JP2009246828A - Client management system and client device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a client device, such as a digital camera, for example, that does not include a sufficient communication console for stringing, to perform radio LAN setting for an Internet connection and stringing to a server over the Internet through simple operational steps. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a client management system for stringing a number of client devices 50 to a server 20 over the Internet 101, wherein each of the client device 50 includes radio LAN slave unit 53, an imaging means 51 capable of capturing an encrypted visible code image and a decryption means 531 for decrypting digitized code information of the captured visible code image 61 and performs radio LAN setting using the decrypted information due to the decryption means 531, and the server 20 obtains from a general communication terminal device such as a personal computer 401 radio LAN setting information and stringing registration information of the client device 50 to perform stringing registration of the client device, generates the visible code image 61 from the radio LAN setting information and transmits the visible code image to the communication terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a client management system and a client device that associate and manage a large number of client devices on the Internet.

  A general-purpose communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone equipped with a communication console (operating console) consisting of a keyboard and a display as a standard is linked to a specific server on the Internet. It is possible to receive a service such as firmware update or news distribution, or a service in which a storage area for storing image data or the like is individually allocated in the server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Linking is sometimes called association or attribution. In order to perform this association, it is necessary to connect the communication terminal device to the Internet. Conventionally, the cable connection (physical connection) based on the Ethernet standard has been mainly used as the connection method.

  However, in the cable connection, troublesome wiring and routing of the cable occur, and inconvenience that the place where the communication terminal apparatus is used is physically restricted by the cable occurs. In order to eliminate such inconvenience, in recent years, Internet connection by wireless LAN is becoming common.

  The wireless LAN is also called a so-called Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi) or the like, and is installed in a wireless LAN base unit that forms a wireless access point (wireless AP) installed at the end of the Internet and a communication terminal device such as a personal computer. It is formed by a wireless LAN base unit and a wireless LAN handset connected for communication by weak radio waves (or low power radio waves).

  The wireless LAN base unit is usually installed on an individual basis (or on a house basis). A plurality of slave units can be simultaneously wirelessly accessed to one master unit, but the access is limited to the slave unit for which access point setting (AP setting) is performed using a specific user authentication key (for example, WPA key). And unauthorized wireless access by third parties is excluded.

This AP setting is also called Wi-Fi setting, and a user authentication key used for this setting is based on a user-specified ID (so-called SSID (Service Set ID), hereinafter referred to as SSID)) for performing grouping of wireless LANs and an encryption key. In addition, a code having a data length sufficient to ensure uniqueness and confidentiality is used for the encryption key (Non-Patent Document 1).
JP2007-58610 (Pegging) IEEE 802.11 standard

  As described above, a communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone can be used in association with a server that provides a predetermined service on the Internet, but is not a general-purpose communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. However, even if an electronic device, such as a digital camera, that does not have a communication console (control console) as a standard device can be connected to the Internet via a wireless LAN, the mobility of the electronic device is not impaired. It is possible to receive a service that links to a predetermined server via the Internet and expands the functions and applications of the electronic device.

  For example, in the case of a digital camera, a service is conceivable in which image data captured by a camera is transferred to a linked server and individually stored and managed. That is, even a digital camera not equipped with a communication console can be used as a client device linked to the server.

  In this case, the client device is equipped with a wireless LAN slave device for Internet connection. This wireless LAN handset itself can be mounted easily and at low cost without impairing the original functions of the client device such as the camera function, for example, by reducing the size and cost of the main electronic circuit functions by using an IC. .

  Here, in order to perform the Internet connection by the wireless LAN slave unit, as described above, the wireless LAN setting by the WPA key is necessary. This wireless LAN setting is performed by inputting a user-specified SSID and encryption key.

  The connection to the server is performed after the wireless LAN setting is completed and the Internet connection becomes possible. This connection is performed by inputting unique information such as the product ID, user ID, email address, and password of the client device. Do it.

  For a series of input operations related to this association, a dedicated communication console function (so-called user interface) as provided in a general-purpose communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone is required. This communication console function cannot be performed at all using a camera operation key of a digital camera, for example, but it is very troublesome and difficult to operate and is not practical.

  A communication console capable of performing the operation easily and smoothly requires a character input keyboard and a display having a certain size or more in order to ensure operability. However, if these are to be installed in a client device such as a digital camera, for example, the size of the device must be abnormally increased or modified, and portability and usability are significantly hindered. The original function may be impaired.

  The present invention solves the above technical problems, and the object thereof is simple even in a client device that is not equipped with a sufficient communication console for linking, such as a digital camera. It is an object to provide a client management system and a client device capable of setting a wireless LAN for Internet connection and associating with a server on the Internet by operating procedures.

  Other objects and configurations of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

The present invention provides the following means as means for solving the above problems.
(1) A client management system in which a large number of client devices are linked to a specific management server via the Internet, whereby each client device can be centrally managed individually by the server,
The client device includes: a wireless LAN slave device that forms a connection to the Internet by accessing a specific wireless LAN master device designated by a user; an imaging unit that can capture an encrypted visualized code image; Image recognition means for restoring the original digitized code information from the visualized code image captured by the means, and using the digitized code information restored from the visualized code image, the base unit and the slave unit of the wireless LAN Perform wireless LAN settings to enable Internet connection,
The management server obtains unique wireless LAN setting information and association registration information for each client device from any general-purpose communication terminal device accessed via the Internet, and associates the client device with the obtained information. And generating the visualized code image having the wireless LAN setting information as electronic code information and transmitting it to the communication terminal device.
A client management system characterized by that.

  (2) In the means (1), the client device is a digital camera, and the server individually acquires and stores image data captured by each client device via the Internet. system.

  (3) A client device linked and managed by the client management system of the above means (1) or (2), and forming a connection to the Internet by accessing a specific wireless LAN base unit designated by the user A wireless LAN slave unit, an imaging unit capable of capturing a visualization code image, and an image recognition unit that restores the original computerized code information from the visualization code image captured by the imaging unit, are restored from the visualization code image A client device characterized by performing wireless LAN setting for enabling Internet connection between the wireless LAN parent device and the child device using the digitized code information.

For example, even a client device such as a digital camera that does not have a sufficient communication console for linking can be configured with a simple operation procedure to set up a wireless LAN for Internet connection and tie it to a server on the Internet. Can be performed.
The operations / effects other than the above will be clarified in the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a client management system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the client management system of the present invention includes a client device 50 and a server 20 to which the client device 50 is linked via the Internet 101.

  The client device 50 is provided with functions such as an imaging unit 51, a client function execution unit 52, a wireless LAN slave unit 53, and a QR code recognition / decoding unit 531. These functions are aggregated in the client device 50 and form a single device in appearance.

  The wireless LAN slave device 53 forms a connection to the Internet by accessing a specific wireless LAN master device 30 designated by the user. That is, the wireless LAN base unit 30 is a private device installed and / or managed by the user side, and the server 20 side is not involved at all.

  Further, in the case of the embodiment shown in the figure, the client function execution unit 52 is a digital camera function execution unit, and the client device 50 constitutes a digital camera 501.

  The server 20 includes a linking registration processing unit 201, a user management database 202, a QR code generation unit 203, an encryption unit 204, a user-specific storage area 205, and the like.

  In the user management database 202, association registration information for individually managing a large number of client devices 50, for example, user IDs, passwords, mail addresses, and the like are registered and stored for each client device 50. Further, the wireless LAN setting information set by the user of each client device 50 is registered and stored in association with the association registration information.

  In the client management system, a client device 50 newly purchased by a user is linked to the server 20 to individually store services that expand the functions and applications of the client device 50, for example, photographed photograph data. And the like, and the like, can be received via the Internet 101.

  If the association is released, the client device 50 can be returned to the initial state to prepare for loss or transfer.

  In the case of the client management system, the association can be performed by the following procedure.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 401 which is a general-purpose communication terminal device accesses the server 20 on the Internet 101. An access method to the server 20 is instructed in advance in a warranty card, a manual, an outer box, or the like included when the client device 50 is purchased. When the client device 50 is a digital camera or the like and includes a display device for displaying thumbnails and the like, it is preferable to display stability and explanation of the access method and the like on the display device.

  Although not shown, the server 20 is provided with various service menus such as “new registration”, “registration change”, and “registration cancellation” in advance. For example, when “new registration” is selected, the wireless LAN setting information for connecting the client device 50 to be linked to the Internet 101 via the wireless LAN slave unit 53 and the wireless LAN master unit 30 and the association is established. A page that supports the input of necessary registration information (linking registration information) is displayed.

  In accordance with the instruction on the support page, the wireless LAN setting information and the association registration information are input. The input items at this time include an SSID and an encryption key arbitrarily designated by the user as wireless LAN setting information (Wi-Fi setting information). Further, as the association registration information, there are a product ID, a user ID, a mail address, a password, and the like of the client device.

  In this way, the number of input items and the input data length at the time of linking extend to a considerable amount, but these input operations use a character input keyboard and display console of the personal computer 401 which is a general-purpose communication terminal device, Furthermore, it can be performed easily and smoothly by receiving input support from the server 20.

  The server 20 acquires information input from the personal computer 401 and performs association registration processing of the client device 50. At the same time, a code image in which the wireless LAN setting information and the association registration information are visualized is generated. That is, the wireless LAN setting information and the association registration information are invisible electronic code information as they are, but can be visualized by converting them into a code image such as a barcode or a character string image. .

  As a format of this visualization code image, for example, code information may be simply replaced with a character string image, but preferably one-dimensional or two-dimensional such as a barcode suitable for mechanical reading or recognition processing. In addition, a QR code that is a two-dimensional code and has a large amount of information that can be recorded is particularly suitable. Since this QR code has a large amount of information that can be expressed by one code pattern, it is suitable for encrypting and visualizing digitized code information.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the QR code is generated as the visualization code image. The original data (digitized code information) is previously encrypted by the encryption unit 204. This QR code is transmitted to the personal computer 401 together with simple guidance such as “Please shoot this image”.

  The personal computer 401 that has received the QR code displays the QR code image 61 on the display together with simple guidance such as “Please shoot this image”. The user only has to capture the displayed QR code image 61 with the imaging unit 51 of the client device 50.

  The client device 50 recognizes and decodes the captured QR code image 61 to restore the original digitized data. The decrypted data includes the wireless LAN setting information and the association registration information.

  The client device 50 performs wireless LAN setting for Internet connection based on the decrypted data. At the same time, authentication data (product ID, user ID, e-mail address, password, etc.) for receiving a predetermined service from the server 20 via the Internet 101 is acquired and stored.

  As described above, even with a client device 50 that is not equipped with a sufficient communication console for linking operation, such as the digital camera 501, wireless LAN setting and Internet connection for Internet connection can be performed with a simple operation procedure. Linking to the server 20 on 101 can be performed. With this association, it is possible to receive a service that expands the functions and applications of the client device 50 such as storage of photographed photograph data.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed internal configuration example of the client device 50 in the system shown in FIG. In the figure, a client device 50 is configured as a digital camera 501, and a client function execution unit 52 that constitutes a digital camera function execution unit includes a rewritable image memory 521 that stores imaging data and the like, a camera operation unit 522, and thumbnail images. The monitor unit 523 that can be displayed, the camera function control unit 524, and the like are included.

  In addition to these basic functions, a wireless LAN handset 53, a QR code recognition / decoding unit 531, a communication control unit 533, and the like are mounted.

  The wireless LAN slave device 53 forms a connection to the Internet 101 by accessing a specific wireless LAN master device 30 designated by the user. Note that the wireless LAN base unit 30 includes a modem and a router.

  The wireless LAN base unit 30 can be simultaneously accessed by a plurality of wireless LAN slave units set with AP by a predetermined WPA key. The personal computer 401 used for the association registration operation and the reception of the QR code (visualized code image) is also set to be connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN base unit 30.

  The QR code recognition / decoding unit 531 recognizes and decodes the digitized code information from the QR code image 61 captured by the imaging unit 51. Using this decryption information, the wireless LAN setting for enabling the Internet connection via the wireless LAN base unit 30 is performed.

  By connecting to the server 20 via the Internet 101 that can be connected by this wireless LAN setting, it is possible to receive services such as photo data storage. In this case, some authentication data is required to authenticate that the client device is associated with the server 20, but this authentication data is acquired from the decryption information.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the typical Example, this invention can have various aspects other than having mentioned above.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the client management system of the present invention can also be applied to a case where an electronic device 502 other than the digital camera 501, for example, a remote controller of a home appliance is associated as the client device 50.

  In addition, as shown in the figure, the general-purpose communication terminal device 40 used for the linking is connected to the Internet 101 via the mobile communication network 102 as a general-purpose communication terminal device other than the personal computer 401 described above. A mobile phone 402 that can be used may be used. In this case, the client device 50 may shoot the QR code displayed on the monitor screen of the mobile phone 402.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the client device 50 that has completed the wireless LAN setting and the linking setting receives web content such as video and music from the external server 21 provided by a third party other than the management server 20. May be received.

  For example, even a client device such as a digital camera that does not have a sufficient communication console for linking can be configured with a simple operation procedure to set up a wireless LAN for Internet connection and tie it to a server on the Internet. Can be performed.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration concept of a client management system and a client device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the functional block diagram which detailed the internal structure of the client apparatus in the system shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of an expansion of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Internet 102 Mobile communication network 20 Management server 21 External server 201 Linkage registration processing unit 202 User management database 203 QR code generation unit 204 Encryption unit 205 User-specific storage area 30 Wireless LAN base unit 40 General-purpose communication terminal device 401 Personal computer (general-purpose Communication terminal device)
402 cellular phone 50 client device 501 digital camera 502 electronic device other than digital camera 51 imaging unit 52 client function execution unit 53 wireless LAN slave unit 521 image memory 522 camera operation unit 523 monitor unit 524 camera function control unit 531 QR code recognition / decoding Section 533 Communication control section 61 QR code image

Claims (3)

A client management system in which a large number of client devices are linked to a specific management server via the Internet, so that each client device can be centrally managed individually on the server side,
The client device includes a wireless LAN slave device that forms a connection to the Internet by accessing a specific wireless LAN master device designated by a user, and an imaging means capable of capturing a visualization code image such as a barcode or a character string image And image recognition means for restoring the original digitized code information from the imaging data of the visualized code image, and using the digitized code information restored from the visualized code image, the base unit and the child of the wireless LAN Wireless LAN setting to enable Internet connection by machine,
The management server obtains unique wireless LAN setting information and association registration information for each client device from any general-purpose communication terminal device accessed via the Internet, and associates the client device with the obtained information. A visualization code image including the wireless LAN setting information is generated and transmitted to the communication terminal device.
A client management system characterized by that.   2. The client management system according to claim 1, wherein the client device is a digital camera, and a service server that individually acquires and stores image data captured by each client device via the Internet.   A client device managed in association with the client management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless LAN slave device forms a connection to the Internet by accessing a specific wireless LAN master device designated by a user; An imaging means capable of capturing a visualization code image such as a barcode or a character string image, and an image recognition means for restoring original digitized code information from the visualization code image captured by the imaging means, the visualization code A client device that performs wireless LAN setting for enabling Internet connection between the wireless LAN parent device and the child device using electronic code information restored from an image.

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