Communication setting method

Abstract

To make pairing already set when an information processing device and a peripheral device are delivered to an end user and the end user starts using the device.SOLUTION: A communication setting method for connecting a first communication device and a second communication device that are shipped as a set and correspond to a first communication device and a second communication device that correspond to a common wireless communication, and for connecting the first communication device and the second communication device by the wireless communication includes a step in which a storage control unit of the first communication device stores communication connection information issued in correspondence with the first communication device and including predetermined identification information used for connection in a storage unit of the first communication device at a predetermined stage before shipping, and a step in which a storage control unit of the second communication device stores the same communication connection information as that stored in the storage unit of the first communication device in the storage unit of the second communication device at a predetermined stage before shipping.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication setting method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique for pairing two wireless devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark) or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-205614 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, an information processing device such as a personal computer and a peripheral device such as a keyboard may be packaged together and handed over to an end user. In such a case, if the information processing device and the peripheral device are already paired and connected when the end user removes the information processing device and the peripheral device from the box and starts them up, the end user can immediately use the information processing device with the connected peripheral device without having to perform a pairing operation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to ensure that pairing has been set up when the information processing device and peripheral device are delivered to an end user and use is started. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a communication setting method for a first communication device and a second communication device, which are shipped together as a set and each of which supports a common wireless communication, and which enables the first communication device and the second communication device to be connected via the wireless communication, the communication setting method including: a step in which a memory control unit of the first communication device stores communication connection information, which is issued corresponding to the first communication device and includes predetermined identification information used for connection, in the memory unit of the first communication device at a predetermined stage before shipping; and a step in which a memory control unit of the second communication device stores the communication connection information, which is the same as the communication connection information stored in the memory unit of the first communication device, in the memory unit of the second communication device at a predetermined stage before shipping.

[0007] (2) One aspect of the present invention is the communication setting method according to (1), which may further include a step in which a communication connection information issuing unit in the first communication device generates the communication connection information.

[0008] (3) One aspect of the present invention is the communication setting method described in (1) or (2), in which the storage unit of the first communication device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0009] (4) One aspect of the present invention is a communication setting method according to any one of (1) to (3), which may further include a step in which, after shipment, a communication unit of the first communication device executes advertising for pairing with the second communication device up to an allowed number of activations.

[0010] (5) One aspect of the present invention is a communication setting method described in any one of (1) to (4), in which the second communication device is an information processing device, and the first communication device is a peripheral device of the information processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that when the information processing device and the peripheral device are delivered to an end user and use is started, a state in which pairing has already been set up can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a keyboard according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure executed in relation to pairing settings between an information processing device and a keyboard in the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] 1 shows an example of the appearance of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system according to the present embodiment includes an information processing device 100 (an example of a second communication device) and a keyboard 200 (an example of a first communication device).

[0014] The information processing device 100 performs information processing in response to an operation by an end user. The information processing device 100 has a touch panel in which a display device and a touch sensor are combined. The end user can use the information processing device 100 by operating the touch panel.

[0015] Various keys, each having a letter, a number, a symbol, or a function assigned thereto, are arranged on the keyboard 200. The keyboard 200 is an input device used by an end user to perform operations such as inputting characters.

[0016] The information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are communicatively connected to each other via short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication method supported by the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 may be, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark).

[0017] When the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are connected by short-range wireless communication, the keyboard 200 transmits an operation signal corresponding to an operation performed on a key to the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 executes processing such as character input corresponding to the received operation signal.

[0018] In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are packaged together as a set and delivered to an end user. In addition, in this embodiment, when an end user unpacks the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200, removes them from the box, and starts up the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 for the first time, the pairing between the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 has already been completed, and a state in which they are connected and capable of communicating is obtained. As a result, the end user does not need to perform an operation to pair the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 when starting up and using the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 for the first time.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 100, which is mainly related to a connection by short-range wireless communication. The functions of the information processing device 100 in Fig. 2 are realized by a central processing unit (CPU) provided in the hardware of the information processing device 100 executing a program. The information processing device 100 in the figure includes a user interface unit 101, a code reading unit 102, a communication unit 103, a memory control unit 104, and a memory unit 105.

[0020] The user interface unit 101 is a portion including an input device and an output device provided in the information processing device 100. In the case of the information processing device 100 of this embodiment, the user interface unit 101 may include a touch panel.

[0021] The code reading unit 102 executes reading of a code. That is, the code reading unit 102 includes a code scanner, and extracts information from a code symbol read by the code scanner. The code symbol may be, for example, a one-dimensional code (barcode) or a two-dimensional code.

[0022] The communication unit 103 is communicably connected to an external device via short-range wireless communication. The storage control unit 104 causes the storage unit 105 to store information. The storage unit 105 stores various types of information related to the information processing device 100.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration of keyboard 200 that is mainly related to a connection by short-range wireless communication. The functions of keyboard 200 in Fig. 3 are realized by a central processing unit (CPU) provided in the hardware of keyboard 200 executing a program. The keyboard 200 in the figure includes a key unit 201 , a communication unit 202 , a communication connection information issuing unit 203 , a memory control unit 204 , and a memory unit 205 .

[0024] The key unit 201 outputs operation signals according to operations performed on various keys arranged on the keyboard 200 and corresponding keys.

[0025] The communication unit 202 is communicatively connected to an external device via short-range wireless communication.

[0026] The communication connection information issuing unit 203 issues communication connection information. The communication connection information is information used when the communication device as the keyboard 200 sets up a connection (pairing) with another communication device, and includes a device ID that uniquely identifies the communication device as the keyboard 200 and an authentication code that authenticates the communication device as the keyboard 200. The authentication code may be, for example, a PIN code. The communication connection information issuing unit 203 may issue a device ID and an authentication code using a random value obtained by, for example, generating random numbers. The communication connection information issuing unit 203 may be provided in an external device connected to the keyboard 200, for example.

[0027] The storage control unit 204 causes the storage unit 205 to store the communication connection information issued by the communication connection information issuing unit 203 .

[0028] The storage unit 205 stores the communication connection information issued by the communication connection information issuing unit 203. The storage unit 205 in which the communication connection information is stored may be a non-volatile memory (NVM) that stores data once written in a non-rewritable state. In addition, the storage area in the storage unit 205 in which the communication connection information is stored may be an area that is inaccessible to end users.

[0029] An example of a procedure executed in relation to pairing settings between the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to a sequence diagram of FIG. In the following explanation, an example will be taken of a distribution system in which the keyboard 200 manufactured in a first factory is transported to a second factory that manufactures the information processing device 100, and the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are packaged (bundled) in the same box at the second factory and delivered to the end user.

[0030] Step S100: In the first factory, the communication connection information issuing unit 203 of the manufactured keyboard 200 issues communication connection information corresponding to the local keyboard 200. The communication connection information includes a device ID that uniquely identifies a communication device as the local keyboard 200, and an authentication code corresponding to the local keyboard 200.

[0031] Step S102: The storage control unit 204 stores in the storage unit 205 the communication connection information issued in step S100.

[0032] Step S104: In the first factory, a label is produced by printing on label paper a code symbol (for example, a two-dimensional code) indicating the communication connection information issued by the communication connection information issuing unit 203 in step S100.

[0033] Step S106: In the first factory, the label created in step S104 is attached to the packaging material in which the corresponding keyboard 200 is packed. The attachment of the label to the packaging material in the first factory may be performed by a device such as a robot, or may be performed manually by a worker.

[0034] Step S108: The keyboard 200 packed in the packaging material to which the label has been attached in step S106 is transported to the second factory.

[0035] Step S110: In the second factory, the code symbol printed on the label attached to the packaging material of the transported keyboard 200 is read by the code reading unit 102 of the information processing device 100. Such reading of the code symbol may be performed, for example, as an operation by a worker in the second factory.

[0036] Step S112: In response to the reading of the code symbol in step S110, the code reading unit 102 acquires communication connection information from the read code symbol. Then, the memory control unit 104 stores the acquired communication connection information in the memory unit 105.

[0037] Step S114: In the second factory, the label whose code symbol has been read is removed from the packaging material and discarded.

[0038] Step S116: At the second factory, the keyboard 200 for which the corresponding code symbol has been read and the information processing device 100 in which the communication connection information for the read code symbol has been stored are packed as a set into a cardboard box or the like.

[0039] Step S118: The box in which the keyboard 200 and the information processing device 100 are packed in step S116 is shipped and handed over to the end user by delivery or hand-delivery at the store.

[0040] Step S120: In an environment (end user environment) in which the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are used, the end user takes out the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 from a box. When the end user connects the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 for use, the end user first performs an operation to start up the information processing device 100 (start-up operation) in a state in which the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are within the communication distance of the communication unit 103 and the communication unit 202.

[0041] Step S122: In response to the start-up operation in step S120, the information processing device 100 starts up.

[0042] Step S124: Following the start-up operation in step S120, the end user performs a start-up operation on the keyboard 200.

[0043] Step S126: In response to the start-up operation in step S124, the keyboard 200 is started up.

[0044] Step S128: In the keyboard 200, the communication unit 202 determines whether the current startup in step S126 is the first startup after shipment or the second or subsequent startup after shipment. If it is determined that the startup is the first startup, the communication unit 202 executes advertising for pairing.

[0045] Step S130: In response to the advertising being executed in step S128, the communication unit 202 of the keyboard 200 and the communication unit 103 of the information processing device 100 present within the communication distance of the communication unit 202 perform pairing under short-range wireless communication. During pairing, the keyboard 200 and the information processing device 100 exchange mutual communication connection information and store the exchanged communication connection information. Through such pairing, the keyboard 200 and the information processing device 100 are set as communication partners in short-range wireless communication with each other.

[0046] Step S132: The communication unit 202 of the keyboard 200 and the communication unit 103 of the information processing device 100, which have been paired in step S130, establish a connection so as to be able to communicate with each other, using the communication connection information of the communication partner stored by the pairing.

[0047] Step S134: On the other hand, if it is determined that the current startup in step S126 is the second or subsequent startup, the communication unit 202 establishes a connection with the communication unit 103 of the information processing device 100 so as to enable mutual communication, using the connection setting information of the communication partner stored by pairing in step S130 during the initial startup.

[0048] According to the above configuration, when an end user takes out the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 that were included in the package and uses them from the box, the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200 are already connected via short-range wireless communication by starting them up. This allows the end user to use the information processing device 100 by operating the keyboard 200 immediately after starting up the information processing device 100 and the keyboard 200, without having to perform any operation for pairing.

[0049] 4, the communication connection information of keyboard 200 is issued by keyboard 200 using random numbers or the like at the first factory where keyboard 200 is manufactured. This improves the confidentiality of the communication connection information compared to, for example, a case in which a list of communication connection information is prepared in advance and then written sequentially to manufactured keyboards 200. Furthermore, the hardware corresponding to storage unit 205 in keyboard 200, in which communication connection information is stored, is a non-volatile memory that is inaccessible to end users, thereby preventing external reading and tampering. Furthermore, in the second factory, the information connection information of the keyboard 200 is written (stored) in the information processing device 100 by reading a code symbol rather than by inputting a specific character string or the like, so that the confidentiality of the communication connection information can be maintained. Furthermore, advertising performed by the keyboard 200 for pairing is limited to the first startup, and advertising is not performed on the second and subsequent startups. This limits the opportunity to transmit and receive communication connection information between the keyboard 200 and the information processing device 100 to one, thereby reducing the possibility of the communication connection information being intercepted. Note that the number of times the keyboard 200 can perform advertising may be set to be permitted within a predetermined range of startups, such as from the first startup to the third startup. Thus, in this embodiment, when the information processing device 100 is included in a set with the keyboard 200 and handed over to an end user, the possibility of the communication connection information of the keyboard 200 being leaked can be effectively prevented, and security can be strengthened against attacks from malicious users, for example.

[0050] The first communication device connected to the information processing device 100 (second communication device) by short-range wireless communication is not limited to the keyboard 200. For example, the first communication device may be an external storage device, a disk drive, a pen tablet, a mouse, or the like.

[0051] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned information processing device 100, keyboard 200, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-mentioned information processing device 100, keyboard 200, etc. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system and a solid state drive. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer system that can be accessed from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that is a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 100 Information processing device, 101 User interface unit, 102 Code reading unit, 103 Communication unit, 104 Memory control unit, 105 Memory unit, 200 Keyboard, 201 Key unit, 202 Communication unit, 203 Communication connection information issuing unit, 204 Memory control unit, 205 Memory unit

Claims

1. A communication setting method for setting a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device and the second communication device being shipped together as a set and each corresponding to a common wireless communication, and for enabling connection between the first communication device and the second communication device via the wireless communication, the method comprising: a step of causing a storage control unit of the first communication device to store communication connection information, which is issued corresponding to the first communication device and includes predetermined identification information used for connection, in a storage unit of the first communication device at a predetermined stage before shipment; a step of causing a storage control unit of the second communication device to store the same communication connection information as that stored in the storage unit of the first communication device in the storage unit of the second communication device at a predetermined stage before shipment; A communication setting method including:

2. The method further includes a step of generating the communication connection information in the first communication device by a communication connection information issuing unit. The communication setting method according to claim 1 .

3. The storage unit of the first communication device is a non-volatile memory.

3. The communication setting method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method further includes a step of, after shipment, a communication unit of the first communication device performing advertising for pairing with the second communication device up to an allowed number of times of activation.

3. The communication setting method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The second communication device is an information processing device, and the first communication device is a peripheral device of the information processing device.

3. The communication setting method according to claim 1 or 2.

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