JP2008172588A - Information processing apparatus, wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication system, and wireless setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of easily setting a wireless parameter in a plurality of kinds of wireless communication, and to provide a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication system, and a wireless setting program. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless setting program, a printer A and a printer B generate the wireless parameter for the same ad hoc mode, from the same specifying information, based on a prescribed algorithm. The wireless setting program and the printer A, or the wireless setting program and the printer B perform wireless communication by the ad hoc mode using the wireless parameter. The printer A and the printer B acquire the wireless parameter for an infrastructure mode from the wireless setting program. When the radio setting program is under communication with another apparatus, the acquisition of the wireless parameter is waited till the communication is terminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a wireless setting program.

  In recent years, opportunities for using wireless communication using radio waves and the like are increasing. For example, devices (hereinafter referred to as wireless communication devices) such as printers and scanners are provided as devices capable of communicating with a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as wireless AP) operating as a base station.

  For wireless communication between a wireless AP and various devices, it is necessary to set an SSID [Service Set Identifier], an encryption key, and the like as wireless parameters, and a technique for easily performing this setting has also been proposed.

For example, a wireless parameter for infrastructure mode in which a wireless parameter for ad hoc mode for performing one-to-one wireless communication is generated from a printer-specific number and one-to-many wireless communication is performed by wireless communication using the wireless parameter. There are a setting method for wireless communication for acquiring the information, a peripheral device for performing wireless communication, and an information processing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2005-192202

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication system, and a wireless setting program that can easily set wireless parameters in a plurality of wireless communications.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides a first wireless communication system that performs communication with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication system that performs communication between devices that do not pass through the base station. Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication, wireless parameter storage means for storing first wireless parameters used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method, and specific information for receiving specific information input to the wireless communication apparatus Receiving means; wireless parameter generating means for generating a second wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication method from the specific information received by the specific information receiving means, based on a predetermined processing procedure; Switching to switch the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means to the wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating means A request accepting unit for accepting a request for the first radio parameter from the radio communication device via radio communication by a second radio communication method using the second radio parameter; and the request accepting unit Wireless parameter transmission means for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus in response to the accepted request.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the request receiving means performs processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus in response to the request from the wireless communication apparatus. If so, the acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, wireless communication is performed by a first wireless communication system that performs communication with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication system that performs communication between devices not via the base station. Wireless communication means to perform, specific information reception means for receiving specific information input to the information processing device, and second wireless used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication method from the specific information received by the specific information reception means Wireless parameter generation means for generating parameters based on a predetermined processing procedure, and wireless communication by the second wireless communication system using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generation means for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means Switching means for switching to communication, and the first wireless communication from the information processing apparatus via wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter Characterized by a radio parameter acquisition means for acquiring a first radio parameter to be used in wireless communication by the formula.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, when acquisition of the first wireless parameter is started by the wireless parameter acquisition means, a signal indicating the start of the acquisition is broadcast, A signal transmitting means for broadcasting a signal indicating the end of the acquisition when the acquisition is completed, and a signal receiving means for receiving a start signal or an end signal broadcast from another wireless communication device; The wireless parameter acquisition unit does not acquire the first wireless parameter until the end signal is received when the start signal is received by the signal reception unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, wireless communication is performed by a first wireless communication system that performs communication with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication system that performs communication between devices not via the base station. Wireless communication means for performing, wireless parameter storage means for storing first wireless parameters used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method, specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to a wireless communication device, and A radio parameter generating unit that generates, based on a predetermined processing procedure, a second radio parameter to be used in radio communication by the second radio communication method from the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit, and the radio communication unit Switching means for switching wireless communication to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the first wireless parameter generating means; Request accepting means for accepting a request for the first wireless parameter from the wireless communication device via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using two wireless parameters, and responding to the request accepted by the request accepting means Then, wireless communication is performed by an information processing apparatus including a wireless parameter transmission unit that transmits the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus, the first wireless communication system, and the second wireless communication system. Wireless communication means for performing, specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to the information processing apparatus, and generating the second wireless parameter from the specific information received by the specific information receiving means based on the predetermined processing procedure And a second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating means for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means. Switching means for switching to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the first wireless communication from the information processing apparatus via wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter And at least one wireless communication device including wireless parameter acquisition means for acquiring a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication according to the system.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the request accepting unit performs processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to the request from the wireless communication device. If so, the acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication device receives a signal indicating the start of acquisition when the acquisition of the first wireless parameter by the wireless parameter acquisition means is started. Signal transmission means for broadcasting and transmitting a signal indicating the end of acquisition when the acquisition is completed, and signal reception for receiving a start signal or an end signal broadcast from another wireless communication device The wireless parameter acquisition means does not acquire the first wireless parameter until the end signal is received when the start signal is received by the signal reception means. To do.

  The invention of claim 8 provides wireless communication by a first wireless communication system that performs communication with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication system that performs communication between devices not via the base station. Specific information for receiving specific information input to the wireless communication device in a computer including a wireless communication unit to perform and a wireless parameter storage unit that stores a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method A reception function; a wireless parameter generation function for generating, based on a predetermined processing procedure, a second wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication method from the specific information received by the specific information reception function; Switching function for switching wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating function A request receiving function for receiving a request for the first wireless parameter from the wireless communication device via wireless communication based on a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter, and the request receiving function A wireless parameter transmission function for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus in response to the request is realized.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the request reception function performs processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus in response to the request from the wireless communication apparatus. If so, the acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected.

  According to the first, fifth and eighth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode for a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  Further, in the inventions according to claims 2, 6 and 9, the wireless communication device is responding to a request from another wireless communication device compared to the case where this configuration is not provided. Can be recognized.

  Further, in the inventions according to claims 3 and 5, the plurality of wireless communication devices can access the information processing device in a short time as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided, and the information processing device side is complicated. Can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the fourth and seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the transmission of a request to another wireless communication device as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication system, and a wireless setting program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a configuration in which a wireless setting program according to the present invention is installed in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) will be described as an example. In this embodiment, a printer is described as an example of a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication. However, other devices such as a scanner and a disk drive can be similarly applied as a wireless communication device. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows that a printer A51 and a printer B52 are newly installed in a wireless communication system 1 including a PC 2, a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as wireless AP) 3 that operates as a wireless communication base station, and a network 4. Shows when to do. Note that the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a part of the communication system, and actually, other devices are connected to the communication system in various connection forms (wired or wireless).

  Wireless communication between the PC 2 and the wireless AP 3 is a communication method capable of one-to-many communication called an infrastructure mode, and is used when communication is performed between devices via the wireless AP 3. This is done with many communication methods. Therefore, a wireless parameter including identification information such as an SSID and an encryption key necessary for performing wireless communication with the wireless AP 3 in the infrastructure mode (hereinafter referred to as an infrastructure mode wireless parameter) is set in the PC 2. Has been. The PC 2 is a communication method capable of one-to-one communication called an ad hoc mode, and wireless communication using a communication method often used for communication between devices without using the wireless AP 3 is also possible. Do. For this reason, the PC 2 is set with wireless parameters including identification information such as an SSID and encryption key necessary for wireless communication with the apparatus in the ad hoc mode (hereinafter referred to as an ad hoc mode wireless parameter). .

  Although not shown, the PC 2 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs sequence control of the PC 2 main body based on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) that is basic software, a program that is executed when the PC 2 is started, and the like. ROM [Read Only Memory] for recording data, RAM [Random Access Memory] used as a buffer area of a work area necessary for program execution, OS, application program, wireless setting program according to the present invention, data such as various files HD [Hard Disk] that stores data, commands between devices via wire communication via a wired network such as a network cable, a wired communication unit that transmits / receives data, etc., wireless between commands, data between devices via wireless communication, etc. It consists of a communication unit.

  The wireless AP 3 performs wireless communication with a plurality of devices in the infrastructure mode and is connected to the network 4.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the wireless setting program according to the present invention installed in the PC 2 and the printer A51 and the printer B52 work together to set wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode of the printer A51 and the printer B52. explain.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the PC 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 2 controls the wireless communication unit 61 and wireless communication control by the wireless communication unit 61 (specifically, when performing wireless communication in the infrastructure mode, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode is set. When wireless communication is performed in the ad hoc mode, the wireless communication control unit 71 performs setting of wireless parameters for the ad hoc mode, and stores wireless parameters for each wireless mode (wireless communication in the wireless AP 3 and the infrastructure mode) The wireless parameter storage unit 81 that is a storage area is also provided. The PC 2 is connected to an input device 9 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device (not shown) such as a display. In addition, since it does not show in figure about components other than the component regarding PC2 demonstrated above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The wireless setting program 10 and various applications (not shown) for realizing the application program are installed in the PC 2, and these execute various processes using the functions of the OS under the control of the OS (not shown). .

  Next, a functional configuration of the wireless setting program 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless setting program 10 includes a specific information reception unit 111, a wireless parameter generation unit 121, a wireless mode switching unit 131, a wireless parameter request reception unit 14, and a wireless parameter transmission unit 15 as its functions. The

  The specific information receiving unit 111 performs processing for receiving specific information (for example, arbitrary information such as information indicating an installation area) input by the user from the input device 9.

  The wireless parameter generation unit 121 performs processing for generating wireless parameters for the ad hoc mode from the specific information received by the specific information reception unit 111 based on a predetermined algorithm. The generated wireless parameter for the ad hoc mode is held in the wireless parameter holding unit 81.

  The wireless mode switching unit 131 performs processing for switching the wireless mode of wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 61.

  The wireless parameter request receiving unit 14 performs a process of receiving a request for a wireless parameter for performing wireless communication with the wireless AP 3 from the printer A51 or the printer B52 in the infrastructure mode.

  When the wireless parameter request receiving unit 14 receives the request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode, the wireless parameter transmitting unit 15 receives the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit 81 at the request source. Process to send to a certain printer. Note that wireless communication in the ad hoc mode is used to transmit the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode to the printer.

  The wireless setting program 10 can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can also be distributed via a communication line.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the functional configuration of the printer A51. Since the functional configuration of the printer A51 and the functional configuration of the printer B52 are basically the same, only the functional configuration of the printer A51 will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer A51 includes a wireless communication unit 62, a wireless communication control unit 72, a wireless parameter holding unit 82, an input unit 16, a specific information receiving unit 112, a wireless parameter generating unit 122, an instruction receiving unit 17, A mode switching unit 132 and a wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 are provided.

  The wireless communication unit 62 transmits and receives commands, data, and the like between devices by wireless communication.

  The wireless communication control unit 72 controls wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 62. Specifically, when performing wireless communication in the infrastructure mode, the wireless parameter for infrastructure mode is set, and when performing wireless communication in the ad hoc mode, the wireless parameter for ad hoc mode is set.

  The radio parameter holding unit 82 is a storage area that holds radio parameters for each radio mode.

  The input unit 16 is an input device for a user to input information, instructions for each process, and the like to the printer A52. For example, the input unit 16 includes a hard key such as a start button and a numeric keypad, or a touch panel display. Is done.

  The specific information receiving unit 112 performs a process of receiving specific information input from the input unit 16 by the user. Note that in order to set the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode in conjunction with the wireless setting program 10 of the PC 2, it is necessary to input the same specific information as the specific information input to the PC 2.

  The wireless parameter generation unit 122 generates a wireless parameter for ad hoc mode from the specific information received by the specific information reception unit 112 based on the same algorithm as the predetermined algorithm used by the wireless parameter generation unit 121 of the wireless setting program 10 of the PC 2 Perform the process. That is, the generated wireless parameter is the same as the wireless parameter generated from the same specific information in the wireless parameter generating unit 121 of the wireless setting program 10. The generated wireless parameter for ad hoc mode is stored in the wireless parameter storage unit 82.

  The instruction receiving unit 17 performs a process of receiving an instruction for setting the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode input from the input unit 16 by the user.

  The wireless mode switching unit 132 performs processing for switching the wireless mode of wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 62.

  The wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 performs processing for acquiring wireless parameters for the wireless AP 3 and the infrastructure mode from the PC 2.

  Note that a program including the above-described wireless communication control unit 72, specific information reception unit 112, wireless parameter generation unit 122, instruction reception unit 17, wireless mode switching unit 132, and wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 as a function of a general-purpose printer or the like. It is also possible to apply a configuration incorporated in a wireless communication device. In this case, the program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk) of the wireless communication device, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU) of the wireless communication device. Etc.) will execute the program stored in the storage unit.

  Next, operations of the wireless setting program 10, the printer A51, and the printer B52 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation flow of the wireless setting program and the printer A and printer B when setting the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode in the printer A and the printer B.

  The wireless AP and the PC are connected by wireless communication in the infrastructure mode (S401).

  When the user inputs specific information from the input device of the PC, the specific information reception unit of the wireless setting program receives the specific information (S402), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information for the ad hoc mode based on a predetermined algorithm. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S403), and the wireless mode switching unit switches to ad hoc mode wireless communication in which the wireless parameters for the ad hoc mode generated by the wireless parameter generation unit are set (S404).

  Then, when the user inputs the specific information from the input unit of the printer A, the specific information receiving unit receives the specific information (S405), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information for the ad hoc mode based on a predetermined algorithm. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S406), and when the user inputs an instruction for setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode from the input unit, the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for setting wireless parameters ( S407), the wireless mode switching unit switches to the ad hoc mode wireless communication in which the wireless parameter for the ad hoc mode generated by the wireless parameter generation unit is set (S408), and the wireless parameter acquisition unit sets the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode to the PC. Request is made (S409).

  On the other hand, when the user inputs the specific information from the input unit of the printer B, the specific information receiving unit receives the specific information (S410), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information for the ad hoc mode based on a predetermined algorithm. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S411), and when the user inputs an instruction for setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode from the input unit, the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for setting wireless parameters ( S412), the wireless mode switching unit switches to ad hoc mode wireless communication in which the wireless parameters for the ad hoc mode generated by the wireless parameter generation unit are set (S413), and the wireless parameter acquisition unit sets the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode to the PC. Request is made (S414).

  When the wireless parameter request receiving unit of the wireless setting program of the PC receives the request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer A in S409, the wireless parameter transmitting unit uses the infrastructure mode for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit. Are transmitted to the printer A (S415). Note that the wireless parameter request accepting unit of the wireless setting program of the PC does not accept the request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer B in S414. Do not send parameters. The wireless setting program maintains the ad hoc mode wireless communication in preparation for the infrastructure mode wireless parameter request from the printer other than the printer A, and does not accept the request from the other printer for a predetermined time. Switch to infrastructure mode wireless communication.

  If the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer B does not respond to the infrastructure mode wireless parameter request transmitted to the PC in step S414 from the PC, the wireless parameter acquisition unit again performs the infrastructure mode wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the request. A parameter is requested from the PC (S416). Since it can be assumed that the PC does not respond forever, the re-request is not performed after a predetermined time-out period has elapsed. When setting the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode after the timeout time elapses, the wireless parameter setting instruction may be input again.

  When the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer A receives the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the PC, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode is held in the wireless parameter holding unit (S417), and the wireless mode switching unit receives the wireless parameter. Switch to infrastructure mode wireless communication in which the infrastructure mode wireless parameters held in the holding unit are set (at this time, the wireless communication connection with the PC in the ad hoc mode is terminated) (S418), the wireless AP and the infrastructure The wireless communication connection in the structure mode is started (S419).

  On the other hand, since the wireless communication unit of the PC does not receive the re-request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer B in S416, the wireless setting program does not transmit the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode to the printer B.

  When the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer B does not respond to the infrastructure mode wireless parameter request transmitted to the PC in S416, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode is again transmitted after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the request. A parameter is requested from the PC (S420).

  In S418, when the wireless parameter request receiving unit of the wireless setting program of the PC that has completed the wireless communication connection in the ad hoc mode with the printer A receives the request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer B in S420, The wireless parameter transmitting unit transmits the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit to the printer B (S421).

  When the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer B receives the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the PC, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode is held in the wireless parameter holding unit (S422), and the wireless mode switching unit receives the wireless parameter. Switch to infrastructure mode wireless communication in which the infrastructure mode wireless parameters held in the holding unit are set (at this time, the wireless communication connection in the ad hoc mode with the PC is terminated) (S423), the wireless AP and the infrastructure The wireless communication connection in the structure mode is started (S424).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the functional configuration of the printer A51. Since the functional configuration of the printer A51 and the functional configuration of the printer B52 are basically the same, only the functional configuration of the printer A51 will be described here.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the printer A 51 includes a wireless communication unit 62, a wireless communication control unit 72, a wireless parameter holding unit 82, an input unit 16, a specific information reception unit 112, a wireless parameter generation unit 122, an instruction reception unit 17, and a wireless communication unit 62. The mode switching unit 132, the wireless parameter acquisition unit 18, the signal transmission unit 19, and the signal reception unit 20 are provided.

  The wireless communication unit 62 transmits and receives commands, data, and the like between devices by wireless communication.

  The wireless communication control unit 72 controls wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 62. Specifically, when performing wireless communication in the infrastructure mode, the wireless parameter for infrastructure mode is set, and when performing wireless communication in the ad hoc mode, the wireless parameter for ad hoc mode is set.

  The radio parameter holding unit 82 is a storage area that holds radio parameters for each radio mode.

  The input unit 16 is an input device for a user to input information, instructions for each process, and the like to the printer A51. For example, the input unit 16 includes a hard key such as a start button and a numeric keypad, or a touch panel display. Is done.

  The specific information receiving unit 112 performs a process of receiving specific information input from the input unit 16 by the user. Note that in order to set the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode in conjunction with the wireless setting program 10 of the PC 2, it is necessary to input the same specific information as the specific information input to the PC 2.

  The wireless parameter generation unit 122 uses the specific information received by the specific information reception unit 112 based on the same algorithm as the predetermined algorithm used by the wireless parameter generation unit 121 of the wireless setting program 10 of the PC 2, and the SSID and encryption key for the ad hoc mode. Process to generate. The generated SSID and encryption key are held in the wireless parameter holding unit 82.

  The instruction receiving unit 17 performs a process of receiving an instruction for setting the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode input from the input unit 16 by the user.

  The wireless mode switching unit 132 performs processing for switching the wireless mode of wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 62.

  The wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 performs processing for acquiring wireless parameters for the wireless AP 3 and the infrastructure mode from the PC 2.

  The signal transmitting unit 19 broadcasts (transmits to a large number of unspecified devices) a wireless setting start signal that notifies the start of the setting when the instruction receiving unit 17 receives an instruction to set the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode. When the wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 acquires the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the PC 2, the wireless parameter acquisition unit 18 performs a process of broadcasting a wireless setting end signal that notifies the end of the setting.

  The signal receiving unit 20 performs processing for receiving a wireless setting start signal or a wireless setting end signal broadcast from another printer (for example, the printer B52).

  The wireless communication control unit 72, the specific information reception unit 112, the wireless parameter generation unit 122, the instruction reception unit 17, the wireless mode switching unit 132, the wireless parameter acquisition unit 18, the signal transmission unit 19, and the signal reception unit 20 described above function. It is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program (corresponding to a wireless setting program according to the present invention) included in a wireless communication device such as a general-purpose printer is incorporated. , A hard disk or the like), and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the wireless communication apparatus executes the program stored in the storage unit.

  Next, operations of the wireless setting program 10, the printer A51, and the printer B52 will be described.

  6 and 7 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation flow of the wireless setting program and the printer A and printer B when setting the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode in the printer A and the printer B. FIG.

  The wireless AP and the PC are connected by wireless communication in the infrastructure mode (S601).

  When the user inputs specific information from the input device of the PC, the specific information reception unit of the wireless setting program receives the specific information (S602), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information based on a predetermined algorithm for the ad hoc mode. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S603), and the wireless mode switching unit switches to ad-hoc mode wireless communication in which the wireless parameters for the ad hoc mode generated by the wireless parameter generation unit are set (S604).

  When the user inputs the specific information from the input unit of the printer A, the specific information receiving unit receives the specific information (S605), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information for the ad hoc mode based on a predetermined algorithm. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S606), and when the user inputs an instruction for setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode from the input unit, the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for setting wireless parameters ( S607), the radio mode switching unit switches to ad hoc mode radio communication in which the radio parameters for the ad hoc mode generated by the radio parameter generation unit are set (S608), and the signal transmission unit broadcasts a radio setting start signal (S609), Wireless parameter acquisition unit is infrastructure Requesting wireless parameters for over de against PC (S610). In step S609, the broadcast wireless setting start signal is received by the printer B. At this time, it is assumed that the printer B has not received a wireless parameter setting instruction.

  On the other hand, when the user inputs the specific information from the input unit of the printer B, the specific information receiving unit receives the specific information (S611), and the wireless parameter generation unit uses the specific information for the ad hoc mode based on a predetermined algorithm. Wireless parameters (SSID and encryption key) are generated (S612), and when the user inputs an instruction for setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode from the input unit, the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for setting wireless parameters ( In step S613, the radio mode switching unit switches to ad hoc mode radio communication in which the radio parameters for the ad hoc mode generated by the radio parameter generation unit are set. Since the signal reception unit receives the wireless setting start signal broadcast from the printer A between S612 and S613, the signal transmission unit waits for the wireless parameter setting (that is, the wireless setting start signal broadcast also waits). (S615).

  When the wireless parameter request reception unit of the wireless setting program of the PC receives the request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer A in S610, the wireless parameter transmission unit uses the infrastructure mode for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit. Are transmitted to the printer A (S616). The wireless setting program maintains the ad hoc mode wireless communication in preparation for the infrastructure mode wireless parameter request from the printer other than the printer A, and does not accept the request from the other printer for a predetermined time. Switch to infrastructure mode wireless communication.

  When the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer A receives the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the PC, the wireless parameter holding unit receives the received wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode (S617), and the signal transmission unit completes the wireless setting. A signal is broadcast (S618), and the wireless mode switching unit switches to the wireless communication in the infrastructure mode in which the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit is set (at this time, the wireless communication in the ad hoc mode with the PC is performed). The communication connection is terminated) (S619), and the wireless communication connection with the wireless AP in the infrastructure mode is started (S620).

  Next, the flow of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

  When the signal receiving unit of the printer B receives the wireless setting end signal broadcast from the printer A, the signal transmitting unit cancels the wireless setting start signal broadcast standby, broadcasts the wireless setting start signal (S621), and wireless parameters. The acquisition unit requests the wireless parameters for the infrastructure mode from the PC (S622). If a wireless setting start signal broadcast from another printer is received before the wireless setting start signal broadcast standby is canceled and the wireless setting start signal is broadcast, the wireless setting start signal is again broadcast.

  When the wireless parameter request receiving unit of the wireless setting program of the PC receives a request for the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the printer B, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit by the wireless parameter transmitting unit Is transmitted to the printer B (S623).

  When the wireless parameter acquisition unit of the printer B receives the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode from the PC, the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode is stored in the wireless parameter storage unit (S624), and the signal transmission unit completes the wireless setting. A signal is broadcast (S625), and the wireless mode switching unit switches to the wireless communication in the infrastructure mode in which the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode held in the wireless parameter holding unit is set (at this time, wireless in the ad hoc mode with the PC) The communication connection is terminated) (S626), and the wireless communication connection with the wireless AP in the infrastructure mode is started (S627).

  In addition, the wireless parameter for the ad hoc mode is generated only by receiving the specific information without being limited to the above-described example of starting the process of acquiring the wireless parameter for the infrastructure mode after receiving the wireless setting instruction. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which processing is switched to ad-hoc mode wireless communication in which an ad-hoc mode wireless parameter is set and processing for acquiring the infrastructure-mode wireless parameter is started.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of PC. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a functional configuration of a printer A. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations of the wireless setting program and the printer A and printer B when setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode in the printer A and the printer B. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the functional configuration of the printer A. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations of the wireless setting program and the printer A and printer B when setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode in the printer A and the printer B. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations of the wireless setting program and the printer A and printer B when setting wireless parameters for infrastructure mode in the printer A and the printer B.

Explanation of symbols

1 wireless communication system 2 PC
3 Wireless AP
4 Network 51 Printer A
52 Printer B
61, 62 Wireless communication unit 71, 72 Wireless communication control unit 81, 82 Wireless parameter holding unit 9 Input device 10 Wireless setting program 111, 112 Specific information receiving unit 121, 122 Wireless parameter generation unit 131, 132 Wireless mode switching unit 14 Wireless Parameter request reception unit 15 Wireless parameter transmission unit 16 Input unit 17 Instruction reception unit 18 Wireless parameter acquisition unit 19 Signal transmission unit 20 Signal reception unit

Claims (9)

Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method for communicating with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication method for performing communication between devices not via the base station;
Wireless parameter storage means for storing a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method;
Specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to the wireless communication device;
Wireless parameter generation means for generating a second wireless parameter to be used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication system from the specific information received by the specific information receiving means, based on a predetermined processing procedure;
Switching means for switching the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating means;
Request accepting means for accepting a request for the first wireless parameter from the wireless communication device via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a wireless parameter transmission unit configured to transmit the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to a request received by the request reception unit. The request receiving means includes
If processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to the request from the wireless communication device is performed, acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method for communicating with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication method for performing communication between devices not via the base station;
Specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to the information processing apparatus;
Wireless parameter generation means for generating a second wireless parameter to be used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication system from the specific information received by the specific information receiving means, based on a predetermined processing procedure;
Switching means for switching the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating means;
Wireless parameter acquisition means for acquiring a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method from the information processing apparatus via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter A wireless communication apparatus comprising: When acquisition of the first wireless parameter by the wireless parameter acquisition unit is started, a signal indicating the start of the acquisition is broadcast and when the acquisition ends, a signal indicating the end of the acquisition is broadcast. Signal transmitting means for transmitting, and signal receiving means for receiving a start signal or an end signal broadcast from another wireless communication device,
The wireless parameter acquisition means includes
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the start signal is received by the signal receiving unit, the first wireless parameter is not acquired until the end signal is received. Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication by a first wireless communication method for communicating with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication method for performing communication between devices not via the base station;
Wireless parameter storage means for storing a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method;
Specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to the wireless communication device;
Wireless parameter generation means for generating a second wireless parameter to be used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication system from the specific information received by the specific information receiving means, based on a predetermined processing procedure;
Switching means for switching the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means to wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the first wireless parameter generating means;
Request accepting means for accepting a request for the first wireless parameter from the wireless communication device via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter;
An information processing apparatus comprising: wireless parameter transmission means for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication apparatus in response to a request received by the request reception means;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication according to the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method;
Specific information receiving means for receiving specific information input to the information processing apparatus;
Wireless parameter generation means for generating the second wireless parameter from the specific information received by the specific information reception means based on the predetermined processing procedure;
Switching means for switching the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication means to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating means;
Wireless parameter acquisition means for acquiring a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the first wireless communication method from the information processing apparatus via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter A wireless communication system, comprising: at least one wireless communication device including: The request receiving means includes
If processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to the request from the wireless communication device is performed, acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein: The wireless communication device
When acquisition of the first wireless parameter by the wireless parameter acquisition unit is started, a signal indicating the start of the acquisition is broadcast and when the acquisition ends, a signal indicating the end of the acquisition is broadcast. A signal transmission means for transmitting;
Signal receiving means for receiving a start signal or an end signal broadcast from another wireless communication device; and
The wireless parameter acquisition means includes
The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein when the start signal is received by the signal receiving unit, the first wireless parameter is not acquired until the end signal is received. A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using a first wireless communication method that performs communication with a wireless base station and a second wireless communication method that performs communication between devices not via the base station; A computer including a wireless parameter storage unit that stores a first wireless parameter used in wireless communication of the wireless communication method;
A specific information receiving function for receiving specific information input to the wireless communication device;
A wireless parameter generation function for generating, based on a predetermined processing procedure, a second wireless parameter used in wireless communication by the second wireless communication method from the specific information received by the specific information reception function;
A switching function for switching the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit to wireless communication by the second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter generated by the wireless parameter generating function;
A request receiving function for receiving a request for the first wireless parameter from the wireless communication device via wireless communication by a second wireless communication method using the second wireless parameter;
A wireless parameter transmission function that realizes a wireless parameter transmission function for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to a request received by the request reception function. The request reception function is:
If processing for transmitting the first wireless parameter to the wireless communication device in response to the request from the wireless communication device is performed, acceptance of the request from another wireless communication device is rejected. The wireless setting program according to claim 8, characterized in that:

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