JP2012010140A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an easy initial configuration of a communication device made prior to initiating connection of the communication device with a radio network.SOLUTION: An information processor 2, when accepting input of a host name of a wireless bridge 1, generates data including configuration information for radio connection of the wireless bridge 1 by defining, as a destination, an IP address of a default gateway 4 and a MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 both associated with the host name which is registered with the wireless bridge 1, and transmits the data to the wireless bridge 1. Upon reception of the data from the information processor 2, the wireless bridge 1 determines whether the data has configuration information for radio communication thereof. If the wireless bridge 1 determines that the data has the configuration information, the wireless bridge 1 makes the configuration for radio connection thereof based on the configuration information for radio connection to the wireless bridge 1 included in the received data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system that performs wired and wireless data communication in a network.

Conventionally, a web server is connected to the first network interface, a PC is connected to the second network interface, and when a packet is received from the web server, the IP address of the web server is registered inside the device, When the HTTP packet from the PC is received by the network interface 2 if the destination IP address of the packet is the IP address of the Web server connected to the first network interface, a predetermined process is executed, 2. Description of the Related Art A communication device (for example, see Patent Document 1) that facilitates setting for the device is known.
On the other hand, wireless data communication is widely used, and a communication device (“wireless bridge”) that relays data frames between a wired network (referred to as “wired LAN”) and a wireless network (referred to as “wireless LAN”). As a means for setting the wireless unit such as SSID and wireless communication encryption, an information processing such as a personal computer having a built-in web server in a wireless bridge and connected to the wireless bridge via a wired network A technique for performing setting from a browser of a device (also referred to as a “terminal device”) is known.

However, the conventional wireless bridge has only a function of a Web server that assigns a unique IP address to the wireless bridge and operates with the IP address.
More specifically, since a unique IP address is required for the wireless bridge, a specific IP address is set as an initial value at the time of factory shipment before shipping.
Therefore, when setting the wireless unit at the stage of introducing the wireless bridge into the existing wired network, the wireless bridge existing in the existing wired network is set according to the IP address that the wireless bridge has as an initial value. For this reason, the IP address of the information processing apparatus for temporarily changing the network address of the information processing apparatus for setting the wireless bridge and the wireless bridge must be the same.

Therefore, when the wireless bridge is introduced into the existing wired network, there is a problem that initial setting from the wired network to the wireless bridge is troublesome at a stage before the wireless bridge starts connection of the wireless LAN.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. Regarding a communication device that relays communication between a wired network and a wireless network, the communication device is in a stage before the communication device starts connection with the wireless network. The purpose of this is to make it easy to make initial settings for.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus, a first communication apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus by wire, a second communication apparatus connected wirelessly to the first communication apparatus, A third communication device that is connected to the second communication device in a wired manner and that connects the second communication device and the network, and the information processing device includes the first communication device and the second communication device. In a network system that communicates with another information processing apparatus on the network via the communication apparatus and the third communication apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes an input unit, a registration unit, a communication unit, and the In the registration means, the identification information of the first communication device, the first address of the third communication device, and the second address of the first communication device are registered in combination, and from the input means Identification information of the first communication device If input, the first address of the third communication device combined with the input identification information of the first communication device registered in the registration means and the first communication device Data including setting information for performing wireless connection to the first communication device is generated with the second address as a destination, and the generated data is transmitted to the first communication device by the communication means. Control means for transmitting, wherein the first communication device communicates with the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device from the information processing device by the communication device. When the data addressed to the first communication device is received, it is determined whether or not the received data includes setting information for performing wireless connection to the first communication device, and wireless communication with the first communication device is performed. When it is determined that the setting information for performing the connection is included, the wireless connection in the first communication device is determined based on the setting information for performing the wireless connection to the first communication device included in the received data. Provided is a network system provided with a control means for setting for performing.

  The control means of the information processing apparatus includes information indicating a mode for performing communication only with the first communication apparatus and information indicating data for searching for the first communication apparatus. When the search data is received by the communication means to the first communication device and the response data for the search data is received by the communication means, the registration means identifies the first communication device. Means for executing registration combining information, a first address of the third communication device and a second address of the first communication device, and the control means of the first communication device May have means for transmitting response data to the information processing apparatus when the search data is received from the information processing apparatus by the communication means.

  Further, when the control unit of the information processing device is connected to the third communication device by a wire, the control unit transmits the first address and the second address of the third communication device to the registration unit. A combination, a means for registering a combination of the first address of the third communication device and a second address of the first communication device, and a number of the third communication device registered in the registration means. Generating first data destined for the second address of the third communication device combined with the first address, and combining the first data with the first address of the third communication device registered in the registration means The second address including the first data is generated with the second address of the first communication device as a destination, and the second data is transmitted to the first communication device by the communication means. Means for carrying out the first When the communication unit receives the second data from the information processing device by the communication unit, the control unit extracts the first data from the second data, and the communication unit extracts the first data. It is good to have a means to transmit to the said 2nd communication apparatus.

The control means of the information processing apparatus may include means for executing transmission of the search data when the search data transmission request is input from the input means.
Furthermore, the control means of the first communication device includes means for including identification information of the first communication device in the response data for the search data, and the control means of the information processing device is configured to register the registration information. Means for acquiring, from the response data, identification information of the first communication device that is registered in combination with the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device. It is good to have.

  The control means of the information processing apparatus causes the input means to input identification information of the first communication apparatus registered in the registration means, and the input identification information of the first communication apparatus, When the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device are combined and registered in the registration means, the search data transmitted by the communication means is input to the search data. Means for including identification information of the first communication device, the first communication device is provided with storage means for storing the identification information of the first communication device, and the control means of the first communication device; Determines whether the identification information of the first communication device included in the search data received by the communication means matches the identification information of the first communication device stored in the storage means. Judgment When match, executes the transmission of the response data, if there is no match, the better to have a means not to perform the transmission of the response data.

  The network system according to the present invention facilitates initial setting of a communication device that relays communication between a wired network and a wireless network before the communication device starts connection with the wireless network. Can be.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the network system of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a communication sequence diagram between the wireless bridge and the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless bridge mode table which the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows an example of the ARP table which the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 hold | maintains. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame used for communication in a wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge illustrated in FIG. 1 and an information processing apparatus.

It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless bridge search frame which the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 transmits. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio bridge response frame which the radio bridge shown in FIG. 1 transmits. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless bridge mode communication request frame which the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 transmits. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless bridge mode communication response frame which the wireless bridge shown in FIG. 1 transmits. It is a block diagram shown about the principal part of a structure of the radio | wireless bridge shown in FIG.

It is a block diagram shown about the principal part of a structure of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the data communication of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to FIG. 12. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process after the wireless bridge shown in FIG. 1 receives the information of a default gateway. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an Ethernet encapsulated frame transmitted by the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in a wireless bridge mode.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a problem when a wired LAN is changed to a wireless LAN when there is an existing wired LAN between the default gateway and the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen for transmitting the wireless bridge search frame displayed on the display part of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless bridge response frame which included the host name of the wireless bridge shown in FIG. 1 in data. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen for setting the wireless bridge name displayed on the display part of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless bridge search frame which included the host name of the wireless bridge shown in FIG. 1 in data. It is a flowchart figure which shows a process when the wireless bridge shown in FIG. 1 receives the wireless bridge search frame which included the host name of the wireless bridge in the data. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing when the wireless bridge illustrated in FIG. 1 receives a wireless bridge search frame including a wireless bridge host name in data.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this network system, a wireless bridge 1 is connected to an information processing device 2 via a wired LAN 7.
Further, the wireless bridge 1 is connected to the access point 3 via the wireless LAN 8 by a setting operation for performing wireless connection from the information processing apparatus 2.
The access point 3 is connected to a default gateway 4 via a wired LAN 6, and an external network 5 is connected to the default gateway 4.

The wired LAN 7 connects the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 with a wire, and constitutes a local area network (LAN) capable of wired data communication.
The wireless LAN 8 connects the wireless bridge 1 and the access point 3 wirelessly and constitutes a LAN capable of wireless data communication.
Further, the wired LAN 6 constitutes a LAN capable of wired data communication between the access point 3 and the default gateway 4 as described above.
The LAN is, for example, a data communication network based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard. In this embodiment, a case where data communication based on the Ethernet standard is used will be described.

In this network system, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) causes the information processing apparatus 2 on the network to omit illustration on the external network 5 via the wireless bridge 1, the access point 3, and the default gateway 4. Data communication is performed with other terminal apparatuses including other information processing apparatuses, image forming apparatuses (for example, apparatuses such as printers, facsimile apparatuses, copiers, and multifunction machines) and server printers.
For the data communication, the information processing device 2, the wireless bridge 1, the access point 3, the default gateway 4, and the terminal device are each assigned a unique address on the network system. Perform data communication.
This address is called an IP address (Internet Protocol address).

In this network system, for example, the information processing apparatus 2 has an IP address “10.10.10.10”, the access point 3 has an IP address “10.10.10.20”, and the default gateway 4 has. Shows a case where the IP address “10.10.10.1” is assigned and set in each device.
For the wireless bridge 1, the initial value of the IP address may be set at the time of shipment from the factory, but in this embodiment, the case where the IP address is not set is shown.

Furthermore, a MAC address (Media Access Control address) is set in the network interface of each device on the network system at the time of shipment from the factory.
The MAC address is a data link layer address used in Ethernet, and is unique to each vendor (manufacturer) or device model.
When the wireless bridge 1, the access point 3, and the default gateway 4 receive data exchanged on the network, the MAC address is data transmitted to the own device by the MAC address included in the data. It is also used to recognize whether or not there is.
A MAC address is assigned in advance to the network interface of the device and is normally written in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM of the device so that the user cannot change it without permission.

In the network system of this embodiment, the wireless bridge 1 and the default gateway 4 necessary for the following description are shown.
For example, the wireless bridge 1 has a MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa”, and the default gateway 4 has, for example, a MAC address “bb: bb: bb: bb: bb: bb”. The case where it is set is shown.
The IP address corresponds to the “first address” of the invention, and the MAC address corresponds to the “second address” of the invention.

The wireless bridge 1 corresponds to the “first communication device” of the invention, and is a communication device realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the information processing device 2 by a wired LAN 7. By connecting to the access point 3 via the wireless LAN 8, data communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the access point 3 is relayed.
The information processing device 2 corresponds to the “information processing device” of the invention and is a device such as a personal computer realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is directly connected to a network device other than the wireless bridge 1. It has not been.
The access point 3 corresponds to a “second communication device” of the invention, is connected to the wired LAN 6, and relays communication between the wireless LAN 8 and the wired LAN 6.

The default gateway 4 corresponds to the “third communication device” of the invention, is connected to the external network 5, and relays data communication between the wired LAN 6 and the external network 5. Further, a web function is built in, and when the user sets the default gateway 4, the setting is made from the browser.
The external network 5 is another network having a different subnet from the wired LAN 7, the wireless LAN 8, and the wired LAN 6.
The information processing apparatus 2 switches between two modes: a normal mode in which normal Ethernet communication is performed, and a wireless bridge mode in which communication is performed between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external network 5 via the wireless bridge 1. be able to.
On the other hand, the wireless bridge 1 has only a wireless bridge mode in which communication is performed between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external network 5 via the wireless bridge 1.

Next, in the network system as described above, when the user has an existing wired LAN 9 (not shown in FIG. 1) between the default gateway 4 and the information processing apparatus 2, the user can perform normal operations. A problem when changing the wired LAN 9 to a wireless LAN will be described.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a problem when the existing wired LAN 9 is present between the default gateway 4 and the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the wired LAN 9 is changed to a wireless LAN.
As shown in FIG. 16A, the default gateway 4 with the IP address “10.10.10.10” and the information processing apparatus 2 with the IP address “10.10.10.10” are connected via the wired LAN 9. When the wired LAN 9 is replaced with a wireless LAN, the default gateway 4 and the information processing apparatus 2 are configured by a wireless LAN as shown in FIG. The access point 3 with “10.10.10.20” is connected, and the wireless bridge 1 with the IP address “192.168.0.1” is connected to the information processing apparatus 2.

As described above, when the user purchases the wireless bridge 1, the initial value “192.168.0.1” of the IP address is normally registered in the wireless bridge 1.
For this reason, since the subnet of the IP address is different between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2, TCP / IP communication cannot be performed between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 with the IP address as it is.
Therefore, when the user sets the wireless bridge 1, the user sets the IP address of the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing device 2 for setting the wireless bridge 1 so that the information processing device 2 and the wireless bridge 1 can communicate with each other. It is necessary to set to match the subnet of the IP address.

For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 16, the IP address of the wireless bridge 1 is changed to “10.10.10.21” and the information processing device 2 performs channel setting or SSID setting to the wireless bridge 1. By setting so that wireless communication can be performed between the access point 3 and the wireless communication between the wireless bridge 1 and the access point 3 as shown in FIG. However, it takes time and effort to make settings for enabling wireless communication, including the work of changing the IP address of the information processing apparatus 2 for setting the wireless bridge 1 by the user.
Therefore, in the network system of this embodiment, the initial setting by the user at the stage before starting the connection of the wireless LAN is facilitated for the communication device that relays data communication between the wired network and the wireless network. Yes.

Next, a communication sequence between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 in the network system of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a communication sequence diagram between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
When the user connects the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 with an Ethernet cable and the Ethernet is linked up (UP) between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 (“a1” in the figure), the information processing apparatus 2 is connected to the Ethernet. , A wireless bridge search frame for checking whether or not the wireless bridge 1 exists in the wired LAN 7 is transmitted (a2).
When the wireless bridge 1 receives the wireless bridge search frame, it transmits a wireless bridge response frame for responding to the information processing device 2 (a3).
When the information processing apparatus 2 receives the wireless bridge response frame, the information processing apparatus 2 recognizes that the wireless bridge 1 is connected to the wired LAN 7 and requests the wireless bridge 1 to perform communication only with the information processing apparatus 2. A wireless bridge mode communication request frame is transmitted (a4).

Upon receiving the wireless bridge mode communication request frame, the wireless bridge 1 transmits a wireless bridge mode communication response frame for responding to the information processing apparatus 2 (a5).
When the information processing device 2 receives the wireless bridge mode communication response frame, the information processing device 2 stores the host name of the wireless bridge 1 in the wireless bridge mode table (for example, stored in a memory) inside the information processing device 2 (“the first communication device "Corresponding to" identification information "), IP address of default gateway 4 (corresponding to" IP address of third communication device "), MAC address of wireless bridge 1 (corresponding to" MAC address of first communication device ") ) In combination (a6).
In this way, the information processing apparatus 2 can automatically perform processing for registering the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 in the wireless bridge mode table.

Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 2 starts communication of all packets with a frame for the wireless bridge mode, and transmits / receives the frame (a7).
The information processing device 2 notifies (transmits) the information of the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4 set in the information processing device 2 to the wireless bridge 1 (a8).
When the wireless bridge 1 receives the IP address and MAC address information of the default gateway 4, the wireless bridge 1 responds to the information processing apparatus 2 (a9).
Thereafter, the information processing device 2 transmits and receives all packets in a wireless bridge mode frame (a10, a11).

Next, the wireless bridge mode table of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge mode table held by the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG.
In the wireless bridge mode table, the host name “musenb1” of the wireless bridge 1, the IP address “10.10.10.1” of the default gateway 4, and the MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: “aa: aa” is registered in combination.
The host name “mousb1” of the wireless bridge 1 may be registered in advance as a fixed value in the information processing apparatus 2 or included in data (for example, a wireless bridge mode communication response frame described later) transmitted from the wireless bridge 1. It may be.

Next, the ARP table of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the ARP table held by the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
In the ARP table held by the information processing apparatus 2, when the information processing apparatus 2 is in the normal mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the IP address “10.10.10.1” of the default gateway 4 and the MAC When the address “bb: bb: bb: bb: bb: bb” is registered and the information processing apparatus 2 is in the wireless bridge mode, the host name of the wireless bridge 1 and the default gateway 4 are displayed in the wireless bridge mode table in a6 of FIG. When the wireless bridge mode table is registered after the combination of the IP address of the wireless bridge 1 and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1, as shown in FIG. 4B, the IP address “10.10.10.10” of the default gateway 4 is registered. And the MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa” of the wireless bridge 1 is registered.

When the information processing device 2 is in the wireless bridge mode, the IP address “10.10.10.1” of the default gateway 4 and the MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa of the wireless bridge 1 in the ARP table. : Aa ”is registered, and all packets transmitted to the destination other than the same subnet as the information processing apparatus 2 to be transmitted in the wireless bridge mode are transmitted to the wireless bridge 1.
Further, after ending the wireless bridge mode and returning to the normal mode and deleting the wireless bridge mode table, when deleting the wireless bridge mode table, the MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa” of the wireless bridge 1 is deleted. Is returned to the MAC address “bb: bb: bb: bb: bb: bb” of the default gateway 4.

Next, an Ethernet frame used for communication in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame used in communication in the wireless bridge mode.
For communication in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2, an Ethernet frame is used, but the Ethernet data is communicated only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2. Instead of standard protocols such as TCP / IP, special data is set and transmitted / received.

Therefore, a special protocol number “9999” for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 is set in the length / type field (2 bytes) in the Ethernet frame shown in FIG. This protocol number “9999” is an example, and other numbers may be used as long as they do not overlap with other numbers.
It should be noted that the preamble, start frame delimiter (SFD), and frame check sequence (FCS) fields shown in FIG. 5 are well-known and will not be described in detail.

Next, a description will be given of a wireless bridge search frame transmitted by the information processing apparatus 2 to check whether the wireless bridge 1 exists in the wired LAN 7 by Ethernet broadcast.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge search frame transmitted by the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG.
An Ethernet broadcast address is set in the destination address field of the wireless bridge search frame.
The MAC address of the information processing device 2 is set in the source address field.

In the length / type field (2 bytes), a protocol number “9999” for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 is set.
In the field of Ethernet data (also called “Ethernet data part”), special data is set instead of a standard protocol such as TCP / IP so that communication is performed only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing device 2. Send and receive. For example, the wireless bridge search command “1111 (hexadecimal number)” is set in the first 2 bytes of the Ethernet data portion.
Since the preamble, SFD, and FCS fields are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a wireless bridge response frame for responding to the information processing apparatus 2 after the wireless bridge 1 receives the wireless bridge search frame will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless bridge response frame transmitted by the wireless bridge 1 shown in FIG.
After receiving the wireless bridge search frame shown in FIG. 6 from the information processing device 2, the wireless bridge 1 transmits a wireless bridge response frame as shown by a3 in FIG. 2 in order to respond to the information processing device 2.
In the wireless bridge response frame, as shown in FIG. 7, the MAC address of the information processing apparatus 2 is set in the destination address field.

The MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is set in the source address field.
In the length / type field (2 bytes), a protocol number “9999” for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 is set.
In the field of Ethernet data (referred to as “Ethernet data part”), special data is used instead of a standard protocol such as TCP / IP so that communication is performed only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2. Set and send / receive. For example, the wireless bridge search command “1111 (hexadecimal number)” is set in the first 2 bytes of the Ethernet data portion.

Next, a description will be given of a wireless bridge mode communication request frame for requesting the wireless bridge 1 to perform communication only between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge mode communication request frame transmitted by the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG.
Since the information processing device 2 requests the wireless bridge 1 to perform communication only between the information processing device 2 and the wireless bridge 1, the information processing device 2 transmits a wireless bridge mode communication request frame as illustrated by a4 in FIG. To do.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the wireless bridge mode communication request frame, the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is set in the destination address field.
The MAC address of the information processing device 2 is set in the source address field.
In the length / type field (2 bytes), a protocol number “9999” for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 is set.
In the Ethernet data field (referred to as “Ethernet data part”), special data is set instead of a standard protocol such as TCP / IP so that communication is performed only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2. Send and receive. For example, the wireless bridge mode communication request command “2222 (hexadecimal number)” is set in the first 2 bytes of the Ethernet data portion.

Next, the wireless bridge mode communication response frame for responding to the information processing apparatus 2 after the wireless bridge 1 receives the wireless bridge mode communication request frame shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge mode communication response frame transmitted by the wireless bridge 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
After receiving the wireless bridge mode communication request frame shown in FIG. 8, the wireless bridge 1 transmits a wireless bridge mode communication response frame as shown by a5 in FIG. 2 in order to respond to the information processing apparatus 2.
In the wireless bridge mode communication response frame, as shown in FIG. 9, the MAC address of the information processing apparatus 2 is set in the destination address field.

The MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is set in the source address field.
In the length / type field (2 bytes), a protocol number “9999” for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1 is set.
In the Ethernet data field (referred to as “Ethernet data part”), special data is set instead of a standard protocol such as TCP / IP so that communication is performed only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2. Send and receive. For example, the wireless bridge mode communication request command “2222 (hexadecimal number)” is set in the first 2 bytes of the Ethernet data portion.

Next, main parts of the configuration of the wireless bridge 1 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main part of the configuration of the wireless bridge 1 shown in FIG.
The wireless bridge 1 executes various programs stored in the ROM 11, controls the entire wireless bridge 1, and executes various processes according to the invention (functions of the control means of the first communication device). Fulfilled), a bus 15 connected to the CPU 10, a ROM 11 which is connected to the bus 15 and stores a program to be executed by the CPU 10, and a bus 15 which is connected to the bus 15 as a work area when the CPU 10 executes the program. A wired network interface 13 (corresponding to the communication means of the first communication device) connected to the information processing device 2 via a wired LAN and the RAM 12 that is a nonvolatile memory that is used and stores various data. And a wireless network connected to the bus 15 and connected to the access point 3 via a wireless LAN. And an interface 14. The RAM 12 stores a host name of the wireless bridge 1 registered in advance, and also stores an IP address assigned to the wireless bridge 1. A MAC address that cannot be changed by the user is stored in the ROM 11.

Next, main parts of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main part of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
The information processing apparatus 2 executes various programs stored in the ROM 21, controls the entire information processing apparatus 2, and executes various processes according to the invention (corresponding to control means of the information processing apparatus). ), A bus 27 connected to the CPU 20, a ROM 21 that is connected to the bus 27 and stores a program executed by the CPU 20, and a ROM 21 connected to the bus 27, and the CPU 20 uses the program as a work area when executing the program. In addition, a RAM 22 that is a non-volatile memory for storing various data, a wired network interface 23 (corresponding to a communication unit of the information processing apparatus) connected to the bus 27 and connected to the wireless bridge 1 via a wired LAN, and a user An input device that includes a keyboard and pointing device for inputting various types of operation information. An input unit 24 (corresponding to an input unit of the information processing apparatus), a display unit 25 including an LCD for displaying various operation screens and messages to the user, a program executed by the CPU 20, and the CPU 20 are targeted for processing. And a storage unit 26 (corresponding to registration means of the information processing device) that is a storage device including an HDD that stores various data to be stored.

  The wireless bridge mode table, the ARP table, the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4, and the IP address assigned to the information processing device 2 can be stored in the RAM 22 or the storage unit 26. Then, the case where it preserve | saves at the memory | storage part 26 is demonstrated.

Next, data communication processing of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.
12 and 13 are flowcharts showing data communication processing of the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
When the CPU 20 of the information processing device 2 detects the Ethernet link by the wired network interface 23 in step (indicated by “S” in FIG. 12) 1 in FIG. 12, the Ethernet link is normal by the wired network interface 23 in step 2. If the Ethernet link is normally performed (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 3; otherwise (in the case of “N”), the process returns to step 1.
In step 3, a wireless bridge for checking whether or not the wireless bridge 1 exists in the wired LAN 7 through the wired network interface 23 for the wireless bridge search for confirming whether or not the wireless bridge 1 exists on the Ethernet. The bridge search frame is transmitted by Ethernet broadcast, and the process proceeds to Step 4.

In step 4, the wireless bridge response frame from the wireless bridge 1 is received by the wired network interface 23, and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 (stored in the source address field in the wireless bridge response frame) is received from the wireless bridge 1. If it is determined whether or not the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is correctly received (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to Step 5; otherwise (in the case of “N”), the process proceeds to Step 3. Return.
In step 5, when it is recognized that the wireless bridge 1 is connected to the wireless bridge 1 by the wired LAN 7 by receiving the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1, the information processing device 2 is connected to the wireless bridge 1 via the wired network interface 23. The wireless bridge mode communication request frame (with the protocol number “9999” set in the length / type field) for requesting communication only between the two is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step 6 in FIG.

In step 6 of FIG. 13, the CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether or not the wireless bridge mode communication response frame is received from the wireless bridge 1 by the wired network interface 23, and the response indicating the connection OK from the wireless bridge 1. If a certain wireless bridge mode communication response frame is received (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 7; otherwise (in the case of “N”), the process proceeds to step 13.
In step 7, the transmission mode is set to the wireless bridge mode based on the protocol number “9999” indicating the wireless bridge mode set in the length / type field of the received wireless bridge mode communication response frame. move on.
In step 8, the host name of the wireless bridge 1, the IP address of the default gateway 4, and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 are registered in the wireless bridge mode table held in the storage unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 9.

In this case, the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is a host name registered in the storage unit 26 in advance, and the IP address of the default gateway 4 is also registered in the storage unit 26 in advance. The MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is the MAC address set in the wireless bridge mode communication response frame.
In step 9, the contents in the normal mode of the ARP table in the storage unit 26 are rewritten to the contents in the wireless bridge mode, and the process proceeds to step 10.
In this rewriting process, the IP address “10.10.10.1” and the MAC address “bb: bb: bb: bb: bb: bb” of the default gateway 4 stored in the ARP table are used as the IP of the default gateway 4. The address “10.10.10.1” and the MAC address “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa” of the wireless bridge 1 are rewritten.

As described above, when the information processing device 2 transmits all the packets via the wireless bridge 1, the information processing device 2 stores the default gateway 4 in the ARP table of the storage unit 26. A combination of the IP address and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 is set.
When this setting is made, there are only two network devices, the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing device 2, on the wired LAN 7, and the ARP table of the information processing device 2 has no other network devices. Since the IP address of the default gateway 4 and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 are registered, the information processing apparatus 2 uses the SSID or channel for connecting to the wireless bridge 1 via the wireless LAN 8 by Ethernet communication. A packet of setting data for performing communication via a wireless LAN such as the above can be transmitted to the wireless bridge 1.

In step 10, the CPU 20 of the information processing device 2 sends the IP address and MAC address information of the default gateway 4 registered in advance in the storage unit 26 of the information processing device 2 to the wireless bridge 1 via the wired network interface 23. Send to step 11.
In step 11, the wired network interface 23 correctly received a registration OK response from the wireless bridge 1 to notify that the information of the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4 has been successfully registered in the wireless bridge 1. If the registration OK response is correctly received (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 12; otherwise (in the case of “N”), the process returns to step 10.

In step 12, transmission / reception of all packets is started via the wired network interface 23 using an Ethernet frame (including an encapsulated frame to be described later) in the wireless bridge mode, and this process is terminated.
In step 13, the CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 sets the transmission mode to the normal mode, and proceeds to step 14.
In step 14, transmission / reception is started with a normal Ethernet frame via the wired network interface 23, and this process is terminated.

In this way, when setting for enabling wireless communication from the information processing apparatus 2 to the wireless bridge 1, the setting information set by the user is used as the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 and the IP address of the default gateway 4. The packet data used is automatically transmitted to the wireless bridge 1, and the wireless bridge 1 automatically performs settings for enabling wireless communication based on the packet data. It is possible to perform wireless communication by the wireless bridge 1 without performing a complicated operation such as setting an IP address of 1.
Therefore, with respect to the wireless bridge 1 (corresponding to a communication device) that relays communication between the wired network and the wireless network, the initial setting for the wireless bridge 1 is performed before the wireless bridge 1 starts connection with the wireless network. The burden of setting work when the user starts wireless data communication with the information processing apparatus 2 can be greatly reduced.

Next, processing after the wireless bridge 1 receives the information of the default gateway 4 will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing after the wireless bridge 1 shown in FIG. 1 receives the information of the default gateway 4.
This process is a process after the wireless bridge 1 receives information on the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway indicated by a8 in FIG.
When the CPU 10 of the wireless bridge 1 receives the information of the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4 from the information processing apparatus 2 by the wired network interface 13 in the step (indicated by “S” in FIG. 14) 21 in FIG. Proceed to 22.
In step 22, the received IP address and MAC address information of default gateway 4 is registered internally, and the process proceeds to step 23.

Information on the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4 is stored in the ROM 11 or RAM 12 of the wireless bridge 1. In addition, when the wireless bridge 1 includes a storage unit including another memory (not shown) such as an HDD or a nonvolatile memory, the wireless bridge 1 may be stored in the storage unit. In the following description, a case where data is stored in the RAM 12 will be described.
In step 23, when a packet is received from the wired LAN side by the wired network interface 13, the process proceeds to step 24.
In step 24, it is determined whether or not the packet received by the wired network interface 13 is an Ethernet encapsulated frame. If the packet is an Ethernet encapsulated frame (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 25; If there is (in the case of “N”), go to Step 30.

In step 25, it is determined whether the packet received by the wired network interface 13 is an HTTP packet addressed to the default gateway 4, and if it is an HTTP packet addressed to the default gateway 4 (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 26. Otherwise (in the case of “N”), the process proceeds to Step 30.
In step 26, it is determined whether or not the HTTP packet data includes setting data for wireless LAN 1 communication such as SSID and channel, and if there is setting data for the wireless bridge 1 ( If “Y”, the process proceeds to step 27; otherwise (“N”), the process proceeds to step 30.
In step 27, the setting data for the wireless bridge 1 is registered in the RAM 12 inside the wireless bridge 1, and the process proceeds to step 28.

In step 28, as a response to the HTTP packet data received by the wired network interface 13, the IP address of the default gateway 4 is set as the IP layer source (since the wireless bridge 1 does not have the IP address of the wireless bridge 1). The sent packet is returned to the transmission source of the HTTP packet, and the process proceeds to step 29.
In step 29, based on the setting data registered in the RAM 12 in the wireless bridge 1 for performing communication with the wireless LAN such as SSID and channel, the wireless network interface 14 starts connection with the wireless LAN. The process ends.

In step 30, the CPU 10 of the wireless bridge 1 determines whether or not the device itself is in a wireless LAN connection state, and if it is in a wireless LAN connection state (in the case of “Y”). ), Go to step 31, otherwise go to step 32 (if "N").
In step 31, the packet received by the wired network interface 13 is relayed and transmitted to the wireless LAN side by the wireless network interface 14, and this process is terminated.
In step 32, the packet received by the wired network interface 13 is returned to the transmission source or discarded, and this process is terminated.

Next, an Ethernet encapsulated frame exchanged between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 in the wireless bridge mode will be described.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an Ethernet encapsulated frame transmitted and received in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, a normal Ethernet frame 30 (first Ethernet frame (corresponding to “first data”)) exchanged between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 in the normal mode is transmitted wirelessly. By encapsulating by including in an Ethernet frame exchanged in the bridge mode, an Ethernet frame transmitted / received only between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 can be obtained. This encapsulated frame is called an Ethernet encapsulated frame 31.

For the Ethernet encapsulated frame 31 (second Ethernet frame (corresponding to “second data”)) in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2, And encapsulating the first Ethernet frame (the first Ethernet frame 30 (corresponding to “first data”)).
Then, in the length / type field of the encapsulated frame 31, a number “9998” indicating the encapsulated frame 31 is set with a protocol number for communication between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1.
This number “9998 (hexadecimal number)” is an example of a number indicating an encapsulated frame in the wireless bridge mode between the information processing apparatus 2 and the wireless bridge 1. May be the number.
Note that the destination address, transmission source address, length / type, IP header part, TCP header part, TCP data, and FCS fields of the normal Ethernet frame 30 are well known and will not be described in detail.

When the wireless bridge 1 relays the HTTP packet data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the default gateway 4 from the wired LAN 7 to the wireless LAN 8, the wireless bridge 1 takes the HTTP packet data therein. For example, it is stored in the RAM 12.
The default gateway 4 has a built-in web function, and when the user sets the default gateway 4, the user sets the default gateway 4 using the information processing apparatus 2 because the setting is performed from the browser. Also when performing, the information processing apparatus 2 transmits the data of the HTTP packet to the default gateway 4.
When the wireless bridge 1 receives an HTTP packet transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the default gateway 4, setting data for the information processing apparatus 2 to perform wireless communication with the wireless bridge 1 is included in the data of the HTTP packet. Therefore, it is necessary for the wireless bridge 1 to perform determination processing for all the HTTP packet data regardless of whether the received HTTP packet data includes setting data. is there.

  Therefore, when the user uses the information processing apparatus 2 to set the default gateway 4, the information processing apparatus 2 sends the destination of the normal Ethernet frame (first Ethernet frame) 30 including the HTTP packet data to the default gateway 4. All fields from the address to FCS are embedded in the Ethernet data field of the Ethernet encapsulated frame (second Ethernet frame) 31 in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 to encapsulate the frame. As a result, when the encapsulated frame 31 is received, the wireless bridge 1 can transmit the encapsulated frame 31 to the default gateway 4 without performing determination processing on the data of the HTTP packet.

The destination address of the Ethernet frame 30 is set with reference to the combination of the IP address and MAC address of the default gateway 4 registered in the ARP table in the normal mode shown in FIG. To do.
The destination address of the Ethernet encapsulated frame 31 refers to the combination of the IP address of the default gateway 4 and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 registered in the ARP table in the wireless bridge mode shown in FIG. Set the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1.

  As described above, when encapsulated frames are used, the ARP table having the contents in the normal mode and the wireless bridge mode is necessary. Therefore, the combination of the IP address and the MAC address in the normal mode shown in FIG. Two combinations of the IP address and the MAC address in the bridge mode are registered in the storage unit 26 of the information processing apparatus 2 at the same time.

When the information processing apparatus 2 and the default gateway 4 are connected by wire, the information processing apparatus 2 is registered in the ARP table in the first Ethernet frame that sets the destination MAC address using the normal ARP table. The destination using the ARP table in which the MAC address portion of the default gateway 4 of the combination of the IP address of the default gateway 4 and the MAC address of the default gateway 4 is rewritten to the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1 registered in the wireless bridge mode table. An Ethernet header set with the MAC address is added to generate a second Ethernet frame, and the second Ethernet frame is transmitted to the wireless bridge 1.
On the other hand, when the wireless bridge 1 receives the second Ethernet frame, the wireless bridge 1 extracts the first Ethernet frame from the data portion of the second Ethernet frame, and wirelessly transmits the first Ethernet frame to the access point 3. .

  In this way, when the user sets the default gateway 4 using the information processing apparatus 2, all portions from the destination address to the FCS of the Ethernet frame including the HTTP data from the information processing apparatus 2 to the default gateway 4 are all included. Since the encapsulated frame (frame encapsulation) embedded in the data portion of the Ethernet frame in the wireless bridge mode between the wireless bridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 is transmitted, the wireless bridge 1 transmits the encapsulated frame Can be transmitted to the default gateway 4 without performing a determination process for HTTP data.

Next, operations and processing when a wireless bridge search frame is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 to the wireless bridge 1 by a user operation will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for transmitting a wireless bridge search frame displayed on the display unit 25 of the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 1.
The CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 displays the operation screen 40 shown in FIG.
When the user depresses a wireless bridge search button 41 (described as “wireless bridge search” in the figure) displayed on the operation screen 40, the CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 transmits a wireless bridge search frame (FIG. 2). A2).
In this way, when the user wants to perform a setting operation on the wireless bridge 1, a wireless bridge search command can be transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 by performing a screen operation of the information processing apparatus 2.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge response frame in which the host name of the wireless bridge 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is included in data.
As shown in FIG. 18, the wireless bridge 1 responds to the information processing apparatus 2 after receiving the wireless bridge search frame shown in FIG. 6 transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 by the user operation as described above. A wireless bridge response frame is transmitted (returned) to the information processing apparatus 2 (a3 in FIG. 2).
In the wireless bridge response frame shown in FIG. 18, unlike the wireless bridge response frame shown in FIG. 7, the wireless bridge search command “1111” is set at the head of the Ethernet data frame, and then the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is set. is doing. Data is set after the host name.

In this way, when the information processing apparatus 2 is connected to, for example, a hub (HUB), it is not possible to detect Ethernet link-up, and thus processing to transmit a wireless bridge search frame after Ethernet link-up is performed. Can not do.
Therefore, as described above, the user can manually transmit the wireless bridge search frame by performing a simple screen operation such as pressing a button on the screen of the information processing apparatus 2.

Next, operations and processing when the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is set in the information processing apparatus 2 by a user operation and a wireless bridge search frame is transmitted will be described.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for setting a wireless bridge name displayed on the display unit 25 of the information processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 1.
The CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 displays the operation screen 42 shown in FIG.
When the user inputs, for example, the host name “musenb1” of the wireless bridge 1 in the wireless bridge name input field 43 displayed on the operation screen 42, the CPU 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 displays the host name “musenb1” of the wireless bridge 1. Is transmitted in the wireless bridge search frame (a2 in FIG. 2).

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless bridge search frame in which the host name of the wireless bridge 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is included in data.
In order to check whether or not the wireless bridge 1 exists in the wired LAN 7 by Ethernet broadcast, the information processing apparatus 2 includes the host name “mousbn1” of the wireless bridge 1 in the data by the user operation as described above. A wireless bridge search frame is transmitted on the wired LAN 7 (a2 in FIG. 2).
In the wireless bridge search frame shown in FIG. 20, unlike the wireless bridge search frame shown in FIG. 6, the wireless bridge search command “1111” is set at the head of the Ethernet data frame, and then the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is set. is doing. Data is set after the host name.

Next, processing when the wireless bridge 1 receives a wireless bridge search frame including the host name of the wireless bridge 1 in data will be described.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing when the wireless bridge 1 shown in FIG. 1 receives a wireless bridge search frame including the host name of the wireless bridge 1 in data.
This processing is processing after the wireless bridge 1 links up with Ethernet in a1 of FIG.
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 41, the CPU 10 of the wireless bridge 1 determines whether or not (correctly) the wireless bridge search frame from the information processing apparatus 2 has been received, and if received (“Y” Case) go to step 42; otherwise (if “N”) go back to step 41.
In step 42, the wireless bridge response frame is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2, and the process proceeds to step 43.

In step 43, it is determined whether or not the wireless bridge mode communication request frame has been (correctly) received from the information processing apparatus 2. If received (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 44; ”), The process returns to step 41.
In step 44, the wireless bridge mode communication response frame is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2, and this process is terminated.
The minimum information necessary for the wireless bridge mode table is the IP address of the default gateway 4 and the MAC address of the wireless bridge 1, and the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is not necessary, so the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is information in advance. Although it may be a fixed value registered in the processing device 2, the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is registered in the wireless bridge 1 as described above, and the host name of the wireless bridge 1 is registered from the wireless bridge response frame. If a plurality of types of wireless bridges with different specifications exist, the host name of the wireless bridge can be changed.

Next, another example of processing when the wireless bridge 1 receives a wireless bridge search frame including the host name of the wireless bridge 1 in data will be described.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing when the wireless bridge 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 receives a wireless bridge search frame including the host name of the wireless bridge 1 in data.
This processing is processing after the wireless bridge 1 links up with Ethernet in a1 of FIG.
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 51, the CPU 10 of the wireless bridge 1 determines whether or not (correctly) the wireless bridge search frame from the information processing apparatus 2 has been received. Case) go to step 52; otherwise (if “N”) go back to step 51.

In step 52, the host name of the wireless bridge 1 included in the data of the wireless bridge search frame received from the information processing apparatus 2 is registered in the wireless bridge 1 in advance when the wireless bridge 1 is shipped from the factory. If it matches (if “Y”), the process proceeds to step 53; otherwise (if “N”), the process returns to step 51.
As described above, when the host name included in the received wireless bridge search frame is different from the host name of the own apparatus, the wireless bridge response frame for the wireless bridge search frame is not transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2.
In step 53, the wireless bridge response frame is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2, and the process proceeds to step 54.

In step 54, it is determined whether or not the wireless bridge mode communication request frame has been (correctly) received from the information processing apparatus 2. If received (in the case of “Y”), the process proceeds to step 55; ”), The process returns to step 51.
In step 55, a wireless bridge mode communication response frame is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2, and this process is terminated.
Thus, when the user registers the host name of the wireless bridge 1 by operating the screen of the information processing apparatus 2, the information processing apparatus 2 communicates only with the registered wireless bridge 1. Even when a plurality of wireless bridges 1 are connected to the apparatus 2 via the HUB, the information processing apparatus 2 can communicate with only the registered wireless bridge 1 and can transmit traffic on the network (flowing on the network). It is not necessary to increase the amount of data).

  According to the network system of this embodiment, when the information processing apparatus that performs setting of the wireless bridge transmits a packet, the ARP table of the information processing apparatus is used in the information processing apparatus so that all the packets pass through the wireless bridge. In addition, by setting the IP address of the default gateway and the MAC address of the wireless bridge in combination, even if the user does not set the IP address of the wireless bridge, the information processing apparatus can make the wireless bridge perform wireless connection. In the IP layer, the default gateway is the destination in the IP layer, and in the MAC layer, the Ethernet bridge is sent to the wireless bridge, and the information processing device sends the configuration information packet for wireless connection to the wireless bridge to the wireless bridge Can be used with wired networks. A wireless bridge that relays data frames to and from the network, and an information processing apparatus that sets a connection connected to the wireless bridge via a wired network. The wireless bridge is in a stage before the wireless bridge starts a wireless LAN connection. The initial setting of the wired network can be facilitated.

  The network system according to the present invention can be applied to the entire network including the Internet and local area networks using wireless communication or wired communication.

1: Wireless bridge 2: Information processing device 3: Access point 4: Default gateway 5: External network 6, 7, 9: Wired LAN 8: Wireless LAN 10, 20: CPU 11, 21: ROM 12, 22: RAM 13, 23: Wired network interface 14: Wireless network interface 15, 27: Bus 24: Input unit 25: Display unit 26: Storage unit 30: Normal Ethernet frame (first data) 31: Ethernet encapsulation in the wireless bridge mode Frame (second data) 40, 42: Operation screen 41: Wireless bridge search button 43: Wireless bridge name input field

JP 2009-44512 A

Claims (6)

An information processing device, a first communication device connected to the information processing device via a wire, a second communication device connected wirelessly to the first communication device, and a wired connection to the second communication device A third communication device that connects the second communication device and a network, and the information processing device includes the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. In a network system that communicates with other information processing apparatuses on the network via
The information processing apparatus includes an input unit, a registration unit, a communication unit, the registration unit, identification information of the first communication device, a first address of the third communication device, and the first When the identification information of the first communication device is input from the input means, the first address that has been registered in the registration means is registered. A wireless connection is made to the first communication device with the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device combined with the identification information of the communication device as destinations Control means for generating data including setting information for transmitting the generated data to the first communication device by the communication means,
The first communication device is a communication unit, and the communication unit sends data addressed to the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device from the information processing device. When received, it is determined whether or not the received data includes setting information for performing wireless connection to the first communication device, and includes setting information for performing wireless connection to the first communication device. Control means for performing settings for wireless connection in the first communication device based on setting information for performing wireless connection to the first communication device included in the received data. A network system characterized by comprising: Search data including information indicating a mode for performing communication only with the first communication device and information indicating data for searching for the first communication device. Is transmitted to the first communication device by the communication means, and when response data to the search data is received by the communication means, the identification information of the first communication device is transmitted to the registration means. And means for performing registration by combining the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device,
The control means of the first communication device has means for transmitting response data to the information processing device when the search data is received from the information processing device by the communication means. Item 4. The network system according to Item 1. When the control unit of the information processing apparatus is connected to the third communication device by wire, the control unit includes a combination of the first address and the second address of the third communication device. , Means for registering a combination of a first address of the third communication device and a second address of the first communication device, and a first of the third communication device registered in the registration means Generating first data destined for the second address of the third communication device combined with the address, and combining the first data with the first address of the third communication device registered in the registration means; Means for generating second data including the first data, with the second address of one communication apparatus as a destination, and transmitting the second data to the first communication apparatus by the communication means Have
The control means of the first communication device retrieves the first data from the second data when the communication means receives the second data from the information processing device, and the communication means 2. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting first data to the second communication device.   The network system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit of the information processing apparatus includes a unit that executes transmission of the search data when the search data transmission request is input from the input unit. The control means of the first communication device has means for including identification information of the first communication device in the response data to the search data;
The control unit of the information processing apparatus registers, in the registration unit, a combination of a first address of the third communication apparatus and a second address of the first communication apparatus. 3. The network system according to claim 2, further comprising means for acquiring the identification information from the response data. The control means of the information processing apparatus causes the input means to input identification information of the first communication apparatus registered in the registration means, and the input identification information of the first communication apparatus, and the first When the first address of the third communication device and the second address of the first communication device are combined and registered in the registration means, the first data input to the search data transmitted by the communication means Means for including identification information of the communication device of
A storage means for storing identification information of the first communication device is provided in the first communication device,
The control unit of the first communication device includes the first communication device in which identification information of the first communication device included in the search data received by the communication unit is stored in the storage unit. It is determined whether or not it matches with the identification information, and when it matches, the response data is transmitted, and when it does not match, the response data is not transmitted. The network system according to claim 2.

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