JP2019180012A - Communication device, communication method, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system capable of easily collecting realtime log information after occurrence of fault.SOLUTION: A communication system collecting log information for analyzing communication fault occurring between other communication device include a radio communication unit for acquiring a radio frame originated around the own device, and acquiring a SSID stored in the radio frame, a storage section for storing a specific SSID, and temporarily holding the log information of radio communication performed between other communication device, a determination part for determining whether or not the specific SSID matches the SSID acquired by the radio communication unit, a frame generation section for generating a beacon frame storing the log information in a prescribed region in the radio frame, and a communication control section for broadcasting the beacon frame, generated in the frame generation section, via the radio communication unit, only when a determination is made that SSIDs match in the determination part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to communication log data collection in wireless communication.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of wireless LANs, a large number of wireless communication devices are installed indoors or on the premises. Wireless communication cannot easily check the connection between devices compared to wired communication. You can check the connection between physical devices with wired cable between wired communication devices, but in invisible wireless communication, check whether the devices are connected and performing wireless communication. It is difficult. This is especially true when a failure occurs in wireless communication.

  Generally, a method of collecting and analyzing log information is used to identify the cause of various failures in wireless communication devices (for example, communication errors, partial device failures, software bugs, etc.). Is done.

  Log information is used by a person who can analyze a failure, such as a manufacturer of a wireless communication device or a communication company that builds a communication system using the device, and is usually not handled by an end user. For this reason, a circuit for collecting log information is often additionally provided on a circuit in the wireless communication device, and a person who analyzes the log information can use the housing of the device to collect the log information. And connecting a cable (for example, a serial cable) directly to the internal substrate to collect log information.

  In addition, collecting log information is useful for analyzing failures, but the resource (storage medium, memory) capacity is limited, especially in module circuits (such as small wireless module circuits) for embedded applications. It is difficult to store log information for a certain period.

  Also, for example, when log information needs to be collected from a product owned by a user, it is difficult to say that the work of opening the housing and wiring is easy.

  By the way, a technique is disclosed in which a wireless communication device can notify log information to devices other than its own device when a failure occurs (abnormality is detected). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 describes a technique for storing log information when an abnormality is detected in an image forming apparatus and simply notifying the outside by short-range wireless communication (for example, NFC (Near Field Communication) communication). Further, if the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, it is not necessary to collect the log information by opening the housing of the apparatus.

JP 2014-149676 A

  However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to notify to the outside (received by a mobile terminal) using short-range wireless communication when an abnormality is detected. For example, wireless communication including a wireless circuit compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard When applied to a device, it is necessary to provide both a communication circuit conforming to the communication standard and a short-range wireless communication standard, which increases costs. Furthermore, when using NFC communication, it is necessary to bring the NFC circuit unit of the portable terminal close to the NFC circuit unit of the wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device is installed in a high place or a place where the user cannot easily approach There is a loss of convenience.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication system that can easily collect real-time log information after a failure occurs.

  A communication apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention acquires a radio frame transmitted to the periphery of the own apparatus in a communication system that collects log information in order to analyze a communication failure that occurs with another communication apparatus. A wireless communication unit that acquires an SSID stored in a wireless frame, a storage unit that stores a specific SSID and temporarily stores log information of wireless communication performed with another communication device, and a specific SSID And the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit, a frame generation unit that generates a beacon frame in which log information is stored in a predetermined area in the wireless frame, and the determination unit A communication control unit that broadcasts the beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit via the wireless communication unit only when it is determined that they match.

  The log information of the wireless communication performed with other communication devices mentioned here includes not only the communication record information in a situation where communication can actually be performed, but also information related to operation processing and the result when attempting communication. Meaning. According to the configuration described above, the communication device acquires a radio frame transmitted around its own device, and when the SSID included in the radio frame matches the specific SSID stored in the storage unit, Log information that logs the exchange of wireless communication performed between a device and a device to be communicated (for example, a base station), the operation processing of the device itself, and the like can be stored in a beacon frame and broadcast to the surroundings of the device itself. Thereby, log information can be easily acquired by a communication terminal (for example, a log collection terminal) that can acquire a beacon frame.

  Further, when transmitting the generated beacon frame, the communication control unit sets the transmission output of the wireless communication unit to a log information transmission output value that is smaller than the transmission output value used for wireless communication.

  If comprised in this way, the beacon frame which stored log information will be transmitted only to the vicinity of an own apparatus, and since it can reduce that it is intercepted by the unintended communication terminal, security property improves.

  A communication control method for a communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication control method for a communication system that collects log information by a wireless terminal in order to analyze a communication failure that occurs with another communication device, A wireless communication step for acquiring a wireless frame transmitted around the own device and acquiring an SSID stored in the wireless frame; a wireless communication step for storing a specific SSID and for performing wireless communication with other communication devices; A storage step for temporarily storing log information, a determination step for determining whether or not a specific SSID matches the acquired SSID, and generation for generating a beacon frame in which the log information is stored in a predetermined area in the radio frame Only when it is determined that the SSID matches the result of the step and the determination step, the generated beacon frame is broadcast toward the wireless terminal. And a communication control step of Shin.

  If comprised in this way, there exists an effect similar to the said communication apparatus.

  A communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication system that collects log information in order to analyze a communication failure, a transmitter that transmits a radio frame that stores a predetermined SSID, and a communication device, A wireless communication unit that acquires a wireless frame transmitted around its own device, acquires an SSID stored in the wireless frame, stores a specific SSID, and performs wireless communication between other communication devices. A storage unit that temporarily holds the log information, a determination unit that determines whether the specific SSID and the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit match, and a beacon frame in which the log information is stored in a predetermined area in the frame The beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit is transmitted via the wireless communication unit only when it is determined that the SSID matches with the frame generation unit that generates Comprising a communication apparatus and a communication control unit for transmitting broadcasts, a log collection terminal receiving the beacon frame log information is stored.

  If comprised in this way, there exists an effect similar to the said communication apparatus.

  Further, in the communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter can transmit two types of SSIDs. In the communication device, the storage unit stores in advance a debug start SSID and a debug end SSID. When the determination unit determines that the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit matches the debug start SSID, the communication control unit broadcasts and transmits the beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit via the wireless communication unit. When the determination unit determines that the SSID acquired by the communication unit matches the debug end SSID, the broadcast transmission is stopped.

  With this configuration, the communication system stores the log information in the beacon frame and directs it to the surroundings of the communication device when the SSID transmitted from the transmitter matches the SSID for debug start stored in the storage unit. Broadcast. Further, when the SSID transmitted from the transmitter matches the SSID for debug termination stored in the storage unit, the communication device stops broadcasting the beacon frame toward the periphery of the communication device.

  The present invention can collect log information in wireless communication by simple means after a failure occurs.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for transmitting a radio frame including log information from the occurrence of a failure in the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication control process performed when a radio frame including log information is transmitted by the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a radio frame including log information by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network configuration of a communication system in the related art.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional constituent elements that constitute a more preferable embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a communication system that can easily collect real-time log information after a failure occurs and can collect logs without installing a special application will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a communication device 1, a first base station 2, a log collection terminal 3, a second base station 4, and a LAN 11 (Local Area Network).

  The communication device 1 is a communication device that can establish a wireless communication link 10 with the first base station 2. The wireless communication link 10 performs wireless communication using a predetermined SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a predetermined encryption method. Note that the wireless communication is realized by a wireless LAN that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, b, g, and n standards. The communication device 1 is, for example, a communication device incorporating a wireless circuit module. As will be described later, the communication device 1 has a function of broadcasting its own log information on a beacon frame triggered by the detection of a specific SSID.

  The first base station 2 is a base station that can establish a wireless communication link 10 with the communication device 1. The first base station 2 can connect to another network (for example, an external network such as the Internet) through the LAN 11 and relay communication between the communication device 1 and the other network. The first base station 2 is a wireless access point including a wireless circuit module, for example.

  The log collection terminal 3 is a terminal that can establish wireless communication with the communication device 1.

  The log collection terminal 3 is a communication terminal used for collecting, as needed, log information such as exchange of wireless communication performed between the communication apparatus 1 and the first base station 2 and an operation record of the communication apparatus 1. More specifically, the user of the log collection terminal 3 acquires log information placed in a beacon frame broadcasted by the communication device 1 by capture, analyzes this, and uses it to investigate the cause of the failure.

  The log collection terminal 3 may be a general-purpose device such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a wireless circuit module, a mobile communication terminal, a tablet terminal, etc., but a radio frame capture function is essential.

  The second base station 4 is a base station that transmits a radio frame to surrounding devices. In addition, the second base station 4 includes at least one specific SSID predetermined in its own device. The second base station 4 stores this specific SSID in a beacon frame and transmits it to surrounding devices. Further, the second base station 4 may include two specific SSIDs (hereinafter referred to as a debug start SSID and a debug end SSID), which are stored in a beacon frame and transmitted under predetermined conditions. . Here, in the present embodiment, the base station (second base station 4), which has at least one specific SSID predetermined in its own device and can transmit a radio frame to surrounding devices, will be described. However, it is not necessarily a base station, and any device capable of transmitting a radio frame (for example, a transmitter capable of transmitting a beacon frame) may be used.

  The debug start SSID and the debug end SSID are different SSIDs. After the debug start SSID is stored in the beacon frame and transmitted, the debug end SSID is stored in the beacon frame and transmitted after a certain time. Also good. The certain time may be freely set by the user via a setting tool provided in the second base station 4.

  As will be described later, the debug start SSID is information that triggers switching the mode from the normal mode to the debug mode when the communication terminal 1 acquires the SSID stored in the beacon frame in the wireless communication with the communication terminal 1. It is. On the other hand, the SSID for debug termination is information that triggers switching the mode from the debug mode to the normal mode when the communication terminal 1 acquires the SSID stored in the beacon frame in the wireless communication with the communication terminal 1. .

  In the following description of this embodiment, the second base station 4 will be described on the assumption that two specific SSIDs are provided. The second base station 4 is a wireless access point including a wireless circuit module, for example. The functions of the second base station 4 and the log collection terminal 3 may be provided in one casing (device).

  The LAN 11 is a wired local area network and is connected to the first base station 2. The LAN 11 is connected to the first base station 2 and another network (not shown) (for example, an external network such as the Internet). The LAN 11 is, for example, a wired LAN that conforms to the IEEE 802.3 standard, and this case will be described as an example. However, a wireless LAN (or a combination of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN) can be used instead. is there.

  The operation of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 will be described more specifically. During normal operation, the communication device 1 communicates with another wireless communication device (not shown) via the first base station 2 or another communication device on the LAN 11 connected to the first base station 2. When a communication failure occurs between the communication device 1 and the first base station 2, the log collection terminal 3 and the second base station 4 are brought in to analyze the cause of the failure, and the communication device 1 is connected to the second base station. When the SSID for debugging start from the station 4 is detected, the mode of the communication device 1 transitions to the debug mode, and the log information is mounted in the beacon frame. The beacon frame is broadcast from the communication device 1 and the log collection terminal 3 collects log information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a WNIC (Wireless Network Interface Controller and 23 components), and the like. An internal bus 24 and the like are connected between them.

  The CPU 20 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the ROM 21.

  The ROM 21 is a read-only storage area that holds a control program, control information, device information, a part of authentication information, and the like.

  The RAM 22 is a storage area used as a work area used when the CPU 20 executes a control program.

  The WNIC 23 is a wireless communication interface that performs wireless communication. For example, a wireless LAN communication interface conforming to the IEEE802.11a, b, g, n, and ac standards. Note that the communication device 1 may include two or more WNICs 23.

  The internal bus 24 is a bus circuit that electrically connects the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, and WNIC 23 to exchange signals.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the communication apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication device 1 includes a wireless communication unit 31, a determination unit 32, a communication control unit 33, a storage unit 34, a frame generation unit 35, and a communication mode flag 36.

  The wireless communication unit 31 performs various processes related to wireless communication with the first base station 2 and the log collection terminal 3 via the wireless interface included in the own device (communication device 1). When the wireless communication unit 31 includes two or more wireless interfaces, the first base station 2 and the log collection terminal 3 may communicate with each other in parallel. In addition, when the own apparatus has only one wireless interface, wireless communication is sequentially performed according to one of the first base station 2 and the log collection terminal 3 in accordance with a predetermined condition (for example, communication performed in a time division manner). Communication may be performed.

  The wireless communication unit 31 acquires a beacon transmitted around the device itself according to an instruction from the communication control unit 33 and notifies the determination unit 32 of the SSID extracted from the communication information included in the collected beacons.

  The wireless communication unit 31 temporarily holds information related to the exchange of wireless communication performed between itself and the first base station 2 as log information in the storage unit 34. Here, the log information may be communication information (transmission / reception time, data size, address, etc.) that can be acquired by data transmission / reception, or may include received actual data (data itself). Further, the log information may be information in which the operation of the own device and the processing contents (for example, command processing) are recorded in time series.

  In the debug mode, the wireless communication unit 31 broadcasts a beacon frame carrying log information with a predetermined transmission output.

  The wireless communication unit 31 is realized by the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, WNIC 23, and the like.

  The determination unit 32 determines whether the wireless communication with the first base station 2 performed through the wireless communication unit 31 is normally performed.

  The determination unit 32 determines whether or not the debug start SSID stored in advance in the storage unit 34 and the SSID notified from the wireless communication unit 31 match. The judgment unit 32 notifies the communication control unit 33 only when they match.

  The determination unit 32 determines whether or not a notification to end log collection from the second base station 4 is received through the wireless communication unit 31. Specifically, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not the debug end SSID stored in advance in the storage unit 34 and the SSID notified from the wireless communication unit 31 match. The judgment unit 32 notifies the communication control unit 33 only when they match.

  The determination unit 32 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, and the like.

  Based on the notification from the determination unit 32, the communication control unit 33 instructs the wireless communication unit 31 to perform a search (scan) for base stations existing in the vicinity of the own device.

  The communication control unit 33 switches (rewrites) the communication mode flag 36 between the debug mode and the normal mode based on the notification from the determination unit 32.

  The communication control unit 33 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 of a beacon frame (described later) including log information generated by the frame generation unit 35 periodically (for example, 100 ms).

  In the transmission of the beacon frame, the communication control unit 33 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 to set the log information transmission output value to a predetermined transmission output value. Here, the predetermined transmission output value is a value smaller than a normal transmission output value used for wireless communication performed by the own apparatus with the first base station 2 or the like. For example, the log information transmission output value may be such that the beacon frame can reach the surrounding radius of about 2 to 3 m from the own apparatus and the log collection terminal 3 located in the area can capture the beacon frame.

  The communication control unit 33 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, and the like.

  The storage unit 34 holds, for a certain period of time, data exchange of wireless communication performed with the first base station 2 through the wireless communication unit 31. The certain time is, for example, a time period (for example, 100 ms) of a beacon frame transmitted periodically. The retained data is retained as log information.

  The storage unit 34 stores a debug start SSID and a debug end SSID that are referred to when determining whether or not the communication mode transitions between the normal mode and the debug mode. The debug start SSID and debug end SSID may be set at the time of shipment from the factory, or may be set by a user using a setting tool (not shown) provided in the apparatus (for example, setting on the Web UI of the tool). .

  The storage unit 34 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, and the like.

The frame generation unit 35 is a predetermined area (for example, an area of log information 64 in FIG. 6 to be described later) in a beacon frame for transmitting log information held in the storage unit 34 periodically (for example, 100 ms). To store.
The frame generation unit 35 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, and the like.

  The communication mode flag 36 is a flag for storing whether the operation is in the normal mode or the debug mode based on the notification from the communication control unit 33. The mode is rewritten by notification from the communication control unit 33, and the flag is maintained until the mode is switched.

  The communication mode flag 36 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for transmitting a radio frame including log information from the occurrence of a failure in the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG. 4, although demonstrated using the beacon frame which a base station transmits, the probe response (for example, from 2nd base station 4) with respect to the probe request (for example, transmission from an own apparatus etc.) used by the active scan in radio | wireless communication is demonstrated. The SSID may be acquired from the wireless frame of the response.

  In step S <b> 41, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not normal wireless communication with the first base station 2 performed through the wireless communication unit 31 can be performed. The determination unit 32 repeats Step S41 when wireless communication with the first base station 2 is normally performed (Yes in Step S41). If not normally performed, the communication control unit 33 is notified to that effect, and the process proceeds to step S42 (No in step S41).

  In step S <b> 42, the communication control unit 33 instructs the wireless communication unit 31 to search for (scan) a base station existing in the vicinity of the own device based on the notification of the determination unit 32. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 31 thereby acquires a beacon from the second base station 4 or the like transmitted around the device itself, and device information of the base stations existing around the device itself, the SSID. Information necessary for wireless communication such as a used channel (also simply referred to as communication information) is collected, and the SSID extracted from the collected communication information is notified to the determination unit 32.

  In step S43, the determination unit 32 includes the SSID for debugging start stored in advance in the storage unit 34 among the SSIDs received from the wireless communication unit 31 in the process of step S42 (for example, the second base, for example). It is determined whether an AP that transmits an SSID that matches the SSID acquired from the beacon frame periodically transmitted from the station 4 is found. If the SSIDs match, the determination unit 32 transitions to step S44 (Yes in step S43). On the other hand, if the SSIDs do not match, the process proceeds to step S42 (No in step S43).

  In step S44, the communication control unit 33 switches (rewrites) the communication mode flag 36 to the debug mode based on the notification from the determination unit 32 (Yes in step S43).

  In step S45, the communication control unit 33 stores the log information held in the storage unit 34 in a beacon frame (described later) generated by the frame generation unit 35, and periodically (for example, 100 ms) through the wireless communication unit 31. The beacon frame is broadcasted to surrounding devices.

  In step S46, the determination unit 32 and the SSID for ending the debug stored in advance in the storage unit 34 and the SSID periodically received from the wireless communication unit 31 (for example, periodically transmitted from the second base station 4). Or the SSID acquired from the beacon frame to be matched). If the determination unit 32 finds an AP that transmits an SSID that matches the debug-ending SSID, the determination unit 32 proceeds to step S47 (Yes in step S46). On the other hand, if the notification has not been received, the process returns to step S45 to repeat the process (No in step S46).

  In step S47, the communication control unit 33 switches (rewrites) the communication mode flag 36 to the normal mode based on the notification from the determination unit 32 (Yes in step S46).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication control process performed when a radio frame including log information is transmitted by the communication apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The series of processing performed in FIG. 5 describes in detail the processing in step S45 in FIG. Here, a base station that transmits a specific SSID will be described as a second base station 4, and a base station from which log information is acquired in wireless communication with its own device will be described as a first base station 2.

  In step S51, after step S44 of FIG. 4, the communication control unit 33 attempts to establish a wireless connection with the first base station 2 from which log information is acquired through the wireless communication unit 31. Then, wireless communication is performed between the own device (communication device 1) and the first base station 2.

  In step S52, the wireless communication unit 31 thereafter temporarily exchanges communication data in the wireless communication performed by itself with the first base station 2, records its operation, etc. as log information in the storage unit 34. Hold on.

  In step S53, the frame generation unit 35 stores the log information held in step S52 in a beacon frame periodically transmitted in a predetermined area in the frame (for example, an area of log information 64 in FIG. 6 described later). To store.

  In step S54, the communication control unit 33 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 to set a predetermined transmission output value for the transmission of the beacon frame after the processing in accordance with the processing of step S53.

  In step S55, based on the notification in step S54, the wireless communication unit 31 broadcasts a beacon frame toward its surroundings at a predetermined transmission output during beacon frame transmission.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a part of a radio frame (beacon frame) including log information by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the beacon frame in FIG. 6 includes an ID 61, a length 62, an OUI 63, and log information 64 described below.

  The element ID 61 is a number indicating that the data stored after the element ID 61 in the radio frame (specifically, the length 62 to the log information 64 in FIG. 6) is vendor-specific data.

  The length 62 is the length of the entire beacon frame.

  The OUI 63 is managed by the IEEE, and a different value is assigned for each manufacturer. That is, the same content is usually stored if the manufacturer is the same. The partial area of the OUI 63 includes an area where manufacturer-specific specifications can be set and used.

  The log information 64 may be communication information (transmission / reception time, data size, address, etc.) that can be acquired by data transmission / reception, or may include received actual data (data itself).

  The variable data area 65 is a variable data area that can be freely set for each manufacturer. This area includes at least log information 64.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network configuration of a communication system in the related art.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication system 700 includes a communication device 71, a base station 72, a PC (Personal Computer) 73, and a LAN 11. In FIG. 7, the same components as shown in FIG.

  The communication device 71 is a communication device that can establish a wireless communication link 70 and a wired communication link 75 between the base station 72 and the PC 73, respectively. Here, the wireless communication link 70 performs wireless communication using a predetermined SSID and a predetermined encryption method. Note that the wireless communication is realized by a wireless LAN that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, b, g, and n standards. The communication device 71 includes, for example, a wireless circuit module. The wired communication link 75 performs serial communication that conforms to the serial interface standard via a wired cable. Note that the serial communication is realized by serial communication conforming to, for example, SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), USB, RS-232C standard, and the like. The communication device 71 includes, for example, an input / output port (for example, a connector terminal or a terminal installed on a mounting board) conforming to a communication standard for performing serial communication.

  The communication device 71 can exchange data with the base station 72 through wireless communication via the wireless communication link 70. The communication device 71 can provide log information held in a storage device (not shown) included in the communication device 71 by performing serial communication with the PC 73.

  The base station 72 is a base station that can establish a wireless communication link 70 with the communication device 71. The base station 72 can connect to another network (for example, an external network such as the Internet) through the LAN 11 and relay communication between the communication device 71 and the other network. The base station 72 is a wireless access point including a wireless circuit module, for example.

  The PC 73 is a communication terminal for collecting log information brought in at the time of a communication failure, and is a terminal capable of establishing a wired communication link 75 with the communication device 71.

  The PC 73 collects operation records after the communication device 71 attempts a wireless connection with the base station 72 as log information as needed. More specifically, the user of the PC 73 communicates via the wired communication link 75 using the wireless communication exchange between the communication device 71 and the base station 72 and the operation record of the communication device 71 as log information. It can be acquired from the device 71.

  The PC 73 is, for example, a PC that includes an input / output port that conforms to a communication standard for performing serial communication.

  In the communication system shown in FIG. 7, when the PC 73 collects log information from the communication device 71, it is assumed that the PC 73 can establish a wired communication link 75 with the communication device 71 using a wired cable. However, it is conceivable that the wired cable cannot be connected depending on the installation location of the communication device 71 or the built-in specification of the communication function part. Even if an input / output port conforming to the communication standard for serial communication provided in the communication device 71 is provided on the mounting board in the device, the lid of the housing is opened and the input / output port is directly connected. It is necessary to connect with a wired cable, which impairs user convenience.

(Summary)
Implementation of the present invention is performed in the manner as described above. In this case, when a communication failure occurs between the communication device 1 and the first base station 2, the log information of the communication device 1 is first analyzed to clearly determine whether the failure is caused by the communication device 1. Turn into. Therefore, the trigger for switching the communication device 1 to the debug mode is the SSID specified in advance. Of course, a method of switching the mode by a mechanical switch or the like is also conceivable, but such a method may not be taken depending on the installation location of the communication device 1 or the like. As described above, the specific SSID is described as being transmitted from the second base station 4, but may be the first base station 2 that was the communication partner of the communication device 1. In addition, since transmitting the beacon frame containing specific SSID to the 1st base station 2 and the 2nd base station 4 is an existing setting change technique, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The present invention can be used when logging communication exchanges in wireless communication. Specifically, it can be used for a communication device in a network such as a wireless LAN including a wireless access point.

1, 71 Communication device 2 First base station (wireless access point)
3 Wireless terminal 4 Second base station (wireless access point)
10, 70 Wireless communication link 75 Wired communication link 11 LAN
100, 700 Communication system 20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 storage device 24 WNIC
25 NIC
26 Internal Bus 31 Wireless Communication Unit 32 Judgment Unit 33 Communication Control Unit 34 Storage Unit 35 Frame Generation Unit 36 Communication Mode Flag 61 Element ID
62 length 63 OUI
64 Log information 65 Variable data area 72 Base station (wireless access point)
73 PC
75 Wired communication link

Claims (5)

In a communication apparatus that collects log information in order to analyze a communication failure that occurs between other communication apparatuses,
A wireless communication unit that acquires a wireless frame transmitted around the device itself, and acquires an SSID stored in the wireless frame;
A storage unit that stores a specific SSID and temporarily holds log information of wireless communication performed with the other communication device;
A determination unit that determines whether the specific SSID and the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit match;
A frame generation unit that generates a beacon frame in which the log information is stored in a predetermined area in a radio frame;
Only when it is determined that the SSID matches in the determination unit, a communication control unit that broadcasts the beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit via the wireless communication unit,
A communication device comprising:   The communication control unit further sets a transmission output value of the wireless communication unit to a log information transmission output value that is smaller than a transmission output value used for wireless communication when transmitting the generated beacon frame. 1. Communication device. A communication control method for a communication system that collects log information by a wireless terminal in order to analyze a communication failure that occurs with another communication device,
A wireless communication step of acquiring a wireless frame transmitted around the device and acquiring an SSID stored in the wireless frame;
A storage step of storing a specific SSID and temporarily holding log information of wireless communication performed with the other communication device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the specific SSID and the acquired SSID match;
Generating a beacon frame storing the log information in a predetermined area in a radio frame;
A communication control method including a communication control step of broadcasting the generated beacon frame toward the wireless terminal only when it is determined that the SSIDs match as a result of the determination step. A communication system that collects log information to analyze communication failures,
A transmitter for transmitting a radio frame storing a predetermined SSID;
A communication device,
A wireless communication unit that acquires a wireless frame transmitted around the device itself, and acquires an SSID stored in the wireless frame;
A storage unit that stores a specific SSID and temporarily holds log information related to wireless communication performed with another communication device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the specific SSID and the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit match;
A frame generation unit for generating a beacon frame in which the log information is stored in a predetermined area in the frame;
A communication control unit that broadcasts a beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit via the wireless communication unit only when the determination unit determines that the SSIDs match.
A communication device comprising:
A communication system comprising: a log collection terminal that receives a beacon frame in which the log information is stored. The transmitter can transmit two types of SSIDs,
In the communication device,
The storage unit stores in advance a debug start SSID and a debug end SSID,
When the determination unit determines that the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit matches the debug start SSID, the communication control unit broadcasts the beacon frame generated by the frame generation unit via the wireless communication unit. And when the determination unit determines that the SSID acquired by the wireless communication unit matches the debug end SSID, the broadcast transmission is stopped.
The communication system according to claim 4.