Communication setting device

Abstract

A communication setting device that can easily perform network connection settings is provided. [Solution] In a communication system, the communication setting device comprises: a setting device-side USB terminal connectable to an access point-side USB terminal and a client-side USB terminal; a communication setting memory unit that stores access point setting information indicating the contents of the communication settings of the access point and client setting information indicating the contents of the communication settings of the client device; an SSID generation unit that is an access point identification information generation unit that generates unique access point identification information and stores the generated access point identification information in the communication setting memory unit; and a setting information transfer unit that transfers the access point setting information to the access point when the setting device-side USB terminal is connected to the access point-side USB terminal, and transfers the client setting information and access point identification information to the client device when the setting device-side USB terminal is connected to the client-side USB terminal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an access point and a communication setting device that transfers setting information for communication to a client device. [Background technology]

[0002] A network connection setting method has been proposed in which a home appliance network server reads identification information of a network appliance from a memory card, generates setting information for connecting to the network appliance via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) based on the read identification information, writes the information to the memory card, and then inserts the memory card with the setting information written into the network appliance to store the setting information in a storage unit of the network appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thus, a device (communication device) compatible with a wireless network needs to be initialized in order to perform wireless communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-065715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the network connection method described in Patent Document 1, in an environment where multiple wireless LANs coexist, such as in a public facility, if a network appliance is to be connected to only one of the multiple wireless LANs, it is necessary to set the access point identification information corresponding to each of the multiple wireless LANs so that they do not overlap.In this case, especially when the number of wireless LANs increases, it is necessary to determine the SSIDs of the multiple wireless LANs so that they do not overlap, which can make the setting work complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a communication setup device that can easily perform network connection setup corresponding to each of a plurality of different networks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a communication setting device according to the present invention includes an access point-side connection unit provided in an access point, a setting device-side connection unit connectable to a client-side connection unit provided in a client device that communicates with the access point via one network, a communication setting storage unit that stores access point setting information indicating the contents of communication settings of the access point when the access point communicates with the client device via the one network, and client setting information indicating the contents of communication settings of the client device when the client device communicates with the access point via the one network, and unique access point identification information. and a setting information transfer unit that, when the setting device-side connection unit is connected to the access point-side connection unit, transfers the access point setting information to the access point via the setting device-side connection unit and the access point-side connection unit, and, when the setting device-side connection unit is connected to the client-side connection unit, transfers the client setting information and the access point identification information to the client device via the setting device-side connection unit and the access point-side connection unit if the communication setting storage unit stores the access point identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, access point identification information including at least a portion of communication device identification information unique to an access point is generated, and the generated access point identification information is shared between the access point and a client device. As a result, in an environment where multiple networks exist, unique access point identification information for each of the multiple access points is generated using communication device identification information unique to the access point corresponding to each of the multiple networks, making it easy to perform network connection settings corresponding to each of the multiple different networks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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] (A) is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a communication setting memory unit of an access point related to embodiment 1, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a communication setting memory unit of a projection device related to embodiment 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] (A) is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setting processing performed by an access point in embodiment 1, and (B) is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setting processing performed by a projection device in embodiment 1. [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 the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setup processing executed by a communication setup device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment 1) A communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The communication system according to this embodiment includes an access point and a client device that communicates with the access point via a network. The access point includes an access point-side connection unit to which an external storage device is connected, an access point-side setting information acquisition unit, an access point identification information generation unit, and an information transmission unit. When the external storage device is connected to the access point-side connection unit, the access point-side setting information acquisition unit acquires the access point setting information stored in the external storage device if the external storage device stores access point setting information indicating the contents of the access point's communication settings when communicating with the client device via a network. When the access point setting information is acquired, the access point identification information generation unit generates access point identification information that identifies the access point and includes at least a portion of the communication device identification information unique to the access point, and stores the generated access point identification information in the external storage device. The information transmission unit transmits information addressed to the client device to the client device based on the communication settings indicated in the access point setting information. The client device has a client-side connection unit to which an external storage device is connected, a client-side setting information acquisition unit, and an information receiving unit. When the external storage device is connected to the client-side connection unit, if the external storage device stores client setting information and access point identification information indicating the contents of communication settings of the client device when communicating with an access point via a network, the client-side setting information acquisition unit acquires the client setting information and access point identification information stored in the external storage device. The information receiving unit receives information addressed to the client device, transmitted from the access point identified by the access point identification information, based on the communication settings indicated by the client setting information. This embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0010] 1, the communication system according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 3, an access point 1, a projection device 2, a display device 4, and a setting terminal device 5 for performing communication settings for the access point 1 and the projection device 2. Each configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0011] The access point 1 is employed as a component of, for example, a home network or an office wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and communicates wirelessly with the projection device 2 and the terminal device 3. The access point 1 is also provided with a USB terminal 107a to which a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 6 can be connected. The USB terminal 107a is an access point-side connection unit to which the USB memory 6 is connected. The terminal device 3 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and has a function of communicating wirelessly with the access point 1. The setting terminal device 5 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and is provided with a USB terminal 507a to which the USB memory 6 can be connected. As shown in FIG. 2 , the setting terminal device 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a main memory 502, an auxiliary memory 503, a display 504, an input unit 505, a USB interface (USB I / F in FIG. 2) 507, and a bus 509 connecting the various components. The main memory unit 502 is composed of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The auxiliary memory unit 503 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), or an SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc., and stores programs for controlling the setting terminal device 5. The display unit 504 has, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a display image indicated by display image information stored in, for example, a display image storage area of ​​the main memory unit 502. The input unit 505 is, for example, a keyboard, and generates input information according to the operation content by the user and transfers it to the CPU 501.

[0012] The auxiliary storage unit 503 also stores access point setting information indicating the details of communication settings of the access point 1 when the access point 1 communicates with the projection device 2 via a wireless LAN, and client setting information indicating the details of communication settings of the projection device 2 when the projection device 2 communicates with the access point 1 via a wireless LAN. The access point setting information and client setting information are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503, for example, when a user inputs the details of the communication settings via the input unit 505 while an input image for inputting each setting information is displayed on the display unit 504. When a USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 507a, the USB interface 507 transfers information transferred from the bus 509 to the USB memory 6 and transfers information stored in the USB memory 6 to the bus 509. Writing to the USB memory 6 is performed by a setting information writing unit 511 shown in FIG. 3. With the USB memory 6 connected to the USB terminal 507a, the setting information writing unit 511 stores the access point setting information and the client setting information stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 in the USB memory 6 based on an operation performed by the user on the input unit 505. The setting information writing unit 511 is realized by the CPU 501 reading a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the main storage unit 502 and executing it.

[0013] Returning to FIG. 1, the display device 4 has, for example, a liquid crystal display and a video interface for acquiring video information conforming to a communication standard such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), and is connected to the projection device 2 via a communication cable CB1 connected to the video interface. When the display device 4 acquires video information from the projection device 2 via the communication cable CB1, it displays video based on the acquired video information. Note that the video interface and communication cable CB1 are not limited to this communication standard (HDMI (registered trademark)) and may be any communication standard capable of communicating video information.

[0014] The projection device 2 is a client device that, upon receiving video information transmitted from the access point 1, transmits the received video information to the display device 4 via the communication cable CB1, thereby causing the display device 4 to display an image corresponding to the video information. The projection device 2 is provided with a USB terminal 207a. The USB terminal 207a is a client-side connection unit to which a USB memory 6 is connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection device 2 includes a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a wireless module 205, a video interface (video I / F in FIG. 2) 206, a USB interface (USB I / F in FIG. 2) 207, and a bus 209 connecting the various components. The main memory unit 202 is made up of a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary memory unit 203 is made up of a non-volatile memory, SSD, HDD, or the like, and stores a program for controlling the projection device 2.

[0015] The wireless module 205 communicates using a communication method conforming to a wireless LAN standard, such as IEEE802.11. The wireless module 205 includes an antenna (not shown), a receiving circuit (not shown), and a signal processing unit (not shown). The receiving circuit receives a wireless signal via the antenna, demodulates the signal corresponding to the received wireless signal, generates a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the signal processing unit. 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 information corresponding to the wireless signal received by the receiving circuit and transmits the information to the bus 209. The wireless module 205 also selects and uses one channel from multiple channels belonging to, for example, the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band. The video interface 206 is an interface for transmitting video information conforming to a communication standard, such as HDMI (registered trademark), to the display device 4. Upon receiving video information from the bus 209, the video interface 206 transfers the video information to the display device 4 via a communication cable CB1. When the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207 a, the USB interface 207 transfers information transferred from the bus 209 to the USB memory 6 and transfers information stored in the USB memory 6 to the bus 209 .

[0016] The CPU 201 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes them, thereby functioning as a video information receiving unit 211, a projection control unit 212, and a setting information acquiring unit 213, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a communication setting storage unit 231 that stores the above-mentioned client setting information and SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​information, which is access point identification information indicating an SSID that identifies the access point 1 that communicates with the projection device 2, as shown in FIG. 3. The communication setting storage unit 231 stores, for example, SSID information "SSID_AABBCC," as shown in FIG. 4(A). The client setting information also includes information indicating the authentication method, local address (IP address) of the authentication server (e.g., a RADIUS server), and encryption method used when communicating with the access point 1, information specifying whether to enable a MAC address filter and whether to enable a DHCP function, and certificate information used when adopting a communication method conforming to the IEEE802.1x standard. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the authentication method is set to "WPA Enterprise," which uses a RADIUS server, the encryption method is set to "AES," the MAC address filter is disabled, and the DHCP function is enabled. Furthermore, the main memory unit 202 shown in FIG. 2 also has an area serving as a video buffer 221 for temporarily storing video information received from the access point 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The video information receiving unit 211 receives, via the wireless module 205, video information addressed to the projection device 2 and transmitted from the access point 1 identified by the SSID indicated by the SSID information stored in the communication setting storage unit 231, based on the communication settings indicated by the client setting information stored in the communication setting storage unit 231. The video information receiving unit 211 stores the received video information in the video buffer 221.

[0017] The projection control unit 212 transfers the above-mentioned video information stored in the video buffer 221 to the display device 4 via the video interface 206 and the communication cable CB1, thereby projecting the video indicated by the video information onto the display device 4.

[0018] Setting information acquisition unit 213 is a client-side setting information acquisition unit that, when USB memory 6 is connected to USB terminal 207a and USB terminal 207a stores the above-mentioned client setting information and access point identification information, acquires the client setting information and access point identification information stored in USB memory 6. Upon acquiring the client setting information and access point identification information, setting information acquisition unit 213 stores the acquired client setting information and access point identification information in communication setting storage unit 231.

[0019] 2, the access point 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, a wireless module 105, a USB interface 107, and a bus 109 that connects the various components. The main memory 102 is configured as a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory 103 is configured as a non-volatile memory, an SSD, an HDD, or the like, and stores programs for controlling the access point 1. Note that the access point 1 according to this embodiment may also include a wired module (not shown) in addition to the wireless module 105, and may be configured to be able to connect to other access points or terminal devices via a wired network.

[0020] The wireless module 105 communicates using a communication method conforming to the wireless LAN standard, for example, IEEE802.11. Each wireless module 105 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 via the antenna, demodulates the signal corresponding to the received wireless signal, generates a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit generates a wireless signal corresponding to information to be transmitted by modulating a carrier signal using the baseband signal input from the signal processing unit, and transmits the generated wireless signal via the antenna. The signal processing unit generates information corresponding to the wireless signal received by the receiving circuit based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, and outputs the information to the bus 109. The signal processing unit also generates a baseband signal based on various information transferred from the main memory unit 102 via the bus 109, and outputs the baseband signal to the transmitting circuit. The wireless module 105 selects and uses one of multiple channels belonging to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. When the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107 a, the USB interface 107 transfers information transferred from the bus 109 to the USB memory 6 and transfers information stored in the USB memory 6 to the bus 109 .

[0021] By loading the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing them, the CPU 101 functions as a video information acquisition unit 111, a video information transmission unit 113, a setting information acquisition unit 114, and an SSID generation unit 115, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 also functions as a communication setting storage unit 131 (FIG. 3) that stores the above-mentioned access point setting information, SSID information, which is access point identification information indicating an SSID that identifies the access point 1, and MAC address information, which is communication device identification information of the access point 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the communication setting storage unit 131 stores SSID information "SSID_AABBCC." The access point setting information also includes information indicating the frequency band, channel to be used when communicating with the projection device 2, authentication method, local address (IP address) of the authentication server, encryption method, and local address (IP address) of an individual server (not shown) used individually by the user, as well as information specifying whether to enable an SSID concealment function and whether to enable a MAC address filter. 4(B) shows a case where the frequency band to be used is set to "5 GHz band," the channel to be used is set to "36ch," the authentication method is set to "WPA Enterprise" which is an authentication method using a RADIUS server, the encryption method is set to "AES," the SSID concealment function is enabled, and the MAC address filter is disabled. Furthermore, the main memory unit 102 shown in FIG. 2 also has an area as a video buffer 121 which temporarily stores video information transmitted from the terminal device 3 and received by the wireless module 105, as shown in FIG.

[0022] When the video information acquisition unit 111 acquires the video information transmitted from the terminal device 3 via the wireless module 105, the video information acquisition unit 111 stores the acquired video information in the video buffer 121. The video information transmission unit 113 transmits the video information addressed to the projection device 2 to the projection device 2 based on the communication settings indicated by the access point setting information stored in the communication setting storage unit 131.

[0023] When the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a, if the USB memory 6 stores the above-mentioned access point setting information, the setting information acquisition unit 114 is an access point side setting information acquisition unit that acquires the access point setting information stored in the USB memory 6. The setting information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired access point setting information in the communication setting storage unit 131.

[0024] The SSID generation unit 115 is an access point identification information generation unit that, when the setting information acquisition unit 114 acquires access point setting information, generates SSID information indicating an SSID that distinguishes the access point 1 from other access points. The SSID generated by the SSID generation unit 115 desirably includes at least a portion of the MAC address of the access point 1 itself, for example, the last three bytes of the MAC address. For example, if the MAC address of the access point 1 is "11:22:33:AA:BB:CC," the SSID generation unit 115 generates "SSID_AABBCC" as the SSID to be assigned to the access point 1. Furthermore, if the MAC address of the access point 1 is "11:22:33:AA:BB:CD," the SSID generation unit 115 generates "SSID_AABBCD" as the SSID to be assigned to the access point 1. The SSID generation unit 115 stores the generated SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 131 and also writes it to the USB memory 6.

[0025] Next, the operation of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows the process from writing the access point setting information and client setting information input by the user using the setting terminal device 5 to the USB memory 6, connecting the USB memory 6 to the USB terminals of the access point 1 and the projection device 2 to set the network connection settings for each, and receiving video information from the access point 1 by the projection device 2, to transmitting the received video information to the display device 4.

[0026] First, suppose that a user connects the USB memory 6 to the USB terminal U507a of the setting terminal device 5 and performs a write operation on the input unit 505 to write the above-mentioned access point setting information and client setting information to the USB memory 6. In this case, the setting information writing unit 511 of the setting terminal device 5 writes the access point side setting information and the client side setting information to the USB memory 6 (step S1). Next, suppose that the user removes the USB memory 6, in which the access point side setting information and the client side setting information have been written, from the USB terminal 507a of the setting terminal device 5 and connects it to the USB terminal 107a of the access point 1. Here, suppose that the setting information acquisition unit 114 of the access point 1 determines that the access point side setting information is included in the information stored in the USB memory 6 connected to the USB terminal 107a (step S2). In this case, the setting information acquisition unit 114 of the access point 1 acquires the access point side setting information stored in the USB memory 6 (step S3) and stores it in the communication setting storage unit 131 (step S4). Next, SSID generation unit 115 of access point 1 generates SSID information indicating an SSID including part of the MAC address of access point 1 (step S5). Thereafter, the generated SSID information is stored in setting information storage unit 131 of access point 1 and is also transferred from access point 1 to USB memory 6 (step S6), and the USB memory 6 stores the transferred SSID information (step S7).

[0027] Next, suppose that the user removes the USB memory 6, on which the SSID information of the access point 1 is written in addition to the access point-side setting information and the client-side setting information, from the USB terminal 107a of the access point 1 and connects it to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2. Here, suppose that the setting information acquisition unit 213 of the projection device 2 determines that the client-side setting information and the SSID information are included in the information stored in the USB memory 6 connected to the USB terminal 207a (step S8). In this case, the setting information acquisition unit 213 acquires the client-side setting information and the SSID information stored in the USB memory 6 (step S9) and stores them in the communication setting storage unit 231 (step S10).

[0028] Furthermore, probe request information is transmitted from the projection device 2 to the access point 1 (step S11). On the other hand, when the access point 1 receives the probe request information, probe response information is transmitted from the access point 1 to the projection device 2 in response to the reception of the probe request information (step S12). Next, when authentication request information including the certificate information is transmitted from the projection device 2 to the access point 1 (step S13), the access point 1 executes authentication processing (step S14). Specifically, the access point 1 extracts the certificate information contained in the authentication request information, transmits the authentication request information including the extracted certificate information to the RADIUS server, and executes processing to obtain authentication response information including authentication result information from the RADIUS server. Then, when the access point 1 determines that the authentication has been successful based on the authentication result information, authentication response information indicating that the authentication has been successful is transmitted from the access point 1 to the projection device 2 (step S15). Thereafter, when association request information is transmitted from the projection device 2 to the access point 1 (step S16), association response information including MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the access point 1 is transmitted from the access point 1 to the projection device 2 (step S17). This enables transmission of video information from the access point 1 to the projection device 2.

[0029] Here, for example, if there are multiple pairs of an access point 1 and a projection device 2 that communicates with the access point 1 one-to-one, the series of operations and processes in steps S2 to S14 described above are performed for each of the multiple pairs of access point 1 and projection device 2, and SSID information indicating an SSID that includes part of the MAC address of the access point 1 corresponding to each pair is generated by the access point 1 for each pair, and the generated SSID information is shared between the corresponding access point 1 and projection device 2.

[0030] Next, assume that the user performs an image projection operation on terminal device 3 to project the image displayed on the display unit of terminal device 3 onto display device 4. In this case, image information indicating the image displayed on the display unit of terminal device 3 is transmitted from terminal device 3 to access point 1 (step S18). Meanwhile, upon receiving the image information, access point 1 transmits the received image information to projection device 2 via the wireless communication path established as described above (step S19). Meanwhile, upon receiving the image information, projection device 2 transmits the received image information to display device 4 via communication cable CB1, thereby causing an image corresponding to the image information to be displayed on display device 4 (step S20).

[0031] In the communication system according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a wireless connection is started between the access point 1 and the projection device 2 immediately after the network connection settings have been stored in each device (steps S4 and S10). However, for example, each device may be restarted after the network connection settings have been set in each device. In such a case, specifically, the access point 1 undergoes a restart process after step S6 in FIG. 5, and the projection device 2 undergoes a restart process after step S10 in FIG. 5. In this way, regardless of when the network connection settings are set in the access point 1 and the projection device 2 using the USB memory 6 (e.g., when the communication system is installed or while the communication system is running), the network connection settings can be properly reflected, which contributes to improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0032] Next, the communication setup process executed by the access point 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail again with reference to Fig. 6(A). This communication setup process is initiated, for example, when a USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a of the access point 1. Note that communication processes with terminal devices 3 and the like other than the projection device 2 are executed as appropriate in parallel with this communication setup process. Furthermore, processes for receiving probe request information and the like and transmitting probe response information and the like with the projection device 2, authentication processes, and processes for transmitting video information to the projection device 2 are executed as appropriate after this communication setup process.

[0033] First, the setting information acquisition unit 114 determines whether or not the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a (step S101). Here, the setting information acquisition unit 114 repeatedly executes the process of step S101 unless the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a (step S101: No). On the other hand, when the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a (step S101: Yes), the setting information acquisition unit 114 determines whether or not the information stored in the USB memory 6 contains access point side setting information (step S102). Here, if the setting information acquisition unit 114 determines that the USB memory 6 does not store access point side setting information (step S102: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting information acquisition unit 114 determines that the information stored in the USB memory 6 contains access point side setting information (step S102: Yes), it acquires the access point side setting information stored in the USB memory 6 and stores the acquired access point side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 131 (step S103).

[0034] Next, SSID generation unit 115 generates SSID information indicating an SSID including the last three bytes of the MAC address indicated by the MAC address information of access point 1 stored in communication setting storage unit 131 (step S104). Subsequently, SSID generation unit 115 stores the generated SSID information in communication setting storage unit 131 and also writes it to USB memory 6 (step S105). Thereafter, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0035] Next, the communication setup process executed by the projection device 2 according to this embodiment will be described in detail again with reference to Fig. 6(B). Note that the process of transmitting probe request information and the like and receiving probe response information and the like between the access point projection device 2 and the projector 4, and the process of transferring video information to the display device 4, etc. are executed as appropriate after this communication setup process.

[0036] First, the setting information acquisition unit 213 determines whether or not the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a (step S301). Here, the setting information acquisition unit 213 repeatedly executes the process of step S301 unless the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a (step S301: No). On the other hand, when the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a (step S301: Yes), the setting information acquisition unit 213 determines whether or not the client-side setting information and SSID information are included in the information stored in the USB memory 6 (step S302). Here, if the setting information acquisition unit 213 determines that the client-side setting information and SSID information are not stored in the USB memory 6 (step S302: No), the process of step S301 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting information acquisition unit 213 determines that the information stored in the USB memory 6 includes the client-side setting information and SSDI information (step S302: Yes), it acquires the client-side setting information and SSID information stored in the USB memory 6 and stores the acquired client-side setting information and SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 231 (step S303). Thereafter, the process of step S301 is executed again.

[0037] As described above, according to the communication system of the present embodiment, SSID information indicating an SSID that includes part of a MAC address unique to the access point 1 is generated, and the generated SSID information is shared between the access point 1 and the projection device 2. As a result, in an environment where multiple wireless LANs exist, unique SSIDs for each of the multiple access points 1 are generated using MAC addresses unique to the access point 1 corresponding to each of the multiple wireless LANs, making it easy to set up a connection to each wireless LAN in an environment where multiple wireless LANs exist.

[0038] In educational facilities such as schools, where the access point 1 and the projection device 2 are used on a one-to-one basis, the access point 1 and the projection device 2 may be relocated to another educational facility or a new access point 1 and projection device 2 may be installed at the educational facility due to an annual renewal event or other such event. In such cases, such relocation or installation work is typically performed in bulk by an administrative agency or a specific contractor that oversees multiple educational facilities. Therefore, there is a need to efficiently and quickly configure communication settings for the access point 1 and the projection device 2 at multiple educational facilities without disrupting normal operations. To address this issue, a possible solution is to store the access point-side setting information and the client-side setting information for each access point 1 and the projection device 2 on a USB memory stick in advance, and then insert the USB memory stick into the access point 1 and the projection device 2 to configure communication settings. However, because the SSID must be configured separately for each educational facility, configuring the SSID can be tedious and time-consuming.

[0039] In contrast, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, simply by connecting the USB memory 6 storing the access point-side setting information and the client-side setting information to the USB terminal 107a of the access point 1, the access point 1 acquires the access point-side setting information stored in the USB memory 6, generates SSID information, and stores the generated SSID information in the USB memory 6. Then, by removing the USB memory 6 with the newly stored SSID information from the USB terminal 107a of the access point 1 and connecting it to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2, the projection device 2 acquires the client-side setting information and SSID information stored in the USB memory 6 and becomes capable of communicating with the access point 1. In this way, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, communication settings for both the access point 1 and the projection device 2 can be performed semi-automatically without updating the information stored in the USB memory 6 each time communication settings are performed for the access point 1 and the projection device 2, respectively. Furthermore, when configuring communication settings for the access point 1 and the projection device 2 at each of multiple educational facilities, the communication settings can be configured using the same procedure at multiple educational facilities by distributing USB memories 6 storing the same access point-side setting information and client-side setting information to the multiple educational facilities. This allows the work of configuring communication settings for the pair of the access point 1 and the projection device 2 to be performed efficiently and quickly.

[0040] Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, a set of the access point 1 and the projection device 2 is installed in each of a plurality of facilities. In this case, a plurality of sets of access point-side setting information and client-side setting information adapted to each of the plurality of facilities are stored in a plurality of USB memories 6, respectively, and distributed to the plurality of facilities, thereby enabling communication settings adapted to each facility to be made at each facility.

[0041] Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sets of access point-side setting information and client-side setting information that use different channels can be stored separately in a plurality of USB memories 6. In this case, for example, a different USB memory can be used for each set of an access point 1 and a projection device 2 that are arranged close to each other, and the sets can be set to use different channels.

[0042] (Embodiment 2) The communication system according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a communication setup device and executes the above-mentioned access point identification information in the communication setup device.

[0043] 7, the communication system according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 3, an access point 2001, a projection device 2, a display device 4, a setting terminal device 5 for performing communication settings for the access point 2001 and the projection device 2, and a communication setting device 2006 used for performing communication settings for the access point 2001 and the projection device 2. The hardware configuration of the access point 2001 is the same as the hardware configuration of the access point 1 described in the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. The dashed arrows extending from a USB interface 607 to USB interfaces 107, 207, and 507 in FIG. 7 indicate that a user can hold the communication setting device 2006 and connect the USB interface 607 of the communication setting device 2006 to any of the USB interfaces 107, 207, and 507 via a USB terminal (not shown) of the access point 2001, a USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2, or a USB terminal 507a of the setting terminal 5.

[0044] In access point 2001 according to this embodiment, CPU 101 loads a program stored in auxiliary storage unit 103 into main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as video information acquiring unit 111, video information transmitting unit 113, setting information acquiring unit 114, and MAC address notifying unit 2115, as shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the same components as in Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3. When the USB terminal of communication setting device 2006 is connected to the USB terminal of MAC address notifying unit 2115, MAC address information indicating the MAC address of access point 2001 that is unique to access point 2001 is transferred to communication setting device 2006 via the USB terminal.

[0045] The communication setting device 2006 includes a CPU 601, a main memory 602, an auxiliary memory 603, a USB interface 607, and a bus 609 connecting the various components. The main memory 602 is made up of a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 601. The auxiliary memory 603 is made up of a non-volatile memory, SSD, HDD, or the like, and stores programs for controlling the communication setting device 2006. The USB interface 607 has a USB terminal (not shown) that is a connection unit on the setting device side that can be connected to a USB terminal provided in the access point 2001 and a USB terminal 207a provided in the projection device 2.

[0046] The CPU 601 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 603 into the main storage unit 602 and executes them, thereby functioning as a setting information acquisition unit 2611, a setting information transfer unit 2612, a MAC address acquisition unit 2613, and an SSID generation unit 2614, as shown in FIG. 8. The auxiliary storage unit 603 shown in FIG. 7 also has a communication setting storage unit 2631 that stores access point setting information, client setting information, and SSID information generated by the SSID generation unit 2614, as shown in FIG. 8. The setting information acquisition unit 2611 acquires the access point setting information and client setting information written by the setting information writing unit 511 of the setting terminal device 5 when the USB terminal of the communication setting device 2006 is connected to the USB terminal 507a of the setting terminal device 5. The setting information acquisition unit 2611 then stores the acquired access point setting information and client setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631.

[0047] When the USB terminal of the device itself is connected to a USB terminal provided on the access point 2001, the setting information transfer unit 2612 transfers the above-mentioned access point setting information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 to the access point 2001 via the USB terminal of the access point 2001. Furthermore, when the USB terminal of the device itself is connected to the USB terminal 207a provided on the projection device 2, if the communication setting storage unit 2631 stores SSID information, the setting information transfer unit 2612 transfers the above-mentioned client setting information and SSID information to the projection device 2 via the USB terminal 207a.

[0048] MAC address acquisition unit 2613 is a communication device identification information acquisition unit that, when the USB terminal of its own device is connected to a USB terminal provided on access point 2001, acquires MAC address information indicating the MAC address of access point 2001 that is unique to access point 2001. MAC address acquisition unit 2613 notifies SSID generation unit 2614 of the acquired MAC address information.

[0049] The SSID generation unit 2614 generates SSID information indicating an SSID that includes at least a part of the MAC address indicated by the MAC address information acquired by the MAC address acquisition unit 2613. Here, the SSID generation unit 2614 generates SSID information indicating an SSID that includes, for example, the last three bytes of the MAC address of the access point 2001. The SSID generation unit 2614 stores the generated SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 2631.

[0050] Next, the operation of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9. Note that in Fig. 9, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 5. First, it is assumed that a user connects the communication setting device 2006 to the USB terminal U507a of the setting terminal device 5 and performs a write operation on the input unit 505 to write the above-mentioned access point setting information and client setting information to the USB memory 6. In this case, the communication setting device 2006 acquires the access point-side setting information and client-side setting information written by the setting terminal device 5 and stores the acquired access point-side setting information and client-side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631 (step S2001). Next, it is assumed that a user disconnects the communication setting device 2006, whose access point-side setting information and client-side setting information have been stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631, from the USB terminal 507a of the setting terminal device 5 and connects it to the USB terminal of the access point 2001. Here, it is assumed that the communication setting device 2006 determines that the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 includes access point side setting information (step S2002). In this case, the access point side setting information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 is transferred from the communication setting device 2006 to the access point 2001 (step S2003). Meanwhile, the access point 2001 stores the transferred access point side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 131 (step S2004). Next, the access point 2001 generates MAC address information indicating a MAC address unique to the access point 2001 (step S2005), and the generated MAC address information is transferred from the access point 2001 to the communication setting device 2006 (step S2006).

[0051] On the other hand, upon acquiring the MAC address information, the communication setting device 2006 generates SSID information indicating an SSID including a part of the MAC address indicated by the acquired MAC address information (step S2007), and the generated SSID information is transferred from the communication setting device 2006 to the access point 1 (step S2008). On the other hand, the access point 2001 stores the transferred SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 131 (step S2009).

[0052] Next, suppose that the user disconnects the communication setting device 2006, in which the communication setting storage unit 2631 stores the SSID information of the access point 2001 as well as the access point side setting information and the client side setting information, from the USB terminal of the access point 2001 and connects it to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2. Here, suppose that the communication setting device 2006 determines that the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 includes the client side setting information and the SSID information (step S2010). In this case, the client side setting information and the SSID information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 are transferred from the communication setting device 2006 to the projection device 2 (step S2011), and the projection device 2 stores the transferred client side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 231 (step S2012). Thereafter, the series of processes from step S11 onward described in the first embodiment are executed.

[0053] Next, the communication setting process executed by the communication setting device 2006 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10. Note that this communication setting process is executed on the premise that the user has powered on the communication setting device 2006, connected the communication setting device 2006 to the USB terminal U507a of the setting terminal device 5, and then operated the input unit 505 to store the above-described access point setting information and client setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631. First, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether the device itself is connected to the access point 2001 (step S201). Specifically, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether the USB terminal of the device itself is connected to the USB terminal of the access point 2001. If the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the device is not connected to the access point 2001 (step S201: No), the process of step S207, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that connection has been made to the access point 2001 (step S201: Yes), the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether or not access point-side setting information is present in the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 (step S202). Here, if the user has already connected the communication setting device 2006 to the setting terminal device 5 and stored the access point-side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the access point-side setting information is present. Here, when the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the communication setting storage unit 2631 does not store the access point-side setting information (step S202: No), the processing of step S207, which will be described later, is executed.

[0054] On the other hand, if setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that communication setting storage unit 2631 stores access point-side setting information (step S202: Yes), it transfers the access point-side setting information stored in communication setting storage unit 2631 to access point 2001 (step S203). Next, when MAC address acquisition unit 2613 acquires MAC address information transferred from access point 2001 (step S204), SSID generation unit 115 generates SSID information indicating an SSID including the last three bytes of the MAC address indicated by the acquired MAC address information, and stores the generated SSID information in communication setting storage unit 2631 (step S205). Next, setting information transfer unit 2612 transfers the SSID information stored in communication setting storage unit 2631 to access point 2001 (step S206).

[0055] Thereafter, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether or not its own device is connected to the projection device 2 (step S207). Specifically, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether or not the USB terminal of its own device is connected to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2. If the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that it is not connected to the projection device 2 (step S207: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that it is connected to the projection device 2 (step S207: Yes), it determines whether or not the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 includes client-side setting information and SSID information (step S208). Here, if the user has already connected the communication setting device 2006 to the setting terminal device 5 and stored the client-side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631, and the communication setting device 2006 has connected to the access point 2001 to generate SSID information and stored it in the communication setting storage unit 2631, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the client-side setting information and the SSID information are present. If the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the communication setting storage unit 2631 does not store the client-side setting information and the SSID information (step S208: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the information stored therein includes the client-side setting information and the SSID information (step S208: Yes), the client-side setting information and the SSID information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 are transferred to the projection device 2 (step S209).

[0056] As described above, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the communication setup device 2006 acquires a MAC address from the access point 2001 and generates an SSID on behalf of the access point. As a variation of this embodiment, the SSID generation unit 2614 of the communication setup device 2006 may generate an SSID independently, without relying on the MAC address of the access point 2001. In this case, it is important that the SSID is determined independently so that the pairing of the access point 2001 and the projection device 2 is uniquely determined. For example, the SSID may be generated by combining a number arbitrarily determined by the user with a number representing the time the SSID was generated. The SSID generation unit 2614 may also generate an SSID by a method other than combining a number arbitrarily determined by the user with the time the SSID was generated. This simplifies the network setup process.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the USB memory 6 may include a log storage unit (not shown) that stores log information indicating the history of exchange of access point-side setting information, SSID information, and client-side setting information between the access point 1 and the projection device 2. Here, the log storage unit stores, for example, the access point-side setting information transferred to the access point 1 or the client-side setting information transferred to the projection device 2, in association with the MAC address information of the access point 1 or the projection device 2 and transfer date and time information indicating the date and time when the access point-side setting information was transferred. Note that the log storage unit may store various information in, for example, a CSV format. In this case, the access point 1 may include an access point-side log recording unit (not shown) that, upon receiving the access point-side setting information from the USB memory 6 and generating SSID information, stores the access point-side setting information in the log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of the access point 1 and the access point transfer date and time information indicating the date and time when the access point-side setting information was transferred. The projection device 2 may also be provided with a client-side log recording unit (not shown) that, when the client-side setting information and SSID information are transferred from the USB memory 6, stores the client-side setting information in the log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of the projection device 2 and client transfer date and time information indicating the date and time when the client-side setting information was transferred.

[0058] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the communication setting device 2006 may include a log storage unit (not shown) that stores the log information, and the projection device 2 may include a MAC address notification unit (not shown) that indicates the MAC address of the projection device 2. In this case, the communication setting device 2006 may include a log recording unit (not shown) that transfers the access point-side setting information to the access point 2001, acquires the MAC address information of the access point 2001, and stores the access point-side setting information in the log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of the access point 2001 and access point transfer date and time information that indicates the date and time when the access point-side setting information was transferred. Here, the log recording unit may transfer the client-side setting information and SSID information to the projection device 2, acquire the MAC address information transferred from the MAC address notification unit of the projection device 2, and store the client-side setting information in the log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of the projection device 2 and client transfer date and time information that indicates the date and time when the client-side setting information was transferred.

[0059] According to these configurations, for example, when communication settings are made for each of a plurality of pairs of access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2, the contents of the communication settings for each of the plurality of pairs can be confirmed by referring to the log information stored in the log storage unit after the communication settings have been made. This has the advantage of facilitating maintenance after the start of operation of each of the plurality of pairs of access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2.

[0060] Furthermore, with these configurations, the log information stored in the USB memory 6 or the log storage unit of the communication setup device 2006 can be accumulated as backup information in, for example, a management server. Therefore, for example, for newly installed access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2, it is possible to set communication settings with the same content as communication settings set in the past for other access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the access point 1 may further include a light-emitting unit (not shown) having a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and a lighting control unit (not shown) that blinks the light-emitting unit when the transfer of the access point-side setting information to the access point 1 and the transfer of the SSID information to the USB memory 6 are completed after the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a. The projection device 2 may further include a light-emitting unit (not shown) having a light-emitting element, and a lighting control unit (not shown) that blinks the light-emitting unit when the transfer of the client-side setting information and the SSID information to the projection device 2 are completed after the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a.

[0062] This configuration makes it easier to determine when the communication settings of the access point 1 or the projection device 2 are completed, thereby reducing the occurrence of problems caused by, for example, the USB memory 6 being removed from the USB terminal 107a, 207a before the communication settings of the access point 1 or the projection device 2 are completed.

[0063] In each embodiment, an example has been described in which RADIUS authentication is performed when communication between the access point 1, 2001 and the projection device 2 is initiated, but this is not limited to this, and RADIUS authentication may not be performed.

[0064] The various functions of the access points 1, 2001 and communication setting device 2006 according to the present invention can be realized by using a computer system equipped with a wireless communication module, 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) that can be read by the 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 communication setting device 2006 that execute the above-mentioned processes.

[0065] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches the program and executes it under the control of the OS in the same way as any other application. This allows the computer to function as the access point 1, 2001, or the communication setting device 2006 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0066] 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 any combination of the embodiments and modifications, and any combination to which appropriate modifications have been made. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present invention is suitable for communication settings in an environment where multiple networks exist. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, 2001: Access point, 2: Projection device, 3: Terminal device, 4: Display device, 5: Setting terminal device, 6: USB memory, 2006: Communication setting device, 101, 201, 501, 601: CPU, 102, 202, 502, 602: Main memory unit, 103, 203, 503, 603: Auxiliary memory unit, 105, 205: Wireless module, 107, 207, 507, 607: USB interface, 107a, 207a, 507a, 607a: USB terminal, 109, 209, 509 ,609: Bus, 111: Video information acquisition unit, 211: Video information reception unit, 113: Video information transmission unit, 114, 213, 2611: Setting information acquisition unit, 115, 2614: SSID generation unit, 121, 221: Video buffer, 131, 231, 2631: Communication setting storage unit, 206: Video interface, 212: Projection control unit, 511: Setting information writing unit, 2115: MAC address notification unit, 2612: Setting information transfer unit, 2613: MAC address acquisition unit, CB1: Communication cable

Claims

1. a setting device-side connection unit connectable to an access point-side connection unit provided in an access point and a client-side connection unit provided in a client device that communicates with the access point via a single network; a communication setting storage unit that stores access point setting information indicating the contents of communication settings of the access point when the access point communicates with the client device via the one network, and client setting information indicating the contents of communication settings of the client device when the client device communicates with the access point via the one network; an access point identification information generating unit that generates unique access point identification information and stores the generated access point identification information in the communication setting storage unit; a setting information transfer unit that, when the setting device-side connection unit is connected to the access point-side connection unit, transfers the access point setting information to the access point via the setting device-side connection unit and the access point-side connection unit, and, when the setting device-side connection unit is connected to the client-side connection unit, transfers the client setting information and the access point identification information to the client device via the setting device-side connection unit and the access point-side connection unit if the communication setting storage unit stores the access point identification information, Communication setting device.

2. a communication device identification information acquisition unit that acquires communication device identification information unique to the access point for identifying the access point when the setting device side connection unit is connected to the access point side connection unit; the unique access point identification information includes at least a portion of the obtained communication device identification information. The communication setting device according to claim 1 .

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