JP5595474B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that performs communication parameter setting processing, a method for controlling the communication device, and a computer program.

  When using an IEEE802.11 compliant wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as wireless LAN), the user needs to set wireless parameters such as network identifier (ESSID), frequency channel, encryption method, encryption key, authentication method, and authentication key. . Since these setting operations are complicated, a method for automatically setting wireless parameters between apparatuses has been proposed. For example, a method of transferring wireless parameter settings between an access point (relay station) and a station (terminal station) from the access point to the station by a simple operation is actually realized as a product.

  Recently, the establishment of a standard for a wireless parameter automatic setting method called WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) has been completed by an organization called Wi-Fi Alliance and has already been installed in several products.

  In WPS, wireless parameters are provided from the Registrar to the Enrollee using a special protocol for wireless parameter setting processing (referred to as a Registration protocol). Here, Registrar is a device that manages wireless parameters and provides wireless parameters to Enrollee. Enrollee is a device that accepts wireless parameters provided by Registrar.

  Communication between the Registrar and the Enrollee in the Registration Protocol is performed using an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) packet. An EAP packet is a packet that can be communicated between Registrar and Enrollee without encryption or authentication.

  As an example, a case will be described in which wireless parameters are provided from an access point operating as a Registrar to a station operating as an Enrollee. First, the station searches for a network formed by the access point and temporarily joins the network. At this time, the ESSID and the frequency channel in the access point and the station match, but the encryption key, the authentication key, etc. do not match, so data communication using encryption and authentication cannot be performed.

  The access point and the station provide wireless parameters from the access point to the station by transmitting and receiving messages using EAP packets according to the Registration protocol. The station operating as Enrollee newly sets the provided wireless parameter. As a result, data communication using encryption and authentication can be performed between the access point and the station.

  In WPS, only the setting method in the infrastructure mode of the wireless LAN is specified, and the setting method in the ad hoc mode is not specified. The infrastructure mode is a method of performing wireless communication between stations via an access point, and the ad hoc mode is a method of performing direct wireless communication between stations without using an access point.

  Recently, opportunities for wireless communication using an ad hoc mode such as communication between digital cameras equipped with a wireless LAN function, communication between game machines, and the like are increasing. In the future, WPS may be applied to the ad hoc mode. Conceivable. Some simple methods for setting wireless parameters in the ad hoc mode have also been proposed (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-359623 A JP 2006-31138 A

  The WPS Registration protocol is a protocol executed between two devices, and the Registration protocol is not executed simultaneously between three or more devices.

  On the other hand, a situation where three or more devices perform wireless communication with each other in the ad hoc mode, such as when playing a battle game using a game machine, is assumed. Therefore, when applying WPS to the ad hoc mode, it is necessary to incorporate a control algorithm that can be used even when WPS is activated simultaneously by three or more devices.

  For example, after forming a wireless parameter setting network with three devices A to C, a new registration protocol start request is received from device C while device A is executing the registration protocol with device B. And In this case, the Registration protocol between the devices C and A is not started. If the registration protocol is not started even after a lapse of a certain time since the registration start request is transmitted, the device C may retransmit the start request.

  However, since the device C does not know when the registration protocol between the device A and the device B is finished, even if the start request is retransmitted, the registration protocol between the device A and the device B may not be finished yet. . As a result, it is conceivable that a timeout of the wireless parameter setting process by WPS occurs in the device C.

  It is also conceivable that the devices A and B form a new network using the set wireless parameters after the end of the registration protocol. In this case, when the device C retransmits the registration protocol start request, the devices A and B have already left the wireless parameter setting network, and the start request is not received.

  In such a case, in order to resume the wireless parameter setting to the device C, the user must give an instruction to start WPS again, which impairs the operability of the user.

  The above problem is not limited to wireless parameters, and may occur even for communication parameters such as wired that need to be set for communication between devices.

  An object of this invention is to solve the problem which may occur when the operation | movement for performing a communication parameter setting process is started.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a first communication device according to the present invention includes execution means for executing a predetermined protocol for sharing communication parameters for performing wireless communication, the first communication device, and the second communication device. and when said running the predetermined protocol, transmitting means for transmitting a signal for limiting a connection of the predetermined protocol to the first communication device to perform possible third communication device between, Notification means for notifying the third communication apparatus of information indicating a channel for executing the predetermined protocol, and the execution means is configured to communicate with the third communication apparatus in the channel notified by the notification means. The following protocol is executed.

  According to the present invention, communication parameter setting processing can be performed efficiently.

System Configuration Block diagram of DSC1, DSC2, DSC3 Flowchart of providing device in embodiment 1 Flow chart of receiving apparatus in embodiment 1 Sequence diagram of Embodiment 1 Flowchart of providing apparatus in embodiment 2 Flow chart of receiving apparatus in embodiment 2 Sequence diagram of embodiment 2

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in the present embodiment.

  The digital camera 101 (hereinafter referred to as DSC1), the digital camera 102 (hereinafter referred to as DSC2), and the digital camera 103 (hereinafter referred to as DSC3) have a wireless communication function of a wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as wireless LAN) conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard series. Yes.

  DSC1, DSC2, and DSC3 can configure a wireless LAN ad hoc mode network (ad hoc network), and have a common wireless parameter automatic setting application. When the wireless parameter automatic setting application is activated, wireless parameter setting processing can be performed by the setting information notification protocol in the ad hoc network.

  Here, the setting information notification protocol in the present embodiment is a simplified representation of each message in the Registration protocol. Therefore, if the ESSID (network identifier) matches the frequency channel, various messages can be transmitted and received by the setting information notification protocol without encryption and authentication. The setting information notification protocol is executed between two devices in the same ad hoc network, and the setting information notification protocol cannot be executed simultaneously between three or more devices.

  Also, wireless parameters set by the setting information notification protocol include ESSID, frequency channel, encryption method, encryption key, authentication method, authentication key, and the like. The network that performs wireless parameter setting processing by the setting information notification protocol and the network that performs data communication after wireless parameter setting can be the same or different networks.

  DSC1, DSC2, and DSC3 have a function of determining a role in wireless parameter setting processing based on a predetermined algorithm (hereinafter referred to as role determination algorithm) when the wireless parameter automatic setting application is activated. The roles in the wireless parameter setting process include a providing device that provides wireless parameters by a setting information notification protocol and a receiving device that receives the provided wireless parameters. Here, it is assumed that DSC1 is determined as the providing device and DSC2 and DSC3 are determined as the receiving devices based on the role determination algorithm.

  Next, the configuration of DSC1, DSC2, and DSC3 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes the entire apparatus. 202 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication, and 203 is a communication control unit that controls the communication unit. Reference numeral 204 denotes a timer unit that performs timer processing. A display unit 205 performs various displays.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a wireless parameter setting processing unit that performs wireless parameter setting processing using a setting information notification protocol. Transmission / reception of various messages such as a protocol start request, a protocol start message, and a protocol end message, which will be described later, is performed under the control of the wireless parameter setting processing unit 206.

  A determination unit 207 performs various determination processes in each flow described below. A storage unit 208 stores wireless parameters and the like. An apparatus control unit 209 controls the operation of the entire apparatus.

  The processing procedure of DSC 1 as the providing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flow is started when the role of the wireless parameter setting process is determined by the providing device by the above-described role determination algorithm. Further, the processing of this flow is executed for each of the receiving devices (DSC2, DSC3).

  The DSC 1 waits for a protocol start request transmitted from the receiving device (F301). Here, the protocol start request is a message used by the receiving apparatus to request the providing apparatus to start the setting information notification protocol. Here, it is assumed that DSC2 transmits a protocol start request first, and DSC3 transmits a protocol start request thereafter.

  When DSC1 receives the protocol start request from DSC2, DSC1 determines whether the setting information notification protocol is already being executed with another receiving device (F302).

  If the setting information notification protocol is not being executed with another receiving apparatus, a protocol start message is transmitted to DSC 2 (F314). Here, the protocol start message is a message for the providing apparatus to notify the receiving apparatus of the start of the setting information notification protocol.

  After transmitting the protocol start message, the DSC 1 transmits and receives various messages to and from the DSC 2 using the setting information notification protocol, thereby providing wireless parameters to the DSC 2 (F315).

  In F302, when the setting information notification protocol is being executed with another receiving apparatus (in this example, DSC1 receives a protocol start request from DSC3 while executing DSC2 and the setting information notification protocol), F303 move on. The DSC 1 stores the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the DSC 3 that has transmitted the protocol start request later in the storage unit 208 (F303). At this time, the MAC address is saved in a list in the storage unit 208 by FIFO (First-In First-Out).

  Next, the DSC 1 extracts network information (ESSID, frequency channel, etc.) of the network that executes the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 3 (F304). That is, the ESSID and the frequency channel are extracted from the wireless parameters provided to the DSC 2 by the setting information notification protocol being executed.

  For example, if the network that is executing the setting information notification protocol with DSC 2 (the network to which DSC 1 currently belongs) and the network that performs data communication after wireless parameter setting are different, the network information of the network that performs the data communication is displayed. Extract.

  In addition, when the network that is executing the setting information notification protocol with DSC 2 (the network to which DSC 1 currently belongs) and the network that performs data communication after setting the wireless parameters are the same, the network information of the network that currently belongs To extract.

  Next, DSC1 transmits a standby signal to which the extracted network information is added to the DSC3 apparatus (F305), and waits until the MAC address of DSC3 comes to the top of the list in the storage unit 208 (F306).

  When the MAC address of DSC 3 comes to the top of the list in the storage unit 208, the DSC 1 determines whether or not the currently executed setting information notification protocol has ended (F307). When the setting information notification protocol being executed is terminated, the DSC 1 determines whether or not to perform network switching (F308). The case where the network is switched is a case where the network that is executing the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 2 (the network to which the DSC 1 currently belongs) is different from the network that performs data communication after the wireless parameter setting. The case where network switching is not performed is a case where the network that is executing the setting information notification protocol with DSC 2 (the network to which DSC 1 currently belongs) and the network that performs data communication after setting the wireless parameters are the same. is there.

  If the network is not switched, DSC1 transmits a protocol start message to DSC3 (F311).

  When switching the network, the DSC 1 waits until the communication control unit 203 finishes the network switching process (F309). When the network switching process ends, the DSC 1 waits until DSC 3 is detected in the network after the change (F310). As a detection method, there is a method of detecting by receiving a notification signal (beacon) transmitted by the DSC 3 or a search request (probe request) transmitted by the DSC 3. When DSC3 is detected in the changed network, DSC1 transmits a protocol start message to DSC3 (F311). Then, the DSC 1 provides wireless parameters to the DSC 3 by transmitting and receiving various messages to and from the DSC 3 using the setting information notification protocol (F312). Thereafter, DSC1 deletes the MAC address of DSC3 from the list of the storage unit 208 (F313). If the MAC address of the receiving device for which provision of wireless parameters has not been completed remains in the list of the storage unit 208, the process returns to F306 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Next, the processing procedure of DSC2 and DSC3 which are receiving apparatuses will be described using the flowchart of FIG. This flow is started when the role in the wireless parameter setting process is determined by the receiving device by the above-described role determination algorithm. However, there is a case where this flow is started after a predetermined time has elapsed since the receiving apparatus is determined.

  The receiving apparatuses DSC2 and DSC3 transmit a protocol start request to the providing apparatus DSC1 (F401). Thereafter, DSC2 and DSC3 wait for reception of a protocol start message or standby signal from DSC1 (F402, F403). As described above, here, it is assumed that the DSC 2 transmits the protocol start request first, and the DSC 3 transmits the protocol start request later.

  When the protocol start message is received (DSC2 corresponds here), DSC2 starts the setting information notification protocol with DSC1 (F410). The DSC 2 receives wireless parameters from the DSC 1 by transmitting and receiving various messages to and from the DSC 1 using the setting information notification protocol.

  When the standby signal is received (DSC3 corresponds here), the DSC3 refers to the network information added to the standby signal to determine the network that executes the setting information notification protocol with the DSC1. Then, the DSC 3 compares the network information added to the standby signal with the network information of the network to which the DSC 3 currently belongs (F404).

  If the two pieces of network information are the same as a result of the comparison, it is determined that the setting information notification protocol is to be performed in the network to which DSC 3 currently belongs, and a protocol start message is received from DSC 1 (F409).

  As a result of the comparison, if the two pieces of network information are different, the DSC 3 determines to perform the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 1 on the network defined by the network information added to the standby signal. Then, the DSC 3 executes a network search process that matches the network information added to the standby signal (F406, F407). As a search method, there are a method of monitoring transmission of a broadcast signal including the network information, a method of transmitting a search request including the network information, and monitoring a response to the search request. .

  If the network determined by the network information is found as a result of the search, the DSC 3 joins the found network (F408) and waits to receive a protocol start message from the DSC 1 (F409).

  When the protocol start message is received, the DSC 3 starts the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 1 (F410), and acquires the radio parameter.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing sequence of DSC1, DSC2, and DSC3.

  In DSC1, when the wireless parameter automatic setting application is activated by a user operation or the like, DSC1 generates network A (F501). Similarly, when the wireless parameter automatic setting application is activated by a user operation or the like in DSC2, DSC2 generates network B (F502).

  Here, DSC1 and DSC2 perform a network search process and determine their roles according to the above-described role determination algorithm (F503). Here, DSC1 is determined as the providing device and DSC2 is the receiving device, and DSC2 determined as the receiving device joins network A to which DSC1 as the providing device belongs (F505).

  Note that the network generated after the start of the wireless parameter automatic setting application is a network for performing wireless parameter setting processing, and no common encryption key, authentication key, or the like is set in DSC1 and DSC2. Therefore, DSC 2 is in a state where it cannot communicate with DSC 1 except for a predetermined signal (such as a notification signal or a setting information notification protocol message) in network A, and data communication using encryption and authentication cannot be performed.

  Next, when the wireless parameter automatic setting application is activated in the DSC 3 by a user operation or the like, the DSC 3 generates a network C (F504). DSC1 and DSC3 perform network search processing with each other and determine their roles according to the above-described role determination algorithm (F506). Here, DSC1 remains the providing device, and DSC3 becomes the receiving device. The DSC 3 determined as the accepting device joins the network A to which the providing device DSC 1 belongs (F507).

  At this time, DSC 3 is in a state where it cannot communicate with DSC 1 other than signals (informing signals, messages of setting information notification protocol, etc.) determined in advance in network A, and data communication using encryption and authentication cannot be performed.

  The DSC 2 determined as the receiving apparatus transmits a protocol start request to the DSC 1 in order to start the setting information notification protocol (F508). When DSC1 receives the protocol start request from DSC2, DSC1 transmits a protocol start message to DSC2 (F509).

  When DSC2 receives the protocol start message, DSC2 transmits / receives a protocol message to / from DSC1 according to the setting information notification protocol (F510). A protocol message is a message transmitted and received between a receiving device and a providing device. By transmitting and receiving protocol messages between the providing device and the receiving device, exchange of random numbers necessary for encryption / decryption, information necessary for mutual device authentication, provision of wireless parameters, and the like are performed.

  DSC1 provides wireless parameters of network D to DSC2 by a setting information notification protocol. That is, here, the network that performs the wireless parameter setting process is different from the network that performs data communication after the setting.

  Similarly, the DSC 3 determined as the receiving apparatus transmits a protocol start request to the DSC 1 in order to start the setting information notification protocol (F511).

  When the DSC 1 receives a protocol start request from the DSC 3 while executing the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 2, the DSC 1 extracts the network information of the network that executes the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 3. In this case, the DSC 1 is scheduled to provide the wireless parameters of the network D to the DSC 2 by executing the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 2 and to generate the network D after the protocol ends. Therefore, DSC 1 extracts network information of network D.

  When the DSC 1 extracts the network information of the network D, the DSC 1 adds the network information to the standby signal and transmits it to the DSC 3 (F512).

  When the DSC 3 receives the standby signal, the DSC 3 refers to the added network information and determines the network that executes the setting information notification protocol with the DSC 1. Since the added network information is information of the network D, it is different from the network A to which the DSC 3 belongs. Therefore, the DSC 3 determines that the setting information notification protocol is to be performed in the network D, and periodically performs a search process for the network D until the network D is found (F516).

  When the setting information notification protocol with DSC2 ends, DSC1 transmits a protocol end message to DSC2, and newly generates a network D using the wireless parameters provided to DSC2 (F514). The protocol end message is a message in which the providing device notifies the receiving device that the setting information notification protocol has ended.

  When DSC2 receives the protocol end message, DSC2 joins network D using the wireless parameters received from DSC1 by the setting information notification protocol (F515). At this time, since DSC2 has the same encryption key and authentication key as DSC1, data communication using encryption and authentication can be performed.

  When the DSC 3 detects the network D by the network search process (F516), it joins the detected network D (F517).

  At this time, in the network D, the DSC 3 is in a state where it cannot communicate with the DSC 1 other than a predetermined signal (notification signal, setting information notification protocol message, etc.), and normal data communication using encryption and authentication is not possible. Can not.

  The DSC 3 transmits a notification signal after joining the network D (F518). In addition, although DSC1 and DSC2 also transmit an alerting signal alternately, it is abbreviate | omitting in FIG.

  When DSC1 receives the notification signal transmitted by DSC3, DSC1 recognizes that DSC3 has joined the network D, and transmits a protocol start message to DSC3 (F519).

  When the DSC 3 receives the protocol start message, the DSC 3 transmits / receives a protocol message to / from the DSC 1 according to the setting information notification protocol (F520). The DSC 1 provides the wireless parameters of the network D to the DSC 3 by the setting information notification protocol. When the setting information notification protocol with DSC3 ends, DSC1 transmits a protocol end message to DSC3 (F521).

  When the DSC 3 receives the protocol end message, it rejoins the network D using the wireless parameter received from the DSC 1 by the setting information notification protocol (F522). At this time, since the DSC 3 is set with an encryption key, an authentication key, and the like that are common to the DSC 1 and DSC 2, data communication using encryption and authentication can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the setting information notification protocol can be sequentially executed even when the providing apparatus receives a setting information notification protocol start request from a plurality of receiving apparatuses. Therefore, it is possible to prevent timeout of the wireless parameter setting process and to save the user from starting the wireless parameter automatic setting application many times, thereby improving user operability.

  Also, another receiving device that has transmitted a protocol start request while the providing device is executing the setting information notification protocol with one receiving device does not need to retransmit the start request, and the protocol start message is sent from the providing device. You just have to wait for transmission.

  Further, even when the providing apparatus executes the setting information notification protocol with one receiving apparatus and then shifts to another network, the other receiving apparatus can recognize the transferred network. . Therefore, the setting information notification protocol can be executed again in the migrated network.

<Embodiment 2>
Embodiment 2 will be described. Since the system configuration and the block configuration of the DSC are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), description thereof is omitted.

  The processing procedure of DSC 1 as the providing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As in the first embodiment, it is assumed that DSC 2 transmits a protocol start request first and DSC 3 transmits a protocol start request thereafter.

  The DSC 1 waits for a protocol start request transmitted from the receiving device (F601). When DSC1 receives the protocol start request from DSC2, DSC1 determines whether or not the setting information notification protocol is already being executed with another receiving apparatus (F602).

  If the setting information notification protocol is not being executed with another receiving apparatus, a protocol start message is transmitted to DSC 2 (F617).

  After sending the protocol start message, the DSC 1 sends and receives various messages to and from the DSC 2 using the setting information notification protocol, thereby providing wireless parameters to the DSC 2 (F618).

  In F602, when the setting information notification protocol is being executed with another receiving device (in this example, when DSC1 receives a protocol start request from DSC3 while executing the setting information notification protocol with DSC2), F603 move on. The DSC 1 stores the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the DSC 3 that has transmitted the protocol start request later in the storage unit 208 (F603). At this time, the MAC address is saved in a list in the storage unit 208 by FIFO (First-In First-Out). Next, the DSC 1 extracts the network information (ESSID, frequency channel) of the network for which the setting information notification protocol is newly performed after the setting information notification protocol currently being executed with the DSC 2 is completed, and confirms the standby information. (F605). Here, the standby information is information for the receiving device to determine the standby time until the setting information notification protocol starts. For example, information such as the standby number of receiving apparatuses, processing time of a setting information notification protocol, and processing capacity of a providing apparatus.

  The DSC 1 transmits a standby signal added with the extracted network information and standby information to the DSC 3 (F606). Note that the waiting time may be calculated on the DSC 1 side that is the providing apparatus and transmitted to the DSC 3 as the waiting information. The DSC 1 waits until the MAC address of the DSC 3 comes to the top of the list in the storage unit 208 or receives a stop signal (F607, F608).

  When the stop signal is received from the DSC 3, the DSC 1 deletes the MAC address of the DSC 3 from the list in the storage unit 208 (F616) and ends the flow.

  When the MAC address of DSC3 comes to the top of the list of the storage unit 208, DSC1 waits for the setting information notification protocol currently being executed with DSC2 to end or to receive a stop signal (F609, F610). ).

  When the stop signal is received from the DSC 3, the DSC 1 deletes the MAC address of the DSC 3 from the list in the storage unit 208 (F616) and ends the flow.

  If the setting information notification protocol being executed is terminated, the process proceeds to F611. Note that the processing from F611 to F615 is the same as the processing from F308 to F312 in FIG. 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Processing procedures of DSC2 and DSC3 which are receiving apparatuses will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As described above, here, it is assumed that the DSC 2 transmits the protocol start request first, and the DSC 3 transmits the protocol start request later.

  The receiving apparatuses DSC2 and DSC3 transmit a protocol start request to the providing apparatus DSC1 (F701). After that, DSC2 and DSC3 wait to receive a protocol start message or a standby signal from DSC1 (F702, F703).

  When the protocol start message is received (DSC2 corresponds here), DSC2 starts the setting information notification protocol with DSC1 (FF711). The DSC 2 receives wireless parameters from the DSC 1 by transmitting and receiving various messages to and from the DSC 1 using the setting information notification protocol (F712).

  When the standby signal is received (DSC3 corresponds here), the DSC3 refers to the standby information added to the standby signal and compares it with the stop reference value (F704). Here, the cancellation reference value is a value that defines a criterion for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus stops the wireless parameter setting process, and includes an upper limit value of the waiting time. The cancellation reference value may be set in advance in the apparatus, or may be configured so that the user can set it.

  When the wireless parameter setting process is canceled (for example, when it is determined that the standby time is longer than the upper limit value of the standby time that is the cancellation reference value), the DSC 3 transmits a cancellation signal to the DSC 1 (F713). If the wireless parameter setting process is not canceled, the process proceeds to F706.

  Since the processing of F706 to F712 is the same as the processing of F404 to F410 in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted here. In F711, the DSC 3 may switch to the power saving mode until the protocol start message is received from the DSC 1 by referring to the standby time determined based on the standby information.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing sequence of DSC1, DSC2, and DSC3. Note that the processing of F801 to F811 is the same as the processing of F501 to F511 in FIG.

  When DSC1 receives the protocol start request (F811) from DSC3 while executing the setting information notification protocol with DSC2, the network information of the network that executes the setting information notification protocol with DSC3 and the above-described standby information To extract. In this case, the DSC 1 provides wireless parameters of the network A to the DSC 2 by the setting information notification protocol, and performs data communication with the DSC 2 on the network A after the protocol ends. Therefore, DSC 1 extracts network information of network A.

  Then, DSC1 adds the extracted network information and standby information to the standby signal and transmits it to DSC3 (F812). When the DSC 3 receives the standby signal, the DSC 3 compares the added standby information with the cancellation reference value of the own device. Here, it is assumed that the value of the standby information exceeds the cancellation reference value. As a result, DSC3 transmits a stop signal to DSC1 (F813).

  When the DSC 1 receives the cancel signal, the DSC 1 deletes the MAC address of the DSC 3 from the list in the storage unit 208 and stops the wireless parameter setting process with the DSC 3.

  When the setting information notification protocol with DSC2 ends, DSC1 transmits a protocol end message to DSC2 (F814). When the DSC 2 receives the protocol end message, the DSC 2 rejoins the network A using the wireless parameter acquired by the setting information notification protocol. At this time, since DSC2 has the same encryption key and authentication key as DSC1, data communication using encryption and authentication can be performed.

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, when the apparatus waits for a long time until the start of the setting information notification protocol, the receiving apparatus can voluntarily stop the processing of the setting information notification protocol. .

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but this is an example for explaining the present invention, and the embodiment can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the above description, the ESSID and the frequency channel are used as network information. However, both the ESSID and the frequency channel are not necessarily required, and only one of them may be used.

  In addition, the receiving apparatus has been described as determining the standby time until the start of the wireless parameter setting process based on the standby information and determining whether or not to cancel, but other criteria may be used as a determination criterion regarding whether or not to cancel. May be used. For example, it may be determined whether or not to cancel based on the number of standby units. In this case, if the upper limit value of the number of standby units is determined in advance as a cancellation reference value on the receiving device side, and the cancellation is determined based on whether or not the standby number transmitted as the standby information from the providing device exceeds the cancellation reference value. Good.

  In the above description, an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN has been described as an example, but other wireless communication methods such as wireless USB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like may be applied. Further, it can be applied to wired communication such as a wired LAN.

  In addition, a recording medium on which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. This includes the case where an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is 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 instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

As described above, in the above description, a communication device that performs communication parameter setting processing executes communication parameter setting processing with the first communication device. And
The communication device detects a communication parameter setting processing start request from the second communication device while executing the communication parameter setting processing with the first communication device. When the communication device detects a communication parameter setting process start request, the communication device sends network information of a network to which the communication device belongs to the second communication device after the communication parameter setting processing with the first communication device is completed. Send. As a result, the second communication device belongs to the communication device even when the communication device shifts to another network after completing the communication parameter setting process with the first communication device. Can recognize the network.

  The network to which the communication device belongs after completion of the communication parameter setting process with the first communication device is a network that performs the communication parameter setting process with the second communication device. Thereby, even if a user does not perform special operation with respect to the said 2nd communication apparatus, a communication parameter can be set between the said communication apparatuses.

  Furthermore, the communication apparatus notifies the second communication apparatus of the start of the communication parameter setting process after the communication parameter setting process with the first communication apparatus is completed. As a result, the communication parameter setting process can be performed with the second communication device after the communication parameter with the first communication device has been set.

  The communication device also transmits information for determining a waiting time until the communication parameter setting process with the second communication device is started. Thereby, the second communication device can determine whether or not to cancel the communication parameter setting process.

  The network information includes a network identifier or a frequency channel.

  In addition, a communication device that performs communication parameter setting processing requests another communication device to start communication parameter setting processing, and receives a signal including network information as a response to the request. And the said communication apparatus discriminate | determines the network notified from the said other communication apparatus of the start of the setting process of a communication parameter based on the network information contained in the received signal. As a result, when requesting the start of the communication parameter setting process, even if the requesting device is executing the communication parameter setting process with another device, it recognizes the network on which the communication parameter setting process is subsequently performed. can do.

  In addition, when the network information included in the received signal is different from the network information of the network to which the communication device belongs, the communication device participates in a network defined by the network information included in the signal. Then, in the participating network, it waits for reception of a notification of the communication parameter setting process start. Thereby, it is possible to wait until the communication parameter setting process is performed in the participating network.

  In addition, the received signal includes information for determining a waiting time until the start of the communication parameter setting process, and the communication apparatus determines whether to stop the communication parameter setting process based on the information. Judging. Thereby, it is possible to flexibly control whether to continue or cancel the communication parameter setting process according to the standby time.

201 DSC1 (DSC2, DSC3)
202 Communication Unit 203 Communication Control Unit 204 Timekeeping Unit 205 Display Unit 206 Wireless Parameter Setting Processing Unit 207 Judgment Unit 208 Storage Unit 209 Device Control Unit

Claims (24)

A first communication device comprising:
Execution means for executing a predetermined protocol for sharing communication parameters for performing wireless communication;
When running the predetermined protocol between the first communication device and the second communication device to restrict the connection of the to the first communication device to said predetermined third communication device capable of running the protocol Transmitting means for transmitting a signal for
Notification means for notifying the third communication device of information indicating a channel for executing the predetermined protocol,
The first communication device is characterized in that the execution unit executes the predetermined protocol with the third communication device in the channel notified by the notification unit.   If the channel used for the notification by the notification means and the channel indicated by the information are different, the first communication device switches to the channel indicated by the information after performing the notification, and the third communication is performed in the channel indicated by the information. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is executed with the communication device. A detecting means for detecting a predetermined signal from the previous SL third communication device, a
3. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a signal for restricting connection to the first communication device included in a response signal to the predetermined signal. A detecting means for detecting a predetermined signal from the previous SL third communication device, a
3. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit notifies information including the channel information in a response signal to the predetermined signal.   5. The signal for restricting connection to the first communication device is a signal for waiting for execution of the predetermined protocol with the third communication device. 1st communication apparatus.   6. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is performed using an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) packet. 6.   The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined protocol is a Registration protocol.   The first communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is a Registration protocol defined by WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). From the first role that operates as a providing device that provides communication parameters in the predetermined protocol and the second role that operates as a receiving device that receives communication parameters from the providing device in the predetermined protocol, the first communication device A determination means for determining the role of
9. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination unit determines the first role, transmission by the transmission unit is performed. 9.   10. The communication parameter according to claim 1, wherein the communication parameter includes at least one of a network identifier, frequency channel information, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. 1 communication device. A communication device,
Execution means for executing a predetermined protocol for sharing communication parameters for performing wireless communication;
First receiving means for receiving, from another communication device, a signal for restricting connection to the other communication device when another communication device is executing the predetermined protocol with a device different from the communication device. When,
Second receiving means for receiving information indicating a channel for executing the predetermined protocol from the other communication device;
The communication device is characterized in that the execution means executes the predetermined protocol with the other communication device in the channel received by the second receiving means.   When the channel used to receive the information by the first receiving unit is different from the channel indicated by the information, the communication device switches to the channel indicated by the information, and the other communication device in the channel indicated by the information The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined protocol is executed.   When a signal for restricting connection to the other communication device is received by the first receiving means, the execution of the predetermined protocol is waited until the other communication device transmits a predetermined signal. The communication device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: And a transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined request signal to the previous SL other communication device,
When the other communication device receives the predetermined request signal and the other communication device is executing the predetermined protocol with a device different from the communication device, the first receiving means The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the communication apparatus receives a signal for restricting connection to the other communication apparatus included in a response signal to the signal. And a transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined request signal to the previous SL other communication device,
The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second reception unit receives information indicating the channel included in a response signal to the predetermined signal.   16. The signal for restricting connection to the other communication apparatus is a signal for waiting for execution of the predetermined protocol with the other communication apparatus. The communication apparatus as described in.   The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined protocol is performed using an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) packet. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17 , wherein the predetermined protocol is a Registration protocol.   The communication apparatus according to any one of 11 to 18, wherein the predetermined protocol is a registration protocol defined by WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). The role of the communication device from a first role that operates as a providing device that provides communication parameters in the predetermined protocol and a second role that operates as a receiving device that receives communication parameters from the providing device in the predetermined protocol The communication device according to any one of 11 to 19 , further comprising: a determining unit that determines The communication parameter is at least a network identifier, a frequency channel information, encryption method, encryption key, authentication method, according to any one of claims 11 to 2 0, characterized in that it comprises any one of the authentication key Communication device. A control method for a first communication device, comprising:
An execution step of executing a predetermined protocol for sharing communication parameters for performing wireless communication;
When running the predetermined protocol between the first communication device and the second communication device to restrict the connection of the to the first communication device to said predetermined third communication device capable of running the protocol A transmission step of transmitting a signal for
A notification step of notifying the third communication device of information indicating a channel for executing the predetermined protocol,
The method of controlling a first communication device, wherein, in the execution step, the predetermined protocol is executed with the third communication device in the channel notified by the notification means. A communication device control method comprising:
An execution step of executing a predetermined protocol for sharing communication parameters for performing wireless communication;
A first receiving step of receiving, from another communication device, a signal for restricting connection to the other communication device when another communication device is executing the predetermined protocol with a device different from the communication device; When,
A second receiving step of receiving information indicating a channel for executing the predetermined protocol from the other communication device;
In the execution step, the predetermined protocol is executed with the other communication device in the channel received in the second reception step. Program for executing the control method according to the computer to claim 2 2 or claim 2 3.

Images