JP5459305B2 - Control device, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless local area network (LAN) system in which a plurality of client devices are connected via an access point.

  In recent years, the construction of networks using wireless LANs has become popular. In particular, technical standard specifications for wireless LAN interconnection, such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, and IEEE802.11g, have been established one after another, and products that conform to them have been supplied from each manufacturer. The fact that wireless connection can be easily and inexpensively realized at a practical speed has spurred the spread.

  When constructing a network using a wireless LAN, a standard for connection is selected, and a network-specific ID called a network name and information for data encryption called a network key are provided. Is set.

  Of course, wireless LAN devices of the same standard can be connected to each other, but cannot communicate with each other because there is no compatibility between IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11g. IEEE802.11g has a compatibility mode for IEEE802.11b, and can communicate with each other only in the compatibility mode.

  If the network name is not the same, the device cannot be connected to the network.

  The network key is used to encrypt data exchanged between terminals connected by the same network name. By encrypting the data, the contents of the exchanged data can be made unknown even though the connection itself is made. Since it is effective in terms of security, it is recommended to set a network key. As the length of the character used as the network key, 64 bits, 128 bits, 152 bits, etc. can be set. In addition, a maximum of four keys are stored, and unless all the information about which number key is used is the same, the encryption cannot be decrypted.

  Thus, in order to connect a wireless LAN device, various parameters need to be the same. About the setting method for changing this parameter, since it has the character that a connection will be cut | disconnected at the time of a setting change, it has been performed by one of the following methods until now.

  In the first method, after setting a wireless LAN access point (also referred to as a wireless LAN station), settings of client devices (personal computers) in the network are manually changed one by one. The wireless LAN access point is a device that includes a wireless LAN interface and a wired LAN interface and has a relay function for communication between wireless LAN terminals and a relay function for communication between the wireless LAN terminal and the wired LAN terminal. is there.

  In the second method, setting software is activated from the client device. Then, the setting of the client device and the setting of the access point are executed in synchronization. However, since other client apparatuses do not change the settings synchronously, it is necessary to change the settings manually.

  Since there are many setting items, it takes a lot of time to manually set all the settings of the wireless LAN device to be connected to the network. If all the client devices in the network can be set at the same time, the setting time is considerably reduced. However, such a technique is not currently provided.

  In addition, as a prior art document relating to wireless LAN setting, the following Patent Document 1 describes a function as an access point for a device to be added in order to connect a device not equipped with abundant input interfaces to the wireless LAN. The technology to be added is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 below quickly and reliably establishes re-synchronization when frequency synchronization in frequency hopping control is once unestablished in a wireless LAN using a frequency hopping spread spectrum wireless transceiver. The technology is disclosed.

JP 2003-143156 A JP-A-8-181681

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to input a wireless network wireless communication control device and all of the wireless network settings only by inputting information about a new wireless network setting from one client device. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless network system in which wireless network settings in a client device are changed synchronously.

In order to achieve the above object, a setting change instruction unit for transmitting a setting change instruction including a change content to the wireless device based on a wireless network setting change request, and the wireless network setting content in the control device by the change content A control device comprising a setting content update unit to be updated, a setting change time, and a setting change history management unit that manages setting change history information in the wireless device at the setting change time as setting change history information. Provided.

A method of converting a setting of a wireless network connecting the control device and the wireless device , wherein the control device (a) sets a change change instruction including a change content to the wireless device based on a setting change request of the wireless network. (B) updating the wireless network setting content in the control device with the change content, (c) setting change time, and success or failure of setting change in the wireless device at the setting change time. Are managed as setting change history information .

And (a) transmitting a setting change instruction including the change contents to the wireless device based on the wireless network setting change request to the control device that converts the setting of the wireless network to which the wireless device is connected, and (b) The step of updating the wireless network setting content in the control device with the change content, (c) the setting change time, and the success or failure of the setting change in the wireless device at the setting change time are managed as setting change history information. And a program for executing the steps .

  In the wireless network system according to the present invention, when changing the setting of the wireless network, the settings of all the network devices connected in one setting operation are changed, so that the setting operation is reduced.

  In addition, the present invention saves the setting change history, thereby enabling a terminal that was not connected at the time of setting change to be automatically guided to the current latest setting.

  In addition, the present invention failed in setting by displaying a list of information indicating that the setting change failed with respect to a terminal whose setting was not changed because the radio wave environment was temporarily deteriorated when the setting was changed. In particular, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the user does not notice.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic concept of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless LAN system as an embodiment of a wireless network system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the client registration unit in the access point. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the registered client DB. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a setting change request. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating detailed setting content data. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit in the access point. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the setting change content notification. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the setting change instruction receiving unit in the client device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the setting change time notification. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the setting change history DB. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting change history display processing by the setting change history management unit in the access point. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a list of setting change histories. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting change retry processing by the setting change history management unit in the access point. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the registered client list display unit in the access point. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a list of registered clients.

  A wireless LAN system as an embodiment of a wireless network system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic concept of the present invention. For example, when the client device 200A requests the wireless LAN access point 100 as the wireless communication control device to change the wireless LAN setting, the wireless LAN setting in the other client devices 200B and 200C existing in the network is also performed. Based on the setting change instruction from the access point 100, it is automatically changed in cooperation. As a result, it becomes possible for the user to change the settings of the entire network with only one setting change operation.

  Also, for a client device that is turned off and not connected at the time of setting change, setting change processing is automatically executed based on the change history when an attempt is made to connect later. Hereinafter, a specific implementation method will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless LAN system as an embodiment of a wireless network system according to the present invention. This wireless LAN system includes a wireless LAN access point 100 as a wireless communication control device and a plurality of client devices 200. Each of the access point 100 and the client device 200 includes a processor, a memory, and the like, and functionally implements the components as shown in FIG.

  That is, the access point 100 includes a client registration unit 110, a wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120, an access point side setting content update unit 130, a setting change history management unit 140, a registered client list display unit 150, and a registered client database (DB) 160. And a setting change history database (DB) 170.

  Here, the client registration unit 110 executes a process of registering information regarding the client device that is permitted to be connected in the registered client DB 160 in response to an input by a user in an arbitrary client device 200.

  Further, upon receiving a setting change request from the client device 200, the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 changes the requested setting content to the access point side setting content update unit 130 and all the client devices 200. Perform the process of instructing.

  In addition, the access point side setting content update unit 130 performs a process of updating the wireless LAN setting content in the wireless LAN access point 100 in response to an instruction from the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120.

  In addition, the setting change history management unit 140 performs processing for managing the setting change time and the success or failure of the setting change for each client device on the setting change history DB 170 as setting change history information, and setting from the client device 200. In response to the change history display request, processing for displaying the setting change history list is performed.

  Also, the registered client list display unit 150 receives a registered client list display request from the client device 200, and based on information stored in the registered client DB 160 and the setting change history DB 170, the current connection state and the latest A process of displaying a registered client list indicating the result of the setting change is performed.

  On the other hand, each client device 200 includes a setting change instruction receiving unit 210 and a client device side setting content updating unit 220. Here, the setting change instruction reception unit 210 performs a process of receiving a setting change instruction from the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 in the access point 100. Further, the client device side setting content update unit 220 performs processing for updating the wireless LAN setting content in the client device 200 based on the setting change instruction received by the setting change instruction receiving unit 210.

  Hereinafter, an outline of processing in each unit will be described. First, client device registration processing will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of client registration processing by the client registration unit 110 in the access point 100. When a new client device is connected to the network, it is necessary to register the client device at the access point. This registration process is realized by the client registration unit 110 in the access point 100 storing client device information in the registered client DB 160 based on a user input operation in an arbitrary client device 200. Note that a MAC (Media Access Control) address, which is a physical address unique to a network device, is used as information for identifying the client device.

  First, in step 302, the client registration unit 110 acquires the MAC address of the client device to be registered based on an input operation by the user. Next, in step 304, the client registration unit 110 acquires the client name by prompting the user to input the client name. In the final step 306, the client registration unit 110 stores the acquired information in the registration client DB 160.

  The data structure of the registered client DB 160 constructed by such client registration processing is illustrated in FIG. As shown in the figure, the registered client DB 160 stores ID (Identifier), client name, and MAC address items as many as the number of client devices. The ID is uniquely assigned for management at the access point 100.

  Next, processing for changing the setting of the wireless LAN will be described. This processing is started when a setting change request is transmitted from any client device 200 to the access point 100 and the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 in the access point 100 is activated.

  The data structure of such a setting change request is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the setting change request includes a header indicating that it is a setting change request and setting content detailed data for specifying the content of the setting to be newly adopted. The detailed setting content data includes a network name, an encryption method, a network key, and a key number, as shown in FIG.

  The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a procedure of processing executed by the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 in response to such a setting change request. First, in step 402, a list of registered clients is extracted from the registered client DB 160 (FIG. 4).

  Next, in step 404, a setting change content notification is transmitted to all the client devices 200 based on the extracted registered client list. The data structure of such a setting change content notification is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the setting change content notification includes a header indicating that it is a setting change content notification and setting content detailed data for specifying the content of the setting to be newly adopted. The detailed setting data is the same as that shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the processing procedure by the setting change instruction receiving unit 210 in the client device 200 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the figure, the setting change instruction receiving unit 210 first receives the above-described setting change content notification (FIG. 8) transmitted from the access point 100 in step 502. Next, in step 504, a response indicating that the setting change content notification has been received is transmitted to the access point 100.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 in the access point 100 proceeds to step 406 after executing step 404 described above. In step 406, a response from the client device 200 is awaited. In the next step 408, it is determined whether or not the above-described response has been received from all the client apparatuses. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step 414, whereas if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step 410. .

  In step 410, it is determined whether or not a predetermined response waiting time has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step 406, but if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 412. In step 412, the client device that has not responded is recorded in the memory, and the process proceeds to step 414.

  In step 414 executed after step 408 or 412, a setting change time notification is transmitted to all client apparatuses 200 that have responded. The data structure of such a setting change time notification is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the setting change time notification includes a header indicating that it is a setting change time notification and setting change date / time data that should reflect the contents of the new setting that has already been transmitted.

  On the other hand, the setting change instruction receiving unit 210 in the client device 200 proceeds to step 506 after executing step 504 in FIG. In step 506, a setting change time notification from the access point 100 is awaited. In the next step 508, it is determined whether or not a setting change time notification has been received from the access point 100. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step 510. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step 506. .

  In step 510, the setting change instruction receiving unit 210 activates the client device side setting content updating unit 220, and the activated client device side setting content updating unit 220 sets the setting change date and time designated in the setting change time notification, Based on the setting content specified in the setting change content notification, processing for updating the wireless LAN setting content in the client device 200 is performed. This completes the setting content change process on the client device side.

  Returning again to FIG. 7, the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 in the access point 100 proceeds to step 416 after executing the above-described step 414. In step 416, the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 activates the access point side setting content update unit 130, and the activated access point side setting content update unit 130 sets the setting change date and time designated in the setting change time notification. Then, the wireless LAN setting contents in the access point 100 are updated based on the setting contents designated by the setting change contents notification. Thus, in principle, all wireless LAN settings in the network are changed simultaneously.

  In the final step 418, the wireless LAN setting change instruction unit 120 reports the result of the current setting change to the setting change history management unit 140. Upon receiving the report, the setting change history management unit 140 performs processing for reflecting the setting change time and the success or failure of the setting change in each client device on the setting change history DB 170 as setting change history information.

  An example of the data structure of the setting change history DB 170 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the setting change history DB 170 changes the items of history ID, setting change date, network name, encryption method, network key, key number, successful client name, and failed client name. Remember every time.

  The setting change history management unit 140 also performs processing for displaying a list display screen of setting change history information on a display device of an arbitrary client device. The procedure of such setting change history display processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This process is activated based on a user input operation in an arbitrary client device 200.

  First, in step 602, a list of registered clients is extracted from the registered client DB 160 (FIG. 4). Next, in step 604, setting change history information for all client devices is extracted from the setting change history DB 170 (FIG. 11). Finally, in step 606, a list of setting change histories is displayed on the display device of the client device 200 based on the extracted information.

  An example of the displayed setting change history list is shown in FIG. As illustrated in the figure, the setting change history list includes a date and time of setting change for the past predetermined number of times, and a display indicating whether the setting change of each client device was successful or failed at the time of each setting change. .

  In the setting change history list shown in FIG. 13, a setting change button is displayed in association with the client name of a client device that has failed to change the setting. When the user presses the button, the setting is automatically changed to the current latest setting content.

  In the example of FIG. 13, when the setting change button of the terminal “Fall” is pressed, the latest information during the successful setting change in the history (in this example, the contents of the previous setting change) is acquired from the setting history DB 170. Then, the setting on the access point side is temporarily changed to the content, and connection with the terminal “Fall” is attempted.

  The procedure of such setting change retry processing by the setting change history management unit 140 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 702, it is detected that the setting change button has been pressed on the setting change history list display screen. Next, in step 704, the last successful setting change is searched for the client related to the pressed setting change button, and the setting on the access point side is returned to the setting content.

  Next, in step 706, the connection state with the client apparatus is confirmed, and in step 708, it is determined whether or not the connection is successful. If the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step 710, and setting change processing is performed so that the setting of the client is also updated to the latest setting contents on the network. This process is the same as the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the connection fails, the process proceeds to step 712, and an error message to that effect is displayed.

  With this setting change retry process, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of setting a client device that was not connected at the time of the original setting change or a client device that failed to change the setting when connecting later.

  In the present embodiment, the access point 100 is provided with a registered client list display unit 150 (FIG. 2) so that the registered clients can be displayed as a list. The processing procedure by the registered client list display unit 150 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This process is activated based on a user input operation in an arbitrary client device 200.

  First, in step 802, a registered client is extracted from the registered client DB 160 (FIG. 4). Next, in step 804, a list of all clients is created. Then, in the next step 806, it is checked for each client whether it is in a connected state or in a disconnected state, and the result is displayed in the corresponding column of the list.

  Next, at step 808, the last setting change result is extracted for all clients from the setting change history DB 170 (FIG. 11). In step 810, it is determined whether or not there is a client that has failed in the last setting change. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step 812 to indicate that failure in the corresponding column of the list. To do.

  An example of the registered client list displayed on the screen by the processing of the registered client list display unit 150 is shown in FIG. According to this illustrated registered client list, the client device “Spring” has succeeded in the last setting change and is still in a connected state. In addition, the client device “Summer” has succeeded in the last setting change, but is currently in a power-off state and is not connected. Further, the client device “Fall” has failed in the last setting change, and as a result, the client device “Fall” is currently in a disconnected state due to a setting mismatch.

  By displaying the registered client list in this way, it is easy to confirm the success or failure of the setting change for all client devices. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the user does not notice that the setting has failed.

Claims (17)

A setting change instruction unit that transmits a setting change instruction including the change contents to the wireless device based on the setting change request of the wireless network;
A setting content update unit for updating the wireless network setting content in the control device with the change content;
A setting change history management unit that manages setting change time and success / failure of setting change in the wireless device at the setting change time as setting change history information;
A control device comprising:   The change instruction by the setting change instruction unit is first performed by transmitting a setting change time notification after transmitting a setting change content notification and waiting for a response from the wireless device or for a predetermined time to elapse. The control device according to claim 1. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting change history management unit includes setting change history display means for displaying a list of setting change history information on a display device. The setting change history management unit includes a setting change retry unit that executes a setting change process for a wireless device that has failed to change a setting in response to an input operation on a display screen of the setting change history information list. Item 4. The control device according to Item 3 . The setting change retry unit executes a setting change process after returning the wireless network settings in the control unit to fit the content to the wireless network settings in the wireless device fails to set change, according to claim 4 Control device. The control device further comprises:
A registered wireless device list display unit for displaying a registered wireless device list indicating a current connection state and a last setting change result on the wireless device,
The control device according to claim 1, comprising:   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting change instruction unit transmits a setting change instruction to a plurality of wireless devices based on a wireless network setting change request from one wireless device. A method for converting a setting of a wireless network connecting a control device and a wireless device, the control device comprising:
(A) transmitting a setting change instruction including the change contents to the wireless device based on the wireless network setting change request;
(B) updating the wireless network setting content in the control device with the changed content;
(C) managing the setting change time and the success or failure of the setting change in the wireless device at the setting change time as setting change history information;
How to run. The step (a) is performed by first transmitting a setting change content notification, and then waiting for a response from the wireless device or a predetermined time to elapse, and then transmitting a setting change time notification. 9. The method according to 8 . Step (c)
(D) displaying a list of setting change history information on a display device;
The method of claim 8 , wherein: Step (c)
(E) executing a setting change process for a wireless device that has failed to change the setting in response to an input operation on the display screen of the setting change history information list;
The method of claim 10 , wherein: The method according to claim 11 , wherein step (e) executes the setting change process after returning the wireless network setting contents in the control device to contents that match the wireless network setting contents in the wireless device that failed to change the settings. . The control device further includes:
(F) displaying a registered wireless device list indicating a current connection state and a last setting change result on the wireless device on a display device;
The method of claim 8 , wherein: 9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein step (a) transmits a setting change instruction to a plurality of wireless devices based on a wireless network setting change request from one wireless device. To the control device that converts the setting of the wireless network to which the wireless device is connected,
(A) transmitting a setting change instruction including the change contents to the wireless device based on the wireless network setting change request;
(B) updating the wireless network setting content in the control device with the changed content;
(C) managing the setting change time and the success or failure of the setting change in the wireless device at the setting change time as setting change history information;
A program for running Step (c)
(D) displaying a list of setting change history information on a display device;
The program according to claim 15 . Step (c)
(E) executing a setting change process for a wireless device that has failed to change the setting in response to an input operation on the display screen of the setting change history information list;
The program according to claim 16 .

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