Wireless communication device

Abstract

This wireless communication device comprises: a communication unit that communicates with prescribed wireless communication devices; a management unit that manages identification information including an identifier for identifying a wireless communication device and the usage status of frequencies available for communication by the communication unit and that selects identification information to be used by the wireless communication device; and a communication control unit that uses identification information assigned to the host wireless communication device and controls the communication unit to perform communication. When a prescribed condition is met, the communication control unit assigns identification information which has been newly selected by the management unit and which includes at least one of an unused identifier and an unused frequency, and controls the communication unit to communicate with a first wireless communication device among the prescribed wireless communication devices.

Description

wireless communication device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication devices.

[0002] There are known techniques for preventing third parties from intercepting communication content and collecting user access history. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for a mobile device that changes its identification information so that access history and the like cannot be identified at an unreliable connection location, for example, in the case of a mobile device that changes its connection location.

[0003] Special table 2018-502513 publication

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 changes the sender's own profile, but if, for example, the same destination is accessed within a short period of time or always at the same time, the sender may be identified as the same.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication device that can further improve the confidentiality of communication history.

[0006] The wireless communication device of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that communicates with a specified wireless communication device, a management unit that manages identification information including an identifier for identifying the wireless communication device and the usage status of frequencies that the communication unit can use for communication, and selects the identification information to be used by the wireless communication device, and a communication control unit that controls the communication unit to communicate using the identification information assigned to the wireless communication device itself, and when specified conditions are met, the communication control unit controls the communication unit to assign newly selected identification information that includes at least one of the unused identifier and the unused frequency, and communicate with a first wireless communication device among the specified wireless communication devices.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to further improve the confidentiality of communication history.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of wireless communication processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of wireless communication processing according to a modified example of an embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment] (Communication System) An example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a wireless communication device 10-1, a wireless communication device 10-2, a wireless communication device 10-3, a wireless communication device 10-4, a server device 12, a terminal device 14-1, and a terminal device 14-2.

[0012] The wireless communication device 10-1 and the terminal device 14-1 are devices used by a user U1. The wireless communication device 10-1 and the terminal device 14-1 are configured to perform wired communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 are configured to perform wireless communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-3 is located in the vicinity of a server device 12. The wireless communication device 10-3 and the server device 12 are configured to perform wired communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-3 and the server device 12 may be configured to perform wireless communication. By using the terminal device 14-1 to communicate between the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3, the user U1 can access the server device 12 that provides various information and obtain desired information.

[0013] The wireless communication device 10-2 and the terminal device 14-2 are devices used by a user U2. The wireless communication device 10-2 and the terminal device 14-2 are configured to perform wired communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4 are configured to perform wireless communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-4 is located in the vicinity of a server device 12. The wireless communication device 10-4 and the server device 12 are configured to perform wired communication, for example. The wireless communication device 10-4 and the server device 12 may be configured to perform wireless communication. The user U2 can use the terminal device 14-2 to communicate between the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4, thereby accessing the server device 12 that provides various information.

[0014] The wireless communication device 10-3 and the wireless communication device 10-4 may be configured to perform wired communication or may be configured to perform wireless communication. The communication protocol when the wireless communication device 10-3 and the wireless communication device 10-4 perform wireless communication may be the same as or different from the communication protocol between the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 and the communication protocol between the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4. Because the wireless communication device 10-3 and the wireless communication device 10-4 are located close to each other, they may be configured to be able to communicate via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0015] In the communication system 1 of the present disclosure, for example, a user U1 uses a terminal device 14-1 to perform a process that prevents a third party from identifying that the wireless communication device 10-1 is communicating with a wireless communication device 10-3. In other words, the communication system 1 performs a process that prevents a third party from identifying that the user U1 is accessing the server device 12.

[0016] (Terminal Device) A configuration example of a wireless communication device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal device according to the present disclosure.

[0017] 2, the wireless communication device 10 includes an input unit 20, an audio input unit 22, a display unit 24, an audio output unit 26, a communication unit 28, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 32. The wireless communication device 10 is, for example, but is not limited to, a business wireless communication device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0018] The input unit 20 receives various operations for the terminal device and is realized by various input devices such as switches, buttons, and touch panels.

[0019] The voice input unit 22 detects the voice of the user using the wireless communication device 10. The voice input unit 22 converts the detected voice into a voice signal. The voice input unit 22 is realized by a microphone.

[0020] The display unit 24 displays various types of information and is realized by a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0021] The audio output unit 26 is a speaker that outputs various sounds, such as the voice of a communication partner.

[0022] The communication unit 28 is a communication interface that performs communication between the wireless communication device 10 and an external device. The communication unit 28 executes communication between the wireless communication device 10 and another wireless communication device 10, for example. The communication unit 28 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit.

[0023] The storage unit 30 stores various types of information, such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 32 and information such as programs. The storage unit 30 includes at least one of a main storage device such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), and an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0024] The storage unit 30 stores a management table indicating identification information including a UID assigned to the wireless communication device 10 and information on the usage status of frequencies used for communication by the wireless communication device 10. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing examples of identification information in the management table according to the embodiment.

[0025] 3 shows UIDs assigned to the wireless communication device 10. The table 201 includes items such as "UID" and "Terminal in Use."

[0026] "UID" represents an identifier assigned to the wireless communication device 10. "Use terminal" represents the wireless communication device 10 to which the UID is assigned. In table 201, the UID of wireless communication device 10-1 is "1," the UID of wireless communication device 10-2 is "2," the UID of wireless communication device 10-3 is "3," and the UID of wireless communication device 10-4 is "4." Table 201 shows eight UIDs, "1" to "8," but the present disclosure is not limited to this. There is no limit to the number of UIDs included in table 201.

[0027] 4 shows frequencies allocated to the wireless communication device 10. The table 202 includes items such as "frequency" and "used terminal."

[0028] "Frequency" represents the allocation of a frequency used by the wireless communication device 10 for wireless communication. "Use terminal" represents the wireless communication device 10 to which the frequency is allocated. In table 202, the frequency used by the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-2 for communication is "a," and the frequency used by the wireless communication device 10-3 and the wireless communication device 10-4 for communication is "b." In table 202, frequencies are conceptually shown as "a," etc., but in reality, specific numerical values ​​are shown. In table 202, eight frequencies from "a" to "h" are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. There is no limit to the number of frequencies included in table 202.

[0029] The control unit 32 controls each unit of the wireless communication device 10. The control unit 32 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 32 executes a program that controls the operation of the wireless communication device 10 according to the present disclosure. The control unit 32 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 32 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0030] The control unit 32 includes a management unit 40 and a communication control unit 42 .

[0031] The management unit 40 manages identification information including an identifier for identifying the wireless communication device 10 and the usage status of frequencies available for communication by the communication unit 28. The management unit 40 of a specific wireless communication device 10 also manages a management table including identification information for multiple wireless communication devices 10. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the management unit 40 assigns at least one of an unused identifier and an unused frequency as new identification information to its own wireless communication device 10 and a first wireless communication device among the other wireless communication devices 10 based on the identification information. For example, after the communication unit 28 has communicated with the first wireless communication device, the management unit 40 assigns at least one of an identifier that is not currently in use and a frequency that is not currently in use as new identification information to its own wireless communication device 10 and the first wireless communication device based on the identification information.

[0032] The communication control unit 42 controls the communication unit 28 to communicate with the first wireless communication device using the identification information assigned to its own wireless communication device 10. Specifically, the communication control unit 42 controls the communication unit 28 to communicate with the first wireless communication device using the UID assigned to its own wireless communication device 10 as source information, the UID assigned to the first wireless communication device as destination information, and the communication frequency assigned to its own wireless communication device 10. After communicating with the first wireless communication device, if the management unit 40 of its own wireless communication device 10 manages a management table, new identification information is assigned to its own wireless communication device 10 and the first wireless communication device. When new identification information is assigned, the communication control unit 42 transmits the new identification information to the first wireless communication device via the communication unit 28, and then controls the communication unit 28 using the newly assigned identification information to update communication settings so as to communicate with the first wireless communication device. The newly assigned identification information is encrypted and transmitted to the first wireless communication device using the identification information before the update.

[0033] When the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10 is managing the management table, the communication control unit 42 assigns new identification information to the wireless communication device 10 and the first wireless communication device, and uses the identification information of a second wireless communication device that is different from the first wireless communication device among the other wireless communication devices 10 that also manage the management table, to transmit update information indicating that the identification information of the wireless communication device 10 and the first wireless communication device has been updated to the second wireless communication device via the communication unit 28. The update information is a notification for maintaining the same contents between the management table managed by the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10 and the management table managed by the management unit 40 of the second wireless communication device that received the update information.

[0034] When the management unit 40 receives update information from the second wireless communication device via the communication unit 28 indicating that the identification information used by the second wireless communication device and a third wireless communication device different from the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device among the other wireless communication devices 10 has been updated, the management unit 40 updates the identification information of the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device.

[0035] (Server Device) A configuration example of a server device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server device according to the present disclosure.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the server device 12 includes a communication unit 50, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 54.

[0037] The communication unit 50 is a communication interface that performs communication between the server device 12 and an external device. The communication unit 50 executes communication between the server device 12 and another wireless communication device 10, for example. The communication unit 50 is realized by, for example, a communication circuit.

[0038] The storage unit 52 stores various types of information. The storage unit 52 stores various types of information to be provided to the user. The storage unit 52 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 54 and programs. The storage unit 52 includes at least one of, for example, a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD.

[0039] In the present disclosure, the storage unit 52 may store a table 201 and a table 202 indicating the identification information. That is, the identification information of each wireless communication device 10 may be managed by the server device 12.

[0040] The control unit 54 controls each unit of the server device 12. The control unit 54 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 32 executes a program that controls the operation of the server device 12 according to the present disclosure. The control unit 32 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 32 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0041] [Wireless Communication Processing] The flow of wireless communication processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of wireless communication processing according to the embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a process in which the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 communicate with each other, and the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4 communicate with each other.

[0043] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets the identification information of the wireless communication device 10-1 (step S10a). For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets the UID to "1" and the frequency used for communication to "a." The settings are input by the user operating the wireless communication device 10-1 according to the initial state tables 201 and 202, for example.

[0044] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-2 sets the identification information of the wireless communication device 10-2 (step S10b). For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-2 sets the UID to "2" and the frequency used for communication to "b." The settings are input by the user operating the wireless communication device 10-2 according to the initial state tables 201 and 202, for example.

[0045] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets the identification information of the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S10c). For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets the UID to "3" and the frequency used for communication to "a." The settings are input by the user operating the wireless communication device 10-3 according to the initial state tables 201 and 202, for example.

[0046] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 sets the identification information of the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S10d). For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 sets the UID to "4" and the frequency used for communication to "b." The settings are input by the user operating the wireless communication device 10-4 according to the initial state tables 201 and 202, for example. Note that the settings in steps S10a to S10d may be performed by a system administrator who configures each wireless communication device 10 in advance according to the initial state tables 201 and 202, and provides the configured wireless communication devices 10 to each user.

[0047] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-1 transmits data A, which the user inputs using the terminal device 14-1, to the wireless communication device 10-3 via the communication unit 28 (step S12). Specifically, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets the UID of the sender to "1" and the UID of the destination to "3" and transmits the data A at the frequency "a", so that the wireless communication device 10-3, whose UID is set to "3", receives the data A.

[0048] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-3 transmits the data A received from the wireless communication device 10-1 to the server device 12 (step S14).

[0049] When the server device 12 receives the data A from the wireless communication device 10-3, it transmits a response signal (ACK) to the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S16).

[0050] When the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 receives the response signal (ACK) from the server device 12, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects new identification information to be assigned to the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S18). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects an unused UID and an unused frequency whose column for the user terminal is blank, as new identification information, based on the table 201 shown in Fig. 3 and the table 202 shown in Fig. 4.

[0051] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects, as a new UID, an unused UID from the top (ascending order of the UIDs in the table 201) in the table 201. For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects "5" as the UID of the wireless communication device 10-1 and "6" as the UID of the wireless communication device 10-3.

[0052] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects, for example, an unused frequency from the top (in ascending order of frequencies in the table 202) as a new frequency in the table 202. The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 selects, for example, "c" as the frequency to be used for communication between the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3.

[0053] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 updates the identification information stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S20). Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment.

[0054] 7, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 deletes (leaves blank) the wireless communication device 10-1 from the column with UID "1" in the table 201 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3, and deletes (leaves blank) the wireless communication device 10-3 from the column with UID "3." The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 then adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-1 to (records) the column with UID "5" in the table 201, and adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-3 to (records) the column with UID "6," thereby updating the table 201 to a table 203.

[0055] 8, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 deletes (leave blank) the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 from the column for frequency "a" in the table 202 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3. Then, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 adds (enters) the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 to (lists) the column for frequency "c" in the table 202, thereby updating the table 202 to a table 204.

[0056] Returning to Fig. 6, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-3 transmits update information indicating the updated content of the identification information to the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S22).

[0057] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 updates the identification information stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-4 based on the update information received from the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S24). As a result, the tables 201 and 202 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-4 are updated to tables 203 and 204, respectively. In other words, the management tables stored in the wireless communication devices 10-3 and 10-4 are synchronized.

[0058] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-4 transmits a response signal (ACK) indicating that the management tables have been synchronized to the wireless communication device 10-3 via the communication unit 28 (step S26).

[0059] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-3 transmits the identification information to be set by the wireless communication device 10-1 to the wireless communication device 10-1 via the communication unit 28 (step S28). Specifically, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets the UID of the source to "3" and the UID of the destination to "1" and transmits the identification information at the frequency of "a", whereby the wireless communication device 10-1, whose UID is set to "1", receives the identification information. The identification information includes information indicating that the UID of the wireless communication device 10-1 is "5", the UID of the wireless communication device 10-3 is "6", and the frequency is "c", which will be used in the next communication between the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3.

[0060] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets new identification information for the wireless communication device 10-1 based on the identification information received from the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S30a). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets its own UID to "5", the UID of the wireless communication partner device 10-3 to "6", and the frequency used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-3 to "c".

[0061] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets new identification information for the wireless communication device 10-3 based on the updated identification information (step S30b). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets its own UID to "6," the UID of the wireless communication device 10-1, which is the communication partner, to "5," and the frequency to be used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-1 to "c." As a result, the wireless communication devices 10-1 and 10-3 can perform the next communication using a UID and communication frequency different from the UID and communication frequency used in steps S12 and S28.

[0062] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-2 transmits data B, which the user inputs using the terminal device 14-2, to the wireless communication device 10-4 via the communication unit 28 (step S32). Specifically, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-2 sets the UID of the sender to "2" and the UID of the destination to "4" and transmits data B at the communication frequency of "b", whereby data B is received by the wireless communication device 10-3, whose UID is set to "4".

[0063] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-4 transmits the data B received from the wireless communication device 10-2 to the server device 12 (step S34).

[0064] When the server device 12 receives the data B from the wireless communication device 10-4, it transmits a response signal (ACK) to the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S36).

[0065] When the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 receives the response signal (ACK) from the server device 12, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects new identification information to be assigned to the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S38). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects an unused UID and an unused frequency whose column for the user terminal is blank, as new identification information, based on the table 203 shown in Fig. 7 and the table 204 shown in Fig. 8.

[0066] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects, for example, unused UIDs in table 203 in ascending order (ascending order of UIDs in table 203) as new UIDs. For example, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects "7" as the UID for the wireless communication device 10-3 and "8" as the UID for the wireless communication device 10-4. At this time, although UIDs "1" and "3" are also unused, it is assumed here that "7" and "8" are selected as UIDs. The selection rules for unused UIDs are arbitrary, but it is preferable that the same UID is not selected periodically.

[0067] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects, for example, unused frequencies in table 204 in order from top to bottom (ascending order of frequencies in table 204) as new frequencies. The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 selects, for example, "d" as the frequency to be used for communication between the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4. At this time, although the frequency "a" is also unused, it is assumed here that "d" is selected as the frequency. The selection rule for unused frequencies is arbitrary, but it is preferable that the same frequency is not selected periodically.

[0068] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 updates the identification information stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S40). Figures 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment.

[0069] 9, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 deletes (leaves blank) the wireless communication device 10-2 from the column with UID "2" in the table 203 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-4, and deletes (leaves blank) the wireless communication device 10-4 from the column with UID "4." The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 then adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-2 in the column with UID "7" in the table 201, and adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-4 in the column with UID "8," thereby updating the table 203 to the table 205.

[0070] 10, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 deletes (leave blank) the wireless communication devices 10-2 and 10-4 from the column for frequency "b" in the table 204 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3. Then, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 adds (enters) the wireless communication devices 10-2 and 10-4 to the column for frequency "d" in the table 203, thereby updating the table 204 to the table 206.

[0071] Returning to Fig. 6, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-4 transmits update information indicating the updated content of the identification information to the wireless communication device 10-3 (step S42).

[0072] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 updates the identification information stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3 based on the update information received from the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S44). As a result, the tables 203 and 204 stored in the storage unit 30 of the wireless communication device 10-3 are updated to the tables 205 and 206, respectively. In other words, the management tables stored in the wireless communication devices 10-3 and 10-4 are synchronized.

[0073] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-3 transmits a response signal (ACK) indicating that the management tables have been synchronized to the wireless communication device 10-4 via the communication unit 28 (step S46).

[0074] The communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-4 transmits the identification information to be set by the wireless communication device 10-2 to the wireless communication device 10-2 via the communication unit 28 (step S48). Specifically, the communication control unit 42 of the wireless communication device 10-4 sets the UID of the source to "4" and the UID of the destination to "2" and transmits the identification information at the frequency of "b", whereby the wireless communication device 10-2, whose UID is set to "2", receives the identification information. The identification information includes information indicating that the UID of the wireless communication device 10-2 is "7", the UID of the wireless communication device 10-4 is "8", and the frequency is "d", which will be used in the next communication between the wireless communication devices 10-2 and 10-4.

[0075] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-2 sets new identification information for the wireless communication device 10-2 based on the identification information received from the wireless communication device 10-4 (step S50a). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-2 sets its own UID to "7", the UID of the wireless communication partner device 10-4 to "8", and the frequency used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-4 to "d".

[0076] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 sets new identification information for the wireless communication device 10-4 based on the updated identification information (step S50b). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 sets its own UID to "8," the UID of the wireless communication device 10-2, which is the communication partner, to "7," and the frequency to be used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-2 to "d." The processing of FIG. 6 is then terminated. As a result, the wireless communication devices 10-2 and 10-4 can perform their next communication using a UID and communication frequency different from the UID and communication frequency used in steps S32 and S48.

[0077] When the row currently in use in the management table reaches the last row, the management unit 40 returns to the top row and performs allocation. For example, in the example shown in Figure 9, since the UID "8" is in use in the last row of the table 205, in the next allocation, the management unit 40 returns to the first row and allocates "1" as the UID.

[0078] 6, the processing from step S32 to step S50a, 50b has been described assuming that the wireless communication device 10-2 and the wireless communication device 10-4 communicate. When the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 communicate from step S32 to step S50a, 50b, the identification information of the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 is updated.

[0079] 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a method for updating identification information according to an embodiment, and show management tables updated when the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 communicate with each other in steps S32 to S50a and S50b.

[0080] 11 , the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 deletes (leaves the blank) the wireless communication device 10-1 from the column with UID "5" in the table 203, and deletes (leaves the blank) the wireless communication device 10-2 from the column with UID "6." The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 then adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-1 to (records) the column with UID "7" in the table 201, and adds (records) the wireless communication device 10-2 to (records) the column with UID "8," thereby updating the table 203 to the table 207.

[0081] 12, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 deletes (leave blank) the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 from the column for frequency "c" in the table 204. The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-4 then adds (enters) the wireless communication device 10-1 and the wireless communication device 10-3 to the column for frequency "d" in the table 203, thereby updating the table 204 to the table 208.

[0082] In this case, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-1 sets its own UID to "7," the UID of the wireless communication device 10-3, which is the communication partner, to "8," and the frequency used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-3 to "d." The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 sets its own UID to "8," the UID of the wireless communication device 10-1, which is the communication partner, to "7," and the frequency used for communication with the wireless communication device 10-1 to "d."

[0083] As described above, in the embodiment, the identification information of the wireless communication device is changed by a user operation every time communication is performed between the wireless communication devices, thereby improving the confidentiality of communication.

[0084] [Modification of the embodiment] (Wireless communication processing) A wireless communication processing according to a modification of the embodiment will be described. In the modification of the embodiment, processing is executed to update the identification information of the wireless communication device 10 every time a predetermined time period elapses.

[0085] The flow of wireless communication processing according to the modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of wireless communication processing according to the modified example of the embodiment.

[0086] The processing from step S60a to step S60d is the same as the processing from step S10a to step S10d shown in FIG. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] The management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 or the wireless communication device 10-4 determines whether or not the identification information needs to be updated (step S62). Specifically, the management unit 40 of the wireless communication device 10-3 or the wireless communication device 10-4 determines that the identification information needs to be updated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication system 1 was started up or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information was last updated. The predetermined time is, for example, several minutes, but is not limited to this.

[0088] The processes from step S64 to step S76a, 76b are the same as the processes from step S18 to step S30a, 30b shown in Fig. 6, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The processes from step S78 to step S90a, 90b are the same as the processes from step S38 to step S50a, 50b shown in Fig. 6, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the modified embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication system 1 was started up, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information was last updated, the identification information of each wireless device is automatically updated.

[0089] As described above, in the modified embodiment, the identification information of the wireless communication device is changed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication system 1 was started or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time the identification information was updated. This allows the modified embodiment to improve the confidentiality of communications. The above-described embodiment and the modified embodiment may be combined for operation. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the identification information is updated using communication between wireless communication devices as a trigger. However, if a predetermined time has elapsed after this update, and there is no update of the identification information triggered by communication between wireless communication devices, the identification information may be updated using the passage of the predetermined time as a trigger.

[0090] The components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Note that this distribution and integration configuration may also be performed dynamically.

[0091] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments.

[0092] The wireless communication device of the present disclosure can be used, for example, in a business wireless communication device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and the like.

[0093] 1 Communication system 10, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 Wireless communication device 12 Server device 14-1, 14-2 Terminal device 20 Input unit 22 Audio input unit 24 Display unit 26 Audio output unit 28, 50 Communication unit 30, 52 Storage unit 32, 54 Control unit 40 Management unit 42 Communication control unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a specified wireless communication device; a management unit that manages identification information including an identifier for identifying the wireless communication device and the usage status of frequencies that the communication unit can use for communication, and selects the identification information to be used by the wireless communication device; and a communication control unit that controls the communication unit to communicate using the identification information assigned to the wireless communication device itself, wherein when specified conditions are met, the communication control unit assigns newly selected identification information including at least one of the unused identifier and the unused frequency, and controls the communication unit to communicate with a first wireless communication device among the specified wireless communication devices.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit assigns at least one of an unused identifier and an unused frequency as new identification information to the wireless communication device itself and the first wireless communication device each time the communication unit communicates with the first wireless communication device.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the management unit manages the identification information of the wireless communication device itself and a specified wireless communication device, and when new identification information is selected for the wireless communication device itself and the first wireless communication device, the communication control unit uses the identification information of a second wireless communication device among the specified wireless communication devices to transmit update information to the second wireless communication device via the communication unit, indicating that the identification information assigned to the wireless communication device itself and the first wireless communication device will be updated.

4. The wireless communication device described in claim 3, wherein the management unit updates the identification information of the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device when the communication unit receives update information from the second wireless communication device indicating that the identification information of the second wireless communication device and a third wireless communication device among a specified of the wireless communication devices will be updated.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management unit selects and assigns at least one of an unused identifier and an unused frequency as new identification information to the wireless communication device itself and the first wireless communication device when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication unit started communication or when a predetermined time has elapsed since new identification information was assigned.

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