JP7259629B2 - ELECTRONIC DEVICE, FREQUENCY BAND SETTING PROGRAM AND FREQUENCY BAND SETTING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device having a wireless LAN communication device, and a frequency band setting program and frequency band setting method executed by the electronic device.

IEEE802.11 is widely used as a wireless LAN standard.

JP 2011-254318 A

It is desirable to appropriately set the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard for an electronic device having a wireless LAN communication device.

An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
An electronic device uniquely identified by a device identifier,
a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device;
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with the country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by the country identifier are associated with each other and registered. read band,
A control circuit for setting the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band.

(1) According to the present embodiment, the electronic device can accurately determine the country in which the electronic device is located and the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard supported in that country. Since the wireless LAN standard depends on the laws of each country, the minimum unit of the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard is the country. Therefore, assuming that the frequency band is determined on the basis of an area wider than the country, there is a possibility that the entire frequency band of the wireless LAN standard supported by the country where the electronic device is located cannot be set. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the frequency band is determined based on the country, all the frequency bands of the wireless LAN standard supported by each country can be set. In addition, since the electronic device does not require communication with an external device, it can reliably use the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard in a local environment. Also, the activation key is encrypted to prevent end-users from setting frequency bands not authorized by the laws of the country in which the electronic device is installed.

The wireless LAN standard is IEEE802.11,
The frequency bands registered in the frequency band table include the 5 GHz band and exclude the 2.4 GHz band,
The wireless LAN communication device is set to be capable of wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band.

(2) The 2.4 GHz band is universally supported. On the other hand, regarding the 5 GHz band, supported frequency bands differ minutely from country to country according to the laws (Radio Law) of each country. According to this embodiment, an electronic device can set a frequency band of the 5 GHz band that is finely different for each country according to the country in which the electronic device is located. On the other hand, since the electronic device is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band, it is not necessary to set the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band after purchasing the electronic device. Moreover, even if the law of the country where the electronic device is located does not allow the 5 GHz band, the electronic device can perform wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band.

The control circuit is
storing the extracted country identifier;
When a frequency band is not registered in the frequency band table in association with the extracted country identifier, and a frequency band is registered in the frequency band table in association with the stored country identifier,
reading the frequency band registered in association with the stored country identifier from the frequency band table;
An electronic device that sets the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band.

(3) There may be a case where no frequency band is registered in the frequency band table in association with the country identifier extracted from the activation key. This is the case in which the laws of the country where the electronic device is located do not allow the 5 GHz frequency band at all. However, even in such a case, there is a possibility that the 5 GHz frequency band will be approved in the future due to revision of the law. According to the present embodiment, in that case, the electronic device may read the frequency band associated with the stored country identifier from the frequency band table updated in accordance with the revision of the law. Then, the electronic device can set the read frequency band to the wireless LAN communication device.

A frequency band setting program according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
The control circuit of an electronic device that has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device and a control circuit and is uniquely identified by a device identifier,
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with the country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by the country identifier are associated with each other and registered. read band,
The wireless LAN communication device is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band.

A frequency band setting method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
By the control circuit of an electronic device that has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device and a control circuit and is uniquely identified by a device identifier,
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with a country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by each of the country identifiers are associated with each other and registered. read band,
The wireless LAN communication device is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard to an electronic device having a wireless LAN communication device.

Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

1 shows a hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 shows the hardware configuration of an activation key generation device; 1 shows a functional configuration of an electronic device; 1 shows a functional configuration of an activation key generation device; 3 shows an operation sequence of an activation key generation device and an electronic device; 4 shows an operation flow of the activation key generation device; 4 shows an operation flow of an electronic device;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. overview

As a wireless LAN standard, IEEE802.11 is widely used all over the world. The bands supported by IEEE802.11 are roughly divided into two bands, 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is universally supported. On the other hand, regarding the 5 GHz band, supported frequency bands differ minutely from country to country according to the laws (Radio Law) of each country. Also, the end user shall not be able to change the settings of the electronic device to frequency bands not authorized by the laws of the country in which the electronic device is installed. In view of the circumstances as described above, the present embodiment aims to optimally set a frequency band for a wireless LAN communication device of an electronic device without violating the radio laws of each country.

2. Hardware configuration of electronic equipment

FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The electronic device 10 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage device 14, a touch panel 15 including an operation device 16 and a display device 17, a wireless LAN communication device 140, and a bus 18 interconnecting them. The storage device 14 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

The CPU 11 , ROM 12 and RAM 13 constitute a control circuit 100 . The CPU 11 loads an information processing program (including a frequency band setting program) stored in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. The ROM 12 permanently stores programs and data executed by the CPU 11 . ROM 12 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

The electronic device 10 may be any electronic device that has the wireless LAN communication device 140 . For example, the electronic device 10 may be an image forming apparatus (MFP, Multifunctional Peripheral). When the electronic device 10 is an image forming apparatus, the electronic device 10 may further include an image reading section (image scanner), an image processing section, an image memory, an image forming section (printer), a facsimile communication section, and the like. , are irrelevant to this embodiment and are not described or illustrated.

Wireless LAN communication device 140 has wireless LAN module 141 and wireless LAN antenna 142 . A frequency band in which communication is possible via the wireless LAN antenna 142 is set as a parameter in the wireless LAN module 141 . As a band supported by IEEE802.11, the wireless LAN module 141 is set by default to the 2.4 GHz band, which is commonly supported worldwide, to enable wireless LAN communication. On the other hand, the 5 GHz band supported by each country is not set to enable wireless LAN communication as a default in the wireless LAN communication device 140 .

In this embodiment, as described above, the wireless LAN communication device 140 of the electronic device 10 is intended to optimally set the frequency band without violating the radio law of the country of sale. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to set the frequency band of the 5 GHz band in the wireless LAN communication device 140, after the electronic device 10 is sold to the end user (may be lent or borrowed, hereinafter collectively referred to as sale for convenience), , enter the activation key into the electronic device 10 . The activation key generation device 20 generates the activation key.

3. Hardware configuration of the activation key generator

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the activation key generation device.

The activation key generation device 20 has a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage device 24, an operation device 26, a display device 27, a network communication device 25, and a bus 28 interconnecting them. The storage device 24 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

The CPU 21 , ROM 22 and RAM 23 constitute a control circuit 200 . The CPU 21 loads an information processing program stored in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23 and executes it. The ROM 22 permanently stores programs and data executed by the CPU 21 . ROM 22 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

The activation key generation device 20 is, for example, a computer used by a sales company, a manufacturer, or the like of the electronic device 10 .

4. Functional configuration of electronic equipment

FIG. 3 shows the functional configuration of the electronic device.

In the control circuit 100 of the electronic device 10, the CPU 11 loads an information processing program (frequency band setting program) stored in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it, thereby controlling the panel control section 110, the activation control section 120, and the wireless LAN control section. 130. The panel control section 110 has a panel input control section 111 and a panel display control section 112 . The activation control section 120 has an activation key analysis section 121 . Wireless LAN control section 130 has frequency band determination section 131 and frequency band setting section 132 .

Storage device 14 stores device identifier 150 and frequency band table 160 .

The device identifier 150 uniquely identifies the electronic device 10 .

Frequency band table 160 registers a plurality of country identifiers 161 and frequency bands 162 in association with each other. Country identifier 161 is typically a code that identifies a country. Frequency band 162 is the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard (IEEE 802.11) supported in the countries identified by respective country identifiers 161 . Frequency band 162 includes the 5 GHz band and excludes the 2.4 GHz band. Note that the frequency band table 160 may be stored in a storage device (not shown) that can communicate with the electronic device 10 instead of being stored in the local storage device 14 of the electronic device 10 .

5. Functional Configuration of Activation Key Generation Device

FIG. 4 shows the functional configuration of the activation key generation device.

In the control circuit 200 of the activation key generation device 20, the CPU 21 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23 and executes it, thereby controlling the device identifier reception section 201, the activation key generation section 202, and the activation key transmission. It operates as part 203 .

Storage device 24 stores sales country table 210 . The sales country table 210 registers a device identifier 211 and a country identifier 212 in association with each other. The device identifier 211 uniquely identifies the sold electronic device 10 . The country identifier 212 identifies the country (typically, the country of sale) in which the electronic device 10 identified by this device identifier 211 is located.

6. Operation of activation key generator and electronic device

FIG. 5 shows the operation sequence of the activation key generation device and electronic equipment.

After the sale of the electronic device 10, the end user (a serviceman or the like, hereinafter collectively referred to as the end user for convenience) sends the device identifier of the purchased electronic device 10 to the terminal device (not shown) (typically manually). A device identifier is a machine serial number that uniquely identifies the electronic device 10 . Terminal devices used by end users are personal computers, tablet computers, smartphones, and the like. The terminal device transmits an activation key request including the device identifier to the activation key generation device 20 via the network.

FIG. 6 shows the operation flow of the activation key generation device.

The device identifier receiving unit 201 of the activation key generation device 20 receives an activation key request including a device identifier from the terminal device via the network (step S1).

The activation key generator 202 extracts the device identifier from the activation key request (step S1.1). The activation key generation unit 202 reads the country identifier 212 associated with the extracted device identifier 211 from the sales country table 210 (step S1.1.1). After reading the country identifier 212, the activation key generator 202 starts generating an activation key (step S1.1.2). The activation key generation unit 202 generates an activation key by encrypting the device identifier extracted from the activation key request and the read country identifier 212 (step S1.1.2.1).

The activation key transmission unit 203 transmits the generated activation key to the terminal device via the network (step S1.2).

The terminal device receives the activation key from the activation key generation device 20 via the network. The terminal device presents the activation key to the end user. Thereby, the end user knows the activation key of the electronic device 10 .

FIG. 7 shows the operation flow of the electronic device.

The end user inputs the activation key to the electronic device 10 via the touch panel 15 .

A panel input control unit 111 of the panel control unit 110 acquires an activation key input by the end user via the touch panel 15 . The panel input control section 111 supplies the activation key to the activation control section 120 (step S2).

Activation key analysis section 121 of activation control section 120 acquires the activation key from panel input control section 111 . Activation key analysis unit 121 reads device identifier 150 stored in storage device 14 . The activation key analysis unit 121 decrypts the activation key using the read device identifier 150 as a key (step S2.1).

If the read device identifier 150 matches the device identifier included in the pre-encrypted activation key, the activation key analysis unit 121 succeeds in decryption (step S2.1, YES). On the other hand, if the read device identifier 150 does not match the device identifier included in the pre-encrypted activation key, the activation key analysis unit 121 fails to decrypt (step S2.1, NO).

If the decryption is successful (step S2.1, YES), the activation key analysis unit 121 extracts the country identifier from the decrypted activation key. The activation key analysis unit 121 stores the extracted country identifier 170 in the storage device 14 and supplies it to the wireless LAN control unit 130 (step S2.1.1).

Frequency band determination section 131 of wireless LAN control section 130 acquires the country identifier from activation key analysis section 121 . The frequency band determination unit 131 reads the frequency band 162 associated with the country identifier 161 extracted from the activation key from the frequency band table 160 .

The frequency band setting unit 132 of the wireless LAN control unit 130 sets the read frequency band 162 to the wireless LAN module 141 of the wireless LAN communication device 140 as a parameter (step S2.1.1.1). As a result, the wireless LAN module 141 of the wireless LAN communication device 140 is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the frequency band 162 read from the frequency band table 160 .

On the other hand, when activation key analysis section 121 fails in decryption (step S2.1, NO), activation key analysis section 121 supplies an activation failure notification to panel control section 110 (step S2.1.2). Panel display control section 112 of panel control section 110 displays an activation failure notification on touch panel 15 .

By the way, although the activation key analysis unit 121 of the activation control unit 120 has successfully decrypted the activation key (step S2.1, YES), the frequency band table 160 shows that the country identifier 161 extracted from the activation key is associated with Therefore, there may be cases where the frequency band 162 is not registered. This is a case in which the law of the country where the electronic device 10 is located does not permit the 5 GHz frequency band at all. However, even in such a case, there is a possibility that the 5 GHz frequency band will be approved in the future due to revision of the law. In that case, the frequency band determination unit 131 of the wireless LAN control unit 130 reads the frequency band 162 associated with the country identifier 170 stored in the storage device 14 from the frequency band table 160 updated according to the revision of the law. Just put it out. Then, the frequency band setting unit 132 of the wireless LAN control unit 130 may set the frequency band 162 read from the frequency band table 160 to the wireless LAN module 141 of the wireless LAN communication device 140 as a parameter (step S2 .1.1.1).

Even in such a case where the frequency band of the 5 GHz band cannot be set, the wireless LAN module 141 is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band as a default. wireless LAN communication is possible. For this reason, there is no need to display the activation failure notification on the touch panel 15 because no problem for the end user occurs.

7. Conclusion

As a wireless LAN standard, IEEE802.11 is widely used all over the world. The bands supported by IEEE802.11 are roughly divided into two bands, 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is universally supported. On the other hand, regarding the 5 GHz band, supported frequency bands differ minutely from country to country according to the laws (Radio Law) of each country. Also, the end user shall not be able to change the settings of the electronic device to frequency bands not authorized by the laws of the country in which the electronic device is installed. In view of the circumstances as described above, the present embodiment aims to optimally set a frequency band for a wireless LAN communication device of an electronic device without violating the radio laws of each country.

As a method for the electronic device itself to determine the location information of the electronic device, for example, a method for the electronic device to determine by receiving GPS (Global Positioning System) information or television tuner information, or a method for the electronic device to communicate with a base station. A method of making a judgment can be considered. However, in the former method, if the electronic device does not have the GPS function or the television tuner function, the electronic device cannot determine the location information. In the latter method, the electronic device may not be able to determine the location information in a local network environment where the electronic device is not connected to the Internet.

(1) In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the electronic device 10 decrypts the activation key using the device identifier as a key, extracts the country identifier from the decrypted activation key, and extracts the country identifier identified by the country identifier. The frequency band of the wireless LAN standard supported in the country is read from the frequency band table 160 . Thereby, the electronic device 10 can accurately determine the country in which the electronic device 10 is located and the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard supported in that country. Since the wireless LAN standard depends on the laws of each country, the minimum unit of the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard is the country. Therefore, assuming that the frequency band is determined on the basis of an area wider than the country, there is a possibility that the entire frequency band of the wireless LAN standard supported by the country where the electronic device is located cannot be set. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the frequency band is determined based on the country, all the frequency bands of the wireless LAN standard supported by each country can be set. Further, since the electronic device 10 does not require communication with an external device, it can reliably use the frequency band of the wireless LAN standard in a local environment. Also, since the activation key is encrypted, the end user is prevented from setting a frequency band that is not authorized by the laws of the country in which the electronic device 10 is installed.

(2) According to this embodiment, the wireless LAN standard is IEEE802.11, and the frequency bands registered in the frequency band table 160 include the 5 GHz band and exclude the 2.4 GHz band. is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is universally supported. On the other hand, regarding the 5 GHz band, supported frequency bands differ minutely from country to country according to the laws (Radio Law) of each country. Thereby, the electronic device 10 can set the frequency band of the 5 GHz band, which is finely different for each country, according to the country in which the electronic device 10 is located. On the other hand, since the electronic device is set to enable wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band, it is not necessary to set the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band after purchasing the electronic device. Further, even if the 5 GHz frequency band is not approved at all by the laws of the country where the electronic device 10 is located, the electronic device 10 can perform wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz band.

(3) According to this embodiment, the electronic device 10 stores the extracted country identifier 170 . There may be cases where frequency band 162 is not registered in frequency band table 160 in association with country identifier 161 extracted from the activation key. This is a case in which the law of the country where the electronic device 10 is located does not permit the 5 GHz frequency band at all. However, even in such a case, there is a possibility that the 5 GHz frequency band will be approved in the future due to revision of the law. In that case, electronic device 10 may read frequency band 162 associated with stored country identifier 170 from frequency band table 160 updated in accordance with the revision of the law. Then, the electronic device 10 can set the read frequency band 162 to the wireless LAN communication device 140 .

Although the embodiments and modifications of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology. Of course.

Electronic device 10
Activation key generation device 20
Panel control unit 110
Panel input control unit 111
Panel display control unit 112
Activation control unit 120
Activation key analysis unit 121
Wireless LAN control unit 130
Frequency band determination unit 131
Frequency band setting unit 132
Wireless LAN communication device 140
Wireless LAN module 141
Wireless LAN antenna 142
Device identifier receiver 201
Activation key generator 202
Activation key transmission unit 203

Claims (5)

An electronic device uniquely identified by a device identifier,
a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device;
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with a country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by each of the country identifiers are associated with each other and registered. read band,
An electronic device comprising: a control circuit that sets the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The wireless LAN standard is IEEE802.11,
The frequency bands registered in the frequency band table include the 5 GHz band and exclude the 2.4 GHz band,
The wireless LAN communication device is an electronic device set to be capable of wireless LAN communication in a 2.4 GHz band. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control circuit is
storing the extracted country identifier;
When a frequency band is not registered in the frequency band table in association with the extracted country identifier, and a frequency band is registered in the frequency band table in association with the stored country identifier,
reading the frequency band registered in association with the stored country identifier from the frequency band table;
An electronic device that sets the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band. The control circuit of an electronic device that has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device and a control circuit and is uniquely identified by a device identifier,
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with a country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by each of the country identifiers are associated with each other and registered. read band,
A frequency band setting program for setting the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band. By the control circuit of an electronic device that has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication device and a control circuit and is uniquely identified by a device identifier,
decrypting an activation key in which the device identifier and a country identifier identifying the country in which the electronic device is located are encrypted using the device identifier as a key;
extracting the country identifier from the decrypted activation key;
A frequency associated with the country identifier extracted from a frequency band table in which a plurality of country identifiers and frequency bands of wireless LAN standards supported in the country identified by the country identifier are associated with each other and registered. read band,
A frequency band setting method for setting the wireless LAN communication device to enable wireless LAN communication in the read frequency band.

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