Communication system, network communication device, terminal device, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication system, network communication device, terminal device, and program that enable takeover of setting information of a network communication device to be replaced.SOLUTION: A network communication device 10 stores multiple types of setting data, and communicates with a server device 30 via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data. The network communication device 10 or the server device 30 converts at least some types of setting data among the multiple types of setting data stored in the network communication device 10 into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format. The server device 30 holds the converted general-purpose setting data and provides the held general-purpose setting data according to a request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When replacing an existing network communication device, for example, an existing wireless LAN device, with a new wireless LAN device, it is necessary to set new configuration information for the new wireless LAN device.

[0003] In order to reduce the time and effort required for this setting, it has been considered to transfer setting information from an existing wireless LAN device to a new wireless LAN device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless LAN device that requests communication parameters from the existing wireless LAN device and copies and uses the communication parameters from the existing wireless LAN device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-023481 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the existing network communication device to be replaced and the new network communication device are not necessarily of the same model. For a network communication device that is a different model from the network communication device that is being replaced, not all of the configuration information acquired from the network communication device that is being replaced is necessarily usable. The above-mentioned conventional technology does not take such a case into consideration, and does not provide a process for inheriting the configuration information of the network communication device that is being replaced for a network communication device that is a different model from the network communication device that is being replaced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and one of its objectives is to provide a communication system, a network communication device, a terminal device, and a program that enable a network communication device of a different model from the network communication device being replaced to inherit the setting information of the network communication device being replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention that solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional examples is a communication system including a network communication device and a server device communicatively connected to the network communication device via a specified communication line, wherein the network communication device has a setting storage means that stores multiple types of setting data, and a communication means that communicates with the server device via the specified communication line based on the setting data stored in the setting storage means, and the network communication device or the server device converts at least some of the multiple types of setting data stored in the setting storage means of the network communication device into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format, and the server device stores the converted general-purpose setting data and uses it to process the stored general-purpose setting data in response to a request.

[0008] According to this communication system, at least some types of setting data are provided in the form of predetermined general-purpose setting data, so that even a network communication device of a different model from the network communication device to be replaced can inherit the setting information of the network communication device that is the target of replacement.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a network communication device comprising: a setting storage means for storing multiple types of setting data; a communication means for communicating with a predetermined server device via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data stored in the setting storage means; and a setting data conversion means for converting at least some of the multiple types of setting data stored in the setting storage means into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format and sending it to the server device.

[0010] According to this network communication device, at least some types of setting data are provided in the form of predetermined general-purpose setting data, so that even a network communication device of a different model from the network communication device to be replaced can inherit the setting information of the network communication device that is the target of replacement.

[0011] The device may further include dedicated setting data transmitting means for transmitting the plurality of types of setting data stored in the setting storage means and model information indicating the model of the device to the server device as dedicated setting data.

[0012] In this example, it is possible to perform settings using dedicated setting data for a network communication device of the same model as the network communication device to be replaced.

[0013] It may further include an accepting means for accepting general-purpose setting data stored in the server device, and a setting restoring means for generating its own setting data based on the accepted general-purpose setting data and storing it in the setting storage means.

[0014] The receiving means may receive the general-purpose setting data from a terminal device that has acquired the general-purpose setting data held in the server device from the server device.

[0015] Such a network communication device generates its own setting data based on general-purpose setting data provided in a predetermined format, so that even if the model of the network communication device to be replaced is different from that of the network communication device to be replaced, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device to be replaced.

[0016] Furthermore, the accepting means may send information regarding at least one of the model or functions of the network communication device itself from the server device to the terminal device that has acquired the general-purpose setting data and dedicated setting data stored in the server device, and the terminal device may accept the dedicated setting data or general-purpose setting data selected based on the sent information.

[0017] In this example, even if the model of the network communication device to be replaced is different, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device to be replaced, and for example, for a network communication device of the same model as the network communication device to be replaced, it is possible to perform settings using dedicated setting data.

[0018] Furthermore, the accepting means may accept the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data stored in the server device, and the setting restoring means may, if the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data matches its own model information, generate its own setting data based on the dedicated setting data and store it in the setting storage means, and, if the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data does not match its own model information, generate its own setting data based on the accepted general-purpose setting data and store it in the setting storage means.

[0019] In this example, even if the model of the network communication device to be replaced is different, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device to be replaced, and it is also possible to configure a network communication device of the same model as the network communication device to be replaced using dedicated setting data.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a terminal device that includes means for acquiring setting data from a server device that stores setting data in a network communication device from which settings are to be transferred; means for acquiring information regarding at least one of the model and functions of a network communication device to which settings are to be transferred; means for generating general-purpose setting data to be sent to the network communication device to which settings are to be transferred based on the setting data acquired from the server device, by referring to the acquired information regarding at least one of the model and functions; and sending means for sending the generated general-purpose setting data to the network communication device to which settings are to be transferred.

[0021] According to this terminal device, even if a network communication device is of a different model from the network communication device to be replaced, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device that is the target of replacement.

[0022] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a network communication device to function as a setting storage means for storing multiple types of setting data, a communication means for communicating with a predetermined server device via a specified communication line based on the setting data stored in the setting storage means, and a setting data conversion means for converting at least some of the multiple types of setting data stored in the setting storage means into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format and sending it to the server device.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a terminal device to function as: means for acquiring setting data from a server device that stores setting data in a network communication device from which the settings are to be transferred; means for acquiring information regarding at least one of the model and functions of the network communication device to which the settings are to be transferred; means for generating general-purpose setting data to be sent to the network communication device to which the settings are to be transferred, based on the setting data acquired from the server device, by referring to the acquired information regarding at least one of the model and functions; and means for sending the generated general-purpose setting data to the network communication device to which the settings are to be transferred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, even if a network communication device is of a different model from the network communication device to be replaced, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device that is the target of replacement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a network communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a control unit of a network communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is another flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first network communication device 10a, a second network communication device 10b, a terminal device 20, and a server device 30 connected to a wide area network such as the Internet, all of which are located in a user's home.

[0027] In the following example, the first network communication device 10a corresponds to the network communication device to be replaced (the existing network communication device), and the second network communication device 10b corresponds to the new network communication device. The terminal device 20 may be a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0028] In this embodiment, the server device 30 authenticates the user and stores the setting data uploaded by the authenticated user in association with the user's information, etc. In response to a request from the authenticated user, the server device 30 sends the setting data stored in association with the user's information, etc. to the user's terminal device 20 or network communication device 10. In the following example, it is assumed that the user's authentication information, etc. is set in advance.

[0029] For example, the server device 30 receives a request from the terminal device 20, authenticates the user, and sends the setting data stored in association with information about the authenticated user to the terminal device 20. In this example, the terminal device 20 temporarily accepts and stores the setting data from the server device 30, and then sends the stored setting data to the network communication device 10.

[0030] The first and second network communication devices 10 (referred to as 10 when there is no need to distinguish between them) are, for example, wireless LAN devices, and once the settings are complete, they also function as router devices and are connected to a server device 30 on the Internet so that they can communicate with each other.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second network communication devices 10 each include a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0032] Here, the control unit 11 is a program-controlled device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In one example of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 executes the function of a router by referring to the setting data stored in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the control unit 11 communicates with a predetermined server device 30 via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the setting data stored in the storage unit 12 includes multiple types of setting data, such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and encryption key set in the communication unit 15, as well as so-called Internet settings such as login information for a provider and a DNS address. Furthermore, the control unit 11 converts at least some of the multiple types of setting data stored in the storage unit 12 into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format and transmits it to the server device 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 receives input setting data and performs processes such as storing the input setting data in the storage unit 12. The operation of the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

[0033] The storage unit 12 is a memory device or the like, and holds a program executed by the control unit 11. This program may be stored in a computer-readable and non-transitory recording medium and provided, or may be received via a network and stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 functions as a setting storage means, and stores various types of setting data used by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

[0034] Here, the data format of the setting data stored in the storage unit 12 is assumed to be a data format that may differ depending on the model of the network communication device 10 (hereinafter referred to as a dedicated setting data format).

[0035] The operation unit 13 is a button or the like, and upon receiving an operation by a user, outputs the content of the operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 includes an LED or the like, and performs control such as turning on or off the LED or the like in a specified manner according to an instruction input from the control unit 11.

[0036] In one example of the present embodiment, communication unit 15 includes wired communication unit 151 and wireless communication unit 152. This communication unit 15 transmits and receives information to and from server device 30 on the Internet via wired communication unit 151 in accordance with instructions input from control unit 11. Furthermore, this communication unit 15 transmits and receives information wirelessly to and from terminal device 20 and the like via wireless communication unit 152 in accordance with instructions input from control unit 11.

[0037] Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 11 will be described. As already mentioned, the control unit 11 of this embodiment executes the function of a router by referring to the setting data. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 functionally includes a communication control unit 101 and a setting data conversion unit 102. The control unit 11 may further functionally include a setting acceptance unit 103 and a setting restoration unit 104.

[0038] The communication control unit 101 and the setting data conversion unit 102 operate when setting data is stored in the storage unit 12. The communication control unit 101 communicates with a predetermined server device 30 via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data stored in the storage unit 12.

[0039] In this embodiment, communication control unit 101 acquires information necessary for user authentication by referring to the setting data stored in storage unit 12, and requests user authentication by sending the information to server device 30. Furthermore, when the user is authenticated by server device 30, general-purpose setting data input from setting data conversion unit 102 is sent (uploaded) to server device 30.

[0040] The setting data conversion unit 102 converts at least some of the types of setting data stored in the memory unit 12 into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format, outputs it to the communication control unit 101, and sends it to the server device 30.

[0041] Specifically, the setting data conversion unit 102 reads out setting data in a dedicated setting data format stored in the network communication device 10 and extracts some types of setting data from the reading out data. The setting data extracted here is setting data that must be set for any network communication device 10, regardless of the model of the network communication device 10. Examples of such setting data include so-called Internet settings such as an SSID, an encryption key, login information for a provider, and a DNS address.

[0042] The setting data conversion unit 102 converts the extracted setting data into setting data in a data format previously determined as a general-purpose setting data format. For example, if the extracted setting data is in the dedicated setting data format, where the setting data name is associated with the data content, and the general-purpose setting data format is XML (eXtensible Markup Language), the setting data conversion unit 102 performs the conversion as follows.

[0043] For example, for a user name, which is login information for a provider, in the dedicated setting data format, if the setting data name is "User" and the data content is "user0000", User:user0000 The setting data conversion unit 102 converts the data in the dedicated setting data format into a name (for example, "LoginUser") that is set in advance as a setting data name representing a user name, which is login information for a provider, in the data in the general setting data format, and converts the data into the dedicated setting data format. <name=LoginUser> user0000 In this embodiment, the setting data conversion unit 102 also performs the operation of replacing the setting data name with a value that is previously determined as a corresponding standard name.

[0044] Such a conversion operation can be performed by storing the conversion rules in advance in the storage unit 12 as an information table representing the conversion rules, and then performing the conversion in accordance with the conversion rules.

[0045] The setting data conversion unit 102 converts the various setting data extracted in this manner into data in the format of general-purpose setting data, generates general-purpose setting data, and outputs it to the communication control unit 101, which then sends it to the server device 30.

[0046] The setting acceptance unit 103 also transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 15, and accepts general-purpose setting data from the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the setting acceptance unit 103 may accept data in the format of dedicated setting data (dedicated setting data) from the terminal device 20.

[0047] The setting restoration unit 104 generates data in the dedicated setting data format that is compatible with its own model based on the general-purpose setting data received from the terminal device 20, and stores the data as setting data in the storage unit 12. This process is the reverse of the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit 102, and, like the setting data conversion unit 102, converts data in the general-purpose setting data format into data in the dedicated setting data format while referring to an information table that represents the conversion rules stored in the storage unit 12.

[0048] For example, for the user name, which is the login information for the provider, in the general setting data format, the setting data name is "LoginUser" and the data content is "user0000", <name=LoginUser> user0000 When the setting data is expressed in XML format as above, if the corresponding setting data name in the dedicated setting data format is "User", the setting restoration unit 104 converts the setting data name and also converts the format into a predetermined dedicated setting data format, for example User:user0000 and stores the converted data in the storage unit 12.

[0049] Furthermore, control unit 11 of this embodiment may accept rewriting of setting data by the user. In this case, control unit 11 functions as, for example, a web server, and provides a web page that displays currently set values, accepts input of setting data from the user, and stores the accepted setting data in storage unit 12. A widely known method can be used to allow the user to rewrite setting data in this way, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0050] [Example of uploading dedicated setting data in addition to general setting data] Furthermore, when communication control unit 101 receives general-purpose setting data from setting data conversion unit 102 and sends the general-purpose setting data to server device 30, or at a predetermined timing designated by the user, communication control unit 101 may send setting data in multiple types of dedicated setting data formats stored in storage unit 12 and model information indicating its own model (the model of network communication device 10 to which control unit 11 that realizes itself belongs) as dedicated setting data to server device 30. In this example, communication control unit 101 operates as dedicated setting data transmission means.

[0051] In this example, the server device 30 holds dedicated setting data (including information indicating the model of the corresponding network communication device 10) in addition to the general-purpose setting data.

[0052] When dedicated setting data is uploaded in this manner, the control unit 11 of the network communication device 10, in operation as the setting acceptance unit 103, accepts general-purpose setting data from the terminal device 20 and also accepts data in the format of dedicated setting data (dedicated setting data).

[0053] When the control unit 11 operates as the setting restoration unit 104, it checks whether the model information related to the received dedicated setting data matches the model information of its own model (the model of the network communication device 10 to which the control unit 11 that realizes itself belongs).

[0054] If the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data matches its own model information, the setting restoration unit 104 generates its own setting data based on the dedicated setting data and stores it in the storage unit 12. In this case, the setting restoration unit 104 can restore the setting data by storing the various setting data included in the accepted dedicated setting data in the storage unit 12 as is.

[0055] Furthermore, if the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data does not match the device's own model information, the setting restoration unit 104 generates its own setting data based on the general-purpose setting data accepted together with the dedicated setting data, and stores the data in the storage unit 12. This process is similar to the process already described.

[0056] [Operation] The communication system 1 of this embodiment has, for example, the above configuration and operates as follows. In the following example, it is assumed that the first network communication device 10a is in a state in which configuration data for operating as an existing router is set. Then, it is assumed that the user transfers the configuration data of the first network communication device 10a to the second network communication device 10b in order to replace the first network communication device 10a with the second network communication device 10b.

[0057] Furthermore, in the following example, for the sake of explanation, in the format of the dedicated setting data of the first network communication device 10a, the setting data name of the user name, which is login information to the provider, is "User", and the content of the data is "user0000". User:user0000 It is assumed that the data is stored in the storage unit 12 in the above format.

[0058] In addition, in the general setting data format, when the setting data name of the user name, which is the login information to the provider, is "LoginUser" and the content of that data is "user0000", <name=LoginUser> user0000 It is expressed in XML format as follows.

[0059] 4, in response to a user instruction or the like, an existing first network communication device 10a reads setting data in a dedicated setting data format stored in the storage unit 12 (S11: Reading setting data). The multiple types of setting data read here include, for example, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and encryption key to be set in the communication unit 15, as well as setting data that must be set in any network communication device 10 regardless of the model of the network communication device 10, such as login information for a provider and so-called Internet settings such as a DNS address. Furthermore, the setting data read here may include setting data unique to some models depending on the model of the network communication device 10, such as a second SSID and an encryption key corresponding to the second SSID when two or more SSIDs can be set.

[0060] The network communication device 10a extracts some types of setting data from the multiple types of setting data that have been read, specifically, setting data that needs to be set for any network communication device 10 regardless of the model of the network communication device 10 (S12: Extraction of setting data).

[0061] The network communication device 10a converts each of the setting data extracted in step S12 into setting data in a predetermined general-purpose setting data format to generate general-purpose setting data (S13). Specifically, in the above example, for the user name, which is login information to the provider, the setting data in the dedicated setting data format is: User:user0000 is converted into setting data in the general setting data format as follows:

[0062] That is, the network communication device 10a replaces this setting data name with the corresponding setting data name in the general-purpose setting data, and sets the format to the general-purpose setting data format, as follows: <name=LoginUser> user0000 Get the setting data.

[0063] As in this example, the network communication device 10a generates general-purpose setting data by converting the various setting data extracted in step S12 into setting data in the corresponding general-purpose setting data format, and then sends the generated general-purpose setting data to the server device 30 (S14).

[0064] At this time, the network communication device 10a also sends the setting data read in step S11 (setting data in the dedicated setting data format) together with model information indicating its own model to the server device 30 as dedicated setting data (S15). Here, the model information may include firmware version information in addition to the model name, taking into consideration that the content of setting data may differ depending on the version of software such as firmware, even for models with the same model name.

[0065] The server device 30 receives the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data from the network communication device 10a (which is assumed to have been authenticated in advance using user information) (steps S14 and S15), and stores them in association with the authenticated user information (S16). The server device 30 may encrypt the stored setting data with an encryption key determined by a predetermined method.

[0066] If the sending of data to the server device 30 in step S15 or the storing of data in step S16 fails for some reason, the process may be repeated from step S15 (i.e., a retry may be performed). In this case, the retry may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous failure.

[0067] Next, the user sets the setting data (general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data) stored in the server device 30 in the second network communication device 10b. At this time, the second network communication device 10b cannot communicate directly with the server device 30 via the Internet because it has not been configured at first.

[0068] Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the user operates the second network communication device 10b to set up communication with the terminal device 20 via wireless LAN or the like using a method such as the well-known WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) (S21).

[0069] The user also operates the terminal device 20 to access the server device 30, undergo user authentication, and request setting data stored in association with information about the authenticated user (S22).

[0070] In response to this request, the server device 30 reads out the setting data (the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data stored in step S16 of FIG. 4) associated with the authenticated user information and sends it to the requesting terminal device 20 (S23). The terminal device 20 holds the sent general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data (S24).

[0071] Furthermore, the user operates the terminal device 20 and the second network communication device 10b to send the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data held by the terminal device 20 to the second network communication device 10b (S25).

[0072] The second network communication device 10b accepts general-purpose setting data from the terminal device 20 and also accepts dedicated setting data (step S25), and checks whether the model information associated with the accepted dedicated setting data matches the model information representing its own model (S26). The comparison of model information is performed by comparing the model name and firmware version information included in the accepted dedicated setting data with the model name and firmware version information of the second network communication device 10b itself. Note that the model names do not need to match exactly, and the model name for comparison may be specified using a so-called regular expression. In this case, if the model name included in the accepted dedicated setting data matches the regular expression (and the firmware version matches), it is determined that the model information associated with the accepted dedicated setting data matches the model information representing its own model. Note that the comparison of firmware versions may also be performed by comparing only a portion of the firmware, such as the major version.

[0073] If the second network communication device 10b determines through the comparison in step S26 that the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data matches the model information representing its own model (S26: Yes), it stores the various setting data included in the dedicated setting data as is in the memory unit 12 (S27) and terminates the processing.

[0074] Furthermore, if the second network communication device 10b determines that the model information related to the dedicated setting data accepted in step S26 does not match the model information representing its own model (S26: No), the second network communication device 10b generates data in the format of dedicated setting data that is compatible with its own model, based on the general-purpose setting data accepted from the terminal device 20 in step S25 (S28).

[0075] For example, the second network communication device 10b is a different model from the first network communication device 10a, and in the format of its dedicated setting data, the setting data name of the user name, which is login information to the provider, is "PPP_User". If the data content is "user0000", then the dedicated setting data is [PPP_User] user0000 The data is stored in the storage unit 12 in the above format.

[0076] In this case, as already exemplified, the general-purpose setting data accepted in step S25 includes, as one type of setting data, a user name, which is login information for the provider, as follows: <name=LoginUser> user0000 The second network communication device 10b then converts the data format to the following format: [PPP_User] user0000 Dedicated setting data such as the above is generated.

[0077] The second network communication device 10b converts the various setting data contained in the general-purpose setting data received from the terminal device 20 in step S25 into setting data of the corresponding dedicated setting data, as in the example described above, and stores the converted setting data in the memory unit 12 (S29), thereby completing the processing.

[0078] When the setting data is stored in step S29, setting data specific to the model of the second network communication device 10b is not stored, but setting data that is model-independent for connecting to the Internet, etc. The user then sets other necessary setting data via a web interface, etc., provided by the second network communication device 10b.

[0079] 5, if server device 30 has encrypted the stored setting data with an encryption key determined by a predetermined method, server device 30 may decrypt the encrypted setting data in step S23 before sending it to terminal device 20. Alternatively, server device 30 may send the encrypted setting data to terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 may perform the decryption process. Furthermore, the decryption process may be performed in second network communication device 10b.

[0080] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if a network communication device is of a different model from the network communication device to be replaced, it is possible to inherit the setting information of the network communication device that is the object of replacement.

[0081] [Variation 1: Example in which a terminal device determines the model of a network communication device] In this example, the terminal device 20 sends the general-purpose setting data and dedicated setting data received from the server device 30 to the second network communication device 10b. The second network communication device 10b then refers to its own model information to select either the general-purpose setting data or the dedicated setting data, and stores the setting data obtained using the selected general-purpose setting data or the dedicated setting data in its storage unit 12.

[0082] However, the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, terminal device 20 may acquire the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data from server device 30, acquire model information of second network communication device 10b to which the setting data is to be set, determine whether to send the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data based on the model information, and send the determined general-purpose setting data or the dedicated setting data to second network communication device 10b.

[0083] In this example, the network communication device 10 receives a request for model information from a terminal device 20 (i.e., a terminal device 20 communicating via wireless LAN, etc.), and sends its own model information (which may include not only the model name, as already mentioned, but also firmware version information, etc.) to the terminal device 20 that made the request.

[0084] When the terminal device 20 acquires at least the dedicated setting data from the server device 30, it requests model information from the second network communication device 10b, which is the network communication device 10 (the destination of the setting information) with which it is communicating. When the second network communication device 10b sends the model information in response to this request, the terminal device 20 receives the model information.

[0085] The terminal device 20 then checks whether the model information associated with the dedicated setting data received from the server device 30 matches the model information received from the second network communication device 10b. In this example, the model information is compared by comparing the model name and firmware version information included in the received dedicated setting data with the model name and firmware version information of the second network communication device 10b, and since this is the same processing as the comparison method in the second network communication device 10b already explained, a repeated explanation will be omitted here.

[0086] If the terminal device 20 determines through this comparison that the model information associated with the accepted dedicated setting data matches the model information received from the second network communication device 10b, it transmits the dedicated setting data to the second network communication device 10b. In this case, the second network communication device 10b receives the transmitted dedicated setting data and stores it in the storage unit 12.

[0087] On the other hand, if the terminal device 20 determines through the above comparison that the model information associated with the accepted dedicated setting data does not match the model information received from the second network communication device 10b, it sends general-purpose setting data to the second network communication device 10b, which then executes the processes from step S28 onward in FIG.

[0088] The terminal device 20 may acquire general-purpose setting data together with the dedicated setting data from the server device 30 and send the acquired general-purpose setting data, or may request general-purpose setting data associated with the information of the authenticated user from the server device 30 when it determines, as a result of the comparison, that the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data does not match the model information received from the second network communication device 10b. In this example, the terminal device 20 acquires the general-purpose setting data provided in response to the request and sends it to the second network communication device 10b.

[0089] In another example of this embodiment, when the terminal device 20 determines through the above comparison that the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data does not match the model information received from the second network communication device 10b, the terminal device 20 may further perform the following processing.

[0090] That is, the terminal device 20 determines whether or not there is any type of setting data that is incompatible with the functions of the second network communication device 10b identified by the model information received from the second network communication device 10b among the multiple types of setting data included in the dedicated setting data received from the server device 30. This determination may be made by comparing whether or not there is a setting name, etc., of the dedicated setting data predetermined for each function.

[0091] For example, suppose the dedicated setting data received by terminal device 20 from server device 30 was generated by a model that has a function capable of setting multiple pieces of SSID information and includes a setting name "SSID_2" as second SSID information. In this case, if terminal device 20 determines that multiple pieces of SSID information cannot be set as a function of second network communication device 10b, which is identified by the model information of second network communication device 10b, terminal device 20 may notify the user that there is an item that cannot be set and ask for user instructions.

[0092] Here, the instruction requested from the user may be to either ignore the setting and send the dedicated setting data to the second network communication device 10b (excluding the setting data of the type that cannot be set), or to send the general-purpose setting data to the second network communication device 10b. In this example, the terminal device 20 continues processing in accordance with the instruction given by the user.

[0093] Alternatively, instead of asking the user for instructions, the terminal device 20 may either ignore the settings and send dedicated setting data (excluding the setting data types that cannot be set) to the second network communication device 10b, or send general-purpose setting data to the second network communication device 10b, depending on predetermined conditions (such as the number of types of setting data that cannot be set).

[0094] [Other examples of model information] In the examples given so far, the model information may be not only the model name and firmware version, but also information that identifies the functions of the network communication device 10 (such as information on the number of SSIDs that can be set) instead of the model name and firmware version information.

[0095] [Variation 2: Example without using a terminal device] Furthermore, in the explanation up to this point, it has been assumed that the network communication device 10 to which the setting data is to be set does not have the setting data set in advance, and therefore is unable to communicate with the server device 30 via the Internet, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0096] For example, when it is desired to set other setting data to replace existing settings, if the network communication device 10 to which the setting data is to be set can communicate with the server device 30 via the Internet, the network communication device 10 to which the setting data is to be set (the second network communication device 10b in the above example) may access the server device 30, receive user authentication, and then acquire at least one of the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data stored in the server device 30 in association with information about the authenticated user. In this example, the network communication device 10 acquires the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data without going through the terminal device 20, and executes the processing from step S26 onwards in FIG. 5.

[0097] Also in this example, when the network communication device 10 to which the setting data is to be set accesses the server device 30, it sends its own model information, and the server device 30 determines whether to send dedicated setting data or general-purpose setting data based on the model information (by processing similar to that in the terminal device 20 described above), and sends the determined general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data to the network communication device 10.

[0098] In this example, the subsequent operation of the network communication device 10 after accepting either general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data is the same as when accepting either general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data from the terminal device 20, and therefore a repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0099] [Variation 3: Another example of generating general-purpose setting data] Furthermore, in the above example, the general-purpose setting data is generated by the network communication device 10, but this embodiment is not limited to this. In one example of this embodiment, the general-purpose setting data may be generated by the terminal device 20 or the server device 30.

[0100] In this case, terminal device 20 acquires model information of network communication device 10, which is the source of the setting data, contained in the dedicated setting data received from server device 30. Furthermore, when server device 30 generates general-purpose setting data, network communication device 10, which provides the setting data, uploads the dedicated data stored in storage unit 12 to server device 30 without converting it into general-purpose setting data, and transmits its own model information to server device 30.

[0101] The server device 30 accepts the dedicated setting data and acquires model information of the network communication device 10 from the network communication device 10 that is the provider of the dedicated setting data.

[0102] The terminal device 20 or server device 30 that generates the general-purpose setting data then refers to a conversion rule (such as the information table described above) that is previously set in association with the acquired model information, and converts the dedicated setting data into general-purpose setting data. This conversion process is the same as that performed by the network communication device 10.

[0103] In addition, when the terminal device 20 acquires model information of the network communication device 10 to which the setting data is to be set and determines whether to send dedicated setting data or general-purpose setting data based on the model information, the terminal device 20 may execute the process of generating the general-purpose setting data only if it determines to send general-purpose setting data.

[0104] [Example of a server that stores multiple configuration data] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, each time server device 30 receives an upload of general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data from network communication device 10, server device 30 may overwrite and store the corresponding general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data that was previously uploaded.

[0105] In addition, when the server device 30 receives an upload of general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data from the network communication device 10, the server device 30 may store the newly uploaded general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data while retaining the corresponding general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data that has been uploaded a predetermined number of times in the past.

[0106] As in this latter example, if there is a plurality of general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data that have been uploaded in the past, for example, when a request for setting data is received from the terminal device 20, the server device 30 may provide a list of the plurality of general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data to the requesting terminal device 20 or the like, and have the user present it. In this example, the terminal device 20 or the like requests the server device 30 to select general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data that the user has selected from the list, and the server device 30 sends the requested general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data to the requesting terminal device 20 or the like.

[0107] According to this example, multiple sets of general-purpose setting data or dedicated setting data are stored in the server device 30, so that if a setting error occurs, it is possible to roll back to previous setting data.

[0108] [Timing of uploading setting data] In the above description, the network communication device 10, in which setting data is set, uploads the setting data to the server device 30, for example, at the user's instruction. However, this timing may also be, for example, when the setting data is changed. In this case, the network communication device 10 holds information indicating whether the current setting data has already been uploaded, and deletes this information when the setting data is updated. If the information is not present, the network communication device 10 executes a process to upload the setting data. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 communication system, 10 network communication device, 11 control unit, 12 memory unit, 13 operation unit, 14 display unit, 15 communication unit, 20 terminal device, 30 server device, 101 communication control unit, 102 setting data conversion unit, 103 setting acceptance unit, 104 setting restoration unit, 151 wired communication unit, 152 wireless communication unit.

Claims

1. a setting storage means for storing a plurality of types of setting data; a communication means for communicating with a predetermined server device via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data stored in the setting storage means; a setting data conversion means for converting at least some of the types of setting data stored in the setting storage means into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format and transmitting the converted data to the server device; a dedicated setting data transmitting means for transmitting the plurality of types of setting data stored in the setting storage means and model information representing the model of the device to the server device as dedicated setting data.

2. 2. The network communication device according to claim 1, an accepting means for accepting the general-purpose setting data held in the server device; a setting restoration means for generating its own setting data based on the received general-purpose setting data and storing the generated setting data in the setting storage means; A network communication device comprising:

3. 3. The network communication device according to claim 2, The receiving means is a network communication device that receives general-purpose setting data from a terminal device that has acquired the general-purpose setting data held in the server device from the server device.

4. 4. The network communication device according to claim 3, the receiving means transmits information about at least one of the model and functions of the network communication device itself to the terminal device that has acquired the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data stored in the server device from the server device; A network communication device that accepts the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data selected by the terminal device based on the information sent by the terminal device.

5. 4. The network communication device according to claim 2 or 3, the receiving means receives the general-purpose setting data and the dedicated setting data held in the server device; The setting restoration means is a network communication device that, if the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data matches its own model information, generates its own setting data based on the dedicated setting data and stores it in the setting storage means, and, if the model information related to the accepted dedicated setting data does not match its own model information, generates its own setting data based on the accepted general-purpose setting data and stores it in the setting storage means.

6. means for acquiring dedicated setting data including a plurality of types of setting data stored in a network communication device from which settings are transferred, and general-purpose setting data obtained by converting some of the types of setting data, from a server device that stores the dedicated setting data and general-purpose setting data; means for acquiring information about at least one of the model and function of the network communication device as a setting transfer destination; a means for determining whether to send the acquired dedicated setting data or general-purpose setting data to the network communication device as a setting transfer destination by referring to the acquired information on at least one of the model and function; a sending means for sending the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data to the network communication device of the setting transfer destination in accordance with the determination; A terminal device including:

7. A network communication device, a setting storage means for storing a plurality of types of setting data; a communication means for communicating with a predetermined server device via a predetermined communication line based on the setting data stored in the setting storage means; a setting data conversion means for converting at least some of the types of setting data stored in the setting storage means into a predetermined general-purpose setting data format and transmitting the converted data to the server device; dedicated setting data transmitting means for transmitting the plurality of types of setting data stored in the setting storage means and model information representing the own model to the server device as dedicated setting data; A program that functions as a

8. The terminal device, means for acquiring dedicated setting data including a plurality of types of setting data stored in a network communication device from which settings are transferred, and general-purpose setting data obtained by converting some of the types of setting data, from a server device that stores the dedicated setting data and general-purpose setting data; means for acquiring information about at least one of the model and function of the network communication device as a setting transfer destination; a means for determining whether to send the acquired dedicated setting data or general-purpose setting data to the network communication device as a setting transfer destination by referring to the acquired information on at least one of the model and function; a sending means for sending the dedicated setting data or the general-purpose setting data to the network communication device of the setting transfer destination in accordance with the determination; A program that functions as a

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