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 Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the network connection method described in Patent Document 1, for example, in an environment where a plurality of wireless LANs coexist in a public facility, when connecting a network home appliance to only one of the plurality of wireless LANs, it is necessary to set the access point identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of wireless LANs so as not to overlap. In this case, especially when the number of wireless LANs increases, it is necessary to determine the SSIDs of each of the plurality of wireless LANs so as not to overlap, and there is a risk that the setting work becomes complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a communication setting device that can easily configure network connections for each of several different networks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the communication setting device according to the present invention includes: a setting device side connection unit that can be connected to an access point side connection unit provided on an access point and a client side connection unit provided on 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 content of the access point's communication settings when the access point communicates with the client device via the single network and client setting information indicating the content of the client device's communication settings when the client device communicates with the access point via the single network; and a unique access point identification information The system includes: an access point identification information generation unit that generates information and stores the generated access point identification information in the communication setting storage unit; 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, if the communication setting storage unit has stored the access point identification information, 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. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, access point identification information is generated that includes at least a portion of the communication device identification information unique to the access point, and the generated access point identification information is shared between the access point and the client device. As a result, in an environment with multiple networks, access point identification information for multiple access points that do not overlap with each other is generated using the communication device identification information unique to the access point corresponding to each of the multiple networks, making it easy to configure network connections for each of the multiple different networks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] (A) is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the communication setting storage unit of the access point according to Embodiment 1, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the communication setting storage unit of the projection device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] (A) is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setting processing performed by the access point according to Embodiment 1, and (B) is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setting processing performed by the projection device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the communication system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the communication system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10]This flowchart shows an example of the flow of communication setting processing performed by the communication setting device according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0010] The communication system according to this embodiment includes, for example, a terminal device 3, an access point 1, a projection device 2, a display device 4, and a setting terminal device 5 for configuring the communication settings of the access point 1 and the projection device 2, as shown in Figure 1. The configuration of each part of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

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

[0012] Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 503 stores access point setting information, which indicates the content of the communication settings of access point 1 when access point 1 communicates with projection device 2 via wireless LAN, and client setting information, which indicates the content of the communication settings of projection device 2 when projection device 2 communicates with access point 1 via wireless LAN. This access point setting information and client setting information are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503, for example, when the user inputs the content 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 also transfers information stored in the USB memory 6 to the bus 509. Writing to the USB memory 6 is performed by the setting information writing unit 511 shown in Figure 3. The configuration information writing unit 511, with the USB memory 6 connected to the USB terminal 507a, stores the access point configuration information and client configuration information stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the USB memory 6 based on the operation performed by the user on the input unit 505. The configuration information writing unit 511 is realized when the CPU 501 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the main memory unit 502 and executes it.

[0013] Returning to Figure 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 the 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)), but can be any communication standard that can transmit 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 displaying the corresponding video on the display device 4. The projection device 2 is equipped with a USB terminal 207a. The USB terminal 207a is a client-side connection part to which the USB memory 6 is connected. As shown in Figure 2, the projection device 2 comprises a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a wireless module 205, a video interface (video I / F in Figure 2) 206, a USB interface (USB I / F in Figure 2) 207, and a bus 209 connecting the various parts. The main memory unit 202 is composed of volatile memory and is used as the working area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary memory unit 203 is composed of non-volatile memory, or an SSD, HDD, etc., and stores a program for controlling the projection device 2.

[0015] The wireless module 205 communicates using a communication method compliant with a wireless LAN standard, such as IEEE 802.11. 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 to generate a baseband signal, and outputs it to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is implemented, for example, by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and generates information corresponding to the wireless signal received by the receiving circuit based on the baseband signal input from the receiving circuit, and sends it to the bus 209. The wireless module 205 also selects and uses one channel from multiple channels belonging to frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The video interface 206 is an interface for transmitting video information compliant with a communication standard such as HDMI (registered trademark) to the display device 4. When it receives video information from the bus 209, it transfers that video information to the display device 4 via the communication cable CB1. When a USB memory stick 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a, the USB interface 207 transfers information from the bus 209 to the USB memory stick 6, and also transfers information stored in the USB memory stick 6 to the bus 209.

[0016] The CPU 201 functions as a video information receiving unit 211, a projection control unit 212, and a setting information acquisition unit 213 as shown in FIG. 3 by reading and executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 2 has a communication setting storage unit 231 that stores the aforementioned client setting information and SSID information, which is access point identification information indicating an SSID (Service Set Identifier) that identifies an access point 1 that communicates with the projection device 2. This communication setting storage unit 231 stores, for example, SSID information "SSID_AABBCC" as shown in FIG. 4(A). The client setting information includes information indicating an authentication method, a local address (IP address) of an authentication server (e.g., a RADIUS server), an encryption method, information specifying whether to enable a MAC address filter, whether to enable a DHCP function, and certificate information used when adopting a communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.1x standard. The example shown in FIG. 4(A) shows a case where the authentication method is "WPA Enterprise" using a RADIUS server, the encryption method is set to "AES", the MAC address filter is disabled, and the DHCP function is enabled. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the main storage unit 202 shown in FIG. 2 also has an area as a video buffer 221 that temporarily stores video information received from the access point 1. The video information receiving unit 211 receives video information destined for the projection device 2 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 via the wireless module 205. The video information receiving unit 211 stores the received video information in the video buffer 221.

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

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

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the access point 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a wireless module 105, a USB interface 107, and a bus 109 that connects each unit. The main memory unit 102 is composed of a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is composed of a non-volatile memory, or an SSD, HDD, etc., and stores a program for controlling the access point 1. In addition, in the access point 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the wireless module 105, a wired module (not shown) may be provided, and it may be configured to be able to connect to another access point or a terminal device via a wired network.

[0020] The wireless module 105 communicates using a communication method compliant with a wireless LAN standard, such as IEEE 802.11. The 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 to generate a baseband signal, and outputs it to the signal processing unit. The transmitting circuit generates a wireless signal corresponding to the information to be transmitted by modulating the 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 sends it 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 it to the transmitting circuit. The wireless module 105 selects and uses one channel from multiple channels belonging to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. When a USB memory stick 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a, the USB interface 107 transfers information from the bus 109 to the USB memory stick 6, and also transfers information stored in the USB memory stick 6 to the bus 109.

[0021] 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 Figure 3, by reading the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing it. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in Figure 2 also functions as a communication setting storage unit 131 (Figure 3) that stores the aforementioned access point setting information, SSID information which is access point identification information indicating the SSID that identifies access point 1, and MAC address information which is communication device identification information for access point 1. This communication setting storage unit 131 stores the SSID information "SSID_AABBCC", for example, as shown in Figure 4(B). The access point setting information also includes information indicating the frequency band used when communicating with the projection device 2, the channel used, the authentication method, the local address (IP address) of the authentication server, the encryption method, the local address (IP address) of the individual server (not shown) used individually by the user, and information specifying whether to enable the SSID concealment function and whether to enable the MAC address filter. The example shown in Figure 4(B) shows a case where the frequency band used is set to "5GHz band", the channel used is "36ch", the authentication method is "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 Figure 2 also has an area that serves as a video buffer 121 for temporarily storing video information transmitted from the terminal device 3 and received by the wireless module 105, as shown in Figure 3.

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

[0023] The configuration information acquisition unit 114 is an access point-side configuration information acquisition unit that acquires the access point configuration information stored in the USB memory 6 when the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a, provided that the USB memory 6 has stored the aforementioned access point configuration information. The configuration information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired access point configuration information in the communication configuration storage unit 131.

[0024] The SSID generation unit 115 is an access point identification information generation unit that generates SSID information indicating an SSID that identifies access point 1 from other access points when access point configuration information is obtained by the configuration information acquisition unit 114. It is desirable that the SSID generated by the SSID generation unit 115 generates SSID information indicating an SSID that includes at least a part of its own (access point 1's) MAC address, for example, the lower 3 bytes of its own MAC address. For example, if the MAC address of 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 access point 1. Also, if the MAC address of 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 access point 1. The SSID generation unit 115 stores the generated SSID information in the communication configuration 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 Figure 5. Figure 5 shows the process from when the user inputs access point setting information and client setting information using the setting terminal device 5, writes the USB memory 6 to the USB terminals of the access point 1 and the projection device 2, thereby setting the network connection settings for each, to when the projection device 2 receives video information from the access point 1 and transmits the received video information to the display device 4.

[0026] First, suppose the user connects USB memory 6 to the USB terminal U507a of the configuration terminal device 5 and performs a write operation on the input unit 505 to write the aforementioned access point configuration information and client configuration information to USB memory 6. In this case, the configuration information writing unit 511 of the configuration terminal device 5 writes the access point side configuration information and client side configuration information to USB memory 6 (step S1). Next, suppose the user disconnects USB memory 6, on which the access point side configuration information and client side configuration information has been written, from the USB terminal 507a of the configuration terminal device 5 and connects it to the USB terminal 107a of access point 1. Here, suppose the configuration information acquisition unit 114 of access point 1 determines that the information stored in USB memory 6 connected to USB terminal 107a contains the access point side configuration information (step S2). In this case, the configuration information acquisition unit 114 of access point 1 acquires the access point side configuration information stored in USB memory 6 (step S3) and stores it in the communication configuration storage unit 131 (step S4). Next, the SSID generation unit 115 of access point 1 generates SSID information that includes a portion of the MAC address of access point 1 (step S5). Subsequently, the generated SSID information is stored in the configuration information storage unit 131 of access point 1 and transferred from access point 1 to USB memory 6 (step S6), and USB memory 6 stores the transferred SSID information (step S7).

[0027] Next, suppose the user disconnects USB memory 6, which contains access point-side configuration information, client-side configuration information, and access point 1's SSID information, from access point 1's USB terminal 107a and connects it to projection device 2's USB terminal 207a. At this point, suppose the projection device 2's configuration information acquisition unit 213 determines that the USB memory 6 connected to USB terminal 207a contains client-side configuration information and SSID information (step S8). In this case, the configuration information acquisition unit 213 acquires the client-side configuration information and SSID information stored in USB memory 6 (step S9) and stores them in the communication configuration storage unit 231 (step S10).

[0028] Furthermore, probe request information is transmitted from projection device 2 to access point 1 (step S11). On the other hand, when access point 1 receives the probe request information, probe response information is transmitted from access point 1 to projection device 2 accordingly (step S12). Subsequently, when authentication request information including the aforementioned certificate information is transmitted from projection device 2 to access point 1 (step S13), access point 1 performs authentication processing (step S14). Specifically, access point 1 extracts the certificate information contained in the authentication request information, sends the authentication request information including the extracted certificate information to the RADIUS server, and performs the process of obtaining authentication response information including authentication result information from the RADIUS server. Then, when access point 1 determines that authentication was successful based on the authentication result information, authentication response information indicating that authentication was successful is transmitted from access point 1 to projection device 2 (step S15). Subsequently, 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 access point 1 is transmitted from the access point 1 to the projection device 2 in response (step S17). This makes it possible to transmit video information from the access point 1 to the projection device 2.

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

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

[0031] In the communication system according to this embodiment shown in Figure 5, after the network connection settings have been stored for each device (steps S4 and S10), wireless connection between the access point 1 and the projection device 2 is immediately initiated. However, for example, each device may be restarted after the network connection settings have been configured for each device. In this case, specifically, the access point 1 is restarted after step S6 in Figure 5, and the projection device 2 is restarted after step S10 in Figure 5. In this way, regardless of when the network connection settings are configured for the access point 1 and the projection device 2 using the USB memory 6 (e.g., when the communication system is introduced, while the communication system is running), the network connection settings can be appropriately reflected, contributing to improved reliability of the communication system.

[0032] Next, the communication setup process performed by the access point 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail again with reference to Figure 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. Communication processing with terminal devices 3 and other devices other than the projection device 2 is performed as appropriate in parallel with this communication setup process. Furthermore, the processes for receiving probe request information and transmitting probe response information with the projection device 2, authentication processing, and transmitting video information to the projection device 2 are performed as appropriate after this communication setup process.

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

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

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

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

[0037] As described above, according to the communication system of this embodiment, SSID information is generated that includes a portion of the MAC address unique to access point 1, and the generated SSID information is shared between access point 1 and projection device 2. As a result, in an environment with multiple wireless LANs, multiple SSIDs for each access point 1 are generated using the MAC address unique to each access point 1 corresponding to each of the multiple wireless LANs, so that connection settings for each wireless LAN in an environment with multiple wireless LANs can be easily configured.

[0038] For example, in educational facilities such as schools, when the aforementioned access point 1 and projection device 2 are used on a one-to-one basis, there may be cases where the pair of access point 1 and projection device 2 needs to be moved to another educational facility or introduced to a new educational facility due to annual renewal events, etc. In such cases, such relocation or new introduction work is generally carried out collectively by an administrative agency or specific vendor that oversees multiple educational facilities. Therefore, there is a need to perform the communication configuration work for the access point 1 and projection device 2 pairs at multiple educational facilities efficiently and quickly, so as not to disrupt normal operations. One possible solution is to pre-store the access point-side configuration information and client-side configuration information for both access point 1 and projection device 2 on a USB memory stick, and then sequentially insert the USB memory stick into access point 1 and projection device 2 to perform the communication configuration. However, since the SSID needs to be set individually for each educational facility, there is a risk that the SSID configuration will still be time-consuming.

[0039] In contrast, in the communication system according to this embodiment, simply by connecting a USB memory 6, which stores access point-side configuration information and client-side configuration information, to the USB terminal 107a of access point 1, access point 1 acquires the access point-side configuration information stored in the USB memory 6, generates SSID information, and stores the generated SSID information in the USB memory 6. Then, when the USB memory 6, which now stores the SSID information, is removed from the USB terminal 107a of access point 1 and connected to the USB terminal 207a of projection device 2, projection device 2 acquires the client-side configuration information and SSID information stored in the USB memory 6 and becomes capable of communicating with access point 1. In this way, in the communication system according to this embodiment, the communication settings for both access point 1 and projection device 2 can be performed semi-automatically without updating the information stored in the USB memory 6 each time the communication settings for access point 1 and projection device 2 are configured. Furthermore, when configuring communication settings for access point 1 and projection device 2 at multiple educational facilities, distributing USB memory sticks 6 containing the same access point and client-side configuration information to each facility allows for the same procedure to be used for communication configuration at all of them. Therefore, the process of configuring communication settings for the access point 1 and projection device 2 pair can be performed efficiently and quickly.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the communication system of this embodiment, for example, a set of access point 1 and projection device 2 is installed in each of multiple facilities. In this case, by storing multiple types of access point-side setting information and client-side setting information sets, each adapted to each of the multiple facilities, in separate USB memory 6 and distributing them to the multiple facilities, each facility can perform communication settings adapted to its specific needs.

[0041] Furthermore, in the communication system according to this embodiment, multiple sets of access point-side configuration information and client-side configuration information, each using different channels, can be stored separately in multiple USB memory devices 6. In this case, for example, different USB memory devices can be used to configure each pair of access point 1 and projection device 2, which are located in close proximity, to use different channels.

[0042] (Embodiment 2) The communication system according to this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that it includes a communication setting device and the aforementioned access point identification information is executed by the communication setting device.

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

[0044] In the access point 2001 according to this embodiment, the CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, so that it functions as the video information acquisition unit 111, video information transmission unit 113, setting information acquisition unit 114, and MAC address notification unit 2115, as shown in Figure 8. Note that in Figure 8, components that are the same as in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. When the USB terminal of the communication setting device 2006 is connected to the USB terminal of the MAC address notification unit 2115, the MAC address notification unit 2115 transfers MAC address information indicating the MAC address of the access point 2001, which is unique to the access point 2001, to the communication setting device 2006 via the USB terminal.

[0045] The communication setting device 2006 comprises a CPU 601, a main memory unit 602, an auxiliary storage unit 603, a USB interface 607, and a bus 609 connecting the various parts. The main memory unit 602 is composed of volatile memory and is used as a workspace for the CPU 601. The auxiliary storage unit 603 is composed of non-volatile memory, or an SSD, HDD, etc., and stores a program for controlling the communication setting device 2006. The USB interface 607 has a USB terminal (not shown) which is a setting device side connection part that can be connected to a USB terminal provided on the access point 2001 and a USB terminal 207a provided on the projection device 2.

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

[0047] When the USB terminal of the device is connected to the USB terminal of the access point 2001, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 transfers the aforementioned access point configuration information stored in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 to the access point 2001 via the USB terminal of the access point 2001. Also, when the USB terminal of the device is connected to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2, if the communication configuration storage unit 2631 has stored SSID information, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 transfers the aforementioned client configuration information and SSID information to the projection device 2 via the USB terminal 207a.

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

[0049] The SSID generation unit 2614 generates SSID information that includes at least a portion of the MAC address indicated by the MAC address information obtained by the MAC address acquisition unit 2613. Here, the SSID generation unit 2614 generates SSID information that includes, for example, the lower three bytes of the MAC address of 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 Figure 9. In Figure 9, the same reference numerals as in Figure 5 are used for processes that are the same as in Embodiment 1. First, suppose the 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 aforementioned 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, suppose the user disconnects the communication setting device 2006, which has the access point-side setting information and client-side setting information 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, the communication setting device 2006 determines that there is access point-side setting information among the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 (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). Subsequently, the access point 2001 generates MAC address information indicating the 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] Meanwhile, when the communication setting device 2006 obtains MAC address information, it generates SSID information that includes a part of the MAC address indicated by the obtained 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). Meanwhile, the access point 2001 stores the transferred SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 131 (step S2009).

[0052] Next, suppose the user disconnects the communication setting device 2006, which stores access point-side setting information, client-side setting information, and access point 2001's SSID information in the communication setting storage unit 2631, from the USB terminal of access point 2001 and connects it to the USB terminal 207a of projection device 2. Here, suppose the communication setting device 2006 determines that the information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 includes client-side setting information and SSID information (step S2010). In this case, the client-side setting information and SSID information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 are transferred from the communication setting device 2006 to projection device 2 (step S2011), and projection device 2 stores the transferred client-side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 231 (step S2012). After that, the series of processes from step S11 onwards described in Embodiment 1 are executed.

[0053] Next, the communication setting process performed by the communication setting device 2006 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figure 10. This communication setting process is performed on the premise that, after the user powers on the communication setting device 2006 and connects the communication setting device 2006 to the USB terminal U507a of the setting terminal device 5, the user operates the input unit 505 to store the aforementioned access point setting information and client setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631. First, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether its own device is connected to the access point 2001 (step S201). Specifically, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines whether the USB terminal of its own device is connected to the USB terminal of the access point 2001. If the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that it is not connected to the access point 2001 (step S201: No), the process in step S207 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines that it has connected to the access point 2001 (step S201: Yes), it determines whether or not there is access point-side configuration information in the information stored in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 (step S202). At this point, if the user has already connected the communication configuration device 2006 to the configuration terminal device 5 and stored access point-side configuration information in the communication configuration storage unit 2631, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines that there is access point-side configuration information. At this point, if the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines that the communication configuration storage unit 2631 does not store access point-side configuration information (step S202: No), the process in step S207 described below is executed.

[0054] On the other hand, if the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines that the communication configuration storage unit 2631 has stored the access point side configuration information (step S202: Yes), it transfers the access point side configuration information stored in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 to the access point 2001 (step S203). Next, when the MAC address acquisition unit 2613 acquires the MAC address information transferred from the access point 2001 (step S204), the SSID generation unit 115 generates SSID information that includes the lower 3 bytes of the MAC address indicated by the acquired MAC address information, and stores the generated SSID information in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 (step S205). Subsequently, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 transfers the SSID information stored in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 to the access point 2001 (step S206).

[0055] Subsequently, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines whether its own device is connected to the projection device 2 (step S207). Specifically, the configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines whether the USB terminal of its own device is connected to the USB terminal 207a of the projection device 2. If the configuration 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 configuration information transfer unit 2612 determines that it is connected to the projection device 2 (step S207: Yes), it determines whether the information stored in the communication configuration storage unit 2631 contains client-side configuration 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 client-side setting information in the communication setting storage unit 2631, and the communication setting device 2006 generates SSID information by connecting to the access point 2001 and stores it in the communication setting storage unit 2631, the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that client-side setting information and SSID information exist. If the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the communication setting storage unit 2631 does not store client-side setting information and SSID information (step S208: No), the process in step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting information transfer unit 2612 determines that the client-side setting information and SSID information are among the information it stores (step S208: Yes), it transfers the client-side setting information and SSID information stored in the communication setting storage unit 2631 to the projection device 2 (step S209).

[0056] As described above, the communication system according to this embodiment describes a configuration in which the communication setting device 2006 obtains the MAC address from the access point 2001 and generates an SSID on behalf of the access point. As a variation of this configuration, the SSID generation unit 2614 of the communication setting device 2006 may independently create an SSID without relying on the MAC address of the access point 2001. In this case, it is important that a unique SSID is determined so that the pair of access point 2001 and projection device 2 is uniquely determined. For example, the SSID may be a combination of a number arbitrarily chosen by the user and the SSID generation time, with the SSID generation time replaced by a number. The SSID generation unit 2614 may generate the SSID by a method other than combining a number arbitrarily chosen by the user and the SSID generation time. This would simplify the configuration process for network settings.

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

[0058] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, the communication setting device 2006 may include a log storage unit (not shown) that stores the aforementioned 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 access point-side setting information to access point 2001, obtains the MAC address information of access point 2001, and stores the access point-side setting information in the log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of access point 2001 and access point transfer date and time information indicating the date and time the access point-side setting information was transferred. Here, the log recording unit may transfer client-side setting information and SSID information to projection device 2, obtain the MAC address information transferred from the MAC address notification unit of projection device 2, and store the client-side setting information in the aforementioned log storage unit in association with the MAC address information of projection device 2 and client transfer date and time information indicating the date and time the client-side setting information was transferred.

[0059] With these configurations, for example, when communication settings are configured for each pair of access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2, the contents of the communication settings for each pair can be confirmed by referring to the log information stored in the log storage unit after the communication settings have been configured. Therefore, there is an advantage in that maintenance of each pair of access points 1, 2001 and projection device 2 after the start of operation becomes easier.

[0060] Furthermore, with these configurations, log information stored in the log storage unit of the USB memory 6 or the communication setting device 2006 can be stored as backup information on, for example, a management server. Therefore, for example, it is possible to configure new access points 1, 2001 and projection devices 2 with the same communication settings as those previously configured for other access points 1, 2001 and projection devices 2.

[0061] In Embodiment 1, 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 after the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 107a and the transfer of access point-side configuration information to the access point 1 and the transfer of SSID information to the USB memory 6 is completed. 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 after the USB memory 6 is connected to the USB terminal 207a and the transfer of client-side configuration information and SSID information to the projection device 2 is completed.

[0062] This configuration makes it easier to determine when the communication settings for access point 1 or projection device 2 are complete, thus preventing malfunctions caused, for example, by the USB memory 6 being disconnected from USB terminals 107a and 207a before the communication settings for access point 1 or projection device 2 are complete.

[0063] In each embodiment, an example was described in which RADIUS authentication is performed when initiating communication between access point 1, 2001 and projection device 2. However, the embodiment 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 using a computer system equipped with a wireless communication module, without requiring a dedicated system. For example, the access points 1, 2001 and communication setting device 2006 that perform the above operations may be configured by distributing a program for performing the above operations to computers connected to a network, stored on a non-temporary recording medium (such as a CD-ROM) that can be read by the computer system, and then installing the program into the computer system.

[0065] Furthermore, the method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server on the communication line and delivered to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches this program and executes it under the control of the OS, just like any other application. In this way, the computer functions as access point 1, 2001 and communication configuration device 2006, performing the processes described above.

[0066] Although embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention includes embodiments and variations that are appropriately combined, and those that are appropriately modified thereto. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] This invention is suitable for setting up communication in environments where multiple networks exist. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1,2001: Access point, 2: Projection device, 3: Terminal device, 4: Display device, 5: Configuration terminal device, 6: USB memory, 2006: Communication configuration 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 configuration device-side connection unit that can connect to an access point-side connection unit provided on an access point, and a client-side connection unit provided on 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 content of the access point's communication settings when the access point communicates with the client device via the one network, and client setting information indicating the content of the client device's communication settings when the client device communicates with the access point via the one network, An access point identification information generation unit generates unique access point identification information and stores the generated access point identification information in the communication setting storage unit, The system includes a setting information transfer unit which, 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, if the communication setting storage unit stores the access point identification information, 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. Communication setting device.

2. When the setting device side connection unit is connected to the access point side connection unit, the system further includes a communication device identification information acquisition unit that acquires communication device identification information unique to the access point to identify the access point. The aforementioned unique access point identification information includes at least a portion of the acquired communication device identification information. The communication setting device according to claim 1.

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