JP5862652B2 - Wireless connection apparatus, method for copying setting information related to wireless communication, and network system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless connection device.

  In a wireless connection device such as an access point, when replacing an existing wireless connection device with a new wireless connection device, the setting information related to wireless communication set in the existing wireless connection device is copied to the new wireless connection device. To do. When copying setting information from an existing wireless connection device to a new wireless connection device, for example, there is a desire to complete the duplication process only with the wireless connection device without requiring a personal computer or a smartphone.

  Patent Document 1 describes a wireless LAN access point device capable of copying setting information related to wireless communication between wireless LAN access point devices without requiring an external device such as a personal computer. Patent Document 2 discloses an access point capable of operating in any one of a mode for providing setting information related to wireless communication to another access point and a mode for acquiring setting information from another access point. Have been described. Patent Document 3 describes that a slave wireless access point reads and copies setting information related to wireless communication from a master wireless access point. Patent Document 4 describes that device address information about each slave unit and setting information related to wireless communication are transmitted from a master unit (access point) to a slave unit (repeater) via a wired interface. . Patent Document 5 describes that all network devices including a VoIP terminal voluntarily implement QoS by exchanging information related to their own occupied bandwidth by a plurality of VoIP terminals.

JP 2013-115539 A JP 2013-046290 A JP 2006-287787 A JP 2006-197060 A JP 2007-306509 A

  With the technique described in Patent Document 1, a new wireless LAN access point device that has acquired setting information and an existing wireless LAN access point device simultaneously operate as wireless communication access points, so that a wireless LAN cannot be constructed correctly. There was a problem of fear. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, since transmission / reception of setting information to / from another access point is performed via a PLC connection, there is a problem that an apparatus for realizing the PLC connection is required. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, it is assumed that access points are grouped, and replacement of access points is not considered. In the techniques described in Patent Documents 4 and 5, it is not assumed that the setting information is copied between access points.

  For this reason, the wireless connection device is capable of duplicating the setting information related to wireless communication set in another wireless connection device without requiring an external device or a special device. There has been a demand for a wireless connection device that can reduce the risk of malfunction after replacement with the wireless connection device.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples. A wireless connection device having an access point function, wherein the wireless connection device is connected to another wireless connection device having an access point function as a client for wireless communication, and the other wireless connection device. A method provided by a connection device, wherein the other wireless connection device transmits wireless communication setting information to the device connected as the client, thereby setting wireless communication to the client. Using the method, an acquisition unit for acquiring the setting information set in the other wireless connection device from the other wireless connection device, and setting the acquired setting information in the wireless connection device in advance A storage unit that stores the setting information separately from the setting information, and the wireless connection device finishes acquiring the setting information by the acquiring unit. Later, it starts as an access point using the acquired setting information, and stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit according to the setting content related to the security of the other wireless connection device, and the acquired A wireless connection device that omits at least one of activation using the setting information. In addition, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

(1) According to an aspect of the present invention, a wireless connection device is provided. The wireless connection device includes: a connection control unit for connecting the wireless connection device to another wireless connection device as a client of wireless communication; and a method provided by the other wireless connection device. The wireless connection device uses a method for setting wireless communication to the client by transmitting setting information related to wireless communication to the device connected as the client, and the other wireless connection device. To obtain the setting information set in the other wireless connection device; and store the acquired setting information separately from the setting information preset in the wireless connection device A storage unit. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the acquisition unit uses a method for performing setting of wireless communication provided by another wireless connection device via connection as a wireless communication client to the other wireless connection device. Thus, it is possible to acquire setting information set in another wireless connection device. In addition, since the acquired setting information is stored separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device, it is possible to control the replacement timing from another wireless connection device to the wireless connection device. The risk of malfunction after replacement of another wireless connection device with a wireless connection device can be reduced. Furthermore, since the acquired setting information is stored separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device, before and after acquiring setting information related to wireless communication from other wireless connection devices, consistently, Setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device can be maintained. As a result, it is a wireless connection device capable of copying setting information related to wireless communication set in another wireless connection device without requiring an external device or a special device, and the other wireless connection device It is possible to provide a wireless connection device that can reduce the risk of malfunction after the replacement of the wireless connection device with the wireless connection device.

(2) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect; the acquisition unit may acquire the setting information of all frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device at a time. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the acquisition unit acquires setting information of all frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device at a time, so that the setting information set in the other wireless connection device Can be obtained quickly.

(3) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect; the acquisition unit may sequentially acquire the setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the acquisition unit sequentially acquires setting information set in other wireless connection devices in order to sequentially acquire setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection devices. The frequency band can be divided and acquired.

(4) The wireless connection device of the above aspect further includes: a detection unit that detects the frequency band supported by the other wireless connection device based on a wireless sign transmitted from the other wireless connection device. It may be. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the detection unit can detect a frequency band supported by the other wireless connection device based on a wireless sign transmitted from the other wireless connection device. As a result, the acquisition unit can sequentially try to acquire the setting information for the frequency band detected by the detection unit.

(5) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect, the connection control unit may use a frequency band in which the acquisition unit acquires the setting information at the time of the connection. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, when the wireless connection device connects to another wireless connection device, the connection control unit uses the frequency band in which the acquisition unit acquires the setting information. For this reason, the acquisition unit can acquire setting information using a method provided by another wireless connection device.

(6) In the wireless connection device according to the above aspect, the guide further provides the user of the wireless connection device with at least one of the guide for the connection and the guide for the acquisition. May be provided. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the guide unit can implement at least one of guidance for connection and guidance for acquisition for the user of the wireless connection device. As a result, usability for the user can be improved.

(7) In the wireless connection device according to the above aspect; the guide unit may still acquire the setting information of the plurality of frequency bands after the acquisition of the setting information of one frequency band is completed. If there is setting information that is not available, the user may be informed of that fact. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, after the acquisition for the setting information of one frequency band is completed, the guide unit includes setting information that has not yet been acquired among the setting information of a plurality of frequency bands. In addition, it is possible to inform the user to that effect. As a result, it is possible to improve usability for the user and to prevent occurrence of omission of setting information in a configuration in which setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by other wireless connection devices is sequentially acquired.

(8) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect; the storage unit further stores in advance authentication information candidates for authentication by the other wireless connection device; the acquisition unit further stores the authentication information Other setting information other than the setting information related to the wireless communication set in the other wireless connection device may be acquired from the other wireless connection device using a candidate. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the acquisition unit acquires setting information other than the setting information related to wireless communication from another wireless connection device, using authentication information candidates stored in advance in the storage unit. can do. As a result, it is possible to provide a wireless connection device capable of copying not only setting information related to wireless communication but also other setting information, and usability for the user can be further improved.

(9) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect; the acquisition unit further includes the frequency band of all the frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device according to the setting content related to security of the other wireless connection device. It may be determined whether to acquire setting information at a time or to sequentially acquire the setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the setting information of all frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device is acquired at a time or sequentially according to the setting content related to the security of the other wireless connection device. Can be determined.

(10) In the wireless connection device according to the above aspect; the connection control unit causes the wireless connection device to respond to a predetermined trigger given in a form in which a user directly touches the wireless connection apparatus or a form of short-range wireless communication. A wireless communication client may be connected to another wireless connection device. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the user can connect the wireless connection device to another wireless connection device by using a form that directly touches the wireless connection apparatus or a form of short-range wireless communication.

(11) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect, the wireless connection device may be activated as an access point using the acquired setting information after the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, the wireless connection device can be automatically activated as an access point using the acquired setting information after the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit.

(12) In the wireless connection device according to the above aspect, the wireless connection device stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit and acquires the acquired setting information in accordance with setting contents related to security of the other wireless connection device. At least one of the activation using the set information may be omitted. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, at least one of the storage of the acquired setting information and the activation using the acquired setting information according to the setting content related to the security of the other wireless connection device One can be omitted. For this reason, when the security of another wireless connection apparatus is low, it can suppress that the setting information of the said other wireless connection apparatus is applied to a wireless connection apparatus as it is.

(13) In the wireless connection device of the above aspect, the wireless connection device is after the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit and until the power of the wireless connection device is turned on again. Stop at least one of the transmission of the wireless sign, the processing based on the inquiry from the other wireless connection device or the wireless terminal, and the processing based on the connection request from the other wireless connection device or the wireless terminal. May be. According to the wireless connection device of this aspect, after the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit and before the power of the wireless connection device is turned on again, transmission of the wireless sign and other wireless connection devices Or at least one of processing based on an inquiry from a wireless terminal and processing based on a connection request from another wireless connection device or wireless terminal is stopped. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems due to the presence of two access points (specifically, a wireless connection device and another wireless connection device) having the same setting information in the network.

(14) According to one aspect of the present invention, a network system is provided. The network system includes: a wireless connection device; and another wireless connection device; the other wireless connection device; wirelessly with respect to a device connected to the other wireless connection device as a client of wireless communication. A setting processing unit configured to perform setting of wireless communication to the client by transmitting setting information regarding communication; the wireless connection device; the wireless connection device as the client with respect to the other wireless connection device A connection control unit for connection; an acquisition unit for acquiring the setting information transmitted from the setting processing unit and set in the other wireless connection device; and the acquired setting information Is stored separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each embodiment of the present invention described above are not essential, and some or all of the effects described in the present specification are to be solved to solve part or all of the above-described problems. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with a new component, and partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components. In order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

  For example, one aspect of the present invention can be realized as a method including a part or all of the three elements of the connection control unit, the acquisition unit, and the storage unit. That is, this apparatus may or may not have a connection control unit. Moreover, this apparatus may have an acquisition part and does not need to have it. Moreover, this apparatus may have the memory | storage part and does not need to have it. Such a device can be realized as a wireless connection device, for example, but can also be realized as a device other than the wireless connection device. Any or all of the technical features of each form of the wireless connection device described above can be applied to this device.

  The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the wireless connection device. For example, it is realized in the form of a method for copying setting information related to wireless communication, a network system including a wireless connection device, a computer program that realizes part or all of these methods, and a non-temporary recording medium that records the computer program. can do.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of schematic structure of the network system as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a wireless connection apparatus and another wireless connection apparatus functionally. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the replication process using AOSS. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the duplication process using WPS. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detection method of the corresponding frequency band of another radio | wireless connection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of schematic structure of the network system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a wireless connection apparatus and another wireless connection apparatus functionally. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the acquisition process of other setting information.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the embodiment.

A. First embodiment:
A-1. System outline:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the schematic configuration of a network system as an embodiment of the present invention. The network system 1 includes a wireless connection device 10 and another wireless connection device 20. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, illustrations of network relay devices, lines, terminals, and the like that are not necessary for explanation are omitted. The wireless connection device 10 is an access point device compliant with IEEE 802.11. Hereinafter, the wireless connection device 10 is also referred to as “AP10”. Similarly, the other wireless connection device 20 is an access point device compliant with IEEE 802.11. Hereinafter, the other wireless connection device 20 is also referred to as “AP 20”. The wireless terminal 30 is a wireless terminal provided with a wireless communication interface compliant with IEEE 802.11. Hereinafter, the wireless terminal 30 is also referred to as “terminal 30”.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an existing AP 20 (old AP 20) currently in operation is replaced with a new AP 10. FIG. 1A shows a schematic configuration of the network system 1 before replacement from an existing AP 20 to a new AP 10. FIG. 1B shows a schematic configuration of the network system 1 after the existing AP 20 is replaced with a new AP 10.

  In FIG. 1A, the AP 20 also functions as a router and is connected to the Internet INT via a wired cable. The AP 20 stores setting information related to wireless communication in order to enable wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. “Setting information related to wireless communication” includes, for example, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) for avoiding radio LAN (Local Area Network) interference, and an authentication / encryption method (WEP: Wired Equivalent Privacy, WPA: Wi-Fi). -Fi Protected Access, WPA2-PSK: Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key, etc.), and an encryption key used for the encryption.

  Further, the AP 20 stores other setting information in order to correctly communicate with the outside (Internet INT). “Other setting information” includes, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) setting including a global IP address outside the AP 20 (Internet INT side), a LAN setting including a private IP address inside the AP 20, a global IP address and a private IP address Network address translation (NAT) settings for translating IP addresses, firewall settings for filtering through packets, content filter settings and parental control settings for filtering content, and virtual private network VPN (Virtual Private Network) setting and the like.

  In the duplication processing of the present embodiment, “setting information related to wireless communication” set in the existing AP 20 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1A can be automatically duplicated to the new AP 10. After the replication is completed, the existing AP 20 is replaced with a new AP 10. After completion of the replacement, the configuration of the network system 1 changes to the configuration shown in FIG. 1B, and wireless communication between the terminal 30 used by the user and the new AP 10 becomes possible. An example in which both setting information related to wireless communication and other setting information are copied to a new AP 10 will be described in a second embodiment to be described later.

A-2. AP schematic configuration:
FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the AP 10 and the AP 20. 2A shows the configuration of the AP 10, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the AP 20.

A-2-1. Schematic configuration of AP10:
The new AP 10 includes a CPU 110, a setting button 120, a RAM 130, a wireless communication interface (I / F) 140, a wired communication interface (I / F) 150, a flash ROM 160, and an indicator 170. The elements are connected to each other by a bus.

  The CPU 110 controls the AP 10 by expanding and executing a computer program stored in the flash ROM 160 on the RAM 130. Further, the CPU 110 implements the functions of a relay processing unit 111, a STA (Station) side AOSS processing unit 112, a STA side WPS processing unit 113, a connection control unit 114, a detection unit 115, and a guidance unit 116.

  The relay processing unit 111 executes relay processing for transferring the packet received by the AP 10 according to the destination.

The STA-side AOSS processing unit 112 is a functional unit that operates as a client (child device) for replication processing using AOSS (AirStation One-Touch Secure System, AOSS is a registered trademark). The STA side WPS processing unit 113 is a functional unit that operates as a client (slave device) for replication processing using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Here, both AOSS and WPS are functions that allow an access point (base unit) to automatically set setting information related to wireless communication to a client, and are conventionally known functions. Both the AOSS function and the WPS function realize the processes shown in the following a1 to a3.
(A1) The access point establishes temporary communication with a device as a client (hereinafter also referred to as “client device”) when a predetermined trigger occurs.
(A2) The access point transmits setting information regarding wireless communication to the client device via the established temporary communication.
(A3) The client device stores the received setting information related to wireless communication.
However, in the WPS function, even when there are a plurality of frequency bands supported by the access point, in the process a2, only setting information corresponding to one frequency band may be transmitted. In the following embodiments, description will be made on the assumption that only setting information corresponding to one frequency band can be transmitted in the process a2 of the WPS function.

  In the present embodiment, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112 and the STA side WPS processing unit 113 function as an “acquisition unit” that acquires setting information related to wireless communication set in the AP 20.

  The connection control unit 114 controls wireless communication connection conforming to IEEE 802.11 via the wireless communication interface 140. The connection control unit 114 includes an AP side connection control unit 114x and an STA side connection control unit 114y. The AP-side connection control unit 114x connects another device such as the terminal 30 (FIG. 1B) to the AP 10 as a wireless communication client. In this case, the AP 10 operates as an access point for wireless communication. The STA side connection control unit 114y connects the AP 10 as a client to a wireless communication access point that is another wireless connection device such as the AP 20, for example. In this case, the AP 10 operates as a wireless communication client.

  The detection unit 115 detects a frequency band of a radio wave supported by another wireless connection device based on a beacon transmitted from another wireless connection device such as the AP 20. Hereinafter, a beacon is also referred to as a “wireless sign”.

  The guide unit 116 controls the indicator 170 to guide the user of the AP 10 regarding the duplication process. In the present embodiment, the guidance regarding the duplication processing includes guidance for connection between the AP 10 and the AP 20 and guidance for the AP 10 to acquire setting information regarding wireless communication from the AP 20.

  The setting button 120 is a switch provided on the housing of the AP 10. In the present embodiment, when the time when the pressing of the setting button 120 is detected is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, well-known AOSS or WPS is started. On the other hand, when the time when the pressing of the setting button 120 is detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold, a duplication process using AOSS or WPS is started. The predetermined threshold can be arbitrarily determined. The setting button 120 is preferably realized by a switch that does not maintain the state.

  The wireless communication interface 140 includes a transmission / reception circuit (not shown), and has a function of demodulating a radio wave received via an antenna and generating data, and generating and modulating a radio wave transmitted via the antenna. The wireless communication interface 140 according to the present embodiment can transmit radio waves using two frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

  The wired communication interface 150 is connected to a line on the Internet INT (FIG. 1) side, and is connected to another device (for example, NAS or personal computer) in the LAN through a wired cable. The wired communication interface 150 includes a PHY / MAC controller (not shown) and has a function of adjusting a waveform of a received signal and extracting a MAC frame from the received signal.

  The flash ROM 160 includes preset setting information 161 and a setting information storage area 162. The preset setting information 161 stores setting information related to wireless communication set in advance when the AP 10 is shipped from the factory. The setting information storage area 162 is an area for storing setting information related to wireless communication acquired from the AP 20 in the duplication processing. The flash ROM 160 functions as a “storage unit”.

  The indicator 170 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a liquid crystal screen, and the like. In the case of guidance by LED, guidance information is displayed by color, lighting / flashing / extinguishing state, flashing pattern, and the like. When an LCD or a liquid crystal screen is used, guidance information is displayed using characters and pictures.

A-2-2. Schematic configuration of AP20:
The existing AP 20 includes a CPU 210, a setting button 220, a RAM 230, a wireless communication interface 240, a wired communication interface 250, and a flash ROM 260, and each component is connected to each other by a bus.

  The CPU 210 controls the AP 20 by developing a computer program stored in the flash ROM 260 in the RAM 230 and executing it. Further, the CPU 210 implements the functions of the relay processing unit 211, the AP side AOSS processing unit 212, the AP side WPS processing unit 213, and the AP side connection control unit 214.

  The relay processing unit 211 executes relay processing for transferring the packet received by the AP 20 according to the destination.

  The AP-side AOSS processing unit 212 is a functional unit that operates as an access point (master unit) for replication processing using AOSS. The AP-side WPS processing unit 213 is a functional unit that operates as an access point (master unit) and a registrar for replication processing using WPS. One of the AP-side AOSS processing unit 212 and the AP-side WPS processing unit 213 may be omitted. Note that the WPS in the present embodiment is WPS-PBC (Wi-Fi Protected Setup-Push Button Configuration, WPS by a push button method), and the AP side WPS processing unit 213 performs a client device in addition to the operation as an access point. It also functions as a registrar for registration.

  The AP side connection control unit 214 controls wireless communication connection conforming to IEEE 802.11 via the wireless communication interface 240. The AP-side connection control unit 214 connects another device such as the AP 10 to the AP 20 as a wireless communication client.

  The authentication processing unit 215 executes authentication processing for authenticating the legitimacy and authority of the user of the AP 20. The authentication processing unit 215 permits browsing of other setting information 262 by a user who has succeeded in authentication. In this embodiment, a combination of a user ID and a password is used as authentication information.

  The setting button 220 is a switch provided on the housing of the AP 20, and AOSS or WPS is started by detecting the pressing of the setting button 220. The setting button 220 is preferably realized by a switch that does not maintain the state.

  The wireless communication interface 240 includes a transmission / reception circuit (not shown), and performs demodulation and generation of data received via the antenna, and generation and modulation of the radio wave transmitted via the antenna. The wireless communication interface 240 of the present embodiment can transmit radio waves using two frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

  The wired communication interface 250 is connected to a line on the Internet INT (FIG. 1) side, and is connected to another device (for example, NAS or personal computer) in the LAN through a wired cable. The wired communication interface 250 includes a PHY / MAC controller (not shown), adjusts the waveform of the received signal, and extracts a MAC frame from the received signal.

  The flash ROM 260 includes setting information 261 and other setting information 262. The setting information 261 stores setting information related to the wireless communication described in FIG. The other setting information 262 stores the other setting information described in FIG. Note that the AP 20 may have the same indicator as the AP 10.

A-3. Replication process:
Hereinafter, a procedure of replication processing using the AP 10 of this embodiment will be described. There are the following two types of replication processing that can be executed by the AP 10 of the present embodiment.
-Duplication processing using AOSS-Duplication processing using WPS Which duplication processing is executed is determined by the configuration of the existing AP 20. When the AP 20 supports both AOSS and WPS, in other words, when the AP 20 includes both the AP-side AOSS processing unit 212 and the AP-side WPS processing unit 213, replication processing using AOSS Is executed with priority. On the other hand, when the AP 20 supports only WPS, in other words, when the AP 20 includes only the AP-side WPS processing unit 213, replication processing using WPS is executed. Even when the AP 20 includes both the AP-side AOSS processing unit 212 and the AP-side WPS processing unit 213, the content of the security setting of the AP 20, such as the presence / absence of an authentication / encryption method in wireless communication, Depending on the type, a replication process using WPS may be executed instead of the replication process using AOSS. Specifically, for example, when there is no authentication / encryption method in wireless communication, in other words, when the authentication / encryption method is OPEN setting, a replication process using WPS may be executed. Further, when the authentication / encryption method in wireless communication is WPA2-EAP (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Extensible Authentication Protocol) setting, a replication process using AOSS may be executed.

A-3-1. Duplication processing using AOSS:
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the replication process using AOSS. In step S102, the user presses the setting button 120 of the new AP 10.

  In step S104, the AP 10 that has detected pressing of the setting button 120 over a time exceeding a predetermined threshold value starts an operation as an AOSS client. Specifically, the AP 10 activates the STA side connection control unit 114y to activate the AP 10 in the STA (Station) mode. In addition, the AP 10 can realize the AOSS function by activating the STA side AOSS processing unit 112. Thereafter, the STA-side connection control unit 114y of the AP 10 performs an AP (Access Point) scan. AP scan is the name of an operation for detecting an access point existing within the radio wave reachable range. Note that the number of AP scan executions in the present embodiment may be one or more.

  In step S <b> 106, the guidance unit 116 of the AP 10 changes the lighting or blinking state of the indicator 170 to pattern 1 as guidance for connection between the AP 10 and the AP 20. In the present embodiment, the pattern 1 lighting of the indicator 170 has a meaning of prompting the user to “press the setting button 220 of the existing AP 20”.

  In step S108, the user presses the setting button 220 of the AP 20 in accordance with the guidance in step S106.

  In step S110, the AP 20 that has detected the pressing of the setting button 220 starts an operation as an AOSS access point. Specifically, the AP 20 activates the AP side connection control unit 214 to activate the AP 20 in the AP mode. Further, the AP 20 enables the AOSS function by activating the AP-side AOSS processing unit 212.

  In step S114, the STA side connection control unit 114y of the AP 10 repeatedly performs the AP scan, and detects the AP 20 activated in the AP mode. Thereafter, the STA side connection control unit 114y performs AOSS connection to the detected AP 20 using an arbitrary frequency band. As a result, the temporary communication described in the above process a1 is established between the AP 10 and the AP 20.

  In step S116, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 changes the lighting or blinking state of the indicator 170 to pattern 2 as guidance for acquiring setting information related to wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the pattern 2 lighting of the indicator 170 indicates to the user that “setting information relating to wireless communication from the existing AP 20 to the new AP 10 is being copied (ie, moving from the AP 20 to the AP 10)”. It has meaning to notify.

  In step S118, the AP-side AOSS processing unit 212 of the AP 20 transmits setting information related to wireless communication in all frequency bands supported by the AP 20 to the AP 10. The information transmission in step S118 is performed using the AOSS function described in the process a2.

  In step S <b> 120, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112 of the AP 10 acquires setting information related to wireless communication from the AP 20. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112 stores the acquired setting information related to wireless communication in the setting information storage area 162. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112 causes the STA side connection control unit 114y to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 20, and then ends the processing.

  In step S122, the AP side AOSS processing unit 212 of the AP 20 causes the AP side connection control unit 214 to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 10, and then ends the processing.

  In step S <b> 124, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 changes the lighting or blinking state of the indicator 170 to the pattern 3 as guidance for acquiring setting information related to wireless communication. In the present embodiment, pattern 3 lighting of the indicator 170 indicates to the user that “duplication of setting information relating to wireless communication from the existing AP 20 to the new AP 10 has ended (that is, moving from the AP 20 to the AP 10 has ended)”. It has a meaning to notify.

  In step S126, the AP 10 ends the STA mode of the AP 10 by terminating the processing of the STA side connection control unit 114y.

  In step S128, the AP 10 starts up in the AP mode to which the setting information in the setting information storage area 162 is applied. Specifically, the AP 10 activates the AP 10 in the AP mode by activating the AP-side connection control unit 114x. Also, as the information used for the processing of the AP side connection control unit 114x, the setting information stored in the setting information storage area 162, that is, the setting information related to wireless communication in all frequency bands supported by the AP 20 is applied. To do.

  As described above, in the replication processing using AOSS, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112 (acquisition unit) of the new AP 10 relates to wireless communication in all frequency bands supported by the existing AP 20 (other wireless connection devices). Since the setting information is acquired at a time, the setting information set in the AP 20 can be acquired quickly. In addition, as long as the indicator lighting patterns 1 to 3 in the above-described process are identifiable from each other, any combination of colors and lighting patterns can be adopted.

A-3-2. Copy processing using WPS:
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of replication processing using WPS. The difference from the replication processing using AOSS shown in FIG. 3 is that steps S202 to S230 are provided instead of steps S104, S110, S114, S118, S120, and S122. Hereinafter, processes having the same step numbers as in FIG. 3 will be described with the contents omitted, but the details are the same as in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 4 is a processing flow when only setting information corresponding to one frequency band can be transmitted in the processing a2 of the WPS function.

  In step S102, the user presses the setting button 120 of the new AP 10. In step S202, the AP 10 that has detected pressing of the setting button 120 for a time exceeding a predetermined threshold starts operation as a WPS client. Specifically, the AP 10 activates the STA side connection control unit 114y to activate the AP 10 in the STA mode. Further, the AP 10 enables the WPS function by activating the STA side WPS processing unit 113. Thereafter, the STA side connection control unit 114y performs an AP scan.

  In step S106, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 turns on the indicator 170 for pattern 1. In step S108, the user presses the setting button 220 of the AP 20 in accordance with the guidance in step S106.

  In step S204, the AP 20 that has detected the pressing of the setting button 220 starts operation as a WPS access point and registrar. Specifically, the AP 20 activates the AP side connection control unit 214 to activate the AP 20 in the AP mode. In addition, the AP 20 enables the WPS function by activating the AP-side WPS processing unit 213.

  In step S206, the STA side connection control unit 114y of the AP 10 repeatedly performs the AP scan, and detects the AP 20 activated in the AP mode. Thereafter, the detection unit 115 of the AP 10 starts detecting the frequency band to which the detected AP 20 corresponds.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing a method of detecting a corresponding frequency band of the AP 20. FIG. 5A shows AP10 and AP20 at time t1 after the start of detection of the corresponding frequency band of AP20. At time t1, the detection unit 115 of the AP 10 attempts to receive a beacon transmitted from the AP 20 using the first frequency band (for example, 2.4 GHz) supported by the wireless communication interface 140 of the AP 10. (FIG. 5A). When detecting the beacon in the first frequency band, the detection unit 115 acquires a UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier) included in the beacon and stores the acquired UUID in the flash ROM 160. The UUID is a unique identifier used for specifying that the beacon transmission source is the AP 20.

  On the other hand, when the detection unit 115 cannot receive the beacon in the first frequency band, the detection process in FIG. 5 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S126 of the duplication process in FIG.

  FIG. 5B shows AP10 and AP20 at time t2 after time t1. At time t2, the detection unit 115 of the AP 10 is transmitted from the AP 20 using a second frequency band (for example, 5 GHz) different from the first frequency band supported by the wireless communication interface 140 of the AP 10. Trying to receive a beacon (FIG. 5B). When detecting the beacon in the second frequency band, the detection unit 115 acquires the UUID included in the beacon. The detection unit 115 compares the acquired UUID with the UUID stored in the flash ROM 160 at time t1, and determines whether the UUID matches. When the UUIDs match, the detection unit 115 corresponds to the first frequency band (2.4 GHz) detected at time t1 and the second frequency band (5 GHz) detected at time t2. Is identified.

  On the other hand, when the detection unit 115 cannot receive the beacon of the second frequency band or the UUID does not match, the detection unit 115 sets the corresponding frequency band of the AP 20 to the first frequency band (2 .4 GHz).

  When the wireless communication interface 140 of the AP 10 supports three or more frequency bands, the detection unit 115 of the AP 10 repeatedly executes the same processing at time t2 for all the corresponding frequency bands, The corresponding frequency band of the AP 20 is detected.

  Thus, the detection unit 115 of the AP 10 can detect the frequency band supported by the AP 20 based on the beacon transmitted from the AP 20 (other wireless connection device). As a result, in the subsequent duplication processing, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 can sequentially try to obtain setting information related to wireless communication for the frequency band detected by the detection unit 115.

  In step S208 of FIG. 4, the STA side connection control unit 114y performs WPS connection to the AP 20 using the first frequency band detected in step S206. As a result, temporary communication similar to the above-described process a1 is established between the AP 10 and the AP 20 using the first frequency band. In step S116, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 turns on the indicator 170 for pattern 2.

  In step S210, the AP-side WPS processing unit 213 of the AP 20 transmits setting information related to radio communication in the frequency band used for temporary communication, that is, the first frequency band, to the AP 10. The information transmission in step S210 is performed using the same WPS function as in the above-described process a2.

  In step S212, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 of the AP 10 acquires setting information related to wireless communication from the AP 20. The STA side WPS processing unit 113 stores the acquired setting information related to wireless communication in the setting information storage area 162. The STA side WPS processing unit 113 terminates the processing after causing the STA side connection control unit 114y to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 20.

  In step S214, the AP side WPS processing unit 213 of the AP 20 causes the AP side connection control unit 214 to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 10, and then ends the processing.

  In step S215, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 changes the lighting or blinking state of the indicator 170 to the pattern 4. In the present embodiment, the pattern 4 lighting of the indicator 170 has a meaning of notifying the user that “duplication of setting information relating to wireless communication from the existing AP 20 to the new AP 10 has been partially completed”.

  Note that, in the process a2 of the WPS function, when the AP 20 can transmit setting information corresponding to all frequency bands, in step S212, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 sets setting information related to wireless communication corresponding to all frequency bands. Can be acquired. In this case, the STA-side WPS processing unit 113 stores the acquired setting information related to wireless communication in the setting information storage area 162, and then shifts the process to step S124. As a result, after the indicator 170 is turned on in pattern 3, the STA mode of the AP 10 ends, and the AP 10 starts up in the AP mode to which the setting information in the setting information storage area 162 is applied.

  In step S216, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 of the AP 10 starts the WPS function again. Thereafter, the STA side connection control unit 114y performs an AP scan. In step S220, the user presses the setting button 220 of the AP 20 again.

  In step S222, the AP 20 that has detected the pressing of the setting button 220 starts operation as a WPS access point and registrar. Details are the same as in step S204.

  In step S224, the STA side connection control unit 114y of the AP 10 repeatedly performs the AP scan, and detects the AP 20 activated in the AP mode. Thereafter, the STA-side connection control unit 114y determines, for the AP 20, a frequency band different from the frequency band used for the WPS connection in step S208 among the corresponding frequency bands of the AP 20 detected in step S206 (that is, the second frequency band). The WPS connection is performed using the frequency band. As a result, temporary communication similar to the above-described processing a1 is established between the AP 10 and the AP 20 using the second frequency band. In step S226, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 turns on the indicator 170 for pattern 2. Details are the same as step S116 of FIG.

  In step S228, the AP-side WPS processing unit 213 of the AP 20 transmits setting information related to wireless communication in the frequency band used for temporary communication, that is, the second frequency band, to the AP 10. The information transmission in step S228 is performed using the same WPS function as in the above-described process a2.

  In step S230, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 of the AP 10 acquires setting information related to wireless communication from the AP 20. The STA side WPS processing unit 113 stores the acquired setting information related to wireless communication in the setting information storage area 162 separately from the setting information of the first frequency band acquired in step S212. The STA side WPS processing unit 113 terminates the processing after causing the STA side connection control unit 114y to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 20.

  When there are three or more corresponding frequency bands of the AP 20 detected in step S206, the above-described steps S216 to S230 are repeatedly executed until the AP 10 acquires setting information related to wireless communication in all frequency bands. As a result, if there are N corresponding frequency bands of the AP 20 detected in step S206, the processes in steps S216 to S230 are repeated (N-1) times.

  After acquiring the setting information of all frequency bands, the AP side WPS processing unit 213 of the AP 20 causes the AP side connection control unit 214 to disconnect the temporary communication established with the AP 10 in step S232, and then performs processing. Exit.

  In step S124, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 turns on the indicator 170 for pattern 3. In step S126, the AP 10 ends the STA mode of the AP 10, and in step S128, the AP 10 starts up in the AP mode to which the setting information in the setting information storage area 162 is applied.

  As described above, in the replication processing using WPS, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 (acquisition unit) of the new AP 10 relates to wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands supported by the existing AP 20 (other wireless connection devices). The setting information is sequentially acquired, such as setting information of the first frequency band, setting information of the second frequency band. For this reason, the setting information set in the AP 20 can be obtained by being divided for each corresponding frequency band of the AP 20. Note that any combination of colors and lighting patterns can be adopted as the lighting patterns 1 to 4 of the indicators in the above process as long as they are mutually distinguishable.

  Furthermore, according to steps S208 and S224 of the replication process using WPS, the STA side connection control unit 114y (connection control unit) determines that the new AP 10 (wireless connection device) is compared with the existing AP 20 (other wireless connection devices). When the WPS connection is established, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 (acquisition unit) connects using the frequency band for which setting information related to wireless communication is to be acquired. For this reason, the STA side WPS processing unit 113 can easily acquire setting information related to wireless communication using a method (WPS function) provided by the AP 20.

  Furthermore, according to step S218 of the replication process using WPS, the guide unit 116 of the new AP 10 has finished acquiring setting information related to wireless communication in one frequency band (the first frequency band in the example of FIG. 4). Then, if there is setting information that has not yet been acquired in the setting information related to wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands supported by the existing AP 20 (other wireless connection devices), the fact is notified to the user. be able to. As a result, usability for the user can be improved. Also, the configuration information that sequentially acquires setting information related to wireless communication for a plurality of frequency bands supported by the AP 20, in other words, the configuration that realizes replication processing using WPS, suppresses occurrence of setting information acquisition omissions. can do.

  After the replication process using AOSS (FIG. 3) or the replication process using WPS (FIG. 4) is completed as described above, the configuration of the network system 1 is changed to the configuration shown in FIG. Thus, wireless communication between the terminal 30 used by the user and the new AP 10 becomes possible.

  In addition, after the replication process using AOSS (FIG. 3) or the replication process using WPS (FIG. 4) is completed, at least one of the new AP 10 and the existing AP 20 will be described below. You may perform the process in any of b1-b7. Note that the processes b1 to b6 may be executed in combination.

(B1) The AP is automatically turned off.
(B2) The beacon transmission is stopped until the power of the AP is turned off.
(B3) Until the power of the AP is turned off, processing based on an inquiry (probe request or the like) from another AP or wireless terminal is stopped.
(B4) Until the power of the AP is turned off, processing based on connection requests (association requests, authentication requests) from other APs and wireless terminals is stopped.
(B5) Using a display device such as an AP indicator or a liquid crystal screen, a warning that there are a plurality of APs operating based on the same wireless communication setting is displayed.
(B6) A warning message to the effect that there are a plurality of APs operating based on the same wireless communication settings is transmitted to a mail address registered in advance with respect to the AP.
(B7) When an AP scan is performed and another AP transmitting a beacon having the same SSID as itself is detected, any one of the above-described processes b1 to b6 is executed.

  As described above, according to the processing b1 to b7, a problem due to the presence of two access points (specifically, AP10 and AP20) having setting information related to the same wireless communication in the network system 1 occurs. Can be avoided.

  Furthermore, after the replication process using AOSS (FIG. 3) or the replication process using WPS (FIG. 4) is completed, any one of the processes c1 to c3 described below is performed on the new AP 10. It may be executed.

(C1) When the AP 10 determines that the content of the security setting of the existing AP 20 (for example, the presence / absence or type of an authentication / encryption method in wireless communication) is lower than a certain security level, the setting information storage area 162 The setting information related to wireless communication stored in is not validated until an instruction is received from the user. The instruction from the user may be given through the setting screen of the AP 10 provided by means such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). In this way, the user of the AP 10 can validate the setting information after confirming the security level of the setting information regarding the wireless communication copied from the existing AP 20.
(C2) Even if it is determined that the content of the security setting of the existing AP 20 (for example, the presence / absence or type of authentication / encryption method in wireless communication) is lower than a certain security level, the network system 1 If the type of authentication / encryption scheme that can be handled by the wireless terminal to which the terminal belongs (for example, the terminal 30) does not reach the above-mentioned “certain security level”, the AP 10 can set the setting information storage area without depending on an instruction from the user The setting information related to wireless communication stored in 162 may be immediately effective.
(C3) In step S120 of FIG. 3 or steps S212 and S230 of FIG. 4, the AP 10 stores the contents of the security settings of the existing AP 20 (for example, the presence / absence or type of authentication / encryption method in wireless communication). When it is determined that the security level is lower than a certain security level, saving the setting information related to the wireless communication in the setting information storage area 162 may be omitted.

  As described above, according to the processes c1 to c3, the AP 10 performs at least one of storage of the acquired setting information and activation using the acquired setting information according to the setting content related to the security of the AP 20. Either one can be omitted. For this reason, when the security of AP20 is low, it can suppress that the setting information of the said AP20 is applied to AP10 as it is.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112 or the STA side WPS processing unit 113 (acquisition unit) is connected as a wireless communication client to the existing AP 20 (another wireless connection device). Based on the method (AOSS function, WPS function) for setting the wireless communication provided by the AP 20 via (AOSS connection, WPS connection), setting information related to the wireless communication set in the AP 20 is easily obtained. can do. The acquired setting information related to wireless communication is stored separately from the setting information related to wireless communication preset in the new AP 10 (wireless connection device), that is, the setting information stored in the preset setting information 161. The For this reason, it becomes possible to control the replacement timing from the existing AP 20 to the new AP 10 by the method such as the above-described processes b1 to b7. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the risk of malfunction after replacement of the existing AP 20 with the new AP 10. Further, the setting information related to wireless communication acquired by the STA side AOSS processing unit 112 or the STA side WPS processing unit 113 (acquisition unit) is stored separately from the setting information (preset setting information 161) preset in the AP 10. Is done. For this reason, the setting information (preset setting information 161) preset in the AP 10 can be maintained consistently before and after acquiring the setting information related to wireless communication from the AP 20. As a result, the AP 10 can replicate the setting information related to the wireless communication set in the AP 20 without the need for an external device or a special device, and after the replacement from the AP 20 to the AP 10 is performed. The AP 10 that can reduce the risk of malfunction can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the guide unit 116 of the AP 10 provides guidance for connection (AOSS connection, WPS connection) to the user of the AP 10 (wireless connection device) and setting information related to wireless communication. It is possible to implement at least one of guidance for acquisition. As a result, usability for the user can be improved. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment (step S104 in FIG. 3 and step S202 in FIG. 4), the user uses the form of directly touching the AP 10 (wireless connection device) to connect the AP 10 to the existing AP 20 (others). Wireless connection device). Furthermore, according to the first embodiment (step S128 in FIGS. 3 and 4), the AP 10 (wireless connection device) automatically uses the acquired setting information after the acquisition of the setting information related to wireless communication is completed. Can be activated as an access point.

B. Second embodiment:
In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the duplication processing described in the first embodiment, that is, in the duplication processing for duplicating “setting information related to wireless communication” set in an existing AP to a new AP, A configuration capable of copying “other setting information” set in the AP to a new AP will be described. Below, only the part which has a different structure and operation | movement from 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. In the figure, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

B-1. System outline:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the schematic configuration of the network system in the second embodiment. The main difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that an AP 10a is provided instead of the AP 10. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an existing AP 20 that is currently in operation is replaced with a new AP 10a.

  FIG. 6A shows a schematic configuration of the network system 1a before the existing AP 20 is replaced with a new AP 10a. The configuration of FIG. 6A is the same as that of the first embodiment described in FIG. In the duplication processing of this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6A, both “setting information related to wireless communication” and “other setting information” set in the existing AP 20 are automatically updated. It can be replicated to the AP 10a. After the replication is completed, the existing AP 20 is replaced with a new AP 10a. FIG. 6B shows a schematic configuration of the network system 1a after the existing AP 20 is replaced with a new AP 10a. After completion of the replacement, the configuration of the network system 1a changes to the configuration shown in FIG. 6B, and the user terminal 30 performs wireless communication with the new AP 10a and communication with the Internet INT via the new AP 10a. It becomes possible.

B-2. AP schematic configuration:
FIG. 7 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the AP 10a and the AP 20. As shown in FIG. 7A shows the configuration of the AP 10a, and FIG. 7B shows the configuration of the AP 20. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that the AP 10 a includes a CPU 110 a instead of the CPU 110 and a flash ROM 160 a instead of the flash ROM 160.

  The CPU 110a includes a STA side AOSS processing unit 112a instead of the STA side AOSS processing unit 112, and includes a STA side WPS processing unit 113a instead of the STA side WPS processing unit 113. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112a is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in the processing contents of the replication processing using AOSS. The STA-side WPS processing unit 113a differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in the processing contents of the replication processing using WPS.

  In addition to the preset setting information 161 and the setting information storage area 162, the flash ROM 160a further includes authentication information 163 and another setting information storage area 164. The authentication information 163 stores in advance authentication information candidates used when the AP 10 receives authentication from the AP 20 in the duplication processing of the second embodiment. An authentication information candidate is a combination of a user ID and a password that are generally used. The authentication information 163 stores one or more patterns of these authentication information candidates. The other setting information storage area 164 is an area for storing other setting information acquired from the AP 20 in the duplication processing.

B-3. Replication process:
B-3-1. Duplication processing using AOSS:
In the replication process using AOSS in the second embodiment, the AP 10a will be described later after the “temporary communication disconnection” in step S120 of the replication process (FIG. 3) using AOSS in the first embodiment. Execute other setting information acquisition processing. After the other setting information acquisition process is completed, the AP 10a returns to step S124 in FIG. 3 and continues the process.

B-3-2. Copy processing using WPS:
In the replication process using WPS in the second embodiment, the AP 10a will be described below after the completion of “temporary communication disconnection” in step S230 of the replication process (FIG. 4) using WPS in the first embodiment. Execute other setting information acquisition processing. After the other setting information acquisition process is completed, the AP 10a returns to step S124 in FIG. 4 and continues the process.

B-3-3. Acquisition of other setting information:
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of another setting information acquisition process. The procedure of other setting information acquisition processing is common to both replication processing using AOSS and replication processing using WPS. Therefore, hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to replication processing using AOSS will be described as an example. When this processing is applied in replication processing using WPS, the description of “STA side AOSS processing unit 112a” in the text is replaced with the description of “STA side WPS processing unit 113a”.

  In step S302, the STA side connection control unit 114y of the AP 10a connects to the AP 20 using the setting information regarding the wireless communication acquired in the duplication process. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112a of the AP 10a transmits a request for other setting information to the AP 20.

  In step S304, the authentication processing unit 215 of the AP 20 requests authentication information in order to authenticate the validity and authority of the AP 10a.

  In step S306, the STA-side AOSS processing unit 112a of the AP 10a acquires one authentication information candidate (user ID, password) stored in the authentication information 163. In step S308, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112a transmits the acquired authentication information candidates to the AP 20.

  In step S310, the authentication processing unit 215 of the AP 20 executes authentication processing for the AP 10a using the received authentication information candidate. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 215 performs authentication by determining whether or not the received authentication information candidate matches the authentication information stored in the flash ROM 260 in advance. In step S311, the authentication processing unit 215 of the AP 20 transmits the result (success / failure) of the authentication processing to the AP 10a.

  If the result of the authentication processing is “success”, the STA-side AOSS processing unit 112a of the AP 10a transmits a request for other setting information to the AP 20 in step S312. On the other hand, if the result of the authentication process is “failure”, the STA-side AOSS processing unit 112a of the AP 10a shifts the process to step S308, and if there is another authentication information candidate stored in the authentication information 163. Acquire and continue the processing after step S308.

  In step S314, the authentication processing unit 215 transmits the contents of the other setting information 262 to the AP 10a.

  In step S316, the STA side AOSS processing unit 112a of the AP 10a acquires other setting information from the AP 20. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112a stores the acquired other setting information in the other setting information storage area 164, and ends the process.

  Note that the AP 10a immediately sets the setting information stored in the other setting information storage area 164 in step S128 of the duplication process using AOSS (FIG. 3) or the duplication process using WPS (FIG. 4). Good. Further, the AP 10a may request authentication information for authentication from the user, and may validate the setting information stored in the other setting information storage area 164 after acquiring correct authentication information input from the user. If it does so, the security in AP10a can be improved.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects are further achieved. The STA side AOSS processing unit 112a or the STA side WPS processing unit 113a (acquisition unit) uses authentication information candidates (a combination of a user ID and a password) stored in advance in the authentication information 163 of the flash ROM 160 (storage unit). From the AP 20 (another wireless connection device), other setting information other than the setting information related to wireless communication can be acquired. As a result, it is possible to provide an AP 10a (wireless connection device) that can replicate not only setting information related to wireless communication but also other setting information, and usability for the user can be further improved.

C. Variation:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. Good. In addition, the following modifications are possible.

・ Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, an example of a network system has been described. However, the configuration of the network system in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made. For example, the deformation | transformation which abbreviate | omits a part of a component, adds a further component, or changes a part of a component is possible.

  For example, network systems include, for example, network communication devices such as routers, switches, modems, and hubs, mobile devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, printers, network displays, scanners, and the like. Image input / output devices, audio / TV and other AV devices, refrigerators, air conditioners, television and other home appliances, and other devices such as NAS (Network Attached Storage).

Modification 2
In the above embodiment, an example of the configuration of the wireless connection device and another wireless connection device has been given. However, the structure in the said embodiment is an example to the last, and various changes are possible. For example, the deformation | transformation which abbreviate | omits a part of a component, adds a further component, or changes a part of a component is possible.

  For example, the setting buttons provided on the wireless connection device and other wireless connection devices are in a form in which the user directly touches, in a form of short-range communication from the vicinity of the wireless connection apparatus, or information provided by the wireless connection apparatus Various modes can be adopted as long as the code is photographed by a camera built in the client and configured as an input unit that can give an instruction to start processing to the wireless connection device. When the wireless connection device includes a display, the wireless connection device may be realized by a GUI (Graphical User Interface). It may be realized using a GUI of a mobile device (smartphone or the like) capable of wireless communication with the wireless connection device. You may implement | achieve using infrared communication and a contact-type or non-contact-type IC card. You may implement | achieve using information codes, such as QR code (trademark), a barcode, and a hologram. In this way, it is possible to prevent a malicious third party from giving a copy processing start instruction to the wireless connection device against the intention of the user, and leakage of communication information and encrypted information. Can be suppressed.

  For example, the frequency band supported by the wireless communication interface may be three or more. Although 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz have been exemplified as the corresponding frequency bands, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the wireless communication interface may support other frequency bands such as 60 GHz.

  For example, the authentication information candidate stored in the flash ROM of the wireless connection device may be a preset value preset at the time of factory shipment, or a value acquired and stored in advance from the user prior to the duplication process. But you can.

  For example, a wireless connection device or another wireless connection device may not have a function as a router. For example, in another wireless connection device, either the AP side AOSS processing unit or the AP side WPS processing unit may be omitted. Further, for example, the wired communication interface may be omitted in the wireless connection device and other wireless connection devices.

  For example, the flash ROM may be composed of different storage media in the wireless connection device and other wireless connection devices. For example, the wireless connection device and the other wireless connection device may include a removable storage medium such as a USB memory or a USB hard disk instead of the flash ROM. For example, the information described as being stored in the flash ROM in the above embodiment may be distributed and stored in a plurality of storage media.

・ Modification 3:
In the above-described embodiment, an example of replication processing (replication processing using AOSS, replication processing using WPS) has been described. However, the processing procedure in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications are possible. For example, some steps may be omitted, and other steps may be added. Further, the order of the steps to be executed may be changed.

  For example, one of guides for connection between a wireless connection device and another wireless connection device, and guides for the wireless connection device to acquire setting information regarding wireless communication, among the guides related to replication processing Or both may be omitted.

  For example, instead of the indicator or in combination with the indicator, guidance regarding the duplication processing may be implemented using a display device such as a voice or a liquid crystal screen. When a display device such as voice or a liquid crystal screen is used, instead of the lighting patterns 1 to 4 described above, the voice patterns 1 to 4 that are mutually distinguishable or the mutually distinguishable aspects are used. Display patterns 1 to 4 are employed.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the guidance regarding the duplication processing is implemented by combining color coding and lighting and blinking. However, guidance regarding duplication processing may be performed using either color coding or lighting and blinking. In the case of performing guidance only by color coding, for example, guidance relating to duplication processing can be realized by expressing three or more different shades. When the guidance is performed only by using the lighting and blinking, for example, the guidance regarding the replication process can be realized by changing the blinking cycle.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a method provided by another wireless connection device, which transmits wireless communication setting information to a device connected as a wireless communication client, enables wireless communication to the client. AOSS and WPS are illustrated as examples of methods for performing the setting. However, methods other than AOSS and WPS can be used in the duplication processing performed by the wireless connection device.

  For example, the device that is the target of pressing the setting button to start the replication process may be either a wireless connection device or another wireless connection device. In this case, the device (one device) that detects the pressing of the setting button transmits a copy processing start request to the other device, so that the wireless connection device and the other wireless connection device Duplication processing can be started in both apparatuses. The replication processing start request may be included in a specific area of a connection request (association request or authentication request) transmitted from one device to the other device, or may be a single request.

-Modification 4:
In the said embodiment, an example of the acquisition process of other setting information was shown. However, the processing procedure in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications are possible. For example, some steps may be omitted, and other steps may be added. Further, the order of the steps to be executed may be changed.

  For example, as authentication information, instead of a combination of a user ID and a password, a part or all of the PIN number described on the ID card attached at the time of sale of the wireless connection device (included or described in the product package) is used. May be used. The PIN number is a character string indicating a personal identification number used to determine that the user is a valid user of the wireless connection device. Further, as the authentication information, both a combination of a user ID and a password and a part or all of the PIN number may be used together. Further, when the access point transmits setting information related to wireless communication to the client device, the authentication information may be transferred in a manner in which the access point information is notified to the client device. In this case, a restriction that the authentication information is temporarily valid may be added.

-Modification 5:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention are to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or In order to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a ... Network system, 10 ... Wireless connection apparatus (AP), 20 ... Other wireless connection apparatus (AP), 30 ... Terminal, 110, 110a ... CPU, 111 ... Relay processing part, 112, 112a ... STA side AOSS Processing unit 113, 113a ... STA side WPS processing unit 114 ... Connection control unit 114x ... AP side connection control unit 114y ... STA side connection control unit 115 ... Detection unit 116 ... Guide unit 120 ... Setting button, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 140 ... Wireless communication interface, 150 ... Wired communication interface, 160, 160a ... Flash ROM, 161 ... Preset setting information, 162 ... Setting information storage area, 163 ... Authentication information, 164 ... Other setting information storage area, 170 ... Indicator, 210 ... CPU, 211 ... relay processing unit, 212 ... AP side AOSS processing unit, 213 ... AP side PS processing unit, 214 ... AP side connection control unit, 215 ... authentication processing unit, 220 ... setting button, 240 ... wireless communication interface, 250 ... wired communication interface, 260 ... flash ROM, 261 ... setting information, 262 ... other settings Information, INT ... Internet

Claims (13)

A wireless connection device having an access point function ,
A connection control unit for connecting the wireless connection apparatus as a wireless communication client to another wireless connection apparatus having an access point function ;
A method provided by the other wireless connection device, wherein the other wireless connection device transmits wireless communication setting information to a device connected as the client, thereby enabling wireless communication to the client. An acquisition unit that acquires the setting information set in the other wireless connection device from the other wireless connection device using a method for performing setting;
A storage unit for storing the acquired setting information separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device;
Equipped with a,
The wireless connection device is:
After the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit is finished, start as an access point using the acquired setting information,
Depending on the setting content related to the security of the other wireless connection device, at least one of storage of the acquired setting information in the storage unit and activation using the acquired setting information is performed. If omitted, wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to claim 1,
The said acquisition part is a wireless connection apparatus which acquires the said setting information of all the frequency bands with which the said other wireless connection apparatus respond | corresponds at once. The wireless connection device according to claim 1,
The acquisition unit is a wireless connection device that sequentially acquires the setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to claim 3, further comprising:
A wireless connection device, comprising: a detection unit that detects the frequency band supported by the other wireless connection device based on a wireless sign transmitted from the other wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
The connection control unit is a wireless connection device that uses a frequency band in which the acquisition unit acquires the setting information during the connection. The wireless connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
A wireless connection device, comprising: a guide unit that performs at least one of guidance for connection and guidance for acquisition to a user of the wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to claim 6, which is dependent on claim 3,
After the acquisition for the setting information of one frequency band is completed, the guidance unit, when there is setting information that has not yet been acquired, in the setting information of the plurality of frequency bands. A wireless connection device for guiding the user to the user. The wireless connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage unit further stores in advance authentication information candidates for authentication by the other wireless connection device,
The acquisition unit further acquires other setting information other than the setting information related to the wireless communication set in the other wireless connection device from the other wireless connection device using the authentication information candidate. Wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The acquisition unit further acquires the setting information of all frequency bands supported by the other wireless connection device at a time according to the setting content related to security of the other wireless connection device, or the other A wireless connection device that determines whether to sequentially acquire the setting information of a plurality of frequency bands supported by the wireless connection device. The wireless connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The connection control unit wirelessly communicates the wireless connection device to another wireless connection device in response to a predetermined trigger given in a form in which a user directly touches the wireless connection device or in a form of short-range wireless communication. Wireless connection device to connect as a client. The wireless connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The wireless connection device transmits the wireless sign and the other wireless connection after the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit and before the wireless connection device is turned on again. A wireless connection device that stops at least one of processing based on an inquiry from a device or a wireless terminal and processing based on a connection request from another wireless connection device or a wireless terminal. A method of copying setting information related to wireless communication,
The wireless connection device having an access point function for another wireless connection device that has an access point function, the step of connecting as a client of the wireless communication,
A method provided by the other wireless connection device, wherein the other wireless connection device transmits wireless communication setting information to a device connected as the client, thereby enabling wireless communication to the client. Obtaining the setting information set in the other wireless connection device from the other wireless connection device using a method for performing setting; and
Storing the acquired setting information separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device;
Starting the wireless connection device as an access point using the acquired setting information after the acquisition of the setting information is completed ,
The other depending on the setting of security of the wireless connection device, the steps of the storage, the steps of the activation, omit at least one of the method. A network system,
A wireless connection device having an access point function ;
Another wireless connection device having an access point function ;
With
The other wireless connection device is:
A setting processing unit that performs setting of wireless communication to the client by transmitting setting information related to wireless communication to a device connected as a wireless communication client to the other wireless connection device;
The wireless connection device is:
A connection control unit for connecting the wireless connection device as the client to the other wireless connection device;
An acquisition unit that is the setting information transmitted from the setting processing unit and acquires the setting information set in the other wireless connection device;
A storage unit for storing the acquired setting information separately from the setting information set in advance in the wireless connection device;
Equipped with a,
The wireless connection device is:
After the acquisition of the setting information by the acquisition unit is finished, start as an access point using the acquired setting information,
Depending on the setting content related to the security of the other wireless connection device, at least one of storage of the acquired setting information in the storage unit and activation using the acquired setting information is performed. If omitted, the network system.

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