JP2012209758A - Wireless communication method, wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine whether or not a user device requesting a connection is a user device whose connection is unexpected when selecting a user device to be connected.SOLUTION: A wireless communication system includes at least one user device 1A and a user device 1B. The user device 1B starts an effective pairing period, the user device 1A transmits a pairing signal requesting a connection to a second radio communication apparatus, and the user device 1B selects as a connection partner the user device 1A of those having transmitted pairing signals received in the effective pairing period which has not transmitted any pairing signals received before the effective pairing period.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication method, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication program that perform secure communication.

  In Bluetooth (registered trademark), a pairing method between user devices is defined. In the originally developed pairing method, the user inputs a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code to both devices to be paired, and pairing is performed on condition that the same PIN code is input. It was done. However, a simple and fixed PIN code such as “0000” has been used for a device that does not have a sufficient user interface, such as a headset that does not have a user interface for inputting numerical values. For this reason, there has been a problem such as pairing with an unexpected device.

Therefore, in order to perform pairing between user devices more securely, Ver2.1 (Non-Patent Document 1) has formulated SSP (Simple Secure Pairing). In SSP, a plurality of pairing methods corresponding to the conditions of the input interface are defined, and public key cryptography is used to prevent eavesdropping on the data channel.
In addition, a method called “Just Work” is defined for a device having an insufficient input interface. In this method, the user can permit pairing after confirming the name and MAC address of the other device (device B) on one device (device A).

  As described above, in the Bluetooth (registered trademark) pairing method, a simple and fixed PIN code such as “0000” is used in the case of a device having an insufficient user interface. In this case, there is a problem that pairing with an unexpected device is performed. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a device to be paired is arranged in the vicinity, an inquiry signal is transmitted from one device (device A), and then paired with the first device that responds to the inquiry signal. Execute the process. In addition, the device A transmits an inquiry signal with power lower than the standard output power level, thereby reducing the possibility that unexpected devices are paired with each other.

  Further, WPS (WiFi Protected Setup (registered trademark)) is defined as a method for setting security information between a wireless LAN access point (AP) and a client (Non-Patent Document 2). WPS is a technology for setting required information such as SSID (Service Set Identifier) and security key in the client by operating the button between the AP and the client. Wireless LAN settings can be configured intuitively. It has become. In this technique, by pressing a dedicated button for setting a wireless LAN in the AP, the AP notifies the user that it is in a standby state using a beacon for a certain period (generally 2 minutes). After the client searches for the AP in the standby state, the wireless LAN is set by transmitting necessary information from the AP to the client using a public key cryptosystem.

JP 2007-512205 A

Specification of the Bluetooth (V.2.1), Bluetooth SIG, 2007. July "Wi-Fi Protected Setup (registered trademark)", [online], Wi-Fi Alliance, "Search February 24, 2011", Internet <URL; www.wi-fi.org/wifi-protected-setup>

By using the SSP defined by Bluetooth (registered trademark), it has become possible to perform pairing safely compared to the original pairing method for which the rules were established.
However, “Just Work”, designed for devices with insufficient user interface, performs pairing by checking the device name and MAC address displayed on the device, but spoofing the device name and MAC address. Is easy and can be paired with an unexpected device.

In addition, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 limits output power when an inquiry signal is transmitted in order to solve an unexpected pairing problem with a device.
However, there is no means for preventing pairing with another device when another device is located nearby. Therefore, even when the output power is limited, there is a problem that there is a possibility that the device may be paired with an unexpected device if another device is located within the range where the radio wave reaches. Furthermore, if the device is installed in a position with good visibility, even if the output power is limited, the range that the radio wave reaches becomes wider, so there is a high possibility that it will be paired with an unexpected device. There is also a problem of end.

  Also, in WPS used in a wireless LAN, an AP that is in a standby period can be accessed from any client. Therefore, there is a problem that the AP connects to an unexpected client during the standby period.

  As described above, there is a problem that a method for determining a pairing partner is not dealt with in pairing (connection setting) for a user device having a poor user interface for inputting a PIN code or the like. In recent years, security information such as authentication information is sometimes exchanged between paired user devices. When such security information is transmitted to an unexpected device, problems such as unauthorized access occur.

  That is, when connecting a user device (wireless communication apparatus), whether or not the user device to be connected is an unexpected user device has not been sufficiently determined, and an unauthorized connection due to an unexpected connection There is a problem that access etc. will occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus that is not expected to be connected by a wireless communication apparatus that has requested connection when selecting a wireless communication apparatus to be connected. It is an object to provide a wireless communication method, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication program that can determine whether or not.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a wireless communication method between at least one first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is effective in a pairing period. An effective period start step for starting the connection, a pairing signal transmission step for the first wireless communication device to transmit a pairing signal for requesting connection with the second wireless communication device, and the second wireless communication device for the effective time Among the first wireless communication devices that have transmitted the pairing signal received during a long pairing period, the first wireless communication device that has not transmitted the pairing signal received before starting the effective pairing period And a pairing control step of selecting as a connection partner.

Further, the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the second wireless communication apparatus further includes an effective period ending step for ending the effective pairing period, and in the pairing control step, the effective pair Among the first wireless communication devices that have transmitted the pairing signal received during a ring period, the pairing signal is transmitted before the effective pairing period starts or after the effective pairing period ends. The first wireless communication device that is not connected is selected as a connection partner.
Further, the present invention provides the first wireless communication apparatus that transmits the received pairing signal in the pairing control step according to the above-described invention, and performs pairing in a period other than the effective pairing period. Of the first wireless communication devices that are not transmitting a signal, the first wireless communication device that has transmitted the first received pairing signal after the start of the effective pairing period is selected as a connection partner. And

Further, the present invention provides the first wireless communication apparatus that transmits the received pairing signal in the pairing control step according to the above-described invention, and performs pairing in a period other than the effective pairing period. Of the first wireless communication devices that are not transmitting signals, the first wireless communication device that has transmitted the pairing signal having the highest received signal strength during the effective pairing period is selected as the connection partner.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, in the pairing signal transmission step, the pairing signal is transmitted according to a user input operation.

Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, in the effective period start step, the effective pairing period is started in accordance with a user input operation.
According to the present invention, in the above-described invention, after the pairing control step is performed, a second effective period start step in which the first wireless communication apparatus starts an effective second pairing period; A second pairing signal transmitting step in which the second wireless communication device transmits a second pairing signal for requesting connection with the first wireless communication device; and the second pairing period in which the first wireless communication device is in the effective second pairing period. Of the second wireless communication apparatus that has transmitted the second pairing signal received in step 2, the second wireless that has not transmitted the second pairing signal received before starting the effective second pairing period And a second pairing control step of selecting a communication device as a connection partner.

  According to the present invention, in the above-described invention, a margin period of a predetermined time interval is provided immediately before the effective pairing period is started, and the pairing signal received in the margin period is provided. Is a pairing signal received during the effective pairing period.

  The present invention is a wireless communication system including at least one first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is connected to the second wireless communication device. The second wireless communication apparatus includes a pairing signal transmission / reception unit that transmits a requested pairing signal, and the second wireless communication apparatus starts an effective pairing period and transmits the pairing signal received in the effective pairing period. A pairing control unit that selects, as a connection partner, a first wireless communication device that has not transmitted the pairing signal received before starting the effective pairing period among the first wireless communication devices is provided. A wireless communication system.

  The present invention is also a wireless communication apparatus in a wireless communication system comprising at least one first wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus, wherein an effective pairing period is started, and the effective pairing period Among the first wireless communication devices that have transmitted the pairing signal that is a received pairing signal and requests connection with the own device, the received pairing signal is transmitted before the effective pairing period is started. A wireless communication device comprising a pairing control unit that selects a first wireless communication device that is not connected as a connection partner.

  The present invention also allows a computer provided in a second wireless communication apparatus in a wireless communication system including at least one first wireless communication apparatus and a second wireless communication apparatus to start an effective pairing period. Before starting the effective pairing period among the first wireless communication devices that have transmitted a pairing signal that is received during the effective pairing period and that requests a connection with the own device. A wireless communication program for executing a pairing control step of selecting a first wireless communication apparatus that has not transmitted the received pairing signal as a connection partner.

  According to the present invention, the second wireless communication apparatus starts an effective pairing period. Further, the second wireless communication apparatus expects a connection by the first wireless communication apparatus that has transmitted the received pairing signal in a period other than the effective pairing period, depending on whether the pairing signal has been received or not. It can be determined whether or not the first wireless communication device is not. As a result, the second wireless communication apparatus can select a connection partner while avoiding the first wireless communication apparatus that is not expected to be illegal and can perform a secure connection.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the radio | wireless communications system in this embodiment, and the structure of the user device which is a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the pairing which the user device 1 of the side which transmits the pairing signal in this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the pairing which the user device 1 of the side which receives the pairing signal in this embodiment performs. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the pre-processing of pairing in this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the 1st example of the process of pairing in this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the 2nd example of the process of pairing in this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the pairing determination which the pairing control part 12 in this embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the sequence of pairing at the time of applying Bluetooth (trademark) to the radio | wireless communication between the user devices 1A and 1B in the radio | wireless communications system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sequence of pairing at the time of applying Zigbee (trademark) to the radio | wireless communication between the user devices 1A and 1B in the radio | wireless communications system of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a wireless communication method, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment and a configuration of a user device that is a wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication system in this embodiment includes at least two user devices 1 that are wireless communication apparatuses. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the wireless communication system includes a mobile phone as one user device 1A and a headset as the other user device 1B. Hereinafter, when both or one of the user device 1A and the user device 1B is shown, it will be referred to as a user device 1.

Here, an outline of a pairing process for determining whether or not two user devices 1 are connected in the wireless communication system of the present embodiment will be described.
Any one of the user devices 1 sets a valid pairing period. Another user device 1 transmits a pairing signal. At this time, the user device 1 that has set a valid pairing period receives the pairing received during a period other than the valid pairing period among the user devices 1 that transmitted the pairing signal received during the valid pairing period. The user device 1 that is not the signal transmission source is selected, and the connection with the selected user device 1 is determined.
That is, the user device 1 that receives the pairing signal replaces the user device 1 that has transmitted the pairing signal during a period other than the valid pairing period with the user device 1 that is not expected to connect (unauthorized user device 1 ) And the connection with the user device 1 is not performed. As a result, it is possible to make a secure connection by reducing the possibility of an unexpected user device being connected. Here, the pairing signal is a signal indicating that a connection is requested. The pairing period is a period for receiving a pairing signal.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration related to the connection between the user devices 1 of the user device 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the user device 1 includes a user interface (UI) unit 11, a pairing control unit 12, a pairing signal transmission / reception unit 13, and a wireless interface (Interface; I / F) unit 14. And a storage unit 15.
The user interface unit 11 inputs an operation signal according to a user operation and outputs information to the user. As an input means, for example, the user interface unit 11 includes a button, a switch, and the like, and an operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11 when the user performs an operation of pressing the button or switching the switch. Moreover, as an output means, the user interface part 11 outputs with respect to a user by lighting, extinguishing, and blinking lamps, such as LED.

The pairing control unit 12 performs a pairing process for determining whether or not to connect to another user device 1. Further, the pairing control unit 12 controls the timing of transmitting the pairing signal based on whether or not an operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11. Further, the pairing control unit 12 determines whether to connect to the user device 1 that is the transmission source of the received pairing signal. The pairing control unit 12 has a timer (not shown) that determines the length of the effective period in the pairing period.
The pairing signal transmitting / receiving unit 13 generates and outputs a pairing signal based on the control of the pairing control unit 12 and detects the pairing signal from the signal received by the wireless interface unit 14.

The wireless interface unit 14 transmits / receives a pairing signal and other data using a predetermined wireless method. For example, the wireless interface unit 14 uses a communication method defined by a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.15.4), or wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11). .
The storage unit 15 stores a pairing signal reception history in time series. The reception history is information in which the time at which the pairing signal is received is associated with information for identifying the user device 1 that has transmitted the received pairing signal.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a pairing procedure performed by the user device 1 on the transmission side of the pairing signal in the present embodiment.
When the user device 1 on the transmission side of the pairing signal is activated by a user operation, for example, an operation of pressing a power button, the pairing control unit 12 sets the own device in a standby state (step S101). Here, setting to the standby state refers to waiting until an operation signal corresponding to a user operation is input to the user interface unit 11.
When an operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11 as a trigger input in accordance with a user operation (step S103), the pairing control unit 12 sets itself in a standby state for a predetermined time (step S105). ). Here, the standby state is a state of waiting for reception of a search request signal from another user device 1 as a connection candidate. The search request signal is a signal indicating that the user device 1 that receives the pairing signal is in a state of accepting a connection request. The user operation in step S103 is, for example, an operation of pressing a button provided on the user interface unit 11.

When the fixed time has elapsed, the pairing control unit 12 determines whether or not a search request signal has been received during the fixed time (step S107), and when the search request signal has not been received (step S107: No) ), The process returns to step S101, and shifts to a standby state.
On the other hand, when a search request signal is received (step S107: Yes), control for transmitting a search response signal as a response to the search request signal is performed on the pairing signal transmitting / receiving unit 13 and the wireless interface unit 14 (step S109). ).
Subsequently, the pairing control unit 12 waits for a certain time, and determines whether or not the confirmation response signal for the transmitted search response signal has been received during the certain time (step S111). This confirmation response signal is a signal for notifying that the search response signal has been correctly received.

In step S111, when the confirmation response signal is not received (step S111: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S101 and shifts to a standby state.
On the other hand, when the confirmation response signal is received in step S111 (step S111: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 sets the own device to the pairing processing state (step S113). Here, the pairing process state is a state in which a pairing process for determining whether or not to connect to the user device 1 that has transmitted and received the search response signal and the confirmation response signal is performed. Moreover, setting to the pairing process state means starting a pairing period. In step S113, the pairing control unit 12 disables the state in the pairing period.
When the pairing control unit 12 is set to the pairing processing state, the pairing control unit 12 determines whether or not an operation signal as a trigger input is input to the user interface unit 11 during a predetermined time (step S115).

In step S115, when the trigger input is not performed (step S115: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S101 and shifts to a standby state.
On the other hand, when a trigger input is performed in step S115 (step S115: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 performs control for transmitting a pairing signal for requesting connection with the pairing signal transmitting / receiving unit 13. And for the wireless interface unit 14 (step S117).
The pairing control unit 12 waits for a predetermined time, and determines whether or not a pairing confirmation signal for the transmitted pairing signal has been received during the predetermined time (step S119).

If the pairing confirmation signal is not received in step S119 (step S119: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S115 and accepts the trigger input from the user again.
On the other hand, when the pairing confirmation signal is received in step S119 (step S119: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 indicates that the confirmation result indicating whether or not the connection included in the received pairing confirmation signal is permission for connection ( It is determined whether or not (OK) is indicated (step S121).

In step S121, when the confirmation result indicates permission of connection (OK) (step S121: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 connects to the user device 1 that has transmitted the search request signal in step S107. Complete the pairing process.
On the other hand, in step S121, when the confirmation result indicates non-permission (NG) of connection (step S121: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S115 and again receives the trigger input from the user. Accept.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a pairing procedure performed by the user device 1 on the side receiving the pairing signal in the present embodiment.
When the user device 1 that receives the pairing signal is activated by a user operation, for example, an operation of pressing a power button, the pairing control unit 12 sets the own device to a standby state (step S201).
When an operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11 as a trigger input in accordance with a user operation (step S203), the pairing control unit 12 sets the own device in a search state (step S205). Here, the search state is a state in which a connection request is received from another user device 1, and a search request signal indicating that a connection request is received is transmitted.

The pairing control part 12 will perform control which transmits a search request signal with respect to the radio | wireless interface part 14, if an own machine is set to a search state (step S207). Here, the search request signal is not addressed to the specific user device 1 but is broadcast (simultaneously notified) to the unspecified user device 1. In addition, the wireless interface unit 14 transmits a search request signal at least once. The wireless interface unit 14 may transmit a plurality of times at a predetermined cycle.
When the predetermined time has elapsed, the pairing control unit 12 determines whether or not a search response signal as a response to the search request signal has been received during the predetermined time (step S209).

When the search response signal is not received (step S209: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S201, and shifts to a standby state.
On the other hand, when the search response signal is received (step S209: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 transmits an confirmation response signal indicating that the search response signal has been received to the user device 1 that has transmitted the received search response signal. Control to be performed is performed on the wireless interface unit 14 (step S211).

  In step S211, when there are a plurality of user devices 1 that have transmitted the search response signal, the pairing control unit 12 selects any one user device 1 using a specific selection criterion, and selects the selected user device 1. An acknowledgment signal may be transmitted to the device 1. Further, the confirmation response signal may be transmitted to all the user devices 1 that have transmitted the received search response signal. As a specific selection criterion, for example, the criterion of selecting the user device 1 that is the transmission source of the search response signal received first after the own device enters the search state, or the highest received signal strength among the received search response signals. A criterion for selecting the user device 1 that is the source of the high search response signal may be used.

The pairing control unit 12 sets the own device to the pairing processing state, and invalidates the state in the pairing period (step S213). In the pairing period (between step S213 and step S221), the pairing control unit 12 stores the reception history information in the storage unit 15 when the pairing signal is received. The reception history information includes time information indicating the time when the pairing signal is received, period information indicating a state when the pairing signal is received (either valid period or invalid period), and a pairing signal. This is information that is associated with identification information that identifies the user device 1 that is the transmission source.
The pairing control unit 12 determines whether or not an operation signal as a trigger input has been input to the user interface unit 11 for a predetermined time after setting the own device in the pairing processing state (step S215).

In step S215, when the trigger input is not performed (step S215: No), the pairing control unit 12 returns the process to step S201 and shifts to a standby state.
On the other hand, when a trigger input is performed in step S215 (step S215: Yes), the pairing control unit 12 switches the state from the invalid period to the valid period and starts the valid period (step S217). At this time, the pairing control unit 12 starts a timer that detects the timing for switching from the valid period to the invalid period, and measures a predetermined time.
The pairing control unit 12 switches the state from the valid period to the invalid period after the predetermined time has elapsed after switching the state to the valid period, completes the valid period, and starts the invalid period again (step S219). ).

Further, the pairing control unit 12 completes the invalid period after a predetermined time has elapsed since switching the state to the invalid period, and ends the pairing period (step S221).
Based on the reception history information stored in the storage unit 15, the pairing control unit 12 determines whether or not to connect to the user device 1 that has transmitted the pairing signal received during the pairing period. The pairing determination for selecting the user device 1 is performed. That is, the pairing control unit 12 selects the user device 1 as a valid connection partner based on the received pairing signal in the pairing period (step S223).
Specifically, the pairing control unit 12 selects the user device 1 using any one of the following (selection condition 1) to (selection condition 3), and validates the selected user device 1. Make a good connection partner.

(Selection condition 1) When the state is a valid period in the pairing period, it is the user device 1 that is the transmission source of the received pairing signal, and when the state is the invalid period in the pairing period, the received pair The user device 1 that is not the user device 1 of the ring signal transmission source is selected.
(Selection condition 2) Among the user devices 1 satisfying the selection condition 1, the user device 1 that is the transmission source of the pairing signal received first after the state is switched to the valid period in the pairing period is selected.
(Selection condition 3) The source of the pairing signal whose received signal strength of the received pairing signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold when the state is the valid period among the user devices 1 satisfying the selection condition 1 User device 1 is selected.

The pairing control unit 12 performs control for transmitting a pairing confirmation signal including a confirmation result indicating whether or not the user device 1 that has transmitted the confirmation response signal in step S211 has been selected as a connection partner, to the wireless interface unit 14 (Step S225). Further, after the pairing confirmation signal is transmitted, the pairing control unit 12 connects to the selected user device 1 and completes the pairing process.
Here, the confirmation result included in the pairing confirmation signal is information indicating permission (OK) to the user device 1 selected as the connection partner, and is not permitted to the user device 1 not selected as the connection partner. This is information indicating (NG).

Next, a specific example will be described, and a procedure in which the two user devices 1A and 1B perform the pairing process will be described.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of pairing preprocessing in the present embodiment.
For example, the user places the user device 1 </ b> A and the user device 1 </ b> B that perform pairing, and starts pre-pairing processing. Here, a case where the user device 1A and the user device 1B are already in a standby state will be described.

  The user operates the user interface unit 11 provided in the user device 1A in order to set the user device 1A to the standby state (step S301). An operation signal as a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11 in accordance with a user operation (step S303). When a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the pairing control unit 12 sets itself to a standby state (step S305). The processing from step S301 to step S305 corresponds to the processing from step S103 to step S105 in FIG.

  After setting the user device 1A to the standby state, the user operates the user interface unit 11 provided in the user device 1B in order to set the user device 1B to the search state (step S307). An operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11 in accordance with a user operation (step S309). When a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the pairing control unit 12 sets itself to a search state (step S311). The pairing control part 12 will perform control which transmits a search request signal with respect to the radio | wireless interface part 14, if an own machine is set to a search state (step S313). The processing from step S307 to step S313 corresponds to the processing from step S203 to step S207 in FIG.

In the user device 1A, when the information indicating that the search request signal is received from the user device 1B is input from the wireless interface unit 14, the pairing control unit 12 performs control to transmit a search response signal addressed to the user device 1B. This is performed for the wireless interface unit 14 (step S315). The processing in step S315 corresponds to the processing from step S107 to step S109 in FIG. 2. In the user device 1B, the pairing control unit 12 receives information indicating that the search response signal has been received from the user device 1A. 14, the wireless interface unit 14 is controlled to transmit a confirmation response signal addressed to the user device 1 </ b> A (step S <b> 317), the own device is set to the pairing processing state, and the state is set to the invalid period. (Step S319). The processing from step S317 to step S319 corresponds to the processing from step S209 to step S213 in FIG.

In the user device 1A, when the information indicating that the confirmation response signal has been received from the user device 1B is input from the wireless interface unit 14, the pairing control unit 12 sets the own device to the pairing processing state, and sets the state. An invalid period is set (step S321). The processing in step S321 corresponds to the processing from step S111 to step S113 in FIG.
Through the processing from step S301 to step S321 described above, the user devices 1A and 1B enter the pairing processing state, and thereafter, pairing processing for determining whether or not to connect is performed.

Subsequently, two examples of pairing processing in the present embodiment will be described. One example is an example in which the user device 1B determines an invalid period and a valid period in the pairing period, and determines whether the user device 1A is valid as a connection partner. In the other example, the user device 1B determines the invalid period and the valid period in the pairing period, determines whether the user device 1A is valid as a connection partner, and the user device 1A similarly connects the user device 1B. This is an example of determining whether the other party is valid.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of the pairing process in the present embodiment. Here, a case where the pairing preprocessing shown in FIG. 4 has already been performed and the user device 1A and the user device 1B are set to the pairing processing state will be described.

In order to select the user device 1A and the user device 1B as communication partners, the user simultaneously uses the user interface unit 11 provided in the user device 1A and the user interface unit 11 provided in the user device 1B. The trigger is input by operating (step S401, step S403).
In the user device 1B, when a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the pairing control unit 12 switches the state to the valid period (step S405). At this time, the pairing control part 12 starts the timer which detects the timing switched to an invalid period.

In the user device 1 </ b> A, when a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the pairing control unit 12 controls the user device 1 </ b> B to transmit a pairing signal to the pairing signal transmission / reception unit 13 and the wireless interface unit 14. (Step S407).
The pairing signal transmission / reception unit 13 generates a pairing signal and transmits the generated pairing signal to the user device 1B via the wireless interface unit 14 (step S409). At this time, in the user device 1B, the pairing control unit 12 causes the storage unit 15 to store reception history information corresponding to the received pairing signal.
The processing of step S401 and step S405 corresponds to the processing of step S215 and step 217 in FIG. Further, the processes of step S403, step S407, and step S409 correspond to step S115 and step S117 in FIG.

In the user device 1B, the pairing control unit 12 switches the state to the invalid period when a predetermined time elapses after the state is switched to the valid period (step S411). The pairing control unit 12 ends the pairing period by completing the invalid period after a predetermined time has elapsed since the state was switched to the invalid period (step S413).
When the pairing control unit 12 ends the pairing period, based on the reception history information stored in the storage unit 15, the user device 1A that is the transmission source of the pairing signal received in the pairing period is valid. It is determined that it is a connection partner and the user device 1A is selected as a connection partner (step S415).
The processing from step S411 to step S415 corresponds to the processing from step S219 to step S223 in FIG.

In the user device 1B, the pairing control unit 12 controls the wireless interface unit 14 to transmit a pairing confirmation signal including a confirmation result indicating that the connection partner has been selected to the wireless device unit 1A. 14 transmits a pairing confirmation signal (step S417). At this time, the pairing control unit 12 of the user device 1A receives the pairing confirmation signal including the confirmation result indicating that the user device 1B has selected the own device as the connection partner, so that the user device 1B becomes the connection partner. select.
The process of step S417 corresponds to the process of step S225 in FIG.

  Through the above processing, the user device 1A and the user device 1B determine that the user device 1B is valid with the user device 1A as a connection partner, select each other as the connection partner, and complete pairing.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of the pairing process in the present embodiment. Here, a case where the pairing preprocessing shown in FIG. 4 has already been performed and the user device 1A and the user device 1B are set to the pairing processing state will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 6, as described above, the user device 1B determines the invalid period and the valid period in the pairing period, determines whether the user device 1A is valid as a connection partner, This is an example in which 1A similarly determines whether or not the user device 1B is valid as a connection partner.

The processing from step S501 to step S515 in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing from step S401 to step S415 in FIG.
Further, the processing from step S601 to step S617 in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing from step S401 to step S417 in FIG. 5 except that the processing performed by the user device 1A and the user device 1B is interchanged. The description is omitted. Note that the pairing signal transmitted in step S609 includes information indicating that the user device 1B has received the pairing signal from the user device 1A.
In the user device 1, the pairing period starts when the pairing preprocessing is completed (step S321 in FIG. 4), and the state is an invalid period. As described above, when a pairing signal is received in the pairing period, the pairing control unit 12 stores the reception history information in the storage unit 15. That is, the process of storing the reception history information in the storage unit 15 is also performed during the period when the user device 1A is on the side of transmitting the pairing signal (period until step S601).

  As shown in FIG. 6, both the user device 1 </ b> A and the user device 1 </ b> B alternate between a pairing signal transmitting side and a pairing signal receiving side, so that both are valid as connection partners. Such determinations may be made with each other, and pairing may be completed by selecting each other as a connection partner. Thereby, compared with the case where any one of the connected user devices 1 determines the validity of the connection partner, a more secure connection can be performed.

The pairing process in which one user device 1 determines pairing and the pairing process in which both user devices 1 determine pairing have been described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Which pairing process is performed between the user devices 1 may be determined in advance for each user device 1. Moreover, you may make it select with any signal among the signals (a search request signal, a search response signal, a confirmation response signal) transmitted / received in the pre-processing (FIG. 4) of pairing.
When one user device 1 performs pairing determination processing, the user device 1 on the side that transmits a pairing signal to any of the signals transmitted and received in the pairing preprocessing (FIG. 4), You may make it include the information which shows allocation with the user device 1 of the side which receives a pairing signal. Alternatively, the user device 1 that has transmitted the search request signal may be assigned in advance when the pairing determination is made.
Further, when the pairing determination process is performed by both user devices 1, information indicating the order of transmitting the pairing signal is included in any of the signals transmitted and received in the pairing preprocessing (FIG. 4). It may be. Further, when the user device 1 that has transmitted the search request signal first performs pairing determination, it may be assigned in advance.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of pairing determination performed by the pairing control unit 12 in the present embodiment. Here, a case where the user device 1B operates as a side that receives a pairing signal and the user devices 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F operate as a side that transmits a pairing signal will be described. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the user tries to connect the user device 1B and the user device 1D, and the user devices 1C, 1E, and 1F exist around the user device 1B. In addition, each of the user devices 1C, 1E, and 1F transmits a pairing signal.

When the pairing preprocessing shown in FIG. 4 is completed, the user device 1B starts the pairing period and sets the state to the invalid period. In addition, when a trigger is input according to a user operation, the state is switched from the invalid period to the valid period, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the state is switched from the valid period to the invalid period. Furthermore, after a certain time has elapsed, the invalidation period is completed and the pairing period is ended.
A case where a pairing signal is received from each user device 1 as shown in FIG. 7 in the above-described pairing period will be described. Specifically, the user device 1B receives the pairing signals in the order of the user devices 1C and 1F in the first invalid period, and receives the pairing signals in the order of the user devices 1C, 1D and 1E in the effective period. In the invalid period, the pairing signals are received in the order of the user devices 1F and 1C.

  When the above selection condition 1 is used, the user device 1B is the user who has transmitted the pairing signal received during the invalid period among the user devices 1C to 1F that are the transmission source of the pairing signal received during the pairing period. User devices 1D and 1E that are not devices but are user devices that are the transmission source of the pairing signal received during the valid period are selected as valid connection partners.

For example, even if the user device 1C pretends pairing in the same manner as the user device 1D for the purpose of impersonating the user device 1D and connecting to the user device 1B, the user device that periodically transmits a pairing signal 1C is not selected as a valid connection partner because it transmits a pairing signal during the invalid period.
Similarly, the user device 1F is not selected as a valid connection partner because it transmits a pairing signal during the invalid period.

  Further, when the user device 1E is operating for the purpose of impersonating the user device 1D and connecting to the user device 1B, if the selection condition 1 is used, the user device 1E is selected as a valid connection partner. However, it can be prevented that the user device 1B selects the connection partner using the selection condition 2 to select the user device 1E that has transmitted the pairing signal after the user device 1C as the connection partner.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the case where the process of selecting the connection partner is performed by transmitting and receiving the pairing signal once shown in FIG. 5 is described. However, the transmission and reception of the pairing signal shown in FIG. By performing the process of selecting the connection partner, the possibility of selecting the user device 1 pretending to be a valid connection partner can be reduced. In addition, by using the selection condition 3 described above, similarly to the selection condition 2, it is possible to reduce the possibility of selecting the user device 1 intended for unauthorized connection as a connection partner.

  5 and 6 show an example in which the user operates the user device 1A and the user device 1B at the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be as follows. For example, in the user device 1B, an operation signal is input to the user interface unit 11 in response to a user operation, the pairing control unit 12 switches the state to an effective period, and the state is changed to an effective period via the user interface unit 11. Outputs information indicating that switching to. After confirming the output from the user device 1B, the user operates the user device 1A to cause the user device 1A to transmit a pairing signal. At this time, the user interface unit 11 of the user device 1B may perform an operation such as turning on an LED lamp, for example, in order to output that the state is a valid period.

  As described above, in the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment, any one of at least two user devices 1 to be connected operates as a user device 1 on the side of receiving a pairing signal, and other user devices 1 perform pairing. It operates as the user device 1 on the signal transmission side. At this time, the user device 1 on the receiving side of the pairing signal switches the state from the invalid period to the valid period in the pairing period, and performs the process of switching the state again to the invalid period after a predetermined time has elapsed. The user device 1 on the side that transmits the pairing signal performs processing for transmitting the pairing signal. The user device 1 that receives the pairing signal determines whether the user device 1 that has transmitted the pairing signal is a valid connection partner, depending on whether the state when the pairing signal is received is the invalid period or the valid period. It can be determined whether or not. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the user device 1 to be connected is an unexpected user device 1 by the above-described processing.

Further, in the user device 1 that receives the pairing signal and the user device 1 that transmits the pairing signal, the required user operation is an operation of inputting an operation signal as a trigger. Such an operation can be realized by, for example, a simple operation of pressing a button. Therefore, even when applied to a device having a poor user interface, a secure connection can be provided.
Further, in the user device 1 of the present embodiment, the input operation required for the pairing process can be realized by a simple operation. Therefore, even a user who is unfamiliar with a complicated operation can be connected between the user devices 1. It is easy to make a secure connection in.
In the pairing period, the timing for switching the state from the invalid period to the valid period is based on the operation of the user who has the user device 1 to be connected. Therefore, even if a malicious user tries to connect another device illegally and intermittently transmits a pairing signal, it is difficult to transmit the pairing signal so as to satisfy the selection condition 1, for example. Yes, it is possible to reduce the possibility of unauthorized connection.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pairing sequence when Bluetooth (registered trademark) is applied to the wireless communication between the user devices 1A and 1B in the wireless communication system of the present embodiment. In this case, the user device 1A and the user device 1B establish an ACL (Asynchronous Connection-Less) connection corresponding to the pairing preprocessing (FIG. 4) (
In step S701), after that, pairing processing can be performed by transmitting and receiving three types of messages of “LMP_simple_pairing_confirm”, “LMP_simple_pairing_number”, and “LMP_accepted”. In this case, the pairing signal corresponds to the message “LMP_simple_pairing_number”, and the pairing confirmation signal corresponds to the message “LMP_accepted”.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the user device 1B transmits the “LMP_simple_pairing_confirm” message in step S703, the user device 1A and the user device 1B start the pairing period and set the state to the invalid period. In addition, when an operation signal as a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the user device 1 on the side of transmitting a pairing signal transmits an “LMP_simple_pairing_number” message (steps S705 and S709).
The user device 1 on the side of receiving the pairing signal determines whether or not to select as a connection partner depending on whether the state when the “LMP_simple_pairing_number” message is received is a valid period or an invalid period. The determination result is transmitted as an “LMP_accepted” message (steps S707 and S711).
In this way, by making the “LMP_simple_pairing_number” message and the “LMP_accepted” message correspond to the pairing signal and the pairing confirmation signal, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is set for wireless communication between the user devices 1 to be connected. Can be applied.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pairing sequence when Zigbee (registered trademark) is applied to the wireless communication between the user devices 1A and 1B in the wireless communication system of the present embodiment. In this case, the user device 1A and the user device 1B perform “Device Discovery” (step S801), which is a device discovery process corresponding to the pairing preprocessing (FIG. 4), and thereafter, a “Pairing Request” message and The pairing process can be performed by transmitting and receiving a “Pairing Response” message.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the device discovery process “Device Discovery” (step S801) is completed, the user device 1A and the user device 1B start the pairing period and set the state to the invalid period.
When an operation signal as a trigger is input to the user interface unit 11, the user device 1 on the side of transmitting the pairing signal transmits a “Pairing Request” message as a pairing signal (steps S 803 and S 807).
Whether the user device 1 on the side of receiving the pairing signal selects the connection partner according to whether the state when the “Pairing Request” message is received is a valid period or an invalid period. A determination is made, and a “Pairing Response” message including the determination result is transmitted as a pairing confirmation signal (steps S805 and S809).
In this way, by making the “Pairing Request” message and the “Pairing Response” message correspond to the pairing signal and the pairing confirmation signal, Zigbee (registration) can be used for wireless communication between the connected user devices 1. Trademark) can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the user interface unit 11 included in each of the user device 1A and the user device 1B includes means for inputting an operation signal and means for outputting to a user. However, in the case of performing the pairing process in which one user device 1 performs pairing determination shown in FIG. 5, that is, when one user device 1 authenticates the other, the user device 1 on the side that transmits a pairing signal Since it is not necessary to output the state of the own device to the user, the user interface unit 11 may not have a means for outputting to the user.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which each of the user device 1A and the user device 1B includes the storage unit 15 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user device 1 that does not perform the pairing determination, such as the user device 1A in the pairing process illustrated in FIG. Thereby, the structure of the user device 1 can be simplified more.
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the invalid period is provided before and after the valid period in the pairing period has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and only before the valid period is started or after the valid period is ended. Only an invalid period may be provided.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the pairing period is provided and the states of the valid period and the invalid period are provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pairing control unit 12 does not provide the pairing period. When the ring signal is received, the reception history information may be always stored in the storage unit 15, and the pairing determination may be performed by setting the period other than the valid period as an invalid period.
Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the structure which determines the timing which switches a state in a pairing period from an effective period to an invalid period with the timer which the pairing control part 12 has, it does not need to be restricted to this. For example, the operation signal input via the user interface unit 11 may be used as a trigger to switch from the valid period to the invalid period. Thereby, since the user can arbitrarily determine the period during which the state becomes the effective period, for example, by shortening this period, the possibility that the unauthorized user device 1 is connected can be further reduced. .

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the storage unit 15 stores time information, period information, and identification information in association with each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the elapsed time information indicating the time elapsed since the pairing period becomes the valid period, the received signal strength of the pairing signal, and the like may be associated and stored in the storage unit 15. Good. In this case, the pairing control unit 12 may select the user device 1 having the shortest time indicated by the elapsed time information as the connection partner. Further, the pairing control unit 12 may select the user device 1 having the strongest received signal strength as a connection partner.

  Further, in the user device 1 on the side of receiving the pairing signal, a margin period is provided immediately before switching the state to the valid period, and when the pairing signal is received within this margin period, even if the state is the invalid period, The period information of the reception history information may be stored in the storage unit 15 as an effective period. Accordingly, when both the user devices 1 to be connected by the user are operated and connected at the same time, even if there is a time difference in the operation, the user device 1 can be connected without being determined as an unauthorized user device 1. Can be improved. At this time, the length of the margin period may be determined in advance based on the actual measurement value.

5 and 6 shown in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the user device 1 transmits a pairing signal once in the pairing process has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pairing signal may be transmitted a plurality of times in the pairing process. In this case, the pairing control unit 12 of the user device 1 on the side of receiving the pairing signal receives a statistical value (for example, maximum value, average value, median value, mode value, etc.) of the received signal strength of the received pairing signal. ) And the user device 1 having the largest calculated statistical value may be selected as the connection partner.
5 and 6, the case where the user device 1 on the side receiving the pairing signal sets one valid period in the pairing period has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of valid periods may be set in the pairing period. In this case, the pairing control unit 12 of the user device 1 on the side that receives the pairing signal measures the elapsed time from the start of the effective period to the reception of the pairing signal in each effective period, A statistical value of elapsed time is calculated for each signal source. Then, the pairing control unit 12 may select the user device 1 with the shortest calculated statistical value as the connection partner among the user devices 1 that satisfy the selection condition 1.
In this way, by transmitting and receiving a pairing signal a plurality of times and selecting a connection partner, an unauthorized user device 1 is selected as a connection partner as compared with a case of transmitting and receiving a pairing signal once. The accuracy of determining the legitimacy of the connection partner can be improved, and a more secure connection can be performed.

  A program for realizing the functions of the pairing control unit 12, the pairing signal transmission / reception unit 13, the wireless interface unit 14, and the storage unit 15 according to the present invention is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium. The pairing process may be performed by causing the recorded program to be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” includes a WWW system having a homepage providing environment (or display environment). The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The present invention can be applied to a wireless communication system that requires secure connection between wireless communication apparatuses (user devices).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F ... User device 11 ... User interface part 12 ... Pairing control part 13 ... Pairing signal transmission / reception part 14 ... Wireless interface part 15 ... Memory | storage part

Claims (11)

A wireless communication method between at least one first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device,
An effective period starting step in which the second wireless communication apparatus starts an effective pairing period;
A pairing signal transmitting step in which the first wireless communication device transmits a pairing signal for requesting connection with the second wireless communication device;
Among the first wireless communication devices that have transmitted the pairing signal received by the second wireless communication device in the effective pairing period, the pairing signal received before starting the effective pairing period And a pairing control step of selecting a first wireless communication device that is not transmitting as a connection partner. The second wireless communication device further includes an effective period ending step of ending the effective pairing period;
In the pairing control step,
Among the first wireless communication apparatuses that have transmitted the pairing signal received during the effective pairing period, the pairing is performed before the effective pairing period starts or after the effective pairing period ends. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication device that is not transmitting a signal is selected as a connection partner. In the pairing control step,
The first wireless communication apparatus that has transmitted the received pairing signal, and the effective pairing among the first wireless communication apparatuses that have not transmitted the pairing signal in a period other than the effective pairing period. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wireless communication device that has transmitted the pairing signal received first after the period starts is selected as a connection partner. In the pairing control step,
The first wireless communication apparatus that has transmitted the received pairing signal, and the effective pairing period of the first wireless communication apparatuses that have not transmitted the pairing signal in a period other than the effective pairing period. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wireless communication device that has transmitted the pairing signal having the highest received signal strength is selected as a connection partner. In the pairing signal transmission step,
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pairing signal is transmitted according to a user input operation. In the effective period start step,
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the effective pairing period is started in accordance with a user input operation. After the pairing control step is performed,
A second effective period start step in which the first wireless communication device starts an effective second pairing period;
A second pairing signal transmission step in which the second wireless communication device transmits a second pairing signal for requesting connection with the first wireless communication device;
Among the second wireless communication devices that have transmitted the second pairing signal received by the first wireless communication device during the effective second pairing period, the first wireless communication device is received before starting the effective second pairing period. And a second pairing control step of selecting a second wireless communication apparatus that has not transmitted the second pairing signal as a connection partner. The wireless communication method described. A margin period of a predetermined time interval is provided immediately before the effective pairing period starts,
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pairing signal received in the margin period is a pairing signal received in the effective pairing period. . A wireless communication system comprising at least one first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device,
The first wireless communication device is:
A pairing signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting a pairing signal for requesting connection with the second wireless communication device;
The second wireless communication device is
The pairing received before starting the effective pairing period among the first wireless communication devices that started the effective pairing period and transmitted the pairing signal received during the effective pairing period. A wireless communication system, comprising: a pairing control unit that selects a first wireless communication device that is not transmitting a signal as a connection partner. A wireless communication device in a wireless communication system comprising at least one first wireless communication device and a wireless communication device,
Among the first wireless communication devices that have started a valid pairing period and have transmitted a pairing signal that is a pairing signal received during the valid pairing period and requests connection with the own device, A wireless communication device, comprising: a pairing control unit that selects, as a connection partner, a first wireless communication device that has not transmitted the pairing signal received before starting a pairing period. A computer included in a second wireless communication device in a wireless communication system including at least one first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device,
Among the first wireless communication devices that have started a valid pairing period and have transmitted a pairing signal that is a pairing signal received during the valid pairing period and requests connection with the own device, A wireless communication program for executing a pairing control step of selecting, as a connection partner, a first wireless communication apparatus that has not transmitted the pairing signal received before starting a pairing period.

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