312 ... Data link layer, 313 ... Network layer, 314 ... Transport layer, 411 ... Physical layer, 412 ... Data link layer, 413 ... Network layer, 414 ... Transport layer, 501, 502 ... Radio wave coverage, 601, 602 ... Waves reach

Claims (6)

A first communication unit that performs first wireless communication with a communication terminal;
A second communication unit that performs second wireless communication different from the first wireless communication;
A connection information storage unit having connection information for performing the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication with the communication terminal;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a control unit that selectively executes the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication according to a communication state with the communication terminal.   The control unit includes a first communication range in which the first wireless communication with the communication terminal is possible based on the connection information, and a second communication range having a communication radius larger than the first communication range. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled so as to include   The control unit includes a first communication range in which the first wireless communication based on a first authentication level with the communication terminal based on the connection information is possible, and a first communication range higher than the first authentication level. 3. The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled to have a second communication range in which wireless communication at an authentication level of 2 is possible. Communication device.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the first communication unit to perform the first wireless communication when the communication terminal is detected in the first communication range. .   The said control part gives the authentication information for performing radio | wireless communication with a said 2nd communication part in the 2nd communication range to the said communication terminal detected in the said 1st communication range. A wireless communication device according to 1. A communication terminal capable of wireless communication;
A first communication unit that performs first wireless communication with the communication terminal; a second communication unit that performs second wireless communication different from the first wireless communication; and the communication terminal and the first wireless communication. And selectively executing the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication in accordance with a communication state between the connection information storage unit having connection information for performing the second wireless communication and the communication terminal. A wireless communication system including a control unit and performing wireless communication with the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication simultaneously with the plurality of communication terminals.

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