Communication system, communication apparatus, and communication method

Abstract

To provide a communication system, a communication apparatus, and a communication method capable of reducing a load of initial setting work of a communication apparatus.SOLUTION: An access point 1 includes: a setting notification frame generation unit 111 for generating a setting notification frame including setting information and compliant with BLE; and a setting notification frame transmission unit 112 for transmitting the setting notification frame to a station 2. The station 2 includes: a setting information acquisition unit 211 for, upon acquiring the setting notification frame, acquiring the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame; and a connection processing unit 212 for performing connection processing for establishing a connection with the access point 1 over a network, based on the acquired setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication device, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] A communication system has been proposed that includes a communication device functioning as a master and a communication device functioning as a slave. The communication device functioning as the master stores a predetermined unique initial SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and wireless initial setting information, which is initial setting information required for wireless communication, in a storage unit. The communication device generates a configuration beacon in which the wireless initial setting information is stored in a beacon frame, and broadcasts the configuration beacon to communication devices functioning as slaves in the vicinity of the master using the initial SSID (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the communication device functioning as the master switches its communication mode to either a normal mode or a notification mode in response to a user's instruction. When operating in the notification mode, the communication device changes the transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication from a first transmission output value to a second transmission output value and broadcasts the configuration beacon at the second transmission output value. Meanwhile, when the communication device functioning as the slave switches its communication mode to either a normal mode or a learning mode in response to a user's instruction and operates in the learning mode, upon receiving the configuration beacon, the communication device extracts wireless initial setting information from the received configuration beacon and performs initial setting required for wireless communication of the communication device using the wireless initial setting information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-006903 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the communication system described in Patent Document 1, if the number of communication devices functioning as slave units increases, the user will have to go through the trouble of switching the communication mode to learning mode for each communication device functioning as a slave unit, which could increase the burden on the user of initial setup work for the communication devices.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a communication system, a communication device, and a communication method that can reduce the burden of initial setup work for a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to the present invention comprises: a first communication device that constructs a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard; the first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; The first communication device a setting notification frame generation unit that generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to the second communication standard; a setting notification frame transmitter that transmits the setting notification frame to the second communication device by the second communication method; a first connection processing unit that, when receiving a management frame for connection via the network that is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executes connection processing for establishing a connection with the second communication device via the network in response to the management frame; The second communication device a setting information acquisition unit that acquires, upon acquisition of the setting notification frame, the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame; and a second connection processing unit that generates the management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmits it to the first communication device using the first communication method based on the first communication standard, thereby performing connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device via the network.

[0007] A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a first communication device; at least one second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device; The first communication device a beacon frame generating unit that encrypts setting information for connecting with the first communication device using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with the second communication device; a beacon frame transmitting unit that transmits the beacon frame to the second communication device; a first connection processing unit that, when receiving a management frame for connecting to the first communication device, which is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executes connection processing for establishing a connection with the second communication device in response to the management frame; The second communication device a setting information acquisition unit that, upon acquiring the beacon frame, extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired beacon frame and decrypts the extracted setting information using second key information that has been set in advance to acquire the setting information; and a second connection processing unit that performs connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device by generating the management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmitting it to the first communication device.

[0008] A communication device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: A communication device that establishes a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard and is capable of communicating with other communication devices using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a setting notification frame generation unit that generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to the second communication standard; a setting notification frame transmitter that transmits the setting notification frame to the other communication device by the second communication method; The communication device is provided with a connection processing unit that, upon receiving a management frame for connecting the device via the network, which is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the other communication device, executes connection processing to establish a connection with the other communication device via the network.

[0009] A communication device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: A communication device capable of communicating with another communication device by both a first communication method based on a first communication standard adopted in a network established by the other communication device and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a setting information acquisition unit that, when a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard is acquired by the second communication method, acquires the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame; and a connection processing unit that generates a management frame for connecting to the other communication device via the network based on the acquired setting information, and performs connection processing to establish a connection with the other communication device via the network by transmitting the management frame to the other communication device using the first communication method based on the first communication standard.

[0010] A communication device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a beacon frame generating unit that encrypts setting information for connecting to the device itself using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with another communication device; a beacon frame transmitting unit that transmits the beacon frame to the other communication device; The communication device is provided with a connection processing unit that, upon receiving a management frame for connecting to the communication device itself, which is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the other communication device, executes connection processing to establish a connection with the other communication device in response to the management frame.

[0011] A communication device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a setting information acquisition unit that, when acquiring a beacon frame in which setting information for connecting to another communication device is encrypted using preset first key information and included in a predetermined area, extracts the setting information included in the acquired beacon frame and decrypts the extracted setting information using preset second key information to acquire the setting information; and a connection processing unit that generates a management frame for connecting to the other communication device based on the acquired setting information and transmits it to the other communication device, thereby executing connection processing to establish a connection with the other communication device.

[0012] A communication method according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a first communication device that constructs a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard; A communication method between the first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, generating, by the first communication device, a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard; a step of transmitting the setting notification frame by the first communication device to the second communication device by the second communication method; When the second communication device acquires the configuration notification frame, the second communication device acquires the configuration information included in the acquired configuration notification frame; a step in which the second communication device generates a management frame for connecting to the first communication device via the network based on the acquired setting information, and transmits the management frame to the first communication device using the first communication method, thereby executing a connection process for establishing a connection with the first communication device via the network; The method includes a step in which, when the first communication device acquires the management frame generated based on the setting information transmitted from the second communication device, the first communication device executes a connection process in response to the management frame to establish a connection with the second communication device via the network.

[0013] A communication method according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: A method of communication between a first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device, comprising: a step in which the first communication device encrypts setting information for connecting to the first communication device using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with the second communication device; the first communication device transmitting the beacon frame to the second communication device; When the second communication device acquires the beacon frame, the second communication device extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired beacon frame, and decrypts the extracted setting information using second key information that is set in advance to acquire the setting information; a step in which the second communication device generates a management frame for connecting to the first communication device based on the acquired setting information and transmits the management frame to the first communication device, thereby executing a connection process for establishing a connection with the first communication device; The method includes a step in which, when the first communication device acquires the management frame generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, the first communication device executes a connection process to establish a connection with the second communication device in response to the management frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a first communication device generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard adopted by the network, and transmits the generated setting notification frame to a second communication device. Meanwhile, upon receiving the setting notification frame, the second communication device acquires the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame. This allows the second communication device to acquire the setting information simply by receiving the setting notification frame, eliminating the need for a user performing configuration work on the second communication device to change the communication mode of the second communication device to a communication mode for registering the setting information in the second communication device. This provides an advantage in that the burden of the initial configuration work on the second communication device is reduced for a user performing the initial configuration work of registering the setting information in the second communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing processing of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of wireless communication processing executed by the access point according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of wireless communication processing executed by the station according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing processing of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of wireless communication processing executed by an access point according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of wireless communication processing executed by a station according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Embodiment 1) A communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The communication system according to the present embodiment includes a first communication device that establishes a network, and at least one second communication device that is capable of communicating using both a first communication method based on a first communication standard adopted in the network and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. The first communication device includes a configuration notification frame generator that generates a configuration notification frame that includes configuration information for joining the network and conforms to the second communication standard, a configuration notification frame transmitter that transmits the configuration notification frame to the second communication device, and a first connection processor that, upon receiving a management frame transmitted from the second communication device and generated based on the configuration information for connecting to the first communication device via the network, executes connection processing to establish a connection with the second communication device via the network. The second communication device also has a setting information acquisition unit that, when it acquires a setting notification frame, acquires setting information contained in the acquired setting notification frame, and a second connection processing unit that generates a management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmits it to the first communication device using a first communication method based on the first communication standard, thereby performing connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device via a network.

[0017] 1, the communication system according to this embodiment includes an access point 1 and a station 2 that communicates wirelessly with the access point 1. The access point 1 is capable of communicating with the station 2 and a terminal device 3 via a network NW1 that the access point 1 establishes. The network NW1 is a wireless local area network (LAN). The terminal device 3 is used by a user who performs setup work to allow the station 2 to join the network NW1, for example.

[0018] The terminal device 3 is, for example, a personal computer capable of wireless communication with the access point 1, and includes an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard and a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display. When a user performs a setting information input operation on the input unit of the terminal device 3 to input setting information for allowing the station 2 to join the network NW1, the terminal device 3 accepts the setting information input operation and generates setting notification information including the setting information. This setting information includes SSID information indicating an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) ​​assigned to the network NW1 established by the access point 1, encryption method information indicating an encryption method for wireless communication, and the like. When the user performs a setting notification transmission operation on the input unit to transmit the generated setting notification information to the access point 1, the terminal device 3 accepts the setting notification transmission operation and transmits the generated setting notification information to the access point 1. The setting information is then encrypted by the access point 1 and transmitted to the station 2 in a setting notification frame (details of which will be described later).

[0019] 2, the access point 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, a first wireless module 161, a second wireless module 162, and a bus 109 connecting these together. The main memory 102 is made up of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a working area for the CPU 101, while the auxiliary memory 103 is made up of a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), or an SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores a program for controlling the access point 1.

[0020] The first wireless module 161 communicates using a first communication method conforming to a wireless LAN standard, for example, IEEE 802.11. The wireless module 106 includes an antenna (not shown), a receiving circuit (not shown), a signal processing unit (not shown), and a transmitting circuit (not shown). The receiving circuit receives a wireless signal modulated, for example, by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) via the antenna, demodulates the received wireless signal to generate a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit generates a wireless signal corresponding to a frame to be transmitted by modulating a carrier signal by OFDM using the baseband signal input from the signal processing unit, and transmits the generated wireless signal via the antenna. The signal processing unit is implemented, for example, by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, the signal processing unit generates a frame corresponding to the wireless signal received by the receiving circuit and transmits the frame to the bus 109.

[0021] The second wireless module 162 communicates using a second communication method conforming to a communication standard different from that of the first wireless module, for example, a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) conforming to IEEE 802.15.1. The second wireless module 162 has, for example, a transmission output equivalent to Class 2 of the BLE power class, i.e., greater than 1 mW and less than 2.5 mW, and a communication distance from the second wireless module 162 (e.g., with station 2) set to 10 m or less. The second wireless module 162 includes an antenna (not shown), a receiving circuit (not shown), a signal processing unit (not shown), and a transmitting circuit (not shown). The receiving circuit receives a wireless signal modulated, for example, by Gaussian Frequency-Shift Keying (GFSK) via the antenna, demodulates the received wireless signal, generates a baseband signal, and outputs the demodulated signal to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit generates a wireless signal corresponding to a frame to be transmitted by modulating a carrier signal by GFSK using the baseband signal input from the signal processing unit, and transmits the generated wireless signal via the antenna. The signal processing unit is realized by, for example, a DSP, and generates a frame corresponding to the radio signal received by the receiving circuit based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, and sends it to the bus 109.

[0022] The CPU 101 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as a setting notification frame generation unit 111, a setting notification frame transmission unit 112, a connection processing unit 113, a data transmission / reception unit 114, and a setting information acquisition unit 115, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a setting storage unit 131 that stores the above-mentioned setting information, and a key information storage unit 132 that stores key information used to encrypt the setting information, as shown in FIG. 3. The key information is, for example, information indicating a common key shared with the station 2, and is stored in advance (for example, at the time of shipment from the factory) in the key information storage unit 132. The main storage unit 102 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a data buffer 121 that temporarily stores data included in a data frame transmitted from the station 2 or a data frame to be transmitted to the station 2, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0023] The setting notification frame generation unit 111 generates a setting notification frame that includes the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 131 and conforms to the aforementioned short-range wireless communication standard (via the second wireless module 162) every time a preset setting notification time arrives. Here, the setting notification time is set to arrive at intervals of, for example, 100 msec. When generating the setting notification frame, the setting notification frame generation unit 111 encrypts the setting information using key information (first key information) stored in the key information storage unit 132. When the setting notification frame generation unit 111 generates the setting notification frame, the setting notification frame transmission unit 112 broadcasts the generated setting notification frame to station 2 and the like via the second wireless module 162.

[0024] The connection processing unit 113 executes a process of establishing a wireless connection with the station 2 by transmitting and receiving management frames such as an authentication response frame to and from the station 2. The connection processing unit 113 also broadcasts a beacon frame (hereinafter simply referred to as a beacon frame) that notifies surrounding areas of the presence of the connection processing unit 113 to the station 2 and the like via the first wireless module 161 at each preset transmission time. Here, the transmission time of the beacon frame is set to arrive at intervals of, for example, 100 msec. When the connection processing unit 113 receives an authentication request frame transmitted from the station 2 via the first wireless module 161, the connection processing unit 113 transmits an authentication response frame to the station 2 via the first wireless module 161. Here, the connection processing unit 113 employs, for example, an open authentication method, and when it receives an authentication request frame from the station 2, it transmits the authentication response frame to the station 2 without actually performing authentication processing. The connection processing unit 113 may also employ, for example, a shared-key authentication method, and perform authentication processing using a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key. Next, when the connection processing unit 113 acquires the association request frame transmitted from station 2 via the first wireless module 161, it transmits an association response frame to station 2 in response to this via the first wireless module 161. Thereafter, the connection processing unit 113 notifies the data transmitting / receiving unit 114 of wireless connection establishment notification information notifying that a wireless connection with station 2, the source of the association request frame, has been established.

[0025] When a data transmission event occurs, the data transmitter / receiver 114 generates a data frame including the data stored in the data buffer 121 and transmits the generated data frame to station 2 via the first wireless module 161. Here, an example of a data transmission event is an event in which data to be transmitted to station 2 is newly stored in the data buffer 121. Furthermore, when the data transmitter / receiver 114 acquires a data frame transmitted from station 2 via the first wireless module 161, it extracts the data included in the acquired data frame and stores it in the data buffer 121. Furthermore, the data transmitter / receiver 114 appropriately generates a data frame including data stored in the data buffer 121 to be transmitted to a communication device (not shown) such as another station included in the network NW1, and transmits the data frame to the other communication device via the first wireless module 161.

[0026] When the setting information acquisition unit 115 acquires the aforementioned setting notification information transmitted from, for example, the terminal device 3 via the first wireless module 161, it extracts the setting information contained in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting memory unit 131.

[0027] Station 2 is a communication device, such as a copying machine, capable of wirelessly communicating with access point 1, and includes a communication control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 2. Although three stations 2 are shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a system including one or more stations. Communication control unit 20 includes a CPU 201, a main memory 202, an auxiliary memory 203, a third wireless module 261, a fourth wireless module 262, and a bus 209 interconnecting these. Main memory 202 is configured from volatile memory such as RAM and is used as a work area for CPU 201. Auxiliary memory 203 is configured from nonvolatile memory such as ROM, or an SSD, HDD, etc., and stores a program for controlling station 2.

[0028] The third wireless module 261 communicates using a first communication method conforming to a wireless LAN standard, for example, IEEE802.11. The third wireless module 261 includes an antenna (not shown), a receiving circuit (not shown), a signal processing unit (not shown), and a transmitting circuit (not shown). The receiving circuit receives a wireless signal modulated, for example, by OFDM via the antenna, demodulates the received wireless signal to generate a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit generates a wireless signal corresponding to a frame to be transmitted by modulating a carrier signal by OFDM using the baseband signal input from the signal processing unit, and transmits the generated wireless signal via the antenna. The signal processing unit is implemented, for example, by a DSP, and generates a frame corresponding to the wireless signal received by the receiving circuit based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, and sends the frame to the bus 209.

[0029] The fourth wireless module 262 communicates using a second communication method conforming to a communication standard different from that of the third wireless module, for example, a short-range wireless communication standard such as BLE conforming to IEEE 802.15.1. Like the second wireless module 162, the fourth wireless module 262 has a transmission output set to, for example, Class 2 of the BLE power class, i.e., greater than 1 mW and less than 2.5 mW, and a communication distance with the access point 1 set to 10 m or less. The fourth wireless module 262 includes an antenna (not shown), a receiving circuit (not shown), a signal processing unit (not shown), and a transmitting circuit (not shown). The receiving circuit receives a wireless signal modulated, for example, using GFSK via the antenna, demodulates the received wireless signal to generate a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit modulates a carrier signal using GFSK using the baseband signal input from the signal processing unit, thereby generating a wireless signal corresponding to a frame to be transmitted, and transmits the generated wireless signal via the antenna. The signal processing unit is realized by, for example, a DSP, and generates a frame corresponding to the radio signal received by the receiving circuit based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, and sends it to the bus 209.

[0030] The CPU 201 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as a setting information acquisition unit 211, a connection processing unit 212, and a data transmission / reception unit 213, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a setting storage unit 231 that stores the setting information (setting information for allowing the station 2 to join the network NW1) and a key information storage unit 232 that stores key information for decrypting encrypted setting information included in a setting notification frame transmitted from the access point 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The key information is, for example, information indicating a common key shared with the access point 1, and is stored in advance (for example, at the time of shipment from the factory) in the key information storage unit 232. Furthermore, the main storage unit 202 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a data buffer 221 that temporarily stores data included in a data frame transmitted from the access point 1 or a data frame to be transmitted to the access point 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The data stored in the data buffer 221 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 as needed.

[0031] When setting information acquisition unit 211 acquires the setting notification frame transmitted from access point 1 via fourth wireless module 262, it extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame. Then, setting information acquisition unit 211 performs a decryption process on the extracted encrypted setting information using key information (second key information) stored in key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in setting storage unit 231.

[0032] The connection processing unit 212 executes a process of establishing a wireless connection with the access point 1 by transmitting and receiving management frames such as an authentication request frame to and from the access point 1. The connection processing unit 212 executes a process of searching for a beacon frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261. When the connection processing unit 212 acquires a beacon frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261, the connection processing unit 212 references SSID information included in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 231 and determines that the acquired beacon frame includes the SSID information. In this case, the connection processing unit 212 transmits an authentication request frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 in response to this. Next, when the connection processing unit 212 acquires an authentication response frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261, the authentication response frame notifying that authentication at the access point 1 has been successful, the connection processing unit 212 transmits an association request frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 in response to this. Thereafter, when the connection processing unit 212 acquires an association response frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261, it notifies the data transmission / reception unit 213 of wireless connection establishment notification information notifying that a wireless connection with the access point 1 has been established. In addition, the connection processing unit 212 monitors whether or not the wireless connection with the access point 1 has been released, and if the wireless connection with the access point 1 has been released, performs processing to search for a beacon frame transmitted from the access point 1.

[0033] When a data transmission event occurs after the connection processing unit 212 notifies the data transmitter / receiver unit 213 of wireless connection establishment notification information, the data transmitter / receiver unit 213 generates a data frame including the data stored in the data buffer 221, and transmits the generated data frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261. Here, an example of the data transmission event is an event in which, in the station 2, new data is generated to be transmitted to another device (not shown) included in the network NW1, and the generated data is stored in the data buffer 221. Furthermore, after the connection processing unit 212 notifies the data transmitter / receiver unit 213 of wireless connection establishment notification information, the data transmitter / receiver unit 213 acquires, via the third wireless module 261, a data frame addressed to the station 2 that is transmitted from the access point 1, and extracts the data included in the acquired data frame and stores it in the data buffer 221.

[0034] Next, processing of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Here, it is assumed that the setting storage unit 131 of the access point 1 already stores setting information for the station 2 to participate in the network NW1 established by the access point 1. Note that in FIG. 4, ACK (ACKnowledgement) frames transmitted from the access point 1 and the station 2 to each other are not shown. Note that the station 2 shown in FIG. 4 will be described as including one or more stations 2. First, after starting up the station 2, when the setting notification time described above arrives, the access point 1 encrypts the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 131 using key information stored in the key information storage unit 132, and then generates a setting notification frame including the encrypted setting information (step S1). Next, the generated setting notification frame is broadcast from the access point 1 to the station 2 via BLE communication (step S2). Meanwhile, upon receiving the setting notification frame, the station 2 extracts the encrypted setting information included in the received setting notification frame (step S3). Next, the station 2 performs a decryption process on the encrypted setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in the setting storage unit 231 (step S4).

[0035] Subsequently, when the time for transmitting the beacon frame described above arrives, the beacon frame is broadcast from the access point 1 to the station 2 (step S5). Meanwhile, it is assumed that the station 2 determines, by referring to the SSID information included in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 231, that the beacon frame transmitted from the access point 1 includes the SSID information (step S6). In this case, an authentication request frame is transmitted from the station 2 to the access point 1 (step S7). Meanwhile, when the access point 1 acquires the authentication request frame, an authentication response frame is transmitted from the access point 1 to the station 2 in response (step S8). Meanwhile, when the station 2 acquires the authentication response frame, an association request frame is transmitted from the station 2 to the access point 1 in response (step S9). Meanwhile, when the access point 1 acquires the association request frame, an association response frame is transmitted from the access point 1 to the station 2 in response (step S10). This establishes a wireless connection between the access point 1 and the station 2 via the network NW1.

[0036] Thereafter, when the aforementioned data transmission event occurs, for example, in access point 1, access point 1 generates a data frame including the data stored in data buffer 121 (step S11). Next, the generated data frame is transmitted from access point 1 to station 2 (step S12). Meanwhile, upon receiving the data frame, station 2 extracts the data included in the received data frame and stores it in data buffer 221 (step S13).

[0037] Next, wireless communication processing executed by the access point 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. This wireless communication processing is started when the access point 1 is activated. It is assumed that the setting storage unit 131 has already stored therein the setting information included in the setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 3 and acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 115. First, the setting notification frame generation unit 111 determines whether the above-mentioned setting notification time has arrived (step S101). Here, if the setting notification frame generation unit 111 determines that the setting notification time has not yet arrived (step S101: No), the processing of step S101 is repeated. On the other hand, if the setting notification frame generation unit 111 determines that the setting notification time has arrived (step S101: Yes), the setting notification frame generation unit 111 encrypts the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 131 using key information stored in the key information storage unit 132, and then generates a setting notification frame including the encrypted setting information. Then, the setting notification frame transmitter 112 broadcasts the generated setting notification frame via the second wireless module 162 using BLE communication (step S102).

[0038] Next, the connection processing unit 113 determines whether or not the time to transmit the beacon frame has arrived (step S103). If the connection processing unit 113 determines that the time to transmit the beacon frame has not yet arrived (step S103: No), the process of step S105, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the connection processing unit 113 determines that the time to transmit the beacon frame has arrived (step S103: Yes), the connection processing unit 113 broadcasts the beacon frame via the first wireless module 161 (step S104).

[0039] Next, the connection processing unit 113 determines whether an authentication request frame transmitted from station 2 has been received via the first wireless module 161 for a certain period of time (step S105). If the connection processing unit 113 determines that an authentication request frame has not been received for the certain period of time (step S105: No), the process of step S109, which will be described later, is executed. Note that the certain period of time may be, for example, a period during which a preset timeout process starts. On the other hand, if the connection processing unit 113 determines that an authentication request frame has been received (step S105: Yes), it transmits an authentication response frame to station 2, the source of the authentication request frame, via the first wireless module 161 (step S106). Thereafter, if the connection processing unit 113 receives an association request frame transmitted from station 2 via the first wireless module 161 (step S107), it transmits an association response frame to station 2 via the first wireless module 161 in response to the received frame (step S108). At this time, the connection processing unit 113 notifies the data transmitting / receiving unit 114 of the wireless connection establishment notification information described above.

[0040] Next, the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines whether or not the aforementioned data transmission event has occurred (step S109). If the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines that a data transmission event has not occurred (step S109: No), the process of step S111, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines that a data transmission event has occurred (step S109: Yes), the data transmitter / receiver 114 generates a data frame including the data stored in the data buffer 121 and transmits the generated data frame to station 2 via the first wireless module 161 (step S110). Subsequently, the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines whether or not the data frame transmitted from station 2 has been acquired via the first wireless module 161 (step S111). If the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines that a data frame has not been acquired (step S111: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the data transmitter / receiver 114 determines that a data frame has been acquired (step S111: Yes), it extracts the data included in the acquired data frame and stores it in the data buffer 121 (step S112). Thereafter, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0041] Next, wireless communication processing executed by station 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Note that the description of FIG. 6 will cover processing after station 2 is powered on. First, setting information acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the setting notification frame transmitted from access point 1 has been acquired via fourth wireless module 262 (step S201). Here, setting information acquisition unit 211 repeatedly executes the processing of step S201 unless the setting notification frame has been acquired (step S201: No). On the other hand, when setting information acquisition unit 211 determines that the setting notification frame has been acquired (step S201: Yes), it extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame (step S202). Next, setting information acquisition unit 211 decrypts the extracted encrypted setting information using key information stored in key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in setting storage unit 231 (step S203).

[0042] Next, the connection processing unit 212 determines whether or not a beacon frame transmitted from the access point 1 has been acquired (step S204). Here, as long as the connection processing unit 212 determines that a beacon frame has not been acquired (step S204: No), the connection processing unit 212 repeatedly executes the process of step S204. On the other hand, if the connection processing unit 212 determines that a beacon frame has been acquired (step S204: Yes), the connection processing unit 212 references the SSID information included in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 231 and determines whether the acquired beacon frame includes the SSID information (step S205). Here, if the connection processing unit 212 determines that the acquired beacon frame does not include the SSID information included in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 231 (step S205: No), the process of step S204 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the connection processing unit 212 determines that the acquired beacon frame includes the SSID information included in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 231 (step S205: Yes). In this case, the connection processing unit 212 transmits the above-mentioned authentication request frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 (step S206). Thereafter, when the connection processing unit 212 acquires the above-mentioned authentication response frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 (step S207), the connection processing unit 212 transmits an association request frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 in response to this (step S208). Next, the connection processing unit 212 acquires the association response frame transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 (step S209). At this time, the connection processing unit 212 notifies the data transmission / reception unit 213 of the above-mentioned wireless connection establishment notification information.

[0043] Subsequently, the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines whether or not a data transmission event has occurred after receiving the wireless connection establishment notification information from the connection processing unit 212 (step S210). If the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines that a data transmission event has not occurred (step S210: No), the process of step S212, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines that a data transmission event has occurred (step S210: Yes), the data transmitter / receiver 213 generates a data frame including the data stored in the data buffer 221 and transmits the generated data frame to the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261 (step S211). Thereafter, the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines whether or not a data frame addressed to the station 2, transmitted from the access point 1, has been acquired via the third wireless module 261 (step S212). If the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines that a data frame has not been acquired (step S212: No), the process of step S214, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, when the data transmitter / receiver 213 determines that a data frame has been acquired (step S212: Yes), it extracts the data included in the acquired data frame and stores it in the data buffer 221 (step S213).

[0044] Next, the connection processing unit 212 determines whether the wireless connection with the access point 1 has been released (step S214). If the connection processing unit 212 determines that the wireless connection with the access point 1 is maintained (step S214: No), the process of step S210 is executed again. On the other hand, if the connection processing unit 212 determines that the wireless connection with the access point 1 has been released (step S214: Yes), the process of step S204 is executed again.

[0045] As described above, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the access point 1 generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network NW1 and conforms to a short-range wireless communication standard such as BLE, and transmits the generated setting notification frame to the station 2. Meanwhile, when the station 2 receives the setting notification frame, it acquires the setting information included in the received setting notification frame. This allows the station 2 to obtain the setting information included therein simply by receiving the setting notification frame. Therefore, a user who performs the setting work of the station 2 does not need to operate each station 2 to change the communication mode of the station 2 to a learning mode for registering the setting information in the station 2. This has the advantage that the burden of the initial setting work of the station 2 is reduced for the user who performs the initial setting work of registering the setting information in the station 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the setting notification frame generation unit 111 of the access point 1 according to this embodiment encrypts the setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 132, and generates a setting notification frame including the encrypted setting information. Meanwhile, the setting information acquisition unit of the station 2 extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame, and acquires the setting information by decrypting the extracted setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 232. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of the setting information due to interception of the setting notification frame transmitted from the access point 1 to the station 2, thereby preventing, for example, spoofing of the station 2 and improving the security performance of the entire communication system.

[0047] Furthermore, the access point 1 and station 2 according to this embodiment communicate using a communication method compatible with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The communicable distance between the access point 1 and station 2 is set to BLE power class 2, i.e., 10 m or less. This prevents multiple setting notification frames from being sent from multiple access points 1 to a single station 2 in an environment where multiple access points 1 are installed.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the access point transmits a setting notification frame including setting information to the station using a communication method that complies with a short-range wireless communication standard, which is different from the communication method used by the access point for data communication. However, in the communication system of the second embodiment, the access point instead transmits a beacon (hereinafter referred to as a beacon frame in the second embodiment) that stores encrypted setting information in a specific area of ​​an existing beacon (a beacon that explicitly includes an SSID for wireless communication), thereby notifying the station of the setting information. The communication system according to the present embodiment differs from the communication system according to the first embodiment in that the first communication device and at least one second communication device that construct a network do not have a function of communicating using a communication method conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the first communication device includes a beacon frame generation unit that encrypts setting information for connecting with the first communication device using preset first key information and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with the second communication device, a beacon frame transmission unit that transmits the beacon frame to the second communication device, and a first connection processing unit that, upon receiving a management frame for connecting with the first communication device and generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executes connection processing to establish connection with the second communication device in response to the management frame. The second communication device also has a setting information acquisition unit that, when it acquires a beacon frame, extracts encrypted setting information contained in the acquired beacon frame and acquires the setting information by decrypting the extracted setting information using predetermined second key information, and a second connection processing unit that performs connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device by generating a management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmitting it to the first communication device.

[0049] A communication system according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an access point 2001 and a station 2002, as shown in Fig. 7. Note that in Fig. 7, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2. A communication control unit 2020 of the station 2002 differs from the station 2 according to the first embodiment in that it does not include the fourth wireless module 262 described in the first embodiment. In the communication control unit 2020, the CPU 201 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby causing the communication control unit 2020 to function as a setting information acquisition unit 2211, a connection processing unit 212, and a data transmission / reception unit 213, as shown in Fig. 8. Note that in Fig. 8, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3.

[0050] When the setting information acquisition unit 2211 acquires a beacon frame (described later) transmitted from the access point 1 via the third wireless module 261, it extracts the encrypted setting information contained in the acquired beacon frame. Then, the setting information acquisition unit 2211 performs a decryption process on the extracted encrypted setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in the setting storage unit 231.

[0051] 7, access point 2001 differs from access point 1 according to embodiment 1 in that it does not include second wireless module 162 described in embodiment 1. In access point 2001, CPU 101 loads a program stored in auxiliary storage unit 103 into main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby causing access point 2001 to function as beacon frame generation unit 2111, beacon frame transmission unit 2112, connection processing unit 2113, data transmission / reception unit 114, and setting information acquisition unit 115, as shown in FIG.

[0052] The beacon frame generator 2111 of the access point 2002 generates a beacon frame including the configuration information stored in the configuration storage unit 131 every time a preset beacon transmission time arrives. This beacon frame is originally a beacon transmitted by the access point so that the station can perform passive scanning, but the beacon frame generator 2111 encrypts the configuration information using key information stored in the key information storage unit 132 and then includes the encrypted configuration information. Here, the beacon frame generator 2111 generates a beacon frame in which the configuration information is stored in a specific field within the frame, for example, a “Vendor Specific IE” field. When the beacon frame generator 2111 generates a beacon frame including the configuration information, the beacon frame transmitter 2112 broadcasts the generated beacon frame to the station 2002 via the first wireless module 161.

[0053] When the connection processing unit 2113 of the access point 2001 receives an authentication request frame transmitted from the station 2002 via the first wireless module 161, the connection processing unit 2113 transmits an authentication response frame to the station 2002 via the first wireless module 161. Next, when the connection processing unit 2113 receives an association request frame transmitted from the station 2002 via the first wireless module 161, the connection processing unit 2113 transmits an association response frame to the station 2002 via the first wireless module 161 in response to the received association request frame. Thereafter, the connection processing unit 2113 notifies the data transceiver unit 114 of wireless connection establishment notification information notifying that a wireless connection with the station 2 that transmitted the association request frame has been established.

[0054] Next, processing of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Note that in FIG. 9, processing similar to that of the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4. First, after starting up the station 2002, when it is time to transmit the beacon frame, the access point 2001 encrypts the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 131 using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 132, and then generates a beacon frame in which the encrypted setting information is stored in the "Vendor Specific IE" field (step S2001). Next, the generated beacon frame is broadcast from the access point 2001 to the station 2002 (step S2002). Meanwhile, upon receiving the beacon frame, the station 2002 extracts the encrypted setting information stored in the received beacon frame (step S2003). Next, the station 2002 decrypts the encrypted setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in the setting storage unit 231 (step S2004).

[0055] Subsequently, when it is time to transmit a beacon frame again, access point 2001 generates the above-mentioned beacon frame (step S2005). Thereafter, the generated beacon frame is broadcast from access point 2001 to station 2002 (step S2006). Meanwhile, it is assumed that station 2002 references the SSID information included in the setting information stored in setting storage unit 231 and determines that the SSID information is included in the beacon frame transmitted from access point 1 (step S6). In this case, the series of processes from step S7 onwards described in the first embodiment are executed.

[0056] Next, wireless communication processing on the access point 2001 side executed by the access point 2001 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Note that in FIG. 10, processing similar to that in the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 5. First, the beacon frame generation unit 2111 determines whether or not it is time to transmit a beacon frame including the above-described setting information (step S2101). If the beacon frame generation unit 2111 determines that it is not time to transmit a beacon frame yet (step S2101: No), the processing of step S105, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the beacon frame generation unit 2111 determines that it is time to transmit a beacon frame including the setting information has arrived (step S2101: Yes), the beacon frame generation unit 2111 encrypts the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 131 using key information stored in the key information storage unit 132, and then generates a beacon frame in which the encrypted setting information is stored in a "Vendor Specific IE" field (hereinafter referred to as "VIE"). Then, the beacon frame transmitting unit 2112 broadcasts the generated beacon frame via the first wireless module 161 (step S2102). After that, the series of processes from step S105 onwards described in the first embodiment are executed.

[0057] Next, wireless communication processing on the station 2002 side executed by the station 2002 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6. First, the setting information acquisition unit 2211 determines whether or not a beacon frame transmitted from the access point 2001 and having the above-described setting information stored in the VIE has been acquired via the third wireless module 261 (step S2201). Here, the setting information acquisition unit 2211 repeatedly executes the processing of step S2201 unless the beacon frame has been acquired (step S2201: No). On the other hand, when the setting information acquisition unit 2211 determines that the beacon frame has been acquired (step S2201: Yes), it extracts the encrypted setting information stored in the VIE of the acquired beacon frame (step S2202). Next, the setting information acquisition unit 2211 decrypts the extracted encrypted setting information using the key information stored in the key information storage unit 232, and stores the decrypted setting information in the setting storage unit 231 (step S2203). Subsequently, the series of processes from step S204 onwards described in the first embodiment are executed.

[0058] As described above, in the communication system according to this embodiment, beacon frame generation unit 2111 of access point 2001 encrypts setting information using key information stored in key information storage unit 132, and generates a beacon frame that stores the encrypted setting information. Meanwhile, setting information acquisition unit 2211 of station 2002 extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired beacon frame, and acquires the setting information by decrypting the extracted setting information using key information stored in key information storage unit 232. This reduces the load of initial setting work on the communication device. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress leakage of setting information due to interception of a beacon frame transmitted from access point 2001 to station 2002, for example, it is possible to prevent spoofing of station 2002, thereby improving the security performance of the entire communication system.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the second wireless module 162 and the fourth wireless module 262 may communicate using a communication method conforming to other short-range wireless communication standards, such as BR / EDR (Bluetooth Basic Rate / Enhanced Data Rate) and Zigbee. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the transmission outputs of the second wireless module 162 and the fourth wireless module 262 are set to Class 2 equivalent in the BLE power class, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the transmission outputs may be set to Class 1 equivalent, which is an output value even lower than Class 2 equivalent.

[0060] In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the beacon frame generation unit 2111 continuously generates a beacon frame in which setting information is stored in the VIE every time a beacon frame transmission time arrives. However, this is not limiting, and for example, (1) this beacon may be transmitted in response to each station performing a scan. Furthermore, (2) the beacon frame generation unit 2111 may generate a beacon frame including setting information only while a wireless connection is not established between the access point 2001 and at least one station 2002. Then, when the beacon frame generation unit 2111 determines that setting information has been registered in all stations 2002, the connection processing unit 2113 may periodically transmit a beacon frame that does not include known setting information. Here, when the setting information is stored in the setting memory unit 231, the station 2002 sends an authentication request frame to the access point 2001. The access point 2001 then holds number information indicating the number of stations 2002 that are to join the pre-configured network NW1, and when it receives the same number of authentication request frames as the number indicated by the number information, it determines that the setting information has been registered in all of the stations 2002.

[0061] In each embodiment, the key information storage unit 232 of the station 2 (2002) may store key information indicating a preset private key, and the access point 1 (2001) may store key information indicating a public key corresponding to the private key. The access point 1 may generate a beacon frame including configuration information encrypted using key information indicating the public key stored in the key information storage unit 132, and transmit the beacon frame to the station 2. In this case, the station 2 may decrypt the encrypted configuration information included in the acquired beacon frame using key information indicating the private key stored in the key information storage unit 232. Alternatively, the access point 2001 may generate a beacon frame including configuration information encrypted using key information indicating the public key stored in the key information storage unit 232, and transmit the beacon frame to the station 2002. In this case, the station 2002 may decrypt the encrypted configuration information included in the acquired beacon frame using key information indicating the private key stored in the key information storage unit 232.

[0062] The various functions of the access points 1, 2001 and the communication control units 20, 2020 of the stations 2, 2002 according to the present invention can be realized using a computer system, rather than a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM) readable by a computer system and distributed to a computer connected to the network, and the program may be installed in the computer system to configure the access points 1, 2001 and the communication control units 20, 2020. Furthermore, any method may be used to provide the program to the computer. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line.

[0063] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. The present invention includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The present invention is suitable as a relay device having a bridge function for connecting a wired LAN to a wireless LAN. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1, 2001: access point, 2, 2002: station, 3: terminal device, 20, 2020: communication control unit, 101, 201: CPU, 102, 202: main memory, 103, 203: auxiliary memory, 109, 209: bus, 111: setting notification frame generation unit, 112: setting notification frame transmission unit, 113, 212, 2113: connection processing unit, 114, 213: data transmission / reception unit, 121, 221: data buffer, 131, 231: setting memory unit, 132, 232: key information memory unit, 211, 2211: setting information acquisition unit, 161: first wireless module, 162: second wireless module, 261: third wireless module, 262: fourth wireless module, 2111: beacon frame generation unit, 2112: beacon frame transmission unit, NW1: network

Claims

1. a first communication device that constructs a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard; the first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; The first communication device a setting notification frame generation unit that generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to the second communication standard; a setting notification frame transmitter configured to transmit the setting notification frame to the second communication device by the second communication method; a first connection processing unit that, when receiving a management frame for connection via the network, which is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executes connection processing for establishing a connection with the second communication device via the network in response to the management frame; the second communication device, a setting information acquisition unit that acquires, upon acquisition of the setting notification frame, the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame; a second connection processing unit that generates the management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmits the management frame to the first communication device by the first communication method based on the first communication standard, thereby executing connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device via the network, Communication system.

2. the setting notification frame generation unit encrypts the setting information using preset first key information and generates the setting notification frame including the encrypted setting information; the setting information acquisition unit extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame, and decrypts the extracted setting information using second key information that is set in advance to acquire the setting information. The communication system of claim 1 .

3. the second communication standard is Bluetooth Low Energy, which is a short-range wireless communication standard in which the communication distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is set to 10 m or less; 3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a first communication device; at least one second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device; The first communication device a beacon frame generating unit that encrypts setting information for connecting with the first communication device using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with the second communication device; a beacon frame transmitting unit that transmits the beacon frame to the second communication device; a first connection processing unit that, upon receiving a management frame for connecting to the first communication device, which is generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executes a connection process for establishing a connection with the second communication device in response to the management frame; the second communication device, a setting information acquisition unit that, upon acquiring the beacon frame, extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired beacon frame and decrypts the extracted setting information using second key information that has been set in advance to acquire the setting information; a second connection processing unit that performs connection processing to establish a connection with the first communication device by generating the management frame based on the acquired setting information and transmitting the management frame to the first communication device, Communication system.

5. A communication device that establishes a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard and is capable of communicating with other communication devices using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a setting notification frame generation unit that generates a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to the second communication standard; a setting notification frame transmitter configured to transmit the setting notification frame to the other communication device by the second communication method; a connection processing unit that, when receiving a management frame for connecting with the device via the network, the management frame being generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the other communication device, executes a connection process for establishing a connection with the other communication device via the network in response to the management frame. Communication equipment.

6. A communication device capable of communicating with another communication device by both a first communication method based on a first communication standard adopted in a network established by the other communication device and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a setting information acquisition unit that, when a setting notification frame that includes setting information for joining the network and conforms to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard is acquired by the second communication method, acquires the setting information included in the acquired setting notification frame; a connection processing unit that generates a management frame for connecting to the other communication device via the network based on the acquired setting information, and executes connection processing for establishing a connection with the other communication device via the network by transmitting the management frame to the other communication device by the first communication method based on the first communication standard, Communication equipment.

7. a beacon frame generating unit that encrypts setting information for connecting to the device itself using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with another communication device; a beacon frame transmitting unit that transmits the beacon frame to the other communication device; a connection processing unit that, when receiving a management frame for connecting to the device itself, the management frame being generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the other communication device, executes a connection process for establishing a connection with the other communication device in response to the management frame. Communication equipment.

8. a setting information acquisition unit that, when acquiring a beacon frame in which setting information for connecting to another communication device is encrypted using preset first key information and included in a predetermined area, extracts the setting information included in the acquired beacon frame and decrypts the extracted setting information using preset second key information to acquire the setting information; a connection processing unit that generates a management frame for connecting to the other communication device based on the acquired setting information and transmits the management frame to the other communication device, thereby executing connection processing for establishing a connection with the other communication device; Communication equipment.

9. a first communication device that constructs a network using a first communication method based on a first communication standard; A communication method between the first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating using both the first communication method and a second communication method based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, generating, by the first communication device, a setting notification frame including setting information for joining the network and conforming to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; a step of transmitting the setting notification frame by the first communication device to the second communication device by the second communication method; When the second communication device acquires the configuration notification frame, the second communication device acquires the configuration information included in the acquired configuration notification frame; a step in which the second communication device generates a management frame for connecting to the first communication device via the network based on the acquired setting information, and transmits the management frame to the first communication device using the first communication method, thereby executing a connection process for establishing a connection with the first communication device via the network; and when the first communication device receives the management frame generated based on the setting information and transmitted from the second communication device, executing a connection process in response to the management frame to establish a connection with the second communication device via the network. Communication method.

10. A method of communication between a first communication device and at least one second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device, comprising: a step in which the first communication device encrypts setting information for connecting with the first communication device using preset first key information, and generates a beacon frame that includes the encrypted setting information in a predetermined area and explicitly includes an SSID for wireless connection with the second communication device; the first communication device transmitting the beacon frame to the second communication device; When the second communication device acquires the beacon frame, the second communication device extracts the encrypted setting information included in the acquired beacon frame and decrypts the extracted setting information using second key information that is set in advance, thereby acquiring the setting information; a step in which the second communication device generates a management frame for connecting to the first communication device based on the acquired setting information and transmits the management frame to the first communication device, thereby executing a connection process for establishing a connection with the first communication device; and when the first communication device receives the management frame that is generated based on the setting information and that is transmitted from the second communication device, executing a connection process to establish a connection with the second communication device in response to the management frame. Communication method.

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