JP7332163B2 - Communication system, communication terminal, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to communication systems, base stations, communication terminals, and control methods.

Conventionally, techniques for establishing wireless communication between a base station and a plurality of communication terminals are known. As an example of this type of conventional technology, Patent Literature 1 discloses a communication system including a parent device (base station) as an access point and a plurality of child devices (communication terminals). The base unit of Patent Document 1 includes a storage unit that holds first communication setting information necessary for operating in the communication mode and second communication setting information necessary for operating in the setting mode; and an operation reception unit that receives an operation. Further, the base device of Patent Document 1 sets the first communication setting with the requesting slave device each time it receives a request for setting the first communication setting information from the slave device during operation in the setting mode. Perform processing to set information.

JP 2018-182513 A

However, in Patent Literature 1, it is not assumed that the master device receives requests for multiple wireless connections (also called connection requests) from multiple slave devices. In general, when a parent device receives multiple connection requests from multiple child devices within a certain period of time, it does not respond to these requests and establishes wireless communication between the parent device and multiple child devices. do not. In this way, if multiple connection requests are sent from multiple child devices to the parent device, the parent device cannot determine which child device to establish wireless communication with. There is a problem that it is not easy to establish wireless communication with the child device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and the like that can easily establish wireless communication between a base station and a plurality of communication terminals.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication system according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals and a base station capable of communicating with the plurality of communication terminals, wherein the plurality of communication terminals are a first operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user, and a start for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication when the first operation reception unit of the communication terminal receives an operation by a user a transmission unit that transmits a request, the base station includes a reception unit that receives the start request; a second operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user; (b) when the receiving unit receives a plurality of the start requests in the processing mode, the plurality of the start requests received by the receiving unit and a processing unit for starting the establishment process for a communication terminal that is a source of one start request among the requests.

According to this, when the receiving unit receives a plurality of start requests in the processing mode, the processing unit starts establishment processing for the communication terminal that is the source of one of the plurality of start requests. do. Therefore, even if the first operation receiving unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals receives the user's operation in quick succession and a plurality of start requests are sent out in quick succession, one of the plurality of start requests cannot be started. An establishment process may be initiated for the communication terminal from which the request originated. In this way, when a plurality of initiation requests are sent in quick succession, it is possible to avoid not responding to all of the plurality of initiation requests, and to respond to one of the plurality of initiation requests to establish the establishment process. can be started, wireless communication between the base station and a plurality of communication terminals can be easily established.

Further, each of the plurality of communication terminals determines whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station and another communication terminal other than the communication terminal among the plurality of communication terminals. and the transmitting unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit of the communication terminal, after transmitting the start request, the base station and the other When the establishment process is started with the communication terminal, the start request may be sent again after the started establishment process is finished.

According to this, the monitoring unit monitors whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the base station and other communication terminals, and the transmitting unit issues a start request based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit. If the establishment process is started between the base station and another communication terminal after the transmission, the start request is transmitted again after the establishment process is completed. Therefore, when the establishment process is started between the base station and the other communication terminal after the start request is sent, the establishment process is finished without the user having to operate the first operation reception unit again. Since the request can be sent again, wireless communication between the base station and a plurality of communication terminals can be established more easily.

Further, each of the plurality of communication terminals determines whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station and another communication terminal other than the communication terminal among the plurality of communication terminals. and the transmitting unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit of the communication terminal, between the base station and the other communication terminal The start request need not be issued when the establishment process is in progress.

According to this, since the start request is not transmitted while the establishment process is being performed between the base station and the other communication terminals, deterioration of the radio wave environment can be suppressed, and the base station and the plurality of communication terminals can communicate with each other. wireless communication can be easily established.

Further, the transmission unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals may repeatedly transmit the start request until the establishment process is started between the base station and the communication terminal.

According to this, even if the user does not operate the first operation accepting unit many times, the start request can be repeatedly transmitted until the establishment process is started between the base station and the plurality of communication terminals. Wireless communication between the station and a plurality of communication terminals can be established more easily.

Further, the processing unit monitors whether wireless communication between the base station and each of the plurality of communication terminals is established, and establishes wireless communication between the base station and each of the plurality of communication terminals. The processing mode may be continued until .

According to this, even if the user does not operate the second operation receiving unit many times, the processing mode is continued until wireless communication between the base station and each of the plurality of communication terminals is established. Wireless communication can be established more easily with a plurality of communication terminals.

Further, the base station further has a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of setting information that are different in content and used for setting the plurality of communication terminals, and the processing unit stores the plurality of setting information in the establishment process. One setting information among the setting information may be transmitted to the communication terminal targeted for the establishment process.

According to this, the wireless communication setting can be changed for each communication terminal.

Further, a base station according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a start request for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication, a second operation receiving unit that receives an operation by a user, (a (b) when the second operation receiving unit receives an operation by a user, the processing mode for performing the establishment processing is set; and a processing unit that, when receiving the start request, starts the establishment process for a communication terminal that is a source of one of the plurality of start requests received by the receiving unit.

According to this, when the receiving unit receives a plurality of start requests in the processing mode, the processing unit starts establishment processing for the communication terminal that is the source of one of the plurality of start requests. do. Therefore, even when a plurality of start requests are transmitted in succession from a plurality of communication terminals, it is possible to start the establishment process for the communication terminal that is the source of one of the plurality of start requests. can. In this way, when a plurality of initiation requests are sent in quick succession, it is possible to avoid not responding to all of the plurality of initiation requests, and to respond to one of the plurality of initiation requests to establish the establishment process. can be started, wireless communication between the base station and a plurality of communication terminals can be easily established.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, a communication terminal according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication terminal, comprising: a first operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user; If accepted, the establishment process is performed between a transmission unit that transmits a start request for starting the establishment process for establishing wireless communication, and a communication terminal other than the base station and the communication terminal. and a monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not the communication terminal is established, and the transmission unit transmits the start request based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit, and the establishment process between the base station and the other communication terminal is initiated, the initiation request is reissued after the initiated establishment process is completed.

According to this, the monitoring unit monitors whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the base station and other communication terminals, and the transmitting unit issues a start request based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit. If the establishment process is started between the base station and another communication terminal after the transmission, the start request is transmitted again after the establishment process is completed. Therefore, when the establishment process is started between the base station and the other communication terminal after the start request is sent, the establishment process is finished without the user having to operate the first operation reception unit again. Since the request can be sent again, wireless communication between the base station and a plurality of communication terminals can be established more easily.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a communication system including a plurality of communication terminals and a base station capable of communicating with the plurality of communication terminals, Each of the plurality of communication terminals receives an operation by a user, and when the communication terminal receives the operation by the user, transmits a start request for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication, and the base station. receives the start request and accepts the user's operation, (a) when the base station accepts the user's operation, enters a processing mode for performing the establishment processing, and (b) when in the processing mode When the base station receives a plurality of the initiation requests, it initiates the establishment process for the communication terminal that originated one of the plurality of initiation requests received by the base station.

According to this, the control method has the same effect as the communication system described above.

According to the present invention, a communication system or the like can easily establish wireless communication between a base station and a plurality of communication terminals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication system of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of multiple pieces of setting information. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the base station of the communication system of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal of the communication system of FIG. 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

All of the embodiments described below represent preferred specific examples of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in independent claims representing the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary constituent elements constituting more preferred embodiments. In addition, the same code|symbol may be attached|subjected to the same component and description may be abbreviate|omitted.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment. A schematic configuration of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a plurality of communication terminals 12a-12e and a base station 14. The communication terminals 12a-12e are connected to each other.

The base station 14 is a base station capable of wireless communication with a plurality of communication terminals 12a-12e. The base station 14 is a so-called access point and has a function of connecting a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e to the network. The base station 14 sequentially performs establishment processing for establishing wireless communication with the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, and establishes wireless communication with each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. In this embodiment, the wireless communication is wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and the establishment process for establishing wireless communication is a PBC (Push Button) of WPS (Wi-Fi-Protected Setup). Configuration) method.

A plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e are terminals having a function capable of wireless communication with the base station 14. FIG. For example, the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e are implemented by terminals such as personal computers or mobile terminals such as smart phones or tablets.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication system 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the communication terminals 12b to 12e out of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e are omitted in order to avoid complication of the drawing. A functional configuration of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the communication terminal 12 a has a first operation reception section 16 , a transmission section 18 , a first reception section 20 and a first control section 22 .

The first operation accepting unit 16 accepts an operation by a user. Specifically, the first operation accepting unit 16 accepts an operation for causing the sending unit 18 of the own communication terminal to send a start request for starting the establishment process for establishing wireless communication. That is, the first operation accepting unit 16 of the communication terminal 12a accepts an operation for causing the transmitting unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a to issue a start request. For example, the first operation reception unit 16 is realized by a physical switch provided on the outer surface of the housing of the communication terminal 12a, an icon displayed on the display screen of the communication terminal 12a, a touch panel, or the like.

When the first operation accepting unit 16 of the own communication terminal accepts an operation by the user, the transmitting unit 18 issues a start request for starting establishment processing for establishing wireless communication between the base station 14 and the own communication terminal. send. That is, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a transmits a start request when the first operation reception unit 16 of the communication terminal 12a receives an operation by the user.

Further, the transmitting unit 18 is a communication terminal other than the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e after transmitting the start request based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the own communication terminal. When the establishment process is started with another communication terminal, the start request is sent again after the started establishment process is finished. That is, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal 12a, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a transmits a start request, and then the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and one of the communication terminals 12b to 12e. In this case, the first operation accepting unit 16 of the communication terminal 12a does not accept the user's operation again, and transmits the start request again after the establishment process is completed.

Further, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the own communication terminal, the transmission unit 18 does not transmit a start request when the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal. That is, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal 12a, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a issues a start request when the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and one of the communication terminals 12b to 12e. Do not call.

Further, the transmission unit 18 repeatedly transmits the start request until the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and the own communication terminal. That is, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a does not allow the first operation reception unit 16 of the communication terminal 12a to receive the user's operation again until the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a. Send a start request repeatedly.

For example, the transmitter 18 is realized by a wireless communication module or the like.

The first receiving unit 20 receives setting information and the like for establishing wireless communication transmitted from the base station 14 . Hereinafter, setting information for establishing wireless communication will be simply referred to as setting information. Details of the setting information will be described later. For example, the first receiver 20 is realized by a wireless communication module or the like.

The first control unit 22 controls the first operation reception unit 16 , the transmission unit 18 and the first reception unit 20 . The first control section 22 has a monitoring section 24 . The monitoring unit 24 monitors whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal. That is, the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal 12a monitors whether or not the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and the communication terminals 12b to 12e. For example, the monitoring unit 24 acquires radio signals (radio waves) transmitted from the base station 14 and other communication terminals, and based on the acquired radio signals (radio waves), determines the distance between the base station 14 and the other communication terminals. monitor whether the establishment process is being performed. The first control unit 22 notifies the transmission unit 18 of the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 . For example, the first controller 22 is realized by a processor or the like.

Since the communication terminals 12b to 12e have the same functional configuration as the communication terminal 12a, the detailed description of the communication terminals 12b to 12e will be omitted by referring to the above description of the communication terminal 12a.

That is, each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e establishes wireless communication when the first operation reception unit 16 that receives the operation by the user and the first operation reception unit 16 of the communication terminal receives the operation by the user. and a transmission unit 18 that transmits a start request for starting the establishment process for the connection.

Further, each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e performs establishment processing between the base station 14 and another communication terminal, which is a communication terminal other than the corresponding communication terminal among the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. The transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e transmits a start request based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal, and then starts the base station. When an establishment process is started between the station 14 and another communication terminal, the start request is sent again after the started establishment process is finished.

Further, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal, the transmitting unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, when the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and other communication terminals, Do not issue a start request.

In addition, the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e repeatedly transmits a start request until the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and the communication terminal.

The base station 14 has a second operation reception section 26 , a second reception section 28 , a transmission section 30 , a storage section 32 and a second control section 34 .

The second operation accepting unit 26 accepts an operation by the user. Specifically, the second operation accepting unit 26 accepts an operation for setting the processing unit 36 to the processing mode. The user who operates the second operation reception unit 26 and the user who operates the first operation reception unit 16 may be the same or different. For example, the second operation reception unit 26 is realized by a physical switch provided on the outer surface of the housing of the base station 14, an icon displayed on the display screen of the base station 14, a touch panel, or the like.

The second receiver 28 receives the start request. Specifically, when a plurality of start requests are transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests. Further, the second receiving unit 28 receives one start request when one of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e transmits one start request. For example, the second receiver 28 is realized by a wireless communication module or the like.

When performing establishment processing with a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, the transmission unit 30 transmits setting information and the like to each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. For example, the transmission unit 30 transmits setting information and the like to the communication terminal 12a when performing establishment processing with the communication terminal 12a. For example, the transmitter 30 is implemented by a wireless communication module or the like.

The storage unit 32 stores a plurality of setting information and the like. The plurality of setting information have mutually different contents and are information used for setting the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. The setting of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e is the setting for connecting the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e to the base station 14 and establishing wireless communication between the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e and the base station 14. be.

Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of setting information. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the multiple pieces of setting information include first setting information and second setting information. The first setting information and the second setting information include information indicating SSID (Service Set Identifier), authentication method/encryption method, and Key. In the first setting information, the SSID is TEST-1, the authentication method/encryption method is WPA (Wi-Fi Protect Access) 2-PSK (Pre-Shared Key)/AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), and Key is 1111111111. In the second setting information, SSID is TEST-2, authentication method/encryption method is WPA2-PSK/AES, and Key is 2222222222. Comparing the first setting information and the second setting information, the SSID and Key are different, and the contents are different from each other.

Returning to the description of FIG. 2 , the second control section 34 controls the second operation reception section 26 , the second reception section 28 , the transmission section 30 and the storage section 32 . The second control section 34 has a processing section 36 . When the second operation accepting unit 26 accepts an operation by the user, the processing unit 36 enters a processing mode for performing establishment processing with the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. When the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests in the processing mode, the processing unit 36 selects the communication terminal that is the transmission source of one of the plurality of start requests received by the second receiving unit 28. start the establishment process for For example, the processing unit 36 starts the establishment process for the communication terminal that is the originator of the start request that the second receiving unit 28 has received the earliest among the plurality of start requests. Further, when the second receiving unit 28 receives one start request in the processing mode, the processing unit 36 performs establishment processing on the communication terminal from which the one start request received by the second receiving unit 28 is transmitted. to start.

Further, the processing unit 36 maintains the processing mode for a predetermined time even after completing the establishment processing with one communication terminal. If the processing unit 36 does not receive a start request from a new communication terminal within a predetermined period of time, the processing unit 36 determines that wireless communication has been established between the base station 14 and each of the plurality of communication terminals, Exit processing mode. Here, the predetermined time may be determined in consideration of the radio wave environment in anticipation of receiving the start request from the communication terminal a certain number of times (for example, 10 times), and the predetermined time is determined by the user. or may be determined in advance at the time of product shipment.

As another method for determining whether or not to continue the processing mode, for example, information for identifying a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e (eg, MAC addresses, IP addresses, etc.) is stored in the storage unit 32 in advance. The processing unit 36 refers to the information stored in the storage unit 32 and monitors whether wireless communication between the base station 14 and each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e has been established. good too.

In any case, the processing unit 36 continues the processing mode until wireless communication is established between the base station 14 and all of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e.

Furthermore, in the establishment process, the processing unit 36 transmits one setting information among the plurality of setting information to the target communication terminal of the establishment process.

For example, the second controller 34 is realized by a processor or the like.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of communication system 10 of FIG. An example of the operation of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that in the example of the operation shown in FIG. 4, an example of the operation when the communication system 10 does not include the communication terminals 12c, 12d, and 12e will be described in order to avoid complicating the explanation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base station 14 accepts a user's operation (step S1), and upon accepting the user's operation, transitions to a processing mode (step S2). Specifically, when the second operation accepting unit 26 accepts an operation by the user, the processing unit 36 enters the processing mode.

The communication terminal 12a accepts the user's operation (step S3), and upon accepting the user's operation, transmits a start request (step S4). Specifically, when the first operation reception unit 16 of the communication terminal 12a receives an operation by the user, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a transmits a start request.

The communication terminal 12b accepts the user's operation (step S5), and upon accepting the user's operation, transmits a start request (step S6). Specifically, when the first operation reception unit 16 of the communication terminal 12b receives an operation by the user, the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12b transmits a start request.

In this way, each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a and 12b accepts an operation by the user, and when the communication terminal accepts the operation by the user, the establishment of wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal is performed. Send a start request to start processing.

When the start request is transmitted from the communication terminal 12a and the start request is transmitted from the communication terminal 12b, the base station 14 receives these multiple start requests (step S7). Specifically, when a start request is transmitted from the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12a and a start request is transmitted from the transmission unit 18 of the communication terminal 12b at substantially the same timing, the second reception unit 28 receive a request to start the

When the base station 14 receives a plurality of start requests after transitioning to the processing mode, the base station 14 determines a communication terminal to perform establishment processing (step S8). Specifically, when the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests at substantially the same timing while the processing unit 36 is in the processing mode, the processing unit 36 receives the multiple start requests received by the second receiving unit 28. It is determined which of the communication terminals, which is the transmission source of the start request, the establishment process is to be performed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second receiving unit 28 receives the start request transmitted from the communication terminal 12a earlier than the start request transmitted from the communication terminal 12b, the processing unit 36 receives the start request transmitted from the communication terminal 12a. is determined as the communication terminal that performs the establishment process. That is, in this case, the processing unit 36 determines to perform the establishment process on the communication terminal 12a that originated one of the multiple start requests received by the second receiving unit 28 .

After determining the communication terminal for which the establishment process is to be performed, the base station 14 transmits a start response to the communication terminal (step S9). Specifically, the processing unit 36 uses the transmission unit 30 to transmit a start response to the communication terminal after determining the communication terminal that performs the establishment process. The start response is a response indicating to start the establishment process and includes configuration information. For example, the establishment process starts when the processing unit 36 transmits a start response to the communication terminal. That is, for example, the establishment process starts with the processing unit 36 transmitting a start response to the communication terminal that is the target of the establishment process.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit 36 determines the communication terminal 12a as the communication terminal that performs the establishment process, transmits a start response to the communication terminal 12a, and starts the establishment process for the communication terminal 12a. do. In this way, when the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests, the processing unit 36 starts the establishment process only for the communication terminal that originated one of the plurality of start requests. However, the establishment process is not started for the communication terminal that is the source of the start request other than the one start request among the plurality of start requests.

In the establishment process, the processing unit 36 transmits one of the plurality of setting information to the communication terminal 12a that is the target of the establishment process. For example, the processing unit 36 transmits the first setting information to the communication terminal 12a together with the start response. Note that the processing unit 36 may not transmit the first setting information together with the start response, and may transmit the first setting information after transmitting the start response.

When the communication terminal 12a receives the first setting information via the first receiving section 20, the first control section 22 performs settings for establishing wireless communication based on the first setting information.

After the base station 14 transmits the start response to the communication terminal 12a, the establishment process as described above is performed between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a, and wireless communication is established between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a. (Step S10). By establishing wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a, the establishment process between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a ends. That is, the establishment process ends when wireless communication is established between the base station 14 and the communication terminal that is the target of the establishment process. For example, even if the second receiving unit 28 receives a start request from the communication terminal 12b while the processing unit 36 is performing establishment processing between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a, It does not respond to the start request.

After transmitting the start request (after step S6), the communication terminal 12b starts the establishment process between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a, which is another communication terminal. A start request is not transmitted while the connection is present, and a start request is transmitted again after the establishment process is completed (step S11). In this way, the communication terminal 12b does not allow the first operation accepting unit 16 of the communication terminal 12b to accept the user's operation again, and after the establishment processing between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a is completed, the communication terminal 12b reissues the start request. do.

When the communication terminal 12b issues the start request, the base station 14 receives the start request (step S12). Specifically, when a start request is transmitted from the communication terminal 12b, the second receiving unit 28 receives the start request.

Upon receiving the start request sent from the communication terminal 12b, the base station 14 transmits a start response to the communication terminal 12b (step S13). Specifically, the processing unit 36 continues the processing mode even after the wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a is established, and the second receiving unit 28 receives the start request transmitted from the communication terminal 12b. Upon reception, a start response is transmitted to communication terminal 12b, and establishment processing is started for communication terminal 12b.

In the establishment process, the processing unit 36 transmits one of the plurality of setting information to the communication terminal 12b that is the target of the establishment process. For example, the processing unit 36 transmits second setting information different from the first setting information transmitted to the communication terminal 12a together with the start response to the communication terminal 12b. Note that the processing unit 36 may not transmit the second setting information together with the start response, and may transmit the second setting information after transmitting the start response. Further, for example, the processing unit 36 may also transmit the first setting information transmitted to the communication terminal 12a to the communication terminal 12b.

Upon receiving the second setting information, the communication terminal 12b performs setting based on the second setting information. That is, the communication terminal 12b performs setting based on the second setting information received from the base station 14 in the establishment process.

After the base station 14 transmits the start response to the communication terminal 12b, the establishment process as described above is performed between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12b, and wireless communication is established between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12b. (Step S14). By establishing wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12b, the establishment process between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12b ends.

When wireless communication with each of the communication terminals 12a and 12b is established, the base station 14 cancels the processing mode (step S15). Specifically, when wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12a is established and wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal 12b is established, the processing unit 36 continues the processing mode for a predetermined time, After receiving the start request from the communication terminal and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the base station 14 cancels the processing mode without receiving any user operation.

Here, the process of continuing the processing mode for a predetermined time and accepting the start request from the communication terminal does not require the base station 14 to know in advance the number of communication terminals for which the wireless communication establishment process should be performed. This is because there is no need to perform the establishment process with a plurality of communication terminals in a predetermined order. In other words, after receiving an operation by the user, the base station 14 only needs to complete the process of establishing wireless communication with a plurality of communication terminals, the number of which is determined by the operation by the user. you don't need to know By doing so, the complication of design can be reduced.

As described above, when the second operation accepting unit 26 accepts an operation by the user, the processing unit 36 of the base station 14 does not allow the second operation accepting unit 26 to accept an operation by the user again. The processing mode continues until wireless communication with each of the communication terminals 12a and 12b is established.

When the first operation accepting unit 16 of the communication terminal accepts the operation by the user, the transmitting unit 18 of each of the communication terminals 12a and 12b accepts the operation by the user again. The start request is repeatedly sent until the processing unit 36 starts the establishment process to the communication terminal.

The processing unit 36 of the base station 14 sequentially responds to start requests transmitted from the plurality of communication terminals 12a and 12b, sequentially performs establishment processing on the plurality of communication terminals 12a and 12b, and establish wireless communication with each of the

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the operation of base station 14 of communication system 10 of FIG. An example of the operation of the base station 14 of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, it is assumed that the base station 14 does not recognize communication terminal information (such as the number of communication terminals and their identifiers) in advance.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base station 14 determines whether or not a user's operation has been accepted (step S21). Specifically, the base station 14 determines whether or not the second operation accepting unit 26 has accepted an operation by the user.

If the base station 14 has not accepted a user operation (No in step S21), it determines again whether or not a user operation has been accepted (step S21).

If the base station 14 receives an operation by the user (Yes in step S21), it transitions to the processing mode (step S22).

After transitioning to the processing mode, the base station 14 determines whether or not a start request has been received (step S23).

If the base station 14 has not received the start request (No in step S23), it proceeds to step S24 and determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S24).

If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S24), the base station 14 returns to step S23 and determines whether or not a start request has been received (step S23).

When the base station 14 receives the start request (Yes in step S23), the base station 14 determines the target of the establishment process (step S25). For example, when the base station 14 receives a plurality of start requests originating from a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, the base station 14 determines which communication terminal of the plurality of start requests originated from the establishment process. Decide whether to target Further, for example, when receiving one start request, the base station 14 determines the communication terminal that is the source of the one start request as a target of the establishment process.

After determining the communication terminal to be subjected to the establishment process, the base station 14 starts the establishment process for the communication terminal (step S26).

When the base station 14 starts establishment processing for the communication terminal, establishment processing is performed between the base station 14 and the communication terminal. After finishing the process (step S27), the process returns to step S23 and waits for a start request from another communication terminal.

In step S24, if a predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S24), it is determined that wireless communication has been established with each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, the process proceeds to step S28, and the processing mode ends ( Step S28), the operation ends. For example, the processing unit 36 of the base station 14 monitors whether or not the second receiving unit 28 has received the start request to determine whether wireless communication has been established with each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. to monitor. Specifically, for example, the processing unit 36 causes the second receiving unit 28 to receive the start request at a predetermined time after the completion of the establishment process with one of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. If not, it is determined that wireless communication has been established with each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. In this manner, the processing unit 36 monitors whether or not wireless communication with each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e has been established. Continue processing mode.

As described above, when the base station 14 receives a plurality of start requests after transitioning to the processing mode, the base station 14 starts establishment processing for the communication terminal that originated one of the plurality of start requests. do. Then, when the base station 14 receives a plurality of start requests after the completion of the establishment process, the base station 14 starts the establishment process for the communication terminal that originated one of the plurality of start requests. In this way, when the base station 14 receives start requests transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e after transitioning to the processing mode, the base station 14 determines which communication terminal of the plurality of start requests is the source of the start request. is to be subject to establishment processing, and establishment processing is started for the communication terminal. After completing the establishment process, the base station 14 does not accept an operation by the user. establishment processing for the communication terminal that originated one of the start requests.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal 12a of the communication system 10 of FIG. An example of the operation of the communication terminal 12a of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The communication terminals 12b to 12e also perform operations similar to the operations of the communication terminal 12a shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not an operation by the user has been received (step S31). Specifically, the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not the first operation reception unit 16 has received an operation by the user.

When the communication terminal 12a has not accepted an operation by the user (No in step S31), it determines again whether or not an operation by the user has been accepted (step S31).

When the communication terminal 12a receives an operation by the user (Yes in step S31), the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not establishment processing is being performed for another communication terminal (step S32). In other words, the communication terminal 12a determines whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal. Specifically, the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal.

If the communication terminal 12a is performing the establishment process for another communication terminal (Yes in step S32), the communication terminal 12a determines whether the establishment process has ended (step S33).

If the establishment process has not ended (No in step S33), the communication terminal 12a repeatedly determines whether the establishment process has ended (step S33).

When the establishment process has ended (Yes in step S33) and when the establishment process has not been performed on other communication terminals (No in step S32), the communication terminal 12a transmits a start request (step S34). ).

After transmitting the start request, the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not the establishment process has started for its own communication terminal (step S35). That is, after transmitting the start request, the communication terminal 12a determines whether or not a start response to the communication terminal 12a is received.

If the communication terminal 12a has not started the establishment process for its own communication terminal (No in step S35), the communication terminal 12a determines whether the establishment process has started for another communication terminal (step S36).

When the establishment process is started for another communication terminal (Yes in step S36), the communication terminal 12a determines again whether the establishment process has ended (step S33).

If the establishment process has not been started for other communication terminals (No in step S36), the communication terminal 12a transmits a start request again (step S34).

If the communication terminal 12a starts the establishment process for its own communication terminal (Yes in step S35), the communication terminal 12a performs the establishment process with the base station 14 (step S37), and ends the operation.

As described above, the communication terminal 12a repeats the start request when the establishment process is not performed between the base station 14 and other communication terminals until the establishment process is started for the communication terminal 12a. send. The same applies to the communication terminals 12b-12e.

The communication system 10 according to the embodiment has been described above.

A communication system 10 according to an embodiment is a communication system including a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e and a base station 14 capable of communicating with the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. A first operation accepting unit 16 for accepting an operation by a user, and a start unit for starting establishment processing for establishing wireless communication when the first operation accepting unit 16 of the communication terminal receives an operation by a user. The base station 14 includes a transmission unit 18 that transmits a request, a second reception unit 28 that receives the start request, a second operation reception unit 26 that receives an operation by the user, (a) a second operation reception unit 26 accepts a user operation, the processing mode is set to perform establishment processing, and (b) when the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests in the processing mode, the second receiving unit 28 receives and a processing unit 36 for starting establishment processing for a communication terminal that is the source of one start request among the plurality of start requests received.

According to this, when the second receiving unit 28 receives a plurality of start requests in the processing mode, the processing unit 36 sends one of the plurality of start requests to the communication terminal that originated the start request. Start the establishment process. Therefore, even if the first operation accepting units 16 of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e receive user operations in quick succession and a plurality of start requests are sent out in quick succession, The establishment process can be started for the communication terminal that originated the 1 start request. In this way, when a plurality of initiation requests are sent in quick succession, it is possible to avoid not responding to all of the plurality of initiation requests, and to respond to one of the plurality of initiation requests to establish the establishment process. can be started, wireless communication between the base station 14 and a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e can be easily established.

Further, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e is a communication terminal other than the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. further has a monitoring unit 24 for monitoring whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the communication terminals 12a to 12e. Based on this, if the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and another communication terminal after sending the start request, the start request is sent again after the started establishment process is finished. According to this, the monitoring unit 24 monitors whether or not establishment processing is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal, and the transmitting unit 18, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24, If the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and another communication terminal after transmitting the start request, the start request is transmitted again after the establishment process is completed. Therefore, when the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and another communication terminal after transmitting the start request, the establishment process ends without the user operating the first operation receiving unit 16 again. Since the start request can be sent again later, wireless communication between the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a-12e can be established more easily.

Further, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 24 of the communication terminal, Do not issue a start request when an establishment process is in progress between them. According to this, since the start request is not sent while the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and other communication terminals, a plurality of communications with the base station 14 can be established while suppressing deterioration of the radio wave environment. Wireless communication can be easily established with the terminals 12a-12e.

Further, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e repeats the start request until the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and the communication terminal. send. According to this, even if the user does not operate the first operation accepting unit 16 many times, the start request is repeated until the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. Since transmission can be made, wireless communication between the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e can be established more easily.

Further, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the processing unit 36 monitors whether wireless communication has been established between the base station 14 and each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e. The processing mode continues until wireless communication with each of the communication terminals 12a to 12e is established. According to this, even if the user does not operate the second operation accepting unit 26 many times, the processing mode is continued until wireless communication between the base station 14 and each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e is established. Therefore, wireless communication between the base station 14 and the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e can be established more easily.

Further, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the base station 14 further has a storage unit 32 that stores a plurality of setting information that are different in content and used for setting the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e, In the establishment process, the processing unit 36 transmits one of the plurality of setting information to the communication terminal that is the target of the establishment process. According to this, the wireless communication setting can be changed for each communication terminal.

(Other embodiments, etc.)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication is wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, wireless communication may be wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the establishment process is a process using the PBC method of WPS, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the establishment process may be a process using an AOSS (AirStation One-Touch Secure System) method or the like.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication system 10 includes a plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A communication system may include two or more communication terminals.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the establishment process is started between the base station 14 and another communication terminal after the transmitting unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e transmits a start request, Although the case where the start request is sent again after the establishment process is completed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e periodically transmits a start request regardless of whether the establishment process has started between the base station 14 and other communication terminals. good too. In other words, for example, the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e may transmit a start request while the establishment process is being performed between the base station 14 and another communication terminal.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the transmission unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e repeatedly transmits a start request until wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal is established. but not limited to this. For example, even if wireless communication between the base station 14 and the communication terminal is not established, the transmitting unit 18 of each of the plurality of communication terminals 12a to 12e stops transmitting the start request after a certain period of time. Transmission of the start request may be stopped when an operation to start is received.

In the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 36 continues the processing mode until wireless communication between the base station 14 and each of the communication terminals 12a to 12e is established. not. For example, the processing unit 36 may end the processing mode after a certain period of time has elapsed or when an operation to end the processing mode is received.

The present invention can be realized not only as a system, but also as a method in which processing means constituting the system are used as steps, as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer-readable program in which the program is recorded. It can also be implemented as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data or signals representing the program. These programs, information, data and signals may then be distributed over a communication network such as the Internet.

Although the communication system and the like of the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, the present embodiment includes various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of, and the form constructed by combining the components of different embodiments is also included in the scope of the present invention. .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a communication system or the like that establishes wireless communication between a base station and a plurality of communication terminals.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 communication system 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e communication terminal 14 base station 16 first operation reception unit 18 transmission unit 20 first reception unit 22 first control unit 24 monitoring unit 26 second operation reception unit 28 second reception unit 30 transmission unit 32 storage unit 34 second control unit 36 processing unit

Claims (7)

A communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals and a base station capable of communicating with the plurality of communication terminals,
Each of the plurality of communication terminals,
a first operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user;
a transmission unit that transmits a start request for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication when the first operation reception unit of the communication terminal receives an operation by a user;
The base station
a receiving unit that receives the start request;
a second operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user;
(a) when the second operation receiving unit receives an operation by a user, the processing mode is set to perform the establishment processing; and (b) the receiving unit receives a plurality of the start requests in the processing mode. a processing unit for starting the establishment process for a communication terminal that is a source of one of the plurality of start requests received by the receiving unit,
Each of the plurality of communication terminals monitors whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station and a communication terminal other than the communication terminal among the plurality of communication terminals. further comprising a monitoring unit for
The transmitting unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit of the communication terminal, after transmitting the start request, the establishment process between the base station and the other communication terminal is performed. if initiated, resend the initiation request after the initiated establishment process is finished;
Communications system. Furthermore, the transmission unit does not transmit the start request when the establishment process is being performed between the base station and the other communication terminal based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit of the communication terminal.
A communication system according to claim 1. The transmission unit of each of the plurality of communication terminals repeatedly transmits the start request until the establishment process is started between the base station and the communication terminal.
A communication system according to claim 1 or 2 . The processing unit monitors whether or not wireless communication between the base station and each of the plurality of communication terminals is established, and continues to monitor whether or not wireless communication between the base station and each of the plurality of communication terminals is established. continue processing mode,
A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The base station further has a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information that are different in content from each other and that are used for setting the plurality of communication terminals,
wherein, in the establishment process, the processing unit transmits one of the plurality of setting information to the communication terminal that is the target of the establishment process;
A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . a communication terminal,
a first operation reception unit that receives an operation by a user;
a transmission unit that transmits a start request for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication when the first operation reception unit receives an operation by a user;
a monitoring unit that monitors whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station and a communication terminal other than the communication terminal;
Based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit, the transmitting unit determines that, when the establishment process is started between the base station and the other communication terminal after transmitting the start request, the started establishment process is Reissue the start request after finishing;
communication terminal. A control method for a communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals and a base station capable of communicating with the plurality of communication terminals,
Each of the plurality of communication terminals,
Accepts user operations,
When the communication terminal receives an operation by a user, it transmits a start request for starting an establishment process for establishing wireless communication,
the base station
receiving the initiation request;
Accepts user operations,
(a) when the base station receives an operation from a user, it enters a processing mode for performing the establishment processing; and (b) when the base station receives a plurality of the start requests in the processing mode, the starting the establishment process for a communication terminal that originated one of the plurality of start requests received by the base station;
Each of the plurality of communication terminals,
monitoring whether the establishment process is being performed between the base station and another communication terminal, which is a communication terminal other than the communication terminal among the plurality of communication terminals;
If the establishment process is started between the base station and the other communication terminal after the transmission of the start request based on the monitoring result of the communication terminal, the start is performed after the started establishment process is finished. resubmit the request,
control method.

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