JP2012098906A - Wireless lan device, method for controlling wireless lan device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in the case of updating and restarting firmware installed in a wireless LAN device under a wireless LAN environment to which a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected.SOLUTION: A wireless LAN access point 100 includes: a storage part for storing firmware and device information of its own device; a collection part for collecting device information of other devices; a version determination part for determining whether or not the version of the firmware of its own device is newer than the version of the firmware of other devices; a distribution part for, when the version of the firmware of its own device is newer than the version of the firmware of the other devices, distributing the firmware of its own device to the other devices; and a restart instruction transmission control part for determining instruction timing of restart to the other devices based on connection configurations of its own device and the other devices in the wireless LAN, and for transmitting the restart instruction to the other devices at the instruction timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless LAN device, a wireless LAN device control method, and a computer program, and more particularly to a technique for updating firmware installed in a wireless LAN device.

  In recent years, wireless LAN devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN) have become widespread. A terminal device having a communication function, such as a personal computer, a portable game machine, a so-called network home appliance, or the like is connected to the wireless LAN device via a wired or wireless connection. In such a wireless LAN device, firmware for causing a computer included in the wireless LAN device to realize a part of the function is installed. The firmware is updated by the manufacturer of the wireless LAN device as needed, that is, the problem is corrected, a new function is added, and the like, and the firmware is provided to the user of the wireless LAN device. On the other hand, the user of the wireless LAN device updates the old version of firmware installed in the wireless LAN device to a new version of firmware as appropriate.

  In order to effectively use the function of the latest version of firmware in a wireless LAN environment in which a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected, the latest version (same version) of firmware is installed in all the wireless LAN devices. Need to be. Therefore, the user of the wireless LAN device installs the latest version of firmware in all the wireless LAN devices in order to effectively use the function of the latest version of firmware. However, when a large number of wireless LAN devices are connected to the wireless LAN, it is troublesome for the user of the wireless LAN device to individually install the latest version of firmware in all the wireless LAN devices.

  Therefore, conventionally, a technique for automating firmware update of a plurality of communication device terminals (wireless LAN devices) has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when version information of firmware used between communication device terminals is communicated and the firmware versions used by both communication device terminals are different, a new version of firmware The communication device terminal using the device sends the new version of firmware used by itself to the communication device terminal using the old firmware, and the communication device terminal using the old version of firmware A technique for rewriting firmware is described.

JP 2005-71155 A JP-A-11-282656

  By the way, in a wireless LAN device using an old version of firmware, in order to complete the firmware update and use the new version of firmware, the new version of firmware is stored in a storage unit such as a flash ROM. It is necessary to restart (reboot) the wireless LAN device. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the restart of the wireless LAN device (communication device terminal) at the time of firmware update is not particularly considered. For this reason, when a plurality of wireless LAN devices that have used an old version of firmware are connected to the wireless LAN, in order to use the updated new version of firmware in these wireless LAN devices, the wireless LAN device Need to restart each wireless LAN device individually. The restart of the wireless LAN device may be complicated for the user of the wireless LAN device.

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, a configuration is adopted in which, when a wireless LAN device using an old version of firmware receives a new version of firmware, the wireless LAN device is automatically restarted. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of the restart described above. However, depending on the connection form of a plurality of wireless LAN devices in a wireless LAN, it may not be preferable to adopt the above configuration. While the wireless LAN device is being restarted, the terminal device connected to the wireless LAN device being restarted, or another wireless device using the wireless LAN device being restarted as the only wireless LAN relay device (repeater) This is because the LAN device cannot communicate with the restarting wireless LAN device. In other words, the conventional wireless LAN device has poor convenience when updating and restarting the firmware installed in the wireless LAN device in a wireless LAN environment in which a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and in a wireless LAN environment in which a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected, when firmware installed in the wireless LAN device is updated and restarted. The purpose is to improve convenience.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN,
A firmware storage unit for storing firmware;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage unit for storing device information including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN;
A collecting unit that collects the device information about the other wireless LAN device directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination unit that determines whether the version of the firmware is newer than the version of the firmware held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device And
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control unit for determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A wireless LAN device comprising:

  In the wireless LAN device of Application Example 1, the restart timing of another wireless LAN device after distribution of firmware can be controlled based on the connection form of the wireless LAN device and another wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN. . For example, according to the wireless LAN device of Application Example 1, after distributing firmware to a plurality of other wireless LAN devices, the plurality of other wireless LAN devices may be restarted all at once or sequentially. Can do. Therefore, in a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected, it is possible to improve convenience when updating and restarting the firmware installed in the wireless LAN device.

  In this application example, the wireless LAN device of the same model is a wireless LAN device including at least a firmware storage unit that stores the same type of firmware and a device information storage unit that stores the same type of device information. Means. The connection form of the wireless LAN device means a star connection, a ring connection, a cascade connection, or a connection form in which these connections are mixed.

[Application Example 2]
A wireless LAN device according to Application Example 1,
The restart instruction transmission control unit,
When there are two or more other wireless LAN devices connected to the wireless LAN,
Based on the connection destination information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the connection destination information included in the device information received from the other wireless LAN device, Determining whether there is the other wireless LAN device having a plurality of communication paths between
If there is the other wireless LAN device in which the plurality of communication paths exist, sequentially transmit the restart instruction to each of the other wireless LAN devices in which the plurality of communication paths exist,
When there is no other wireless LAN device having the plurality of communication paths, the restart instruction is transmitted to each of the other wireless LAN devices all at once.
Wireless LAN device.

  When there are two or more other wireless LAN devices connected to the wireless LAN, and there are other wireless LAN devices having a plurality of communication paths between the wireless LAN devices, Even if one other wireless LAN device having a plurality of communication paths is restarted, communication between the wireless LAN device and another wireless LAN device that is operating (not restarting) can be continued. . Therefore, in such a case, the wireless LAN device of Application Example 2 sequentially transmits a restart instruction to each of the other wireless LAN devices, and restarts the other wireless LAN devices one by one. By doing so, it is possible to restart a plurality of other wireless LAN devices without interrupting communication between the wireless LAN device and another wireless LAN device in operation. Note that the order in which the wireless LAN device transmits a restart instruction to a plurality of other wireless LAN devices can be arbitrarily set. For example, the order of transmitting the restart instruction can be set based on the magnitude of the MAC address value assigned to each wireless LAN device.

  On the other hand, when there are two or more other wireless LAN devices connected to the wireless LAN and there are no other wireless LAN devices having a plurality of communication paths with the wireless LAN device. When the plurality of other wireless LAN devices are sequentially restarted, the total time for which communication between the wireless LAN device and any other wireless LAN device is interrupted becomes longer than when the wireless LAN devices are restarted almost simultaneously. Therefore, in such a case, the wireless LAN device of Application Example 2 transmits a restart instruction to each of the other wireless LAN devices all at once, and restarts the other wireless LAN devices almost simultaneously. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the time during which communication between the wireless LAN device and another wireless LAN device is interrupted.

  Note that in the wireless LAN device according to Application Example 2, the restart instruction transmission unit does not perform the route determination when there is one other wireless LAN device connected to the wireless LAN. The restart instruction may be transmitted to the other wireless LAN device. In this case, for example, the re-transfer instruction may be transmitted immediately so that the wireless LAN device and another wireless LAN device can immediately use the new version of the firmware.

  In addition, in a wireless LAN of a connection form in which other wireless LAN devices having a plurality of communication paths with the wireless LAN device and other wireless LAN devices without a plurality of communication paths with the wireless LAN device are mixed, for example, , Restart instructions are sequentially transmitted to other wireless LAN devices having a plurality of communication paths, and restart instructions are simultaneously transmitted to other wireless LAN apparatuses having no plurality of communication paths. You just have to do it.

  In this application example, “sequentially send a restart instruction to each other wireless LAN device” in principle means that a restart instruction is sent to one other wireless LAN device, and the wireless This means that after the restart of the LAN device is completed, a restart instruction is transmitted to the next wireless LAN device. However, if the restart of the wireless LAN device is not completed after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the restart instruction is transmitted to one other wireless LAN device, the wireless LAN device is restarted. A restart instruction may be transmitted to the next wireless LAN device without completing the start-up. In addition, “simultaneously transmitting a restart instruction to each of the other wireless LAN devices” means that a plurality of other wireless LAN devices are restarted almost simultaneously. This means that a restart instruction is transmitted to each LAN device.

[Application Example 3]
A wireless LAN device according to Application Example 1 or 2,
The distribution unit is specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information on the other wireless LAN device, and the wireless LAN device and the other wireless in the wireless LAN Determining the distribution timing of the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit based on the connection form of the LAN device, and distributing the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device at the distribution timing;
Wireless LAN device.

  According to the wireless LAN device of the application example 3, in addition to the restart timing of other wireless LAN devices, the firmware distribution timing can also be controlled based on the above connection form.

  Note that in the wireless LAN device according to Application Example 1 or 2, the distribution unit stores data in the firmware storage unit at a distribution timing independent of a connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN. The stored firmware may be distributed to the other wireless LAN device. In this case, the distribution unit may determine the distribution timing based on requirements other than the connection form.

[Application Example 4]
A method for controlling a wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN, comprising:
The wireless LAN device includes:
A firmware storage unit for storing firmware;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage unit for storing device information including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN,
The control method is:
A collecting step of collecting the device information about another wireless LAN device directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination step for determining whether or not the firmware version is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device Process,
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control step of determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A control method comprising:

  Based on the connection mode of the wireless LAN device and other wireless LAN devices in the wireless LAN, the wireless LAN device control method of Application Example 4 controls the restart timing of other wireless LAN devices after the firmware is distributed. be able to. Therefore, in a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN devices are connected, it is possible to improve convenience when updating and restarting the firmware installed in the wireless LAN device.

[Application Example 5]
A computer program for controlling a wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN,
Firmware storage function for storing firmware in the firmware storage unit;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage function for storing device information in a device information storage unit including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN;
A collection function for collecting the device information about other wireless LAN devices directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination function for determining whether the firmware version is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device Function and
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control function for determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A computer program for realizing a computer.

  The wireless LAN device of application example 1 can be configured by the computer program of application example 5.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described wireless LAN device, wireless LAN device control method, computer program configuration, recording medium storing the program, and data signal embodied in a carrier wave including the program. Can be realized. In addition, in each aspect, it is possible to apply the various additional elements shown above.

  When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the entire program for controlling the operation of the wireless LAN device may be configured, or only the part that performs the functions of the present invention is configured. It is good also as what to do. Recording media include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, printed matter printed with codes such as barcodes, computer internal storage devices (such as RAM and ROM). A variety of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the network system 1000 to which the wireless LAN apparatus as 1st Example of this invention is applied. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless LAN access point 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the apparatus information table in 1st Example. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of firmware update processing in the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the firmware update process in the wireless LAN access point 100 of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of network system 1000A to which the wireless LAN apparatus as 3rd Example of this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the apparatus information table in 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the firmware update process in the wireless LAN access point 100 of 3rd Example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
A1. Network system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system 1000 to which a wireless LAN device as a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, a network system 1000 according to the present embodiment includes wireless LAN access points 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E as wireless LAN devices, which constitute a wireless LAN. In the network system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100A is cable-connected to the Internet INT via the router RT. The wireless LAN access point 100A may have a router function, and the router RT may be omitted.

  In the wireless LAN, the wireless LAN access point 100A is directly wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access points 100B and 100E. The wireless LAN access point 100B is directly wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access points 100A and 100C. The wireless LAN access point 100B is wirelessly connected to a personal computer PC as a terminal device having a wireless LAN card. The wireless LAN access point 100C is directly wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access points 100B and 100D. A printer PT1 as a terminal device having a wireless communication function is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access point 100C. The wireless LAN access point 100D is directly wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access points 100C and 100E. A portable game machine PG as a terminal device having a wireless communication function is wirelessly connected to this wireless LAN access point 100D. In addition, a recording device REC as a terminal device is cable-connected to the wireless LAN access point 100D, and a television receiver TV is cable-connected to the recording device REC. Further, the wireless LAN access point 100E is directly wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access points 100A and 100D. The wireless LAN access point 100E is connected to a hard disk drive HDD and a printer PT2 as terminal devices. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100E and the hard disk drive HDD are connected by cable, and the wireless LAN access point 100E and the printer PT are wirelessly connected. Note that the number and connection form of wireless LAN access points constituting the wireless LAN, the number and type of terminal devices connected to each wireless LAN access point, and the like can be arbitrarily set.

  With the network system 1000 described above, each terminal device can exchange data with other terminal devices via a wireless LAN or an external network including the Internet INT.

  In the wireless LAN described above, the device name of the wireless LAN access point 100A is “WLAE1”, and “ABCDEF” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100A. It is assumed that firmware (FW) having a version “ver1.0” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100A. The device name of the wireless LAN access point 100B is “WLAE2”, and “BCDEFG” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100B. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.2” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100B. The device name of the wireless LAN access point 100C is “WLAE3”, and “CDEFGH” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100C. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.1” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100C. The device name of the wireless LAN access point 100D is “WLAE4”, and “DEFGHI” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100D. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.1” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100D. The device name of the wireless LAN access point 100E is “WLAE5”, and “EFGHHIJ” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100E. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.1” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100E.

  The plurality of wireless LAN access points 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E are all the same model. Therefore, in the following, these are also collectively referred to as a wireless LAN access point 100. The firmware installed in at least one of these wireless LAN access points 100, for example, the wireless LAN access point 100B to which the personal computer PC is connected, is downloaded from a server (not shown) on the Internet INT, for example. And updated to the latest firmware as appropriate. The firmware is upgraded as needed by the manufacturer of the wireless LAN access point 100 and provided to the user of the wireless LAN access point 100.

A2. Wireless LAN access point configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the wireless LAN access point 100. As illustrated, the wireless LAN access point 100 includes a CPU 10, a ROM 20, a RAM 30, a flash ROM 40, a wired LAN interface 50, and a wireless communication interface 60. These are connected to each other via a bus.

  The CPU 10 performs overall control of the wireless LAN access point 100. The CPU 10 functions as the communication control unit 12, the device information table creation unit 14, the version determination unit 16, and the restart instruction transmission control unit 18 by reading and executing the computer program stored in the ROM 20. Then, a firmware update process described later is executed. Further, the CPU 10 implements various functions of the wireless LAN access point 100 by reading and executing firmware stored in the flash ROM 40.

  The communication control unit 12 controls communication with other wireless LAN access points 100 that are wirelessly connected. Specifically, for example, the communication control unit 12 broadcasts device information of its own device, which will be described later, to another wireless LAN access point 100, and from the other wireless LAN access point 100 about the wireless LAN access point 100. Collect device information. The communication control unit 12 can also distribute the firmware stored in the flash ROM 40 to other wireless LAN access points 100. The communication control unit 12 corresponds to a collection unit and a distribution unit in [Means for Solving the Problems].

  The device information table creation unit 14 collects the device information of the own device and the device information collected from other wireless LAN access points 100 to create a device information table to be described later and stores it in the flash ROM 40.

  The version determination unit 16 refers to the device information table and determines whether or not the firmware version stored in the flash ROM 40 is newer than the firmware version stored in the flash ROM 40 of another wireless LAN access point 100. Judging.

  The restart instruction transmission control unit 18 refers to the device information table, and based on the connection form of the plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN, transmits to the other wireless LAN access points 100 during firmware update processing to be described later. The restart instruction timing is determined, and the restart instruction is transmitted to another wireless LAN access point 100 at the instruction timing.

  The flash ROM 40 stores firmware, device information, and a device information table. The device information includes, for example, the device name of the own device, the MAC address assigned to the own device, version information indicating the firmware version, and connection destination information indicating the other wireless LAN access point 100 of the connection destination. included. For example, the flash ROM 40 included in the wireless LAN access point 100A (see FIG. 1) includes, as device information, a device name “WLAE1”, a MAC address “ABCDEF”, firmware version information “ver1.0”, and a connection destination. As information, MAC addresses “BCDEFG” and “EFGHHIJ” of two connection destinations 100B and 100E are stored. As will be described later, the device information table is a table in which device information of its own device and device information collected from other wireless LAN access points 100 are collected. The flash ROM 40 corresponds to a firmware storage unit and a device information storage unit in [Means for Solving the Problems].

  The wired LAN interface 50 includes a LAN port (not shown), and an interface for exchanging data with a cable-connected device (router RT or terminal device) via a LAN cable connected to the LAN port. It is.

  The wireless communication interface 60 is an interface for performing wireless communication with other wireless LAN access points 100 and terminal devices. In this embodiment, the wireless communication interface 60 includes a wireless master device interface 62 and a wireless slave device interface 64, and the wireless LAN access point 100 functions as both a wireless master device and a wireless slave device. The wireless communication interface 60 has a WDS (Wireless Distribution System) function that is a communication function between wireless access points.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a device information table in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the device information table includes device names of a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 connected to the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 1, MAC addresses of the wireless LAN access points 100, and wireless LAN access points. The version information of the firmware used in 100 and the connection destination information of each wireless LAN access point 100 are stored in association with each other. By referring to this device information table, it is possible to grasp the connection form of a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN, the device name of each wireless LAN access point 100, and the version of firmware used.

A3. Firmware update process:
In a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 are connected, in order to effectively use the latest firmware functions, the latest version (same version) of firmware is installed in all the wireless LAN access points 100. Need to be. In order to effectively use the functions of the latest version of firmware, it is necessary to install the latest version of firmware in all the wireless LAN access points 100 and to restart the wireless LAN access point 100. However, it is complicated for the user of the wireless LAN access point 100 to install the latest version of the firmware individually on a large number of wireless LAN access points 100 and restart the wireless LAN access point 100. Therefore, in the wireless LAN access point 100 of this embodiment, firmware update and restart of the wireless LAN access point 100 are automated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of firmware update processing in the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment. This process is a process executed by the CPU 10 (communication control unit 12, device information table creation unit 14, version determination unit 16, restart instruction transmission control unit 18) included in the wireless LAN access point 100 at a predetermined timing. In this embodiment, the firmware update process is executed when the wireless LAN access point 100 is turned on as the predetermined timing.

  First, when power is turned on to the wireless LAN access point 100, the CPU 10 reads the device information of its own device from the flash ROM 40 and broadcasts it to other wireless LAN access points 100 (hereinafter also referred to as other devices). Device information of other devices constituting the LAN is collected (step S100). Then, the CPU 10 collects the device information of the own device and the device information of the other device, and creates a device information table (see FIG. 3) (step S110).

  Next, the CPU 10 refers to the device information table to determine whether or not the firmware version of its own device is the latest (step S120). If the firmware version of the other device is newer than the firmware version of the own device, and if the firmware version of the own device and the firmware version of the other device are all the same (step S120: NO) ) The CPU 10 ends the firmware update process. On the other hand, when the firmware version of the own device is the newest (step S120: YES), the firmware of the own device is read from the flash ROM 40 and distributed to other devices using the old version firmware (step S130). At this time, the CPU 10 transmits a distribution notification to the effect that the firmware is to be distributed to the other device of the distribution destination, and distributes the firmware to the other device that has responded to the distribution notification. The other device that has received the firmware transmits a firmware reception completion notification to the wireless LAN access point 100 of the firmware distribution source.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, if the firmware version of the own device is the latest and the firmware version of the own device and the firmware version of the other device overlap, the CPU 10 Based on a preset rule, it is determined whether or not to distribute the firmware of the own device to another device using the old version of the firmware. The above rules can be set arbitrarily. In this embodiment, when the firmware versions overlap, the CPU 10 determines that the MAC address value of its own device is smaller than the MAC address value of the other device using the overlapping version of firmware. Suppose that the firmware of its own machine is distributed to other machines using an older version of the firmware. If the value of the MAC address of the other device using the duplicate version of the firmware is smaller than the value of the MAC address of the own device, the CPU 10 performs the firmware update process without distributing the firmware. It was supposed to end. In this case, the other device using the overlapping version of firmware distributes the new version of firmware to the other device using the old version of firmware.

  Even if a large number of wireless LAN access points 100 are connected to the wireless LAN by the processes in steps S100 to S130 described above, the user of the wireless LAN access point 100 is updated to a large number of wireless LAN access points 100. The trouble of individually installing the firmware versions can be eliminated.

  After step S130, the CPU 10 refers to the device information table and determines whether there are two or more other devices connected to the wireless LAN (step S140). If there is only one other device connected to the wireless LAN (step S140: NO), the CPU 10 immediately restarts the other device so that the new version of firmware can be used immediately. An activation instruction is transmitted (step S150). When the restart notification is received from the other device, the CPU 10 ends the firmware update process.

  On the other hand, in step S140, when there are two or more other devices connected to the wireless LAN (step S140: YES), the CPU 10 refers to the device information table and refers to the device information table. It is determined whether there is another device having a communication path (step S160).

  For example, in the connection form of the wireless LAN access points 100A to 100E in the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 1, for example, between the wireless LAN access point 100B and the wireless LAN access point 100D, [wireless LAN access point 100D]-[ [Wireless LAN access point 100C]-[Wireless LAN access point 100B] communication path and [Wireless LAN access point 100D]-[Wireless LAN access point 100E]-[Wireless LAN access point 100A]-[Wireless LAN access point 100B] There are two communication paths. On the other hand, assuming a connection form in which the wireless LAN access point 100E is not connected in the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 1, the [wireless LAN access point 100D] is between the wireless LAN access point 100B and the wireless LAN access point 100D. ]-[Wireless LAN access point 100C]-[wireless LAN access point 100B] only exists.

  In step S160, when there is another device having a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S160: YES), the CPU 10 sequentially reconnects to the other device using the old version of firmware. An activation instruction is transmitted (step S170). By doing so, it is possible to restart a plurality of other devices without interrupting communication between the own device and another device that is operating (not restarting). For example, in the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 1, even when the wireless LAN access point 100C is restarting and the printer PT1 connected to the wireless LAN access point 100C cannot be used, the wireless LAN access point 100E A connected printer PT2 can be used. In this embodiment, the restart instruction is transmitted in descending order of the MAC address value of the other device. The order in which the restart instruction is transmitted can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, in step S170, in principle, the CPU 10 transmits a restart instruction to one other machine, receives a restart completion notice from the other machine, and then restarts the next other machine. The start instruction is to be transmitted. However, if a restart completion notification is not received from the other device even after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the restart instruction is transmitted to one other device, the CPU 10 restarts from the other device. A restart instruction is transmitted to the next other device without receiving the start completion notification.

  In step S160, when there is no other device having a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S160: NO), the CPU 10 transmits all of the other devices using the old version of firmware to all the devices. Then, a restart instruction is transmitted (step S180). If there is no other device that has multiple communication paths with your own device, restarting multiple other devices in sequence will cause your own device and any other device to be restarted rather than restarting almost simultaneously. This is because the total time for which communication is interrupted becomes longer. According to the processing of step S180, the time during which the communication between the own device and the other device described above is interrupted can be shortened.

  According to the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment described above, restart of another wireless LAN access point 100 after distribution of firmware is performed based on the connection form of the plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN. Timing can be controlled. Therefore, in a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 are connected, it is possible to improve convenience when the firmware installed in the wireless LAN access point 100 is updated and restarted.

B. Second embodiment:
Although not shown, the configurations of the network system 1000 and the wireless LAN access point 100 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, a part of firmware update processing executed by the wireless LAN access point 100 is different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Hereinafter, firmware update processing in the wireless LAN access point 100 of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of firmware update processing in the wireless LAN access point 100 of the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, the firmware update process is executed when the power of the wireless LAN access point 100 is turned on.

  As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 4, the processing in steps S100 to S120 is the same as the firmware update processing in the first embodiment. In the firmware update process in the second embodiment, if the firmware version of the own device is the latest in step S120 (step S120: YES), the CPU 10 performs the firmware distribution (step S130 in FIG. 4). Without referring to the device information table, it is determined whether there are two or more other devices connected to the wireless LAN (step S140). If there is only one other device connected to the wireless LAN (step S140: NO), the CPU 10 reads the firmware of the own device from the flash ROM 40 and distributes it to the other device, and further issues a restart instruction. It transmits to the other machine (step S150a). When the restart notification is received from the other device, the CPU 10 ends the firmware update process.

  On the other hand, when there are two or more other devices connected to the wireless LAN in step S140 (step S140: YES), the CPU 10 stores the device information table in the same manner as the firmware update process in the first embodiment. Referring to this, it is determined whether or not there is another device having a plurality of communication paths between itself (step S160).

  If there is another device having a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S160: YES), the CPU 10 sequentially adds to the other device using the old version of the firmware. The firmware is distributed, and a restart instruction is transmitted (step S170a). By doing so, the firmware can be distributed to a plurality of other devices, and the restart can be performed without interrupting the communication between the own device and the other devices operating (not restarting). In this embodiment, firmware distribution and restart instruction transmission are performed in descending order of the MAC address values of other devices. The order in which the firmware is distributed and the restart instruction is transmitted can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, in step S170a, in principle, the CPU 10 distributes firmware to one other device and transmits a restart instruction, and receives a restart completion notification from the other device. The firmware is distributed to the next other machine and the restart instruction is transmitted. However, after distributing the firmware to one other machine and sending a restart instruction, if a restart completion notification is not received from the other machine even if a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, The CPU 10 distributes the firmware to the next other machine and transmits a reboot instruction without receiving the restart completion notice from the other machine.

  In step S160, when there is no other device having a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S160: NO), the CPU 10 transmits all of the other devices using the old version of firmware to all the devices. Then, the firmware of its own device is distributed, and further a restart instruction is transmitted (step S180a). If there is no other device that has multiple communication paths with your own device, restarting multiple other devices in sequence will cause your own device and any other device to be restarted rather than restarting almost simultaneously. This is because the total time for which communication is interrupted becomes longer. According to the processing in step S180a, the time during which the communication between the own device and the other device is blocked can be shortened.

  Similarly to the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100 of the second embodiment described above distributes firmware based on the connection form of a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN. The restart timing of the other wireless LAN access point 100 later can be controlled. Therefore, in a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 are connected, it is possible to improve convenience when the firmware installed in the wireless LAN access point 100 is updated and restarted.

  Furthermore, according to the firmware update process in the second embodiment, in addition to the restart timing of the other wireless LAN access point 100, the firmware distribution timing can also be controlled.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system 1000A to which a wireless LAN device as a third embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the network system 1000A of this embodiment includes wireless LAN access points 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, and 100G as wireless LAN devices, and these constitute a wireless LAN. Yes. In this wireless LAN, the connection form of the wireless LAN access points 100A to 100F is the same as the wireless LAN in the first and second embodiments. In the wireless LAN according to the third embodiment, a wireless LAN access point 100F is further wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access point 100A. A wireless LAN access point 100G is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN access point 100F. In FIG. 6, illustration of terminal devices connected to the wireless LAN access points 100A to 100G is omitted.

  In the wireless LAN described above, the device name of the wireless LAN access point 100F is “WLAE6”, and “FGHIJK” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100F. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.0” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100F. The device name of the wireless LAN access point 100G is “WLAE7”, and “GHIJKL” is assigned as the MAC address to the wireless LAN access point 100G. It is assumed that firmware having a version “ver1.1” is installed in the wireless LAN access point 100G.

  Also in this embodiment, the plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 (wireless LAN access points 100A to 100G) are all the same model. The configuration of the wireless LAN access point 100 is the same as that of the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). However, part of the firmware update process executed by the wireless LAN access point 100 is different between the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a device information table in the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the device information table includes device names of a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 connected to the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 6, MAC addresses of the wireless LAN access points 100, and wireless LAN access points. The version information of the firmware used in 100 and the connection destination information of each wireless LAN access point 100 are stored in association with each other. For example, for the wireless LAN access point 100A whose device name is “WLAE2”, three connection destination MAC addresses are stored. For the wireless LAN access point 100G whose device name is “WLAE7”, one connection destination MAC address is stored. By referring to this device information table, it is possible to grasp the connection form of a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN, the device name of each wireless LAN access point 100, and the version of firmware used.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of firmware update processing in the wireless LAN access point 100 of the third embodiment. Also in the third embodiment, the firmware update process is executed when the power of the wireless LAN access point 100 is turned on.

  In the firmware update process in the third embodiment, the processes in steps S100 to S160 and steps S170 and S180 are the same as the firmware update process in the first embodiment.

  In the firmware update process according to the third embodiment, when there is another device having a plurality of communication paths with itself in step S160 (step S160: YES), the CPU 10 refers to the device information table. Further, it is determined whether or not there is another device that does not have a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S162). If there is no other device that does not have a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S162: NO), the CPU 10 sequentially instructs the other devices that have used the older version of firmware to restart. Transmit (step S170). On the other hand, when there is another device that does not have a plurality of communication paths with the own device (step S162: YES), the CPU 10 has a plurality of communication routes with the own device, and the old version of the firmware Reboot instructions are sequentially transmitted for other devices that have used (step S164). Note that the order of transmitting the restart instruction in step S164 is the same as that in step S170 described above.

  Then, after step S162, the CPU 10 transmits a restart instruction all at once to other machines that do not have a plurality of communication paths with the own machine and use an old version of firmware (step S162). S166). In the wireless LAN shown in FIG. 6, the wireless LAN access points 100F and 100G correspond to the wireless LAN access point 100 in which the plurality of communication paths do not exist.

  Similarly to the wireless LAN access point 100 of the first embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100 of the third embodiment described above distributes firmware based on the connection form of the plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 in the wireless LAN. The restart timing of the other wireless LAN access point 100 later can be controlled. Therefore, in a wireless LAN environment where a plurality of wireless LAN access points 100 are connected, it is possible to improve convenience when the firmware installed in the wireless LAN access point 100 is updated and restarted.

  Furthermore, according to the firmware update process in the third embodiment, even in a wireless LAN in which a portion where a plurality of communication paths exist and a portion where a plurality of communication paths do not exist exist, each wireless LAN access point 100 is set. The restart timing of each wireless LAN access point 100 can be controlled so that the time during which the used communication is cut off is shortened.

D. Variations:
As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and implementation in various aspects is possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary. It is. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100 executes the firmware update process when the power is turned on, but the present invention is not limited to this. The wireless LAN access point 100 may execute the firmware update process when, for example, an instruction from the user is input, or may be periodically executed, or wireless LAN access in a wireless LAN. You may make it perform when the connection form of the point 100 changes.

D2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100 continuously executes each step in the firmware update process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wireless LAN access point 100 may repeatedly execute a part of each process in the firmware update process or execute it at a predetermined time interval. For example, the wireless LAN access point 100 may create the device information table in steps S100 and S110 at intervals of one hour, and may perform the processing after step S120 every other day.

D3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the wireless LAN access point 100 broadcasts its own device information in step S100 in the firmware update process, but the present invention is not limited to this. Multicasting may be performed instead of broadcasting.

D4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, in the firmware update process, the wireless LAN access point 100 using the latest version of the firmware voluntarily distributes the firmware. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . The wireless LAN access point 100 that uses the latest version of firmware may distribute the firmware in response to a distribution request from the wireless LAN access point 100 that uses the old version of firmware.

D5. Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, the device name is used as the model specifying information for specifying the model of each wireless LAN access point 100 in the device information tables shown in FIGS. Not limited. For example, the model number of the wireless LAN access point 100 may be used as the device identification information. Further, although the MAC address of the connection destination wireless LAN access point 100 is used as the connection destination information, the present invention is not limited to this. Other information that can identify the connection-destination wireless LAN access point 100 may be used. When an IP address is assigned to each wireless LAN access point 100, an IP address may be used in the device information instead of the MAC address.

D6. Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced with hardware. Conversely, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software.

1000, 1000A ... Network system 100, 100A-100G ... Wireless LAN access point 10 ... CPU10
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Communication control part 14 ... Device information table preparation part 16 ... Version judgment part 18 ... Restart instruction | indication transmission control part 20 ... ROM
30 ... RAM
40 ... Flash ROM
50 ... Wired LAN interface 60 ... Wireless communication interface 62 ... Wireless master unit interface 64 ... Wireless slave unit interface RT ... Router INT ... Internet PC ... Personal computer PG ... Portable game machine REC ... Recording device TV ... TV receiver HDD ... Hard disk drive PT1, PT2 ... Printer

Claims (5)

A wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN,
A firmware storage unit for storing firmware;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage unit for storing device information including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN;
A collecting unit that collects the device information about the other wireless LAN device directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination unit that determines whether the version of the firmware is newer than the version of the firmware held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device And
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control unit for determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A wireless LAN device comprising: The wireless LAN device according to claim 1,
The restart instruction transmission control unit,
When there are two or more other wireless LAN devices connected to the wireless LAN,
Based on the connection destination information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the connection destination information included in the device information received from the other wireless LAN device, Determining whether there is the other wireless LAN device having a plurality of communication paths between
If there is the other wireless LAN device in which the plurality of communication paths exist, sequentially transmit the restart instruction to each of the other wireless LAN devices in which the plurality of communication paths exist,
When there is no other wireless LAN device having the plurality of communication paths, the restart instruction is transmitted to each of the other wireless LAN devices all at once.
Wireless LAN device. The wireless LAN device according to claim 1 or 2,
The distribution unit is specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information on the other wireless LAN device, and the wireless LAN device and the other wireless in the wireless LAN Determining the distribution timing of the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit based on the connection form of the LAN device, and distributing the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device at the distribution timing;
Wireless LAN device. A method for controlling a wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN, comprising:
The wireless LAN device includes:
A firmware storage unit for storing firmware;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage unit for storing device information including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN,
The control method is:
A collecting step of collecting the device information about another wireless LAN device directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination step for determining whether or not the firmware version is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device Process,
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control step of determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A control method comprising: A computer program for controlling a wireless LAN device connected to a wireless LAN,
Firmware storage function for storing firmware in the firmware storage unit;
It is the same model as the wireless LAN device, model specifying information for specifying the model of the wireless LAN device, identification information individually assigned to the wireless LAN device, version information indicating the version of the firmware, and A device information storage function for storing device information in a device information storage unit including connection destination information indicating other wireless LAN devices to which the wireless LAN device is directly connected in the wireless LAN;
A collection function for collecting the device information about other wireless LAN devices directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN device from the other wireless LAN device;
The version information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit is compared with the version information included in the device information for the other wireless LAN device, and stored in the firmware storage unit. A version determination function for determining whether the firmware version is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device;
Distribution that distributes the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit to the other wireless LAN device when the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit is newer than the firmware version held by the other wireless LAN device Function and
A connection form of the wireless LAN device and the other wireless LAN device in the wireless LAN specified based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit and the device information about the other wireless LAN device A restart instruction transmission control function for determining a restart instruction timing to the other wireless LAN apparatus based on the instruction, and transmitting the restart instruction to the other wireless LAN apparatus at the instruction timing;
A computer program for realizing a computer.

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