JP4865349B2 - Communication device and communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, a computer program, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for use when performing authentication with another wireless communication device.

  In recent years, communication devices using wireless communication have been rapidly spreading. In wireless communication, a connected wireless communication partner device cannot be visually recognized, so authentication during communication is essential for information security. A general authentication method at the time of communication is an authentication method using a password, but it is difficult to perform authentication using a password other than a device having a device suitable for character input such as a keyboard. In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of performing authentication by connecting USB ports of devices with a data transfer cable as a method of simply performing wireless communication authentication.

JP 2001-177599 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the trouble of connecting the USB ports with a data transfer cable is generated. In other words, it is necessary to carry the communication device to the distance that the data transfer cable can reach, or to prepare a data transfer cable with a length corresponding to the distance between the communication devices, which is not a simple method for wireless communication authentication. It was.

  In addition, even after the data transfer cable is removed after authentication, the wireless authentication information remains in the communication device, so if you are authenticated without permission from the other person in the absence of the user, you can freely access the information thereafter. There was also a problem in terms of security that it would be stolen.

  In addition to the method described in Patent Document 1, as a method of authenticating using wireless communication, a method of performing authentication by bringing wireless communication devices close to each other is also known. However, there are cases where it is difficult to move wireless communication devices when they are densely packed. In addition, there is a problem that the wireless communication device is heavy and has a large burden for moving.

  In addition, there is known a method of performing authentication by simultaneously pressing buttons provided in a wireless communication device, but there is a problem that it is difficult to authenticate when the distance between the wireless communication devices is long. There is also a problem that a third party may be interrupted at the time of authentication.

In view of the problems described above, as well as to be able to easily perform authentication for wireless communications, it has a purpose to be able to ensure the safety of the wireless communication.

Communication apparatus of the present invention is a communication device, a wireless communication means for performing external device wireless communication, performs the external device and the power line communication over the power line for supplying power to the communication device, related to the external device a power line communication means for receiving information, and the external device based on the information received by the power line communication unit, using the authentication information for communicating with the wireless communication means and the external apparatus by the wireless communication means An authentication unit that performs authentication related to the communication, and starts communication by the wireless communication unit after authentication by the authentication unit, and after starting communication by the wireless communication unit, receives the authentication information by the wireless communication unit, and The authentication information is received by the power line communication means, authentication using the authentication information received by the wireless communication means, and the power If any of the using authentication information received by the communication unit authentication fails, characterized in that a control means for controlling to stop the communication by the radio communication means.

The communication method of the present invention is a communication method of a communication device, wherein a wireless communication step of performing wireless communication with an external device, power line communication with the external device via a power line that supplies power to the communication device, a power line communication step for receiving information about an external device, and the external device based on the received information in the power line communication process, using the credentials for communicating in the wireless communication step, the in the wireless communication step An authentication step for performing authentication related to communication with an external device, and communication in the wireless communication step is started after authentication in the authentication step, and after the communication in the wireless communication step is started, the authentication information is received by the wireless communication step. And receiving the authentication information by the power line communication step and using the authentication information received by the wireless communication step. If any of the authentication and the authentication using the authentication information received by the power line communication process has failed, and having a control step of controlling so as to stop the communication by the wireless communication process.

The computer program of the present invention is a program to be executed by a computer in a communication device, and performs a wireless communication process for performing wireless communication with an external device, and power line communication with the external device via a power line that supplies power to the communication device. Using the authentication information for communicating with the external device based on the information received in the power line communication step and the external device based on the information received in the power line communication step. An authentication step for performing authentication related to communication with the external device in the step, and communication in the wireless communication step is started after authentication in the authentication step, and communication in the wireless communication step is started, and then the authentication is performed by the wireless communication step. And receiving the authentication information by the power line communication process, Control is performed to stop communication using the wireless communication process when either authentication using the authentication information received by the wireless communication process or authentication using the authentication information received by the power line communication process fails. And a control step of causing the computer to execute.

  A storage medium of the present invention stores the computer program described above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform authentication between wireless communication devices only by performing an action of “connecting a power cord to a power line”, and easily perform authentication of wireless communication. In addition, the safety of wireless communication can be ensured.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a wireless communication device according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a connection between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication device according to the present embodiment.
Reference numerals 100 and 101 denote the entire wireless communication device. Both wireless communication devices have the same constituent elements according to the present embodiment, but 100 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication authentication (hereinafter referred to as a host wireless communication device 100), and 101 is wireless communication authenticated. A wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as device wireless communication device 101) is assumed.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a first control unit that controls the entire host wireless communication device 100. Similarly, reference numeral 103 denotes a second control unit that controls the entire device wireless communication apparatus 101. The first and second control units 102 and 103 can be constituted by, for example, an integrated circuit such as a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, or a microcomputer having the same function as these.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. Similarly, reference numeral 105 denotes a second wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. An example of means for performing wireless communication is UWB (Ultra Wide Band). The protocol of data to be communicated may be WUSB (Wireless USB), IEEE1394, or the like, but any method may be used. Of course, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN may be used as a communication method.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a first antenna for performing wireless communication. Similarly, reference numeral 107 denotes a second antenna for performing wireless communication. Reference numeral 108 denotes a first recording unit that stores the wireless device ID and authentication information. Similarly, reference numeral 109 denotes a second recording unit that stores the wireless device ID and authentication information. The first and second recording units 108 and 109 are configured by a nonvolatile memory device such as a flash memory and its control circuit.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a first PLC unit that performs power line communication (PLC). Similarly, reference numeral 111 denotes a second PLC unit that performs power line communication. Power line communication is a communication method in which a minute high-frequency data signal is superimposed on an AC power line and data is transmitted and received using the power line as a transmission path. The first and second PLC sections 110 and 111 are configured by PLC modems that multiplex and demultiplex AC power and data signals and also control power line communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a first power supply unit that supplies power to the host wireless communication device 100. Similarly, reference numeral 113 denotes a second power supply unit that supplies power to the device wireless communication apparatus 101. The first and second power supply units 112 and 113 receive the AC power separated by the first and second PLC units 110 and 111. The first and second power supply units 112 and 113 are configured by a power supply control circuit. A battery may be mounted.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a first power cord connected to the host wireless communication device 100. Similarly, reference numeral 115 denotes a second power cord connected to the device wireless communication apparatus 101.
Reference numerals 116 and 117 denote first and second power lines that perform power transmission and power line communication. The first and second power lines 116 and 117 are divided by the PLC filter 118 on the way. In power line communication, since a minute high frequency data signal is superimposed on a low frequency, large amplitude power line, power and signal can be easily separated by a filter. In other words, the PLC filter 118 transmits power between the first power line 116 and the second power line 117, but is separated as power line communication.

  Here, it is assumed that the same PLC network 119 is a first power line 116 that is separated from the others as power line communication, and a network of devices that perform power line communication connected to the first power line 116. Examples of the same PLC network 119 include the same outlet, the same power tap, and the same building, but are not particularly limited thereto. For use in public places, it is desirable from a security point of view that the range of power line communication is limited to some extent, like the same power strip.

  Note that FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a connection between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication device, and each wireless communication device may include a display device, a photographing device, and the like depending on the application. In addition, although FIG. 1 includes two wireless communication devices, any number of wireless communication devices can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an authentication key used for authentication of wireless communication according to the present embodiment. The authentication key is composed of the host ID recorded in the first and second recording units 108 and 109, the device ID, and the encryption code generated based on the host ID and the device ID. The method for creating and using the authentication key will be described later.

  An authentication method for wireless communication between the host wireless communication device 100 and the device wireless communication device 101 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S301, S302, S308, S309, and S310 have no difference in operation between the host wireless communication device 100 and the device wireless communication device 101.

  In step S301 of FIG. 3, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 (or the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101) can recognize other wireless communication devices other than itself by wireless communication. It is determined whether or not. If the result of this determination is that recognition is possible, the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if it is not recognized as a result of the determination in step S301, this authentication flow ends.

  Next, in step S302, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 (or the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101) can recognize devices other than itself by power line communication. Determine whether. If the result of this determination is that recognition is possible, the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if it is not recognized as a result of the determination in step S302, the present authentication flow ends.

  Next, in step S303, the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101 hosts the device ID stored in the second recording unit 109 by power line communication through the second PLC unit 111. Transmit to the wireless communication device 100.

  Next, in step S <b> 304, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 is stored in the device ID of the device wireless communication device 101 transmitted from the device wireless communication device 101 and the first recording unit 108. Based on the device ID of the existing host wireless communication device 100, an authentication key used for wireless communication authentication shown in FIG. 2 is created.

  Next, in step S305, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 transmits the created authentication key to the device wireless communication device 101 through the first PLC unit 110 to the device wireless communication device 101 through power line communication. Are stored in the recording unit 108. In addition, the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101 stores the authentication key received from the host wireless communication device 100 in the second recording unit 109.

  Next, in step S <b> 306, the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication apparatus 101 reads the authentication key from the second recording unit 109 and wirelessly communicates with the host wireless communication apparatus 100 through the second wireless communication unit 105. Send to. The first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 collates the authentication key received from the device wireless communication device 101 with the authentication key stored in the first recording unit 108.

  Next, in step S307, when the collation results match, the first wireless communication unit 104 of the host wireless communication device 100 starts wireless communication with the device wireless communication device 101.

  Next, in step S308, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 (or the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101) determines whether the wireless communication counterpart device can be recognized by wireless communication. To do. The wireless communication partner device is confirmed by re-verifying the authentication key, for example. As a result of the determination, if the recognition is possible, the process proceeds to step S309, and if the recognition is impossible, the process proceeds to step S310.

  Next, in step S309, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 (or the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101) determines whether the wireless communication counterpart device can be recognized by power line communication. To do. The wireless communication partner device is confirmed by re-verifying the authentication key, for example. If the result of this determination is that recognition is possible, the process returns to step S308. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S309 is that recognition is not possible, the process proceeds to step S310.

  Next, in step S310, the first control unit 102 of the host wireless communication device 100 (or the second control unit 103 of the device wireless communication device 101) stops wireless communication with the wireless communication counterpart device. Then, the authentication key stored in the first recording unit 108 and the second recording unit 109 is deleted.

  As described above, authentication of wireless communication between communication devices can be performed very simply by exchanging authentication keys using power line communication. A user can perform authentication between wireless communication devices only by the action of “connecting a power cord to a power line”, which must be performed when using a device using electricity.

  Further, the range in which power line communication is performed by the PLC filter 118 is limited to the same PLC network 119, and the wireless communication is continued only when there is a wireless communication counterpart device in the same PLC network 119. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize the wireless communication counterpart device connected by wireless communication. In addition, since wireless communication authentication is not performed without permission from a place unintended by the user, for example, a house next to the wall, the safety of wireless communication can be ensured.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the wireless communication device according to the present invention will be described below in comparison with the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment. Note that the connection method with other wireless communication devices is the same as that in the first embodiment, and is omitted.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes a wireless communication device main body, and reference numeral 402 denotes an AC adapter of the wireless communication device. Reference numeral 403 denotes an AC adapter control unit that controls the AC adapter 402. Reference numeral 404 denotes an AC adapter recording unit of the AC adapter 402, which is configured in the same manner as the first recording unit 108 of FIG. The AC adapter control unit 403 mainly controls the AC adapter recording unit 404.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes an adapter PLC unit of the AC adapter 402, which is configured in the same manner as the first PLC unit 110 of FIG. Reference numeral 406 denotes an adapter power supply unit of the AC adapter 402, which is configured in the same manner as the first power supply unit 112 of FIG. Reference numeral 407 denotes an adapter power cord of the AC adapter 402, which is configured in the same manner as the first power cord 114 of FIG.

  Reference numeral 408 denotes a main body control unit of the wireless communication device main body 401, which is configured in the same manner as the first control unit 102 in FIG. Reference numeral 409 denotes a main body recording unit of the wireless communication device main body 401, which is configured in the same manner as the first recording unit 108 of FIG. Reference numeral 410 denotes a main body wireless communication unit of the wireless communication device main body 401, which is configured in the same manner as the first wireless communication unit 104 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 411 denotes a main body power supply unit of the wireless communication device main body 401, which is configured by a primary battery or a secondary battery. Reference numeral 412 denotes a main body antenna of the wireless communication device main body 401, which is configured in the same manner as the first antenna 106 in FIG. Reference numeral 413 denotes an adapter cord that connects the wireless communication device main body 401 and the AC adapter 402. The adapter cord 413 is detachable from the wireless communication device main body 401. When the secondary battery is connected to the main body power supply unit 411 and when the adapter cord 413 is connected, the battery can be charged from the adapter power supply unit 406.

  Since the authentication method for wireless communication between wireless communication devices in this embodiment is almost the same as the flow of the flowchart of the first example shown in FIG. 3, only the differences will be described. In step S305, when the authentication key is recorded in the main body recording unit 409, the authentication key is also recorded in the AC adapter recording unit 404 through the AC adapter control unit 403 at the same time. At this time, the wireless communication device main body 401 and the AC adapter 402 are connected by an adapter cord 413.

  In step S309, when the wireless communication device main body 401 and the AC adapter 402 are connected by the adapter cord 413, an operation equivalent to that of the first embodiment is performed. In the case where the wireless communication device main body 401 and the AC adapter 402 are separated, for example, the authentication key recorded in the AC adapter recording unit 404 and the authentication key stored in the wireless communication counterpart device are re-verified. If it cannot be recognized, the process proceeds to step S310, wireless communication is stopped, and the authentication key is deleted. If it can be recognized, the process returns to step S308 and the wireless communication is continued.

  As described above, in a portable wireless communication device with a built-in battery, at the time of authentication, the portable wireless communication device body and the AC adapter are connected and authenticated, and the authentication code is assigned to the portable wireless communication device body and the AC adapter. , The wireless communication authentication can be continued even when the portable wireless communication device body is disconnected from the AC adapter.

(Other embodiments according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the wireless communication device and each step of the wireless communication method in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus. This includes the case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Further, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, there is a method of connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  As another method, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and encrypted from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Download the key information to be solved. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, the program read from the recording medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

1 is a schematic configuration block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a connection between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the authentication key used for the authentication of the radio | wireless communication which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart shown about the authentication method of the radio | wireless communication between the radio | wireless communication apparatuses in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 host wireless communication device 101 device wireless communication device 102 first control unit 103 second control unit 104 first wireless communication unit 105 second wireless communication unit 106 first antenna 107 second antenna 108 first Recording unit 109 Second recording unit 110 First PLC unit 111 Second PLC unit 112 First power source unit 113 Second power source unit 114 First power source cord 115 Second power source cord 116 First power line 117 Second power line 118 PLC filter 119 Same PLC network 401 Wireless communication device main body 402 AC adapter 403 AC adapter control unit 404 AC adapter recording unit 405 Adapter PLC unit 406 Adapter power supply unit 407 Adapter power cord 408 Main unit control unit 409 Main unit recording unit 410 Main unit wireless communication unit 411 Main unit power supply unit 412 Main unit antenna 41 Body adapter cord

Claims (8)

Communication equipment,
A wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
Power line communication means for performing power line communication with the external device via a power line for supplying power to the communication device, and receiving information on the external device;
Authentication means for performing authentication related to communication with the external device by the wireless communication means using authentication information for communicating with the external device based on the information received by the power line communication means and the wireless communication means; ,
After authentication by the authentication means, communication by the wireless communication means is started. After communication by the wireless communication means is started, the authentication information is received by the wireless communication means, and the authentication information is received by the power line communication means. If any of the authentication using the authentication information received by the wireless communication unit and the authentication using the authentication information received by the power line communication unit fails, the communication by the wireless communication unit is stopped. And a control means for controlling the communication device.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication using UWB (Ultra Wide Band).   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit stops the authentication when power line communication with the external device is disconnected.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power line communication means performs communication using PLC (Power Line Communications).   The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the power line communication means performs power line communication within a range blocked by a PLC filter connected to the power line. A communication method for a communication device,
A wireless communication process for performing wireless communication with an external device;
A power line communication step of performing power line communication with the external device via a power line for supplying power to the communication device and receiving information on the external device;
An authentication step for performing authentication related to communication with the external device in the wireless communication step using authentication information for communicating in the wireless communication step with the external device based on the information received in the power line communication step; ,
After the authentication in the authentication step, the communication in the wireless communication step is started. After the communication in the wireless communication step is started, the authentication information is received by the wireless communication step, and the authentication information is received by the power line communication step. If any of the authentication using the authentication information received in the wireless communication process and the authentication using the authentication information received in the power line communication process fails, communication by the wireless communication process is stopped. And a control process for controlling the communication method. A program to be executed by a computer in a communication device,
A wireless communication process for performing wireless communication with an external device;
A power line communication step of performing power line communication with the external device via a power line for supplying power to the communication device and receiving information on the external device;
An authentication step for performing authentication related to communication with the external device in the wireless communication step using authentication information for communicating in the wireless communication step with the external device based on the information received in the power line communication step; ,
After the authentication in the authentication step, the communication in the wireless communication step is started. After the communication in the wireless communication step is started, the authentication information is received by the wireless communication step, and the authentication information is received by the power line communication step. If any of the authentication using the authentication information received in the wireless communication process and the authentication using the authentication information received in the power line communication process fails, communication by the wireless communication process is stopped. A computer program that causes a computer to execute a control process for controlling the computer program.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 7.

Images