JP2010021802A - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply a security setting protocol of wireless LAN communication irrespective of a type of a device. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless communication device includes a device body STA1 and an auxiliary device R1. The device body STA1 complies with a WPS which is a protocol for automating security setting of the wireless LAN communication, and includes: a first communication means 4 for performing communication with a base station AP1; a generation means 7 for generating a PIN code; a second communication means 6 for transmitting the generated PIN code; and a control means 5 for performing security setting in a WPS-PIN system with the base station AP1 using the first communication means 4 to control data communication to be performed with the base station AP1. The auxiliary device R1 is separated from the device body STA1, and includes a third communication means 8 for receiving the PIN code transmitted by the second communication means 6, and a display means 10 for displaying the received PIN code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus conforming to a security setting protocol for wireless LAN communication.

  WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a protocol for automating wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication security settings that are difficult for the user.

  When trying to provide security in a wireless LAN, the user first encounters a complex and esoteric setup. When a user encounters such an incomprehensible setting, it ignores the setting and tries to connect. That is, the user may communicate with no security. In wireless communication, data may be intercepted, and communication without security is dangerous. Therefore, WPS is provided as a protocol for automating complicated security settings.

  WPS includes a PIN (Personal Identification Number) method and a PBC (Push Button Configuration) method, and when connecting wireless LAN devices using WPS, either the PIN method or the PBC method is selected. The

  In the PIN system, after a 4-digit or 8-digit PIN generated by a station (Station) that is a wireless communication device on the terminal side is input to an access point (Access Point) that is a wireless communication device of a base station, Communication with the access point by WPS is started. For example, in the PIN system installed in a personal computer, the PIN code is output to the monitor on the station side, and the user inputs the value to the access point side. Thereafter, communication is started.

  In the PBC system, communication by WPS is started simply by pressing a push button provided in each of an access point and a station. In the PBC method, user setting and operation other than pressing a push button are not required for security setting, and automatic setting is performed by the PBC. Since PBC uses a PIN preset between the access point and the station, it is inferior in terms of security compared to the PIN method in which a new PIN is generated each time.

  When the PIN method is installed in a personal computer, there is no particular problem because the PIN is displayed on the monitor on the station side. However, when the PIN method is mounted on a household electrical appliance (home appliance), it may be difficult to adopt the PIN method because there is no function, place, or screen for displaying the PIN depending on the type of the appliance. .

  Further, when the PBC method is implemented in a personal computer, there is no particular problem because the Bosch button itself is displayed on the monitor or the push button is prepared on the surface of the wireless LAN device. However, when the PBC method is mounted on an electrical appliance (home appliance) (for example, when the electrical appliance is installed at a high position such as an air conditioner), it may be difficult to press the push button.

  In Patent Document 1, a PIN code is generated by a portable terminal owned by a customer who pays with a cash register, the generated PIN code is presented to an operator of the cash register, and the operator inputs the PIN code to the cash register. Later, it is described that authentication processing is performed in both the portable terminal and the cash register using this PIN code.

Patent Document 2 describes that authentication data is exchanged and shared by pressing a PIN input button on the connection request side in accordance with a blinking pattern of an LED provided in the conversion adapter.
JP 2006-121726 A JP 2007-323339 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus that can apply WPS regardless of the type of apparatus.

  The wireless communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is compliant with WPS, which is a protocol for automating security settings for wireless LAN communication, and includes first communication means for communicating with a base station. , Generating means for generating a PIN code, second communication means for transmitting the PIN code generated by the generating means, and security setting of the WPS-PIN method between the base station using the first communication means. And a control means for controlling data communication performed with the base station, and the apparatus main body is separated from the apparatus main body and receives the PIN code transmitted by the second communication means. And an auxiliary device including a display means for displaying the PIN code received by the third communication means.

  The wireless communication apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention receives an operation accepting unit that receives a WPS start operation, which is a protocol for automating security settings for wireless LAN communication, and has received a WPS start operation by the operation accepting unit. A first communication means for transmitting a WPS start notification, and a WPS start that is compliant with WPS and separate from the auxiliary apparatus and transmitted by the first communication means. When the WPS start notification is received by the second communication means for receiving the notification, the third communication means for communicating with the base station, and the second communication means, the third communication means is used. And a control unit configured to perform WPS-PBC security settings with the base station and to control data communication performed with the base station.

  According to the present invention, WPS can be applied regardless of the type of apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same part in each following figure, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
The communication system according to the present embodiment performs wireless LAN communication between an access point and a station.

  In the communication system according to the present embodiment, in order to make WPS applicable, when the station side does not have a display function, the PIN code of this station is distributed to the auxiliary device having the display function. In this auxiliary device, the PIN code of the station is displayed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system according to the present embodiment.

  The communication system 1 includes an access point AP1, a station STA1, and a remote controller R1. The access point AP1 and the station STA1 of the communication system 1 implement WPS which is a security setting protocol for wireless LAN communication.

  The access point AP1 includes a communication unit 2 that performs communication with the station STA1, and a control unit 3 that controls data communication performed with the station STA1 using the communication unit 2.

  Further, the control unit 3 of the access point AP1 performs WPS-PIN security setting processing on the access point AP1 side.

  The station STA1 includes a communication unit 4 that performs communication with the access point AP1, a control unit 5, and a communication unit 6 that performs communication with the remote controller R1.

  This station STA1 is, for example, a household electric appliance, and switches its operating state according to a signal from the remote controller R1.

  The control unit (for example, a wireless LAN chip) 5 of the station STA1 includes a PIN code generation unit 7 that generates a PIN code. The PIN code generation unit 7 receives a PIN code generation trigger from the access point AP1 via the communication unit 4, for example, and receives the PIN code generation trigger from the remote controller R1 via the communication unit 6, for example, the user directly to the station STA1 It is acquired by a technique such as instructing. Then, the PIN code generation unit 7 generates a PIN code in response to the PIN code generation trigger.

  Further, the control unit 5 of the station STA1 uses the communication unit 4 to perform WPS-PIN security settings with the access point AP1, and controls data communication performed with the access point AP1.

  The communication unit 6 transmits the PIN code generated by the PIN code generation unit 5 to the remote controller R1.

  The remote controller R1 is an auxiliary device having a structure separated from the station STA1. The remote controller R1 includes a communication unit 8, a control unit 9, and a display unit 10. The remote controller R1 receives a user operation and transmits a signal for switching the state of the station STA1 to the station STA1 according to the operation.

  The communication unit 8 receives the PIN code transmitted from the communication unit 6 of the station STA1.

  The control unit 9 receives the PIN code received by the communication unit 8 and performs control for displaying the PIN code on the display unit 10.

  The display unit 10 displays the PIN code according to the control by the control unit 9.

  In the present embodiment, for example, communication is possible between the station STA1 and the access point AP1, and between the station STA1 and the remote controller R1, but it is impossible to communicate between the access point AP1 and the remote controller R1. To do.

  In the communication system 1, a station STA1 that is a device that generates a PIN code and a remote controller R1 that is a device that displays a PIN code are separated. For example, the station STA1 is various household appliances such as an electric fan, an air conditioner, and a television operated by the remote controller R1, has a station function for wireless LAN communication, and uses a WPS-PIN system. To connect to the access point AP1.

  In the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, first, a PIN code is generated by the PIN code generation unit 5 of the station STA1.

  The generated PIN code is transmitted from the communication unit 6 of the station STA1 to the remote controller R1 by, for example, infrared communication.

  The PIN code transmitted from the station STA1 is received by the communication unit 8 of the remote controller R1.

  The PIN code received by the remote controller R1 is displayed on the display unit 10 according to control by the control unit 9 of the remote controller R1.

  The control unit 3 of the access point AP1 receives an input of the PIN code displayed by the display unit 10 of the remote controller R1. Then, the control unit 3 of the access point AP1 and the control unit 5 of the station STA1 communicate between the communication unit 2 of the access point AP1 and the communication unit 4 of the station STA1 based on the PIN code received by the access point AP1. , WPS-PIN connection and communication.

  In the present embodiment described above, even if the station STA1 that supports the WPS-PIN system does not have a function of displaying the PIN code, the PIN is assigned to another device that can communicate with the station STA1. The code can be displayed.

  As a result, even when the device that has generated the PIN code is not provided with a display unit, the user can know the PIN code and can input the PIN code to the access point AP1.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller R1 can communicate with a plurality of stations STA1 and STA2, and displays a PIN code generated at the plurality of stations STA1 and STA2. Also good. In this case, for example, the stations STA1 and STA2 transmit their own identification code and the generated PIN code to the remote controller R1, and the remote controller R1 displays the received identification code and PIN code. The access point AP1 inputs a PIN code corresponding to the identification code. Between the access point AP1 and the stations STA1 and STA2, WPS-PIN security setting processing is performed based on the PIN codes corresponding to the stations STA1 and STA2. In FIG. 2, two stations STA1 and STA2 are associated with one remote controller R1, but three or more stations are associated with one remote controller R1. Also good.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  The communication system 11 according to the present embodiment includes an access point AP1 and a home appliance 12 having a function of generating and displaying a PIN code.

  Conventional home appliances have not been equipped with the WPS-PIN system, and no mechanism for displaying a PIN code has been considered. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when a display unit is mounted on a household appliance and operates in the WPS-PIN system, the PIN code is displayed on the screen to notify the user of the PIN code value. The WPS-PIN method can also be applied to household appliances.

  In this communication system 11, a home appliance 12 that integrates a device that generates a PIN code and a device that displays the PIN code realizes the function of the station.

  The home appliance 12 includes a communication unit 4, a control unit 5, and a display unit 14.

  Examples of the home appliance 12 include a mobile phone and a digital watch. The home appliance 12 has both a PIN code generation unit 7 for generating a PIN code and a display unit 14 for displaying the PIN code, has a station function for wireless LAN communication, and uses a WPS-PIN system. To connect to the access point AP1.

  In the communication system 11 according to the present embodiment, first, a PIN code is generated by the PIN code generation unit 7 of the control unit 5 of the household appliance 12.

  The generated PIN code is displayed on the display unit 14 of the home appliance 12.

  The control unit 3 of the access point AP1 receives an input of the PIN code displayed by the display unit 14 of the household appliance 12. Then, the control unit 3 of the access point AP1 and the control unit 5 of the home appliance 12 are based on the input PIN code value, and the communication unit 2 of the access point AP1 and the communication unit 4 of the home appliance 12. And communication with the WPS-PIN system.

  In the present embodiment described above, the home appliance 12 that supports the WPS-PIN system has a function of displaying a PIN code, and the PIN code is displayed on the display unit 14 of the home appliance 12. Can be displayed. Thereby, the WPS-PIN system can be used in the household appliance 12.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a communication system that is a modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment and performs encrypted communication between a station and a remote controller.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  In the communication system 15 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 16 of the station STA3 includes a PIN code generation unit 7 and an encryption unit 17.

  The encryption unit 17 encrypts the PIN code generated by the PIN code generation unit 7 using the secret key. The communication unit 6 transmits the encrypted PIN code to the remote controller R2.

  The communication unit 8 of the remote controller R2 receives the encrypted PIN code transmitted from the station STA3.

  The control unit 18 of the remote controller R2 includes a decoding unit 19. The decryption unit 19 decrypts the encrypted PIN code using the secret key, obtains the PIN code, and executes processing for causing the display unit 10 to display the PIN code.

  For example, a common key encryption method can be used as the encryption.

  In the present embodiment, the station STA3 and the remote controller R2 that controls the station STA3 are used as a set. The station STA3 and the remote controller R2 are previously provided with a secret key, and the PIN code is encrypted and decrypted using this secret key.

  According to the present embodiment, security can be improved as compared with the case where the PIN code is transmitted in plain text from the station STA3 to the remote controller R3. In the present embodiment, if the station STA3 is a home appliance, the home appliance that supports the WPS-PIN method can safely transmit a PIN code to the remote controller R3.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a communication system that performs security setting by the WPS-PBC method will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  The communication system 20 includes a remote controller R3, a station STA4, and an access point AP2. The access point AP2 and the station STA4 of the communication system 20 implement WPS, which is a security setting protocol for wireless LAN communication.

  The remote controller R3 includes a button 21, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The remote controller R3 is an auxiliary device having a structure separated from the station STA4.

  The button 21 receives a WPS start operation. Note that the user may instruct the start of WPS by pressing a button displayed on the screen. Further, various operation accepting means capable of instructing the start of WPS can be used instead of the button 21. For example, the start of WPS may be selectable from the operation content list displayed on the screen.

  The control unit 22 of the remote controller R3 generates a WPS start signal when the button 21 receives a WPS start operation.

  The communication unit 23 of the remote controller R3 transmits the WPS start signal generated by the control unit 22 to the station STA4.

  The station STA4 controls the communication unit 24 that performs data communication with the remote controller R3, the communication unit 25 that performs data communication with the access point AP2, and the WPS-PBC system security setting process on the station STA4 side. Part (wireless LAN chip) 26. This station STA4 is, for example, a household electric appliance, and switches its operating state according to a signal from the remote controller R3.

  The communication unit 24 receives the WPS start signal transmitted from the communication unit 23 of the remote controller R3, and gives this WPS start signal to the control device 26.

  The communication unit 25 communicates with the access point AP2 according to control by the control unit 26.

  When the communication unit 24 receives the WPS start signal and receives the received WPS start signal from the communication unit 24, the control unit 26 of the station STA4 uses the communication unit 25 to communicate with the access point AP2. -Set PBC security settings and control data communication with the access point AP2.

  The access point AP2 includes a control unit 27 that performs WPS-PBC security setting processing on the access point AP2 side, and a communication unit 28 that performs data communication with the station STA4 according to control by the control unit 27. This access point AP2 is connected to the station STA4 by a wireless LAN.

  In the present embodiment, for example, communication is possible between the station STA4 and the access point AP2, and between the station STA4 and the remote controller R3, but communication is not possible between the access point AP2 and the remote controller R3. To do.

  In this communication system 20, the station STA4 and the remote controller R3, which is a device provided with the button 21, are separated. For example, the station STA4 is various household appliances such as an electric fan, an air conditioner, and a television that are operated by the remote controller R3, and has a station function for wireless LAN communication, and uses the WPS-PBC method. Connect to access point AP2. The station STA4 is installed at a position where it is difficult for the user to directly operate, for example, at a high place.

  In the communication system 20 according to the present embodiment, first, the button 21 of the remote controller R3 is pressed (WPS start operation).

  Then, the control unit 22 of the remote controller R3 generates a WPS start signal in response to the pressing operation of the button 21.

  The WPS start signal is transmitted from the communication unit 23 of the remote controller R3 to the station STA4, for example, by infrared communication. The WPS start signal transmitted from the remote controller R3 is received by the communication unit 24 of the station STA4.

  The WPS start signal received by the communication unit 24 of the station STA4 is notified to the control unit 26 of the station STA4. Then, security setting by the WPS-PBC method is started between the control unit 26 and the communication unit 25 of the station STA4 and the control unit 27 and the communication unit 28 of the access point AP2.

  When the WPS-PBC method is used as in the present embodiment, connection is attempted using an 8-digit PIN code preset in the access point AP2 and the station STA4. Therefore, the user can save the trouble of displaying the PIN code value generated at the station once and setting the access point as in the WPS-PIN method.

  In the present embodiment described above, the control unit for wireless LAN communication itself is provided in the station STA4, but the button 21 is provided in the remote controller R3, and the button 21 of the remote controller R3 is pressed. The start of WPS is notified from the remote controller R3 to the station STA4. For example, when it is desired to mount a wireless LAN communication function on the air conditioner, but this air conditioner is attached at a very high position, it is not appropriate to attach a button to the air conditioner. However, in this embodiment, when a button for directly starting WPS cannot be attached to a station having a wireless LAN communication function, or when a button is provided directly on the station, it is difficult to press the button. Even in this case, since the button 21 is provided on the remote controller R3 having a structure different from that of the station STA4 and a signal indicating that WPS is started is transmitted from the remote controller R3 to the station 4, security of the WPS-PBC system is possible. Setting can be performed easily.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the remote controller R3 can communicate with a plurality of stations STA4 and STA5, and may transmit a WPS start signal to the plurality of stations STA4 and STA5. In this case, for example, the remote controller R3 transmits a WPS start signal with destination information, and the plurality of stations STA4 and STA6 receive the WPS start signal addressed to itself. In FIG. 6, two stations STA4 and STA5 are associated with one remote controller R3, but three or more stations are associated with one remote controller R3. Also good. In addition, the control unit 22 of the remote controller R3 may include an encryption unit, and the control unit 26 of the station STA4 may include a decryption unit to encrypt communication between the remote controller R3 and the station STA4.

  The functions of the control units 3, 5, 9, 16, 18, 22, 26, and 27 executed by the access points AP1 and AP2, the stations STA1 to STA5, and the remote controllers R1 to R3 according to the above embodiments are software and Any hardware can be realized. Each component of the communication systems 1, 11, 15, and 20 according to each of the above embodiments may be freely combined or divided.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the modification of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows an example of the communication system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows an example of the communication system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the modification of the communication system which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,11,15,20 ... Communication system, AP1, AP2 ... Access point, STA1-STA5 ... Station, R1 ... Remote controller, 2, 4, 6, 8, 23-25, 28 ... Communication part, 3, 5, 9, 16, 18, 22, 26, 27 ... control unit, 7 ... PIN code generation unit, 10, 14 ... display unit, 12 ... home appliance, 17 ... encryption unit, 19 ... decryption unit, 21 ... button

Claims (5)

Compliant with WPS, which is a protocol for automating security settings for wireless LAN communication, a first communication means for communicating with a base station, a generating means for generating a PIN code, and the generating means A WPS-PIN security setting is performed between the second communication means for transmitting the generated PIN code and the base station using the first communication means, and is performed with the base station. A control unit for controlling data communication, and an apparatus main body comprising:
A third communication means for receiving the PIN code transmitted by the second communication means, and a display for displaying the PIN code received by the third communication means, which is separated from the apparatus main body; A wireless communication device comprising: an auxiliary device comprising: means.   2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an encrypted PIN code is transmitted and received between the second communication unit and the third communication unit. An operation accepting unit that receives a WPS start operation that is a protocol for automating security settings for wireless LAN communication, and a first communication that transmits a WPS start notification when the operation accepting unit receives a WPS start operation An auxiliary device comprising means,
Compliant with WPS, separate from the auxiliary device, and communicates between the second communication means for receiving the WPS start notification transmitted by the first communication means and the base station When the WPS start notification is received by the third communication means and the second communication means, the WPS-PBC system security setting is performed between the base station using the third communication means. A wireless communication device comprising: a device main body comprising: control means for controlling data communication performed with the base station.   The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus main body is a household electrical appliance.   The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the auxiliary device is a remote controller.

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