JP2006295731A - Radio communication apparatus and network setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide "a radio communication apparatus and a network setting method" capable of simplifying a setting of a radio LAN for establishing a communication between the radio communication apparatus and the other radio communication apparatus equipped with a stealth function of ESS-ID. <P>SOLUTION: In the case where a communication is established as to the radio communication apparatus (on-board terminal 20) between the radio communication apparatus and the other radio communication apparatus (PC10, AP30) equipped with the stealth function of ESS-ID, when a PC 10 starts a process relating to a network environmental setting (S11, S12), the stealth function of ESS-ID is released (S13). The on-board terminal 20 obtains ESS-ID information transmitted by releasing the stealth function (S22) and sets for connecting with the PC 10 (S23). When the PC 10 detects a termination of the setting at the on-board terminal 20, the PC 10 sets the stealth function effectively (S14). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology adapted to construct a wireless communication network, and in particular, to another wireless communication apparatus having a stealth function of ESS-ID (Extended Service Set ID) in a wireless LAN (local area network). The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a network setting method for establishing communication between the two.

  In recent years, digitalization of broadcasting services has progressed, and new services such as interactive services and storage-type services have begun, and audio / video (A / V) such as CD players and DVD players due to network broadbandization and the like. Information-related devices are networked, and home personal computers (hereinafter also referred to as “PCs” for convenience) are also converted to A / V devices. Considering the next-generation data platform in such a current situation, conditions such as high-speed access, various information handling, and common handling of A / V devices and PCs are required. A typical information recording medium that satisfies such conditions is a hard disk drive (HDD), and recently, an HDD (removable HDD) that can be removed so as to be portable has been proposed. Such HDD is also used for in-vehicle use. For example, a music file such as MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3) is ripped from an in-vehicle CD player to the in-vehicle HDD, or a removable HDD storing the music file is installed in the vehicle. In some cases, music files are transferred to each other by connecting to a home PC with a USB cable or the like.

  Currently, in order to synchronize a music file recorded in a home PC (HDD) and a music file recorded in an in-vehicle terminal (HDD), a system using a wireless LAN is being studied.

  When constructing a wireless LAN, it is necessary to make network settings for establishing communication for each wireless communication device (PC, in-vehicle terminal, etc.). To do this, select a communication mode, set a communication channel, set ESS -It is necessary to input various information such as ID, WEP and WPA. The ESS-ID is information for identifying a network, and enables communication between wireless communication devices in which the same ESS-ID is set. WEP, WPA, and the like are information on the type of encryption, and are key information for encrypting data to be transmitted or decrypting data to be received, and are not between wireless communication apparatuses in which the same WEP or the like is set. Data cannot be sent or received. The communication channel is a parameter for specifying a radio frequency to be used. In the IEEE802.11 standard, 14 channels are prepared. The communication mode is a parameter for specifying a communication method. In the IEEE 802.11 standard, all communication is performed via a relay device called an “access point” (infrastructure mode), and via an access point. A method (ad hoc mode) in which direct communication is performed between the wireless communication devices without using the device can be used.

  In addition, an ESS-ID is transmitted to the wireless LAN access point (relay device) or the wireless LAN adapter (interface) of each wireless communication device as a function defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard at regular intervals. There is a “beacon signal” function. This is a function prepared so that a device to be connected to the network can easily find the network, but a user other than a legitimate user can easily find the network and try to connect. For this reason, as with the above WEP, WPA, etc., as one of the security functions, there is also a function provided with a function of stopping a beacon signal that informs the surrounding of the ESS-ID (stealth function of ESS-ID). By operating this stealth function (stopping the beacon signal), it can be operated so that the presence of the network is not easily detected in the surroundings.

As a technique related to the above network setting, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a reception power detection unit for determining an approaching state between a parent device and a child device configuring a wireless LAN device is provided. When the received power value of the slave unit exceeds the specified value during communication between the master unit and the slave unit, it is determined that the master unit and the slave unit are in an approaching state, and the parent unit is allowed to change various network settings. There is something like that. Also, as described in Patent Document 2, a short-range communication unit that communicates with other wireless devices using radio waves weaker than the standard is provided, and this short-range communication unit is operated to communicate when setting parameters are transmitted. In some cases, the setting parameter is prevented from leaking to a third party outside the communication range of the short-range communication unit.
JP 2001-197069 A JP 2003-152735 A

  As described above, a wireless LAN access point or the like is provided with a function (beacon signal function) for transmitting an ESS-ID for notifying the existence of a network to the surroundings at regular intervals. Some have a function (ESS-ID stealth function) for stopping the beacon signal function.

  For such a wireless LAN, for example, when searching for an access point from an in-vehicle terminal and connecting to a network, as shown in FIG. 1A, if the access point (AP) does not have a stealth function, By detecting a beacon signal (ESS-ID) transmitted from the AP in the in-vehicle terminal CT, connection to the network (a PC belonging to the network) can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the stealth function is working in the access point (AP) as shown in FIG. 1B, a beacon signal (ESS-ID) is not transmitted from the AP as shown by a broken line in the figure. The terminal CT cannot detect the AP. In this case, after checking the network setting status of the PC connected to the AP and manually inputting all necessary data in the in-vehicle terminal CT, the setting of the wireless LAN is possible.

  However, the vehicle (in-vehicle terminal CT) is not always within the range of the communication distance from the AP, and even in the range of the communication distance, the in-vehicle terminal CT is affected by the deterioration of the radio wave environment. There is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether data (radio waves) necessary for setting the wireless LAN has arrived at the AP and whether the setting is wrong.

  In addition, when the stealth function is working, the user has to check the network setting status of the PC in order to obtain the ESS-ID information of the network, and the work is complicated. In order to do this, various information such as key information such as ESS-ID, WEP, and WPA must be manually input by key operation of a remote controller or the like, and there is a problem that the input operation is very troublesome. For example, in the case of WEP, there are 40-bit and 128-bit keys (keys) for encryption, and it is very troublesome to manually input them.

  The present invention was created in view of the problems of the prior art, and simplifies setting of a wireless LAN for establishing communication with another wireless communication apparatus having an ESS-ID stealth function. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a network setting method capable of performing the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems of the related art, according to the present invention, a wireless communication device that is communicably connected to another wireless communication device having an ESS-ID stealth function, An input means for inputting a user instruction relating to a network setting for establishing communication with the apparatus, a display means for displaying an operation screen for the network setting, and the input means and the display means are operable. Connected to the control means, and the control means receives the ESS-ID information transmitted when the stealth function of the ESS-ID is canceled in the other wireless communication device. A wireless communication apparatus is provided, wherein the operation screen is displayed on the display means based on a user instruction.

  According to a wireless communication device (for example, an in-vehicle terminal) according to the present invention, when performing settings (wireless LAN settings) for connection with another wireless communication device (for example, PC, AP), the other wireless communication device Since the ESS-ID information transmitted by releasing the stealth function can be obtained, it is possible to omit the troublesome work of checking the network setting status of the PC as in the past, and from the obtained ESS-ID information. Since information on the type of encryption such as WEP or WPA can also be obtained, it is not necessary to manually input such information.

  That is, as compared with the conventional case where all necessary data is manually input after checking the network setting status of the PC, the setting of the wireless LAN can be simplified.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for setting the first wireless communication apparatus to establish communication with a second wireless communication apparatus having an ESS-ID stealth function is provided. The second wireless communication device releases the stealth function of the ESS-ID when processing related to the network environment setting is started, and the first wireless communication device makes a call by releasing the stealth function. ESS-ID information is obtained, setting for connection with the second wireless communication device is performed, and in the second wireless communication device, the setting in the first wireless communication device is terminated. A network setting method is provided, wherein the stealth function is set to be effective when detected.

  Embodiments of a wireless communication apparatus and a network setting method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of each wireless communication apparatus used to implement the network setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, a home personal computer (PC) 10 and an audio device (in-vehicle terminal 20) mounted on a vehicle are used as each wireless communication device, and the PC 10 belongs to an arbitrary network. The in-vehicle terminal 20 is connected to an access point (AP) 30 by wireless communication in order to participate in this network, and further, a case where a wireless LAN is configured with the PC 10 by relaying the AP 30 is shown.

  Wireless LAN access points include a “bridge” type device that only relays data transfer and a “router” type device that is used for mediation between different networks in addition to data transfer relay. In the embodiment, the latter type is used. As shown in the figure, the AP 30 used in the present embodiment relays data transfer by a wireless LAN between the PC 10 and the in-vehicle terminal 20 and connects the wireless LAN to the Internet via ADSL. Further, the AP 30 and the PC 10 are wired by Ethernet (registered trademark). Further, the AP 30 has an ESS-ID stealth function, and the stealth function is canceled based on an instruction from the PC 10 (transmission of ESS-ID) or the canceled stealth function is reset as described later. (Stop sending ESS-ID).

  The PC 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an HDD 14, a wireless LAN interface 15, and a wired LAN interface 16. Each of the functional blocks 12 to 16 is operably connected to the control unit 11. Although not specifically illustrated, the control unit 11 is configured to include a RAM and a ROM together with a CPU, and as processing related to the present invention, as will be described later, the in-vehicle terminal 20 wirelessly performs in cooperation with the PC 10 and the AP 30. It has a function of controlling processing related to LAN settings. Also, the HDD 14 stores music file data that has been compressed (encoded) using an audio signal compression technique such as MP3 as data related to the present embodiment. In addition to the music data (actual data), information indicating the contents of the music file (music name, artist name, album name, etc.) is added to the music file.

  The operation unit 12 is a keyboard provided with various operation keys for inputting an operation instruction by the user. At least as related to the present embodiment, the operation unit 12 reproduces music files stored in the HDD 14 or plays music. An operation key for executing processing related to the transfer of the file to the in-vehicle terminal 20 is provided. In addition, as related to the present invention, as will be described later, an operation key for executing processing related to the cancellation of the ESS-ID stealth function of the AP 30 and the return thereof (re-setting of the stealth function) is provided.

  The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD panel, a CRT, or the like, and information related to various operation instructions input via the operation unit 12 (keyboard) is displayed on the screen based on control from the control unit 11. The Information related to the contents of the music file stored in the HDD 14 (music name, artist name, album name, etc.) is displayed as related to the present embodiment, and related to the present invention will be described later. Thus, an operation screen for setting the network environment based on installation of a predetermined application performed on the PC 10 side is displayed.

  Further, the wireless LAN interface 15 transmits data between the PC 10 and an external wireless communication device via a wireless LAN card 17 (indicated by a broken line in the figure) used when performing “ad hoc mode” communication. It is used to control delivery and is used when necessary. The wired LAN interface 16 controls the exchange of data between the PC 10 and the AP 30 by wire.

  On the other hand, the in-vehicle terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, an HDD 24, an audio processing unit 25, a wireless LAN communication control unit 26, and an electric field strength detection unit 27. . Similarly, each of the functional blocks 22 to 27 is operably connected to the control unit 21. Like the control unit 11 of the PC 10, the control unit 21 includes a CPU and a RAM and a ROM (not shown). As processing related to the present invention, the in-vehicle terminal 20 is connected to the PC 10 and It has a function of controlling processing related to setting of a wireless LAN performed in cooperation with the AP 30. Similar to the HDD 14 on the PC 10 side, music file data is stored in the HDD 24.

  The operation unit 22 is provided with a display unit 23 on a console panel (operation panel) in front of the front seat in the passenger compartment, for example, and includes various operation keys for inputting operation instructions by the user. At least as operation related to the present embodiment, an operation key for executing processing related to reproduction of a music file stored in the HDD 24 and transfer of the music file to the PC 10 side is provided. As will be described later, an operation key for executing processing related to setting of a wireless LAN and the like is provided. As a form of the operation unit 22, in addition to the operation panel described above, a remote control receiving unit for remote control and a remote control transmitter that supplies an operation instruction signal by infrared rays to the remote control receiving unit may be combined. .

  The display unit 23 is configured by an LCD panel, an organic EL panel, and the like, and the screen displays various operation instructions input via the operation unit 22 (operation panel, remote control, etc.) based on control from the control unit 21. Related information is displayed. Information related to the contents of the music file stored in the HDD 24 (music name, artist name, album name, etc.) is displayed as related to the present embodiment, and related to the present invention will be described later. Thus, an operation screen for setting the wireless LAN is displayed. Furthermore, the reception level (electric field intensity) of the radio wave signal (beacon signal including ESS-ID information) detected by the electric field intensity detection unit 27 is displayed based on the control from the control unit 21 as necessary.

  Also, the audio processing unit 25 decompresses (decodes) the digital music file data read from the HDD 24 based on the control from the control unit 21, and further performs digital / analog conversion to convert the analog audio signal. Output (audio output). Although not shown, the audio signal output from the audio processing unit 25 is power-amplified through a power amplifier, then supplied to a speaker and output as audio.

  The wireless LAN communication control unit 26 is an interface for controlling wireless data transmission / reception between the in-vehicle terminal 20 and an external wireless communication device (AP 30 and PC 10 in the illustrated example). The electric field strength detection unit 27 detects the electric field strength from a signal (in this case, a beacon signal including ESS-ID information) received via the wireless LAN communication control unit 26. The electric field intensity detected by the electric field intensity detection unit 27 is monitored by the control unit 21.

  Hereinafter, processing related to wireless LAN setting performed by the in-vehicle terminal 20 in cooperation with the PC 10 and the AP 30 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing an example of the processing flow. In this processing flow, it is assumed that the ESS-ID stealth function of the AP 30 is “valid” as a precondition, and that the vehicle (the vehicle-mounted terminal 20) is within the communication distance from the AP 30.

  First, on the PC 10 side, when an application related to the environment setting of the network to which the PC 10 belongs is installed (step S11), the control unit 11 makes a connection with the in-vehicle terminal 20 based on an input operation from the operation unit 12 by the user. A setup process for synchronous connection (Sync.) For starting data transfer is started (step S12), and an operation screen for setting the network environment is displayed on the screen of the display unit 13.

  Next, when the key operation for starting the processing operation related to the setting of the wireless LAN is performed by the input operation from the operation unit 22 by the user on the in-vehicle terminal 20 side, the control unit 21 performs the wireless LAN setup process. Is started (step S21), and an operation screen for wireless LAN setting is displayed on the screen of the display unit 23. The user inputs parameters and various information for setting the wireless LAN in accordance with the instructions displayed on the operation screen. At this point, the ESS-ID stealth function of the AP 30 is “enabled”. Therefore, the network cannot be specified.

  In this state, when an instruction to release the stealth function (beacon signal transmission instruction) is given on the PC 10 side by an input operation from the operation unit 12 by the user (step S13), the AP 30 stops the beacon that has been stopped so far. A signal (ESS-ID) is transmitted (step S31).

  In the in-vehicle terminal 20, since the vehicle is within the communication range from the AP 30, it can receive a radio wave signal (beacon signal) transmitted from the AP 30 and obtain ESS-ID information included in the beacon signal. (Step S22). This ESS-ID information includes information on the type of encryption such as WEP and WPA as described above.

  At this time, the electric field strength detection unit 27 detects the reception level (electric field strength) from the beacon signal received via the wireless LAN communication control unit 26, and the detected electric field strength is received from the control unit 21. Monitoring is performed on the screen of the display unit 23 based on the control. Therefore, when the user determines that the radio wave environment is bad while looking at the displayed electric field strength (reception status of the radio wave signal), the user recognizes the ESS-ID information by moving the vehicle to a place where the radio wave environment is good. A signal having a sufficient level can be received.

  When the ESS-ID information is obtained on the in-vehicle terminal 20 in this way, next, the control unit 21 sets the wireless LAN on the screen of the display unit 23 based on the input operation from the operation unit 22 by the user. An operation screen is displayed (step S23). Then, the user inputs parameters and various information necessary for setting the wireless LAN in accordance with the instructions displayed on the operation screen. In this case, unlike the prior art, since ESS-ID information and key information such as WEP and WPA have already been obtained, it is not necessary to manually input such information, and the minimum necessary parameters and information ( For example, it is sufficient to input encryption information unique to the in-vehicle terminal 20.

  Thereafter, a command for requesting “AP search / connection” and “connection confirmation OK” in response to the request are exchanged by wireless communication with the AP 30, and further, with the PC 10 via the AP 30. Then, a command for requesting “PC connection” and “connection confirmation OK” in response to this are exchanged by wireless communication and wired communication. As a result, the connection setting with the PC 10 is completed, and the fact is displayed on the screen of the display unit 23 (“setup end” in step S24).

  Next, on the PC 10 side, when the end of connection setting (wireless LAN setting) in the in-vehicle terminal 20 is detected, an instruction to set the stealth function (beacon signal stop instruction) by an input operation from the operation unit 12 by the user. ) Is provided (step S14). Then, the control unit 11 displays on the screen of the display unit 13 that the setup process for the synchronous connection (Sync.) With the in-vehicle terminal 20 has been completed (“setup end” in step S15).

  On the other hand, in response to the beacon signal stop instruction from the PC 10, the AP 30 stops the transmission of the beacon signal (ESS-ID) that has been temporarily transmitted until then (step S32).

  As described above, according to the network setting method according to the present embodiment, when the in-vehicle terminal 20 performs wireless LAN setting for connection with the AP 30 (PC 10), it is transmitted by releasing the stealth function of the AP 30. ESS-ID information can be obtained, so that the troublesome work of checking the network setting status of the PC as in the past can be omitted, and further, the obtained ESS-ID information relates to the encryption type such as WEP and WPA. Since key information is also obtained, there is no need to manually input such information.

  That is, as compared with the conventional case where all necessary data is manually input after checking the network setting status of the PC, the setting of the wireless LAN can be simplified.

  Further, when setting the wireless LAN on the in-vehicle terminal 20 side, when the user determines that the radio wave environment is bad while looking at the electric field strength (ESS-ID reception status) displayed on the screen of the display unit 23 By moving the vehicle to a place with a good radio wave environment, it is possible to receive a signal having a level sufficient to recognize the ESS-ID information.

  The operation system of the in-vehicle terminal 20 is a remote controller, an operation panel or the like (operation unit 22), and the number of operation keys is relatively small and each key is small in size. Although the operability is inferior to that in the case of 12), the present embodiment requires only the minimum necessary input operation as described above, which also contributes to the simplification of the network setting.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where the AP 30 (the wireless network to which the PC 10 belongs) is searched from the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the connection setting is performed has been described as an example. However, as is clear from the gist of the present invention, the connection setting is performed. Of course, the device on the performing side is not limited to in-vehicle use. The point is that the network setting method according to the present invention can be similarly applied to any wireless communication device including an interface (wireless LAN communication control unit 26 in the in-vehicle terminal 20 in FIG. 2) that can be connected to the wireless LAN. Is possible.

  In the embodiment described above, the case of the “infrastructure mode” in which the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the PC 10 perform communication by relaying the AP 30 has been described as an example. However, the in-vehicle terminal 20 and the PC 10 are not necessarily relayed. It is also possible to adopt a connection form of “ad hoc mode” in which the communication is performed directly. In this case, an expansion card (wireless LAN card 17 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) that provides a function for connecting to the wireless LAN is built in the PC 10 in advance, or inserted into the PC main body so that it can be used. The in-vehicle terminal 20 can perform direct communication. Examples of the form of the wireless LAN card 17 include a PC card type product for a notebook personal computer and a type product inserted into a USB port.

It is a figure for demonstrating the stealth function of ESS-ID in wireless LAN. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of each radio | wireless communication apparatus (PC, vehicle-mounted terminal) used for implementing the network setting method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which concerns on the setting of the wireless LAN which the vehicle-mounted terminal in FIG. 2 performs in cooperation with PC and AP.

Explanation of symbols

10: Personal computer (PC / wireless communication device),
11, 21... Control unit,
12, 22 ... operation unit,
13, 23 ... display part,
14, 24 ... Hard disk drive (HDD),
15 ... Wireless LAN interface,
16: Interface for wired LAN,
17 ... Wireless LAN card,
20: In-vehicle terminal (wireless communication device),
25. Audio processing unit,
26 ... Wireless LAN communication control unit,
27: Electric field strength detection unit,
30 ... Access point (AP / relay device),
CT: In-vehicle terminal.

Claims (8)

A wireless communication device that is communicably connected to another wireless communication device having an ESS-ID stealth function,
An input means for inputting a user instruction relating to network setting for establishing communication with the other wireless communication device;
Display means for displaying an operation screen for the network setting;
Control means operably connected to the input means and display means,
When the control unit obtains ESS-ID information transmitted when the stealth function of the ESS-ID is canceled in the other wireless communication device, the control unit displays the display based on a user instruction from the input unit. A wireless communication apparatus that displays the operation screen on a means.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. Means for detecting a reception level of a radio signal including the ESS-ID information transmitted from the other wireless communication device;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit displays the detected reception level of the radio signal on the screen of the display unit. A method for setting a first wireless communication device to establish communication with a second wireless communication device having an ESS-ID stealth function,
In the second wireless communication device, when the processing related to the network environment setting is started, the stealth function of the ESS-ID is canceled,
In the first wireless communication device, obtain ESS-ID information transmitted by releasing the stealth function, and perform setting for connection with the second wireless communication device,
In the second wireless communication device, the stealth function is set to be effective when the end of the setting in the first wireless communication device is detected.   The first wireless communication device is an in-vehicle terminal that is mounted on a vehicle and includes a means for detecting a reception level of a radio signal including the ESS-ID information, and the vehicle according to the reception status of the radio signal. 5. The network setting method according to claim 4, wherein the connection setting with the second wireless communication apparatus is performed by moving the mobile phone to a place with a good radio wave environment.   5. The encryption information unique to the first wireless communication device is also set in the first wireless communication device when setting the connection with the second wireless communication device. The network setting method described in 1.   5. The network setting method according to claim 4, wherein the second wireless communication apparatus is a personal computer, and starts processing related to the network environment setting when an application is installed in the personal computer.   5. The connection setting with the second wireless communication apparatus is performed via an access point connected to a wired communication network in the first wireless communication apparatus when performing connection setting with the second wireless communication apparatus. The network setting method described in 1.

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