JP2022006255A - Information processing device, information processing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device, a system and a program with which it is possible to provide a temporary network using a general-purpose repeating device.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, an information processing device controls a repeating device (e.g., wireless LAN access point) that repeats the connection of an information terminal to a network, the information processing device including an input unit for accepting the designation of a network to use and a duration in which the network is usable, and a communication unit for transmitting, on the basis of the designation accepted by the input unit, a request for the creation of identification information to the repeating device that is used by the repeating device to repeat connection to the network designated by the input unit. The communication unit transmits a request for the deletion of the identification information created by the repeating device, on the basis of an indication for the termination of use of the network designated by the input unit or the fact that the usable duration has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a system and a program for controlling a relay device that relays a connection to a network.

Visitors (guests) who visit facilities such as schools and offices from the outside may connect to the network in the facility and use the equipment and servers in the facility. At that time, in order to maintain the security in the facility, a network for guests (guest network) is often provided separately from the network used by the employees and staff in the facility.

However, in order to maintain the security and communication quality of the guest network, it should be avoided to operate in a state where anyone can connect, and it is desirable to operate in a state where only a limited number of guests can connect.

Therefore, for the purpose of allowing only a limited number of guests to connect, a specific character string is transmitted to the guest, and the guest communicates with the access point using an SSID (Service Set Identifier) containing the specific character string. The technique is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the above technology, the access point needs to emit a beacon with an SSID containing a specific character string, and the function is realized by using a general-purpose wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point. Can't. Further, with the above technology, after the guest connects to the network, it can be used regardless of the time, and it is not possible to provide a temporarily available (temporary) network.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device, a system, and a program capable of providing a temporary network by using a general-purpose wireless LAN access point (relay device). ..

According to the present invention, it is an information processing device that controls a relay device that relays a connection to a network.
An input means that accepts the designation of the network to be used and the available time of the network,
Including a communication means for transmitting to the relay device a request for creating identification information used by the relay device to relay the connection to the network designated by the input means based on the designation received by the input means.
The communication means provides an information processing device that transmits a request for deleting the identification information created by the relay device based on an instruction to end the use of the network designated by the input means or an elapse of available time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a temporary network by using a general-purpose relay device.

The figure which showed the 1st configuration example of an information processing system. The figure which showed an example of the hardware composition of an information processing apparatus. A block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. The figure which showed an example of the wireless LAN access point management table. The figure which showed an example of a guest network management table. The figure which showed an example of the operation screen of the guest network creation application. The sequence diagram which showed the 1st example of the process of creating a guest network. The figure which showed an example of the input screen of the usage period. The figure which showed the 2nd configuration example of an information processing system. The figure which showed an example of the account information of the schedule management server. A sequence diagram showing a second example of the process of creating a guest network. The sequence diagram which showed the 3rd example of the process of creating a guest network. The sequence diagram which showed the 1st example of the process of deleting a guest network. The sequence diagram which showed the 2nd example of the process of deleting a guest network. The figure which showed an example of the setting screen of a wireless LAN access point management table. The figure which showed an example of the setting screen of a guest network. The figure which showed an example of the setting screen of the usage period. The figure which showed the 3rd configuration example of an information processing system. The figure which showed the 4th configuration example of an information processing system. The figure which showed an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described later.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of an information processing system. The information processing system includes at least a wireless LAN access point 10 and an information processing device 11 which are examples of relay devices. The wireless LAN access point 10 and the information processing device 11 are connected wirelessly or by wire to form a network. Other devices may be connected to the network.

The wireless LAN access point 10 is a relay device installed at the end of the network, receiving a connection request and relaying communication to the network. The wireless LAN access point 10 has an API (Application Programming Interface) or a command line interface for externally instructing creation, setting change, and deletion of identification information (SSID) used for relaying a connection to a guest network. .. An information terminal 12 owned by the guest is connected to the wireless LAN access point 10.

The information processing device 11 implements an application for creating a guest network (hereinafter referred to as a guest network creation application), and executes a process for creating a temporary guest network. A temporary guest network is a network in which the available time (available time) is determined, and it is created and made available in response to an instruction from the guest to start using it, and an instruction to end the use or a specified available time. It will be deleted by the progress of.

The information processing device 11 may be any device as long as it has a communication function and can execute a predetermined process. For example, an image forming device such as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral), a PJ ( Projector: Projector), IWB (Interactive White Board: White board with electronic blackboard function that enables mutual communication), industrial machines, image pickup devices, sound collectors, medical equipment, network home appliances, automobiles (Connected Cars), notebook PCs (Personal Computer), mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, game machine, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), wearable PC, desktop PC and the like can be mentioned.

The information processing device 11 provides an input screen to the guest, accepts input of information such as selection of the guest network to be used and available period, and creates a guest network based on the input.

The information terminal 12 owned by the guest connects to the guest network created via the wireless LAN access point 10 and uses an output device or the like in the guest network. For example, if the output device is a printer, print data can be sent from the information terminal 12 to the printer via the guest network and printed out. The output device may be a display device such as a display or signage.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 11. Here, the information processing apparatus 11 will be described as a general computer. The information processing device 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, an HD (Hard Disk) 23, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 24. To prepare for. The information processing device 11 includes a display 25, an external device connection I / F 26, a network I / F 27, a data bus 28, a keyboard 29, a pointing device 30, and a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive. 31 and media I / F 32 are provided.

The CPU 20 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 11. The ROM 21 stores a program used for driving the CPU 20 such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 22 provides a working area for the CPU 20. The HD23 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 24 controls reading or writing of various data to the HD 23 according to the control of the CPU 20. The display 25 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, and images.

The external device connection I / F 26 is an interface for connecting various external devices. Examples of the external device include a USB memory and a printer. The network I / F27 is an interface for communicating data using the network. The data bus 28 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 20.

The keyboard 29 is a kind of input means including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 30 is a kind of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 31 is an example of a detachable recording medium, and controls reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW 33. Here, DVD-RW33 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and DVD-R or the like may be used. The media I / F 32 controls reading or writing of data to a recording medium 34 such as a flash memory.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11. Each function included in the information processing apparatus 11 can be realized by a processing circuit such as a CPU 20. The processing circuit is a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or an ASIC or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) designed to execute each function described above. ), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

The information processing device 11 includes a control unit 40, an input unit 41, a storage unit 42, a storage control unit 43, a communication unit 44, and a proximity wireless communication unit 45. The storage unit 42 stores the wireless LAN access point management table 42a and the guest network management table 42b.

The control unit 40 is realized by the guest network creation application and controls the wireless LAN access point 10. The input unit 41 provides an input screen for inputting information necessary for controlling the wireless LAN access point 10, and accepts the input. The control unit 40 generates a creation request requesting the wireless LAN access point 10 to create an SSID based on the information received by the input unit 41. The control unit 40 also generates a request to delete the SSID created by the wireless LAN access point 10.

The communication unit 44 communicates with the outside. The communication unit 44 transmits the creation request generated by the control unit 40 to the wireless LAN access point 10. The communication unit 44 receives the creation result from the wireless LAN access point 10. If the creation is successful, the guest can connect to the guest network from the information terminal 12 via the wireless LAN access point 10 by using the created SSID.

The communication unit 44 transmits the deletion request generated by the control unit 40 to the wireless LAN access point 10. The communication unit 44 receives the deletion result from the wireless LAN access point 10. If the deletion is successful, the SSID will be deleted, the guest network will also be deleted, and you will not be able to connect to the guest network.

The input unit 41 can receive an instruction to start using the guest network and an instruction to end using the guest network on the input screen. The control unit 40 can generate the above-mentioned creation request when the input unit 41 receives the instruction to start using the guest network, and can generate the above-mentioned deletion request when receiving the instruction to end the use.

The input unit 41 can accept the input of the usage period of the guest network on the input screen. The control unit 40 can also generate the above-mentioned deletion request when the usage period accepted by the input unit 41 has elapsed.

The storage unit 42 manages the information for managing the wireless LAN access point 10 in the wireless LAN access point management table 42a. The storage control unit 43 stores information in the wireless LAN access point management table 42a, and executes a process of reading the stored information in response to a read request. This also applies to the guest network management table 42b.

The proximity wireless communication unit 45 performs proximity wireless communication with the information terminal 12. Near field communication is, for example, wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the wireless LAN access point management table 42a stored and managed by the storage unit 42. The wireless LAN access point management table 42a includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an API Key. The URL is information for specifying the wireless LAN access point 10, and is used as the API information or the IP address implemented by the wireless LAN access point 10. The API Key is authentication information required when transmitting a request to the wireless LAN access point 10. This authentication information can be provided as needed, and is not limited to one, and may be plural.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the wireless LAN access point management table 42a. When the guest network creation application is started and the setting screen of the wireless LAN access point 10 is selected, the screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The URL and API Key can be set on the setting screen, and these information can be input using the keyboard 29 and the pointing device 30. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a "connection confirmation" button is provided as a means for confirming whether or not the wireless LAN access point 10 can be connected based on the input information. Then, as a confirmation result, information on the connection status can be displayed. Here, the connection success is displayed as the confirmation result.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a guest network management table 42b stored and managed by the storage unit 42. The guest network management table 42b includes an SSID name, a password, a character type of the password, a usage status, a usable time, and a usage end time. The SSID name is the SSID of the guest network and is composed of an arbitrary character string. The password is a password for connecting to the guest network. As the password, an arbitrary character string may be entered and the entered character string may be registered as a password, or a random character string may be generated each time a guest network is created. The character string may be generated by the control unit 40, or may be generated by a separate generation unit. When generating a password, it may be possible to select whether the character string is only numbers or alphanumericals. If selected, the character type in the password character type field. Is entered. By entering the password, it is possible to prevent a third party from unauthorizedly deleting the guest network.

The usage status indicates whether the guest network is in use or unused. The available time indicates the time from the creation of the guest network to the deletion, and is an arbitrary time. The usage end time indicates the time when the guest network is deleted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the guest network management table 42b. When the guest network creation application is started and the guest network setting screen is selected, the screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the setting screen, the SSID name, available time, and character type of the password can be set, and such information can be input using the keyboard 29 or the pointing device 30. When this information is set, the "Delete" button, which was previously grayed out and could not be operated, is changed to the normal display, and it can be pressed to instruct to delete the guest network. ..

On the guest network setting screen, you can set the SSID name, available time, password character type, and whether or not to delete it, but it is not limited to this, and other items can be set. It may be possible to display the usage status (whether it is in use or unused) of the guest network, the end time of use when it is in use, and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, since the SSID name can be arbitrarily specified, it can be flexibly set according to the operation method. In addition, by providing a setting for deletion, it is possible to flexibly delete without waiting for the available time to elapse. The password can be generated as a random string, which can improve security.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for creating a temporary guest network. The input screen is displayed by launching the guest network creation application. A plurality of guest networks can be created on the input screen, but one guest network may be fixedly created. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a list of guest networks is displayed, and three guest networks can be created. Among them, one guest network has been created and is in use.

The process of creating the guest network will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. The guest 50 activates the guest network creation application (S1). The information processing device 11 displays a top screen including a list of guest networks (S2). The guest 50 selects a guest network to be used from the list (S3). The information processing device 11 displays a screen for inputting the available time (S4).

FIG. 10 shows an example of the available time input screen. The available time input screen allows you to select the available time, and you can set the available time by selecting the time. The available time may be in a format selected from the options prepared in advance, or may be in a format in which an arbitrary time can be input. Since the time can be set arbitrarily, it can be flexibly set according to the operation method.

With reference to FIG. 9 again, when the guest 50 inputs the available time (S5), the information processing apparatus 11 selects the selected guest network (S6). Then, when the guest 50 instructs the start of use (S7), the information processing apparatus 11 transmits a SSID creation request to the wireless LAN access point 10 (S8). The creation request includes the SSID name of the selected guest network, the authentication method associated with the SSID name, and password information.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the SSID name is "Wi-Fi_Room_1" (Wi-Fi is a registered trademark), the authentication method is "WPA-PSK", and the password is a character string such as "password". WPA-PSK is a method that uses a pre-shared key according to the WPA standard. The authentication method is not limited to this method, and may be WEP, TKIP, WPA2-PSK, or the like.

The wireless LAN access point 10 receives a creation request from the information processing device 11 and creates an SSID based on the information included in the creation request. After the creation of the SSID is completed, the wireless LAN access point 10 notifies the information processing apparatus 11 that the creation is successful (S9). The information processing apparatus 11 displays a message to the effect that the creation is successful (S10), and notifies the guest. Upon receiving the notification, the guest connects to the guest network of his choice and starts using the guest network.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the information processing system. The information processing system includes a wireless LAN access point 10, an information processing device 11, and a schedule management server 13. Since the wireless LAN access point 10 and the information processing device 11 have already been described, only the schedule management server 13 will be described here.

The schedule management server 13 holds the account information and the schedule information in association with each other. The guest registers the account information and the schedule information in the schedule management server 13 in advance.

The information processing apparatus 11 requests the input of the account information, receives the input of the account information, accesses the schedule management server 13, and acquires the schedule information associated with the account information. The information processing apparatus 11 calculates the available time based on the acquired schedule information, and sets the available time as the period during which the guest network can be used. This makes it possible to flexibly set the usage period according to the user. The available time may be calculated by the control unit 40, or by providing a separate calculation unit and performing the calculation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of account information held by the schedule management server 13. The account information includes a user ID and a password as identification information for identifying the guest, and is registered in association with the schedule information. The schedule information includes, for example, information on the date and time of the visit and the place. When the purpose of visiting a facility such as an office is a meeting, the date and time is the date and time of the meeting, and the place is the meeting place.

A process of creating a guest network using the system shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The guest 50 activates the guest network creation application (S1). The information processing device 11 displays a top screen including a list of guest networks (S2). The guest 50 selects a guest network to be used from the list (S3). The processing up to this point is the same as the processing shown in FIG.

Unlike the process shown in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 11 displays an account information input screen (S4). Guest 50 inputs account information (S5). The account information is a user ID, a password, or the like.

When the information processing apparatus 11 receives the input of the account information, the information processing apparatus 11 requests the schedule management server 13 to acquire the schedule information, and acquires the schedule information associated with the account information managed by the schedule management server 13 (S6). , S7). The information processing apparatus 11 calculates the available time of the guest network selected by the guest 50 based on the acquired schedule information (S8).

Since the start time and end time of the meeting etc. are set as the date and time in the schedule information, the available time is calculated from those times. For example, when the start time is 10 o'clock and the end time is 11 o'clock, one hour (60 minutes) between them can be calculated as the usage period. Since output devices such as printers in the facility may be used before and after the meeting, 60 minutes + 30 minutes = 90 minutes is calculated as the available time with a certain margin such as 30 minutes. You may. Here, the margin is described as 30 minutes, but the margin is not limited to 30 minutes.

The processing from S9 to S11 is the same as the processing from S8 to S10 shown in FIG. That is, the information processing device 11 transmits a SSID creation request to the wireless LAN access point 10 (S9), and the wireless LAN access point 10 notifies the information processing device 11 that the creation is successful (S9). S10). Then, the information processing apparatus 11 displays a message to the effect that the creation is successful (S11), and notifies the guest.

In the process shown in FIG. 13, the account information input screen is displayed for the guest 50, and the guest 50 inputs the account information. However, the account information is registered in the information terminal 12 used by the guest 50. The proximity radio communication unit 45 included in the information processing apparatus 11 may be configured to acquire information from the information terminal 12 due to the proximity of the information terminal 12. The processing in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

The information terminal 12 is configured to implement a mobile application, register account information using the mobile application, communicate with the proximity wireless communication unit 45, and transmit the account information to the information processing device 11.

The guest 50 registers the same account information as the account information registered in the schedule management server 13 in the information terminal 12 (S1), and the information terminal 12 displays that the registration is successful (S2). The account information can be registered by activating the mobile application mounted on the information terminal 12, displaying the registration screen, and inputting the account information on the registration screen.

The guest 50 activates the guest network creation application implemented in the information processing device 11 (S3). The information processing device 11 displays a top screen including a list of guest networks (S4). The guest 50 selects a guest network to be used from the list (S5).

The information processing device 11 displays an account authentication screen (S6). The guest 50 performs an operation of holding the information terminal 12 over the information processing device 11 (S7), and transmits the account information registered in the information terminal 12 to the information processing device 11 (S8).

Upon receiving the account information, the information processing apparatus 11 requests the schedule management server 13 to acquire the schedule information, and acquires the schedule information associated with the account information (S9, S10). The information processing apparatus 11 calculates the available time of the guest network selected by the guest 50 based on the acquired schedule information (S11).

The information processing device 11 transmits a SSID creation request to the wireless LAN access point 10 (S12), and the wireless LAN access point 10 notifies the information processing device 11 that the creation is successful (S13). .. Then, the information processing apparatus 11 notifies the information terminal 12 of the success (S14), the information terminal 12 displays a message to the effect that the creation is successful (S15), and notifies the guest 50. By transmitting the account information using the information terminal 12 in this way, the schedule information associated with the guest user can be acquired, and the time and effort of the user can be reduced.

In order to realize the processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the available time input screen is not a screen in which only the time can be selected as in FIG. 10, but as shown in FIG. 15, “cooperation with an external service”. The screen can include "Yes (manual input)" and "Link with external services (App link)" as options. "Linking with an external service (manual input)" is a case where the available time entered and registered by the guest is used, and it is assumed that it is selected when the process shown in FIG. 13 is performed. .. "Linking with an external service (application linking)" is a case where the information terminal 12 is brought close to each other for authentication and the registered available time is used, and is selected when the process shown in FIG. 14 is performed. I am assuming that. The guest can also set a time other than the displayed time, and the time can be set by selecting "select by the user". The available time may not only be selected from the options, but the available time may be arbitrarily input in minutes.

So far, the process of creating a guest network has been explained, but since the guest network is a temporary network, it needs to be deleted. The process of deleting the guest network will be described below.

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process of deleting the guest network. Similar to the guest network creation process, the guest 50 activates the guest network creation application and displays a screen including a list of guest networks for deleting the guest network. The guest 50 selects the guest network to be deleted from the list (S1). The selected guest network is selected (S2).

The guest 50 presses the "end use" button (S3). This instructs the end of use. The information processing apparatus 11 displays a password input screen upon pressing the "end use" button (S4). The password is the password of the guest network to be deleted, which is managed by the guest network management table 42b shown in FIG. Guest 50 inputs a password (S5).

Upon receiving the password input, the information processing apparatus 11 transmits a request for deleting the SSID of the guest network corresponding to the password to the wireless LAN access point 10 (S6). The wireless LAN access point 10 deletes the requested SSID and notifies the information processing apparatus 11 that the deletion is successful (S7). Then, the information processing apparatus 11 displays a message to the effect that the deletion is successful (S8), and notifies the guest 50.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, in order to prevent the guest network from being deleted illegally, the process including the input of the guest network password has been described, but the deletion may be executed without inputting the password. .. Further, the guest network is not limited to the deletion, and the guest network may be invalidated. In this case, the information processing apparatus 11 can transmit a request to change the valid state of the SSID to the invalid state to the wireless LAN access point 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the guest 50 instructs the end of use, and the information processing apparatus 11 receives the instruction and sends a request for deleting the SSID. However, the deletion of the guest network indicates the elapse of the available time. You may receive and carry out. The process of deleting the guest network in response to the elapse of the available time will be described with reference to FIG. 17 as the process of deleting the guest network for a limited time.

The information processing device 11 manages the available time of each guest network by the guest network management table 42b of the storage unit 42. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 can monitor the elapsed time since the guest network was created, and when the available time has elapsed, can send a deletion request for the guest network.

The information processing apparatus 11 acquires the elapsed time since the guest network was created at regular intervals (S1). Then, the information processing apparatus 11 determines whether or not the available time has elapsed, and if so, transmits a SSID deletion request to the wireless LAN access point 10 (S2). The information processing apparatus 11 receives a notification that the deletion is successful (S3), and ends the monitoring of the elapsed time (S4).

The guest network is monitored by the information processing device 11, but the guest network may not be continuously monitored due to reasons such as the information processing device 11 being shut down. In such a case, every time the information processing device 11 is started and the guest network creation application is started, the guest network usage period and the current time are collated, and whether or not to send a deletion request based on the collation result is determined. to decide.

When the information processing apparatus 11 is shut down and then started, the guest 50 activates the guest network creation application (S5). The information processing apparatus 11 receives the activation of the guest network creation application and acquires the elapsed time since the guest network was created (S6). The information processing apparatus 11 determines whether or not the acquired elapsed time has elapsed, and if so, transmits a request for deleting the SSID of the guest network (S7). The wireless LAN access point 10 notifies the information processing apparatus 11 that the deletion was successful (S8). Then, the information processing apparatus 11 displays the top screen (S9).

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of the information processing system. The information processing system includes a wireless LAN access point 10, an information processing device 11, and a wireless LAN management system 14. Since the wireless LAN access point 10 and the information processing device 11 have already been described, only the wireless LAN management system 14 will be described here.

The wireless LAN management system 14 is a system that manages the wireless LAN and controls the wireless LAN access point 10. The wireless LAN management system 14 has at least an API or a command line interface for externally instructing the creation, setting change, and deletion of the SSID of the guest network and executing the instruction. Further, the wireless LAN management system 14 has a function of receiving an instruction from the outside and reflecting the instruction content on the controlled wireless LAN access point 10. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 can instruct the wireless LAN management system 14 to send the SSID creation request and the deletion request to the wireless LAN access point 10 by the guest network creation application.

A plurality of wireless LAN access points 10 may exist, but if a plurality of wireless LAN access points 10 exist, a device for managing them is required, and it is necessary to allocate channels and radio waves to each wireless LAN access point 10. However, by using the wireless LAN management system 14, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for management, and it becomes easy to assign channels and radio waves. Therefore, when the wireless LAN management system 14 is used, a plurality of wireless LAN access points 10 may be used.

In the system shown in FIG. 18, the information processing apparatus 11 requests the wireless LAN management system 14 to create an SSID, and the wireless LAN management system 14 transmits a SSID creation request to the wireless LAN access point 10. This also applies to the deletion request.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a fourth configuration example of the information processing system. The information processing system includes a wireless LAN access point 10, an information processing device 11, and an MFP 15. When the SSID of the guest network is created, the information processing apparatus 11 can receive the SSID information created from the wireless LAN access point 10 and display it on the screen. Therefore, the guest sets the displayed SSID information and connects to the guest network. At this time, the available time of the guest network may also be displayed on the screen.

When the information processing system includes the MFP 15, the information processing apparatus 11 can transmit the SSID information to the MFP 15, print it, and output it. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the information processing device 11 and the MFP 15 are separate devices, but they may be one device having a printing function. Therefore, it is also possible to use the MFP 15 as the information processing device 11.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 15. The MFP 15 shown in FIG. 20 has a plurality of functions such as a scanner function, a copy function, a printing function, and a fax function. The MFP 15 includes a controller 60, a short-range communication circuit 61, an engine control unit 62, an operation panel 63, and a network I / F64.

The controller 60 includes a CPU 70, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 71, a north bridge (NB) 72, a south bridge (SB) 73, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 74, and a local. It includes a memory (MEM-C) 75, an HDD controller 76, and an HD77. The NB 72 and the ASIC 74 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 78.

The CPU 70 is a control unit that controls the entire MFP. The NB72 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 70, the MEM-P71, the SB73, and the AGP bus 78, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P71, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. Have.

The MEM-P71 includes a ROM 71a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 60, and a RAM 71b used as a memory for developing programs and data and a memory for drawing at the time of memory printing. The program stored in the RAM 71b is configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD as a file in an installable format or an executable format. You may.

The SB73 is a bridge for connecting the NB72 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The ASIC 74 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 78, the PCI bus 79, the HDD controller 76, and the MEM-C75, respectively. The ASIC74 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC74, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C75, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data by hardware logic and the like. include. Further, the ASIC 74 includes a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 80 and the printer unit 81 via the PCI bus 79. The ASIC 74 may be configured to connect a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

The MEM-C75 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HD77 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used at the time of printing, and accumulating forms. The HD77 controls reading or writing of data to the HD77 according to the control of the CPU 70. The AGP bus 78 is a bus interface for a graphic accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphic processing, and the graphic accelerator card can be speeded up by directly accessing the MEM-P71 with high throughput.

The short-range communication circuit 61 is a communication circuit using NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The engine control unit 62 includes a scanner unit 80 and a printer unit 81. The operation panel 63 displays a panel display unit 63a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values and selection screens and accepts input from the user, and a numeric keypad or copy that receives setting values of conditions related to image formation such as density setting conditions. It is provided with an operation panel unit 63b including a start key or the like for receiving a start instruction.

The controller 60 controls, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 63, and the like. The scanner unit 80 or the printer unit 81 includes an image processing portion such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The MFP can sequentially switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function by the application switching key on the operation panel 63. When each function is selected, each mode is set.

The network I / F64 is an interface for performing data communication using the network. The short-range communication circuit 61 and the network I / F 64 are electrically connected to the ASIC 74 via the PCI bus 79.

As described above, it is possible to provide a temporary network by using the general-purpose wireless LAN access point 10. In addition, the available time of the network can be flexibly set according to the guest.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the components of the present embodiment may be changed or deleted, or the components of the present embodiment may be used. It can be changed within the range that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, such as adding other components, and is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited in any of the embodiments. ..

10 ... Wireless LAN access point 11 ... Information processing device 12 ... Information terminal 13 ... Schedule management server 14 ... Wireless LAN management system 15 ... MFP
20 ... CPU
21 ... ROM
22 ... RAM
23 ... HD
24 ... HDD controller 25 ... Display 26 ... External device connection I / F
27 ... Network I / F
28 ... Data bus 29 ... Keyboard 30 ... Pointing device 31 ... DVD-RW drive 32 ... Media I / F
33 ... DVD-RW
34 ... Recording media 40 ... Control unit 41 ... Input unit 42 ... Storage unit 42a ... Wireless LAN access point management table 42b ... Guest network management table 43 ... Storage control unit 44 ... Communication unit 45 ... Proximity wireless communication unit 50 ... Guest 60 ... Controller 61 ... Short-range communication circuit 62 ... Engine control unit 63 ... Operation panel 63a ... Panel display unit 63b ... Operation panel unit 64 ... Network I / F
70 ... CPU
71 ... MEM-P
71a ... ROM
71b ... RAM
72 ... NB
73 ... SB
74 ... ASIC
75 ... MEM-C
76 ... HDD controller 77 ... HD
78 ... AGP bus 79 ... PCI bus 80 ... Scanner unit 81 ... Printer unit

JP 2016-158094

Claims (12)

An information processing device that controls a relay device that relays connections to a network.
An input means that accepts the designation of the network to be used and the available time of the network,
A communication means that transmits a request for creating identification information used by the relay device to relay a connection to a network designated by the input means to the relay device based on the designation received by the input means. Including and
The communication means is an information processing device that transmits a request for deleting the identification information created by the relay device based on an instruction to end the use of the network designated by the input means or the elapse of the available time. Includes a storage means for storing network information and authentication information in association with each other.
The communication means refers to the information of the network stored by the storage means based on the authentication information received by the input means, and transmits a deletion request of the identification information to the relay device. The information processing device described in. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input means accepts input of a password for connecting to the corresponding network as the authentication information. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication means transmits the creation request to the relay device, and also transmits the network information and the output request for the available time to the output device. The information processing device described in the section. The network information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) name.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input means accepts input of information designating a character string constituting the SSID name. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a generation means for generating the password as a random character string. Any of claims 1 to 6, including a calculation means for calculating the available time of the network specified by the user based on the user's schedule information acquired from the management system that manages the user's schedule information. The information processing apparatus according to item 1. The input means accepts the input of the user's information and receives the input.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the calculation means acquires the corresponding schedule information from the management system that manages the user's information in association with the schedule information. Including a proximity communication means that performs proximity communication with an information terminal used by the user and acquires the user's information from the information terminal.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the calculation means acquires the corresponding schedule information from the management system that manages the user's information in association with the schedule information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the proximity communication means uses Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication). An information processing system including a relay device that relays a connection to a network and an information processing device that controls the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A program that allows a computer to control a relay device that relays connections to a network.
Steps to accept the specification of the network to be used, and
The step of accepting the designation of the available time of the network and
A step of transmitting a request for creating identification information used by the relay device to relay a connection to the designated network to the relay device based on the received designation.
A program for executing a step of transmitting a request for deleting the identification information created by the relay device based on the instruction to end the use of the designated network or the elapse of the available time.

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