JP7445985B2 - Communication device, communication system, and communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to initial settings for wireless connections in wireless communications.

In recent years, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) have become widespread, and wireless communication devices are operated in many places by exchanging information via wireless communication. In the infrastructure method, which is one of the methods for constructing a wireless LAN, a plurality of wireless communication devices are centrally connected to a relay station (or access point) in a wireless network.

In an environment related to an infrastructure-based wireless network, when setting a wireless communication device to be able to wirelessly communicate with an access point, it is necessary to perform initial settings for wireless communication on the wireless communication device in advance. As a result, wireless communication becomes possible via the wireless communication device and the access point. The initial settings include, for example, a network identifier SSID (Service Set IDentifier), security information, etc. that are required when constructing a wireless network.

In this way, the initial settings must be made for each individual wireless communication device, and if the initial settings are made for a plurality of devices (for example, tens or hundreds of devices), the user will spend a lot of time and effort. Therefore, several improvement techniques have been proposed in the past, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example.

JP2015-056778A

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for efficiently setting wireless communication settings for a plurality of electronic devices. However, it is necessary to use a relay station to configure the wireless communication settings, which increases cost. Also, when configuring wireless communication settings for multiple electronic devices, the setting procedure is performed for each electronic device, so it may take a considerable amount of time to complete the wireless communication settings for all electronic devices. Become. In this way, user convenience may be impaired.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently and easily perform initial setting work for wireless communication for a plurality of communication devices.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication device that functions as a base unit in a process of performing initial settings for wireless communication in a communication system including a plurality of communication devices. A storage unit that holds a predetermined unique initial SSID and wireless initial setting information that is initial setting information necessary for wireless communication, and a configuration beacon that stores the wireless initial setting information in a beacon frame are generated . A beacon generation unit, a wireless communication unit that broadcasts a setting beacon to the surroundings of the device using the initial SSID, and a communication mode switching unit that switches the communication mode between normal mode and notification mode according to user instructions. and a determining unit that determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit is set to notification mode, and transmitting radio waves used for wireless communication based on the notification that the notification mode is set by the determining unit. A control unit that changes the output value from the first transmission output value to the second transmission output value and controls the wireless communication unit to notify the setting beacon with the second transmission output value.

According to this, a communication device functioning as a base device generates a configuration beacon in which wireless initial setting information is stored in a beacon frame, and transmits the information from the own device to other communication devices in the communication system (communication devices functioning as a slave device). The setting beacon can be notified to the user. In this way, the communication device can efficiently and easily perform the initial setting work for wireless communication of the communication device functioning as a slave device.

Further, the determining unit further determines whether the number of times the wireless communication unit notifies the surroundings of the setting beacon has reached a predetermined number of times, and the determining unit notifies the user that the number of times the wireless communication unit broadcasts the setting beacon to the surrounding area has reached the predetermined number of times. Based on this, the control unit may notify the wireless communication unit of an instruction to stop notification of the setting beacon, and the communication mode switching unit may switch the communication mode to the normal mode.

According to this, by keeping the number of times the communication device broadcasts the configuration beacon to the surrounding area to a predetermined number, the communication device can prevent unnecessary dissemination of the configuration beacon transmitted in an open security state, and The risk of data being intercepted on terminals can be reduced.

Further, the first transmission output value is a transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication when the communication mode is set to normal mode, and the second transmission output value is smaller than the first transmission output value, and It may be the minimum value that the notification radio waves in the communication system can reach.

According to this, by suppressing the transmission output value, the communication device can suppress the risk of being intercepted by another person's terminal because the radio waves can only reach a limited range.

A communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a communication system that performs initial settings for wireless communication with another communication device, and the communication method includes a predetermined unique initial SSID and a communication method for wireless communication. a storage step for storing wireless initial setting information that is necessary initial setting information; a beacon generation step for storing the wireless initial setting information in a beacon frame and generating a setting beacon; A wireless communication step for notifying the surroundings of the own device, a communication mode switching step for switching the communication mode from normal mode to notification mode in response to a user's instruction, and judgment for determining whether the communication mode is set to notification mode. step and the notification that the notification mode is set, change the transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication from the first transmission output value to the smaller second transmission output value, and change the transmission output value of the radio waves used for wireless communication from the first transmission output value to the smaller second transmission output value. and a control step of controlling the setting beacon to be broadcast.

According to this, the same effects as the communication device according to one aspect of the present invention can be achieved.

The present invention can be realized not only as a device, but also as a method in which the processing means constituting the device is a step, or as a program that causes a computer to execute the steps, or as a computer readable computer recording the program. It can also be realized as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as information, data, or a signal indicating the program. These programs, information, data, and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

According to the present invention, common initial settings for wireless communication can be easily performed for a plurality of communication devices in a wireless communication system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of an operation flow when the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention functions as a base device. FIG. 4 is an example of an operation flow when the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention functions as a slave device. FIG. 5 is an example of a beacon frame (setting beacon) transmitted by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a series of processes for performing initial settings for wireless communication in a plurality of communication devices of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below each represent a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims representing the most significant concept of the present invention will be explained as arbitrary constituent elements constituting a more preferable embodiment. Note that the same components may be given the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted.

(Embodiment)
In this embodiment, a communication system that can easily perform initial settings for each of a plurality of communication devices to perform wireless communication will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a communication device 1a, a communication device 1b, a communication device 1c, a communication device 1d, a terminal device 2, a wireless network 10, and a communication link 15. . Hereinafter, the communication device 1a, the communication device 1b, the communication device 1c, and the communication device 1d will be collectively referred to as the communication device 1. The communication device 1 a is connected to the terminal device 2 via a communication link 15 . The communication link 15 is realized, for example, by wireless communication conforming to IEEE802.11n, ac standards, etc., or wired communication conforming to IEEE802.3 standards, etc. Further, the communication link 15 may realize communication using a wired cable conforming to a communication interface (for example, USB standard) included in the communication device 1a. Communication device 1 is connected to wireless network 10 . The wireless network 10 is realized by wireless communication that complies with, for example, IEEE802.11n, ac standards, and the like.

The communication device 1 includes a wireless communication circuit, and can realize wireless communication that complies with, for example, IEEE802.11n, ac standards, and the like. Further, the communication device 1a communicates with the terminal device 2 by wireless communication or wired communication. The communication device 1 is a communication device that performs wireless communication with each of the other communication terminals 1 via the wireless network 10. Specifically, the communication device 1 is a printer, a scanner, a camera, etc. that are peripheral devices of a personal computer. In the present invention, initial setting information is written into one of the plurality of communication devices 1 so that it becomes a master device, and the setting information is transmitted to the other remaining communication devices (functioning as slave devices). In the following embodiment, the communication device 1a will be described as a master device, and the other communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d will be described as slave devices.

The terminal device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone operated by a user, and communicates with the communication device 1a via the communication link 15. An application program is installed in the terminal device 2 for setting initial setting information (hereinafter also referred to as wireless initial setting information) for each of the communication terminals 1 to perform wireless communication with each other via the wireless network 10. . By operating this application program, wireless initial setting information is written from the terminal device 2 to the communication device 1a via the communication link 15 shown in FIG.

Note that the number of components of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is only an example. In this embodiment, for example, four communication devices 1 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 1 includes a wireless communication section 31, a storage section 32, a communication mode switching section 33, a beacon generation section 34, a determination section 35, and a control section 36. Each function provided in the communication device 1 is realized, for example, as a known computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. (not shown). Furthermore, data related to various programs, control data, etc. are stored in the ROM, RAM, and HDD.

The wireless communication unit 31 transmits and receives various control information, data, and other information necessary for communication in the form of wireless frames during communication between the terminal device 2 and other communication devices 1. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 31 transmits and receives various wireless frames between the terminal device 2 and other communication devices 1 by wireless communication based on, for example, IEEE802.11n, ac standards, etc.

Furthermore, based on the notification from the control unit 36, the wireless communication unit 31 broadcasts the setting beacon to the surrounding area using a predetermined unique initial SSID. The setting beacon will be described in detail later in the explanation of FIG.

Further, based on the notification from the control unit 36, the wireless communication unit 31 searches for and receives a setting beacon using a predetermined unique initial SSID (for example, @@teaching@@@). When the wireless communication unit 31 receives the setting beacon, it notifies the control unit 36 of this fact.

The storage unit 32 holds a unique initial SSID (for example, @@@teaching@@@) determined in advance by the system. The unique initial SSID may be set at the time of factory shipment, or the user may determine an arbitrary value using a setting tool or the like and maintain it. Further, the storage unit 32 of the communication device 1a functioning as a base unit stores data input from the input unit (not shown) of the terminal device 2 by the user and necessary for wireless communication transmitted via the communication link 15. Retain configuration information. On the other hand, in a communication device (such as 1b) that functions as a slave device, a storage unit stores and holds wireless initial setting information extracted from a received setting beacon.

Furthermore, the storage unit 32 also stores device information of the device itself (eg, MAC address, IP address, channel used for wireless communication, authentication method, encryption method, etc.).

The communication mode switching unit 33 has three communication modes, normal mode, notification mode, and learning mode, and switches each communication mode as appropriate based on the notification from the control unit 36. Normal mode is a mode in which normal data and control signals are sent and received, notification mode is a mode in which wireless initial setting information is notified using a configuration beacon, and learning mode is a mode in which wireless initial setting information is learned by receiving configuration beacons. . More specifically, when the communication device functions as a parent device, the communication mode switching unit 33 switches the device from the normal mode to the notification mode in response to a user's mode switching instruction (for example, long press of a switch, etc.). On the other hand, when the communication device functions as a slave device, the communication mode switching unit 33 switches the device from the normal mode to the learning mode in response to a user's instruction (for example, pressing a switch once). Note that the normal mode is a mode provided to distinguish from the notification mode and the learning mode, and is set at the time of factory shipment.

Further, when the communication device functions as a parent device, the communication mode switching unit 33 switches the communication mode from the notification mode to the normal mode based on the notification from the control unit 36.

Upon receiving the notification from the control unit 36, the beacon generation unit 34 acquires wireless initial setting information necessary for wireless communication stored in advance from the storage unit 32, stores it in a part of a normal beacon frame, and sets the information. Generate a beacon for use. The setting beacon will be explained in detail later.

The determining unit 35 determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit 33 is set to the notification mode. When it is determined that the notification mode has been set, the beacon generation unit 34 and the control unit 36 are notified of this fact.

The determining unit 35 determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit 33 is set to learning mode. If it is determined that the learning mode has been set, the control unit 36 is notified to that effect.

Further, the determining unit 35 determines whether the number of times the setting beacon is notified to the surroundings has reached a predetermined number of times. For example, the number of times the setting beacon is broadcast by the wireless communication unit 31 is counted, and it is determined whether the setting beacon has been broadcast a predetermined number of times (for example, three times, etc.). If the process has been repeated a predetermined number of times, the control unit 36 is notified of this and the counter value is reset. Note that the reason why the number of times the configuration beacon is broadcast is limited to a predetermined number is because the configuration beacon is transmitted in an open security state, as described later, to prevent unnecessary dissemination of the wireless initial configuration information contained therein. This is to do so.

The determining unit 35 determines whether the beacon received by the wireless communication unit 31 is a setting beacon. When the setting beacon is received, the control unit 36 is notified of this fact. Specifically, it is determined whether the received beacon includes wireless initial setting information. If it is determined that the initial setting information is included, the controller 36 is notified that the setting beacon has been received.

The control unit 36 changes the transmission power of radio waves used for wireless communication based on the notification from the determination unit 35. More specifically, the currently set transmission output value of the radio wave (first transmission output value) is changed to a predetermined smaller transmission output value (second transmission output value). Note that the predetermined small transmission output value may be determined in advance by the user using a setting tool from a PC or the like and stored in the storage unit 32, or may be determined in advance at the time of factory shipment. Here, the predetermined small transmission output value is a setting value that allows radio waves to reach the vicinity of the own device (for example, about 1 to 5 meters), and is a target placed in the vicinity to which wireless initial setting information is transmitted. The minimum value that allows radio waves to reach all communication devices is preferable. The configuration beacon also includes security-related configuration information, and by suppressing the transmission output value in this way, the configuration beacon can only reach a limited range, and it can be intercepted by another person's terminal and can be used on the network. The risk of being connected to 10 can be suppressed.

The control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 of the setting beacon generated by the beacon generation unit 34 so as to notify the surroundings of the radio wave transmission output value as the second transmission output value. More specifically, based on the second transmission output value, the control unit 36 sends a setting beacon to the surroundings of the own device and broadcasts the notification at a constant cycle (for example, 100ms) (limited to the range where the radio waves can reach). ) to the wireless communication unit 31.

The control unit 36 causes the wireless communication unit 31 to stop broadcasting the setting beacon based on the notification from the determining unit 35 that the number of times the setting beacon is notified to the surrounding area has reached a predetermined number of times. The communication mode switching unit 33 is notified of an instruction to switch the communication mode from the notification mode to the normal mode.

Based on the notification from the determining unit 35, the control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 to search for and receive a setting beacon when the communication mode is the learning mode.

The control unit 36 extracts wireless initial setting information from the setting beacon based on the notification that the setting beacon has been received from the determining unit 35, and notifies the storage unit 32 to store the extracted wireless initial setting information. Then, using the wireless initial setting information, the device performs initial settings necessary for wireless communication of its own device. Then, the control unit 36 notifies the communication mode switching unit 33 of an instruction to switch the communication mode from the learning mode to the normal mode.

FIG. 3 is an example of an operation flow of a communication device 1a (a communication device that operates as a base device) to which wireless initial setting information is input by a user, among the communication devices 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the communication device 1 has initial setting information necessary for wireless communication set in advance from the terminal device 2 or the like using a setting tool or the like.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, after the communication device 1a (master device) according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured with wireless initial setting information necessary for wireless communication, the communication device 1a (master device) according to the embodiment of the present invention switches to the notification mode, and then We will explain in detail the process from broadcasting the setting beacon to the surrounding area to switching to normal mode.

In step S301, the determining unit 35 determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit 33 is set to the notification mode. When the communication mode is set to the notification mode, the determination unit 35 notifies the beacon generation unit 34 and the control unit 36 to that effect, and proceeds to step S302 (Yes in step S301). On the other hand, if it has not been set, step S301 is repeated and the process waits (No in step S301).

In step S302, the control unit 36 changes the transmission power of radio waves used for wireless communication based on the notification from the determination unit 35 (Yes in step S301). Specifically, the control unit 36 changes the first transmission output value to the second transmission output value.

In step S303, the beacon generation unit 34 receives the notification from the control unit 36, acquires the wireless initial setting information necessary for wireless communication stored in the storage unit 32 in advance, and generates a normal beacon frame. and generate a configuration beacon.

In step S304, the control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 to notify the surroundings of the setting beacon generated by the beacon generation unit 34 with the second transmission output value , and based on the notification, the wireless communication unit 31 broadcasts the setting beacon to the surrounding area using the second transmission output value.

In step S305, the determination unit 35 determines whether the number of times the wireless communication unit 31 notifies the surroundings of the setting beacon has reached a predetermined number of times. If the predetermined number of times has been reached, the control unit 36 is notified of this, and the process moves to step S306 (Yes in step S305). On the other hand, if the predetermined number of times has not been reached, the process returns to step S304 and repeats beacon transmission (No in step S305).

In step S306, the control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 of an instruction to stop broadcasting the setting beacon based on the notification from the determination unit 35 (the notification of step S305), and the control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 of an instruction to stop broadcasting the setting beacon, and Notifies an instruction to switch the communication mode from notification mode to normal mode.

In step S307, based on the notification from the control unit 36 (notification in step S306), the communication mode switching unit 33 switches the communication mode from the notification mode to the normal mode. At this time, the own device performs initial settings necessary for wireless communication in the normal mode of the own device using the initial setting information stored in the storage unit.

FIG. 4 is an example of an operation flow of a communication device 1 other than the communication device 1a (a communication device operating as a child device) among the communication devices 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

After the communication device (slave unit) according to the embodiment of the present invention is powered on, it receives wireless initial setting information necessary for wireless communication from the base unit (communication device 1a), and transmits the wireless initial setting information to the own device. The steps up to setting will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

In step S401, the determining unit 35 determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit 33 is set to learning mode. If the determination unit 35 determines that the learning mode is set, it notifies the control unit 36 of this fact, and proceeds to step S402 (Yes in step S401). On the other hand, if it is determined that the learning mode is not set, step S401 is repeated and the process waits (No in step S401).

In step S402, upon receiving the notification from the determination unit 35 (Yes in step S401), the control unit 36 notifies the wireless communication unit 31 to search for and receive the setting beacon, and the wireless communication unit 31 Based on the notification from the unit 36, a setting beacon (for example, a beacon frame including @@teaching@@@) is searched and received. At this time, the security setting for wireless communication is "open" (not set). That is, if the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d discover a predetermined unique initial SSID, they can immediately establish a wireless connection.

In step S403, the determining unit 35 determines whether the wireless frame received by the wireless communication unit 31 is a setting beacon. When the determination unit 35 receives the setting beacon, it notifies the control unit 36 to that effect (Yes in step S403). On the other hand, if the setting beacon has not been received, step S402 is repeated (No in step S403).

In step S404, the control unit 36 extracts initial setting information from the setting beacon based on the notification from the determining unit 35 (Yes in step S403).

In step S405, the control unit 36 notifies the storage unit 32 to store the extracted initial setting information, and uses the initial setting information to perform initial settings necessary for wireless communication of the own device. Then, the control unit 36 notifies the communication mode switching unit 33 of an instruction to switch the communication mode from the learning mode to the normal mode.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a partial configuration of a beacon frame 500 (setting beacon frame) including wireless initial setting information by the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the beacon frame 500 includes an Element ID 51, a Length 52, an OUI 53, and a variable data area 54 (including setting information 55).

Element ID51 is a number indicating that the data stored after Element ID51 in the beacon frame (specifically, from Length52 to variable data area 54 in FIG. 5) is vendor-specific data.

Length52 is the length of the entire beacon frame.

OUI53 is managed by IEEE, and different values are assigned to each manufacturer. Usually, the same value is stored if the manufacturer is the same.

The variable data area 54 may be communication information (transmission/reception time, data size, address, etc.) that can be obtained by transmitting/receiving data, or may include received actual data (the data itself). Further, the variable data area 54 includes setting information 55. The variable data area 54 also includes an area that can be used by setting specifications unique to the manufacturer.

Setting information 55 further includes second SSID 56, security method 57, and key information 58.

Unlike the initial SSID, the second SSID 56 is included in the wireless initial setting information input from the terminal device 2 to the communication device 1, and is an SSID (for example, “Infra1”) that the user sets in the communication device 1 for wireless communication. ).

The security method 57 is wireless initial setting information input from the terminal device 2 to the communication device 1, and is a security method (eg, WPA2-PSK) that the user sets in the communication device 1 for wireless communication. Here, the security method is a method that generates an encryption key based on a secret code that is shared in advance by another means when encrypting communication, and a method that performs connection authentication using such a code. be.

The key information 58 is wireless initial setting information input from the terminal device 2 to the communication device 1, and is key information that the user sets in the communication device 1 for wireless communication. The key information 58 is composed of a combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols, such as "123456AB", for example.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a series of processes for performing initial settings for wireless communication in the communication device 1 of the communication system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in communication system 100, a user uses terminal device 2 to input wireless initial setting information to communication device 1a (operates as a base device), and then inputs wireless initial setting information to communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d ( A series of processes up to the initial settings required for wireless communication on the device (operating as a slave device) will be explained.

In step S601, wireless initial setting information input by the user through the terminal device 2 is input to the communication device 1a via the communication link 15.

In step S602, the communication mode of the communication device 1a is switched from the normal mode to the notification mode in response to a user's instruction (for example, using a setting tool, pressing and holding a switch provided on the communication device 1a, etc.).

In step S603, the communication device 1a creates a setting beacon. Further, the communication device 1a sets the radio wave transmission output for performing wireless communication to the second transmission output value.

In step S604, in each of the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d, the communication mode is changed from normal mode to learning mode in response to a user's instruction (for example, by pressing a switch provided on communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d once). Switch.

In step S605, each of the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d searches for a setting beacon. Specifically, the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d search for a beacon with a predetermined unique initial SSID (for example, @@@teaching@@@). Note that at this time, the security setting is set to "open (state not set)". That is, if the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d find a predetermined unique initial SSID by searching, they can immediately establish a wireless connection.

In step S606, the communication device 1a broadcasts a setting beacon using a predetermined unique initial SSID to the surroundings of the communication device 1a using the lowest radio wave transmission output.

In step S607, each of the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d determines whether or not the setting beacon has been received.

In step S608, each of the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d, when receiving the setting beacon in step S607, extracts the wireless initial setting information included in the setting information 505 of the setting beacon, Set each setting value (second SSID, security, key information, etc.) necessary for wireless communication of the own device.

In this way, after inputting the wireless initial setting information into the communication device 1a, the user can perform the initial settings necessary for wireless communication on other communication devices (in FIG. 6, the communication devices 1b, 1c, and 1d), similar wireless initial setting information can be set for a plurality of other communication devices by installing them at a certain distance from the communication device 1a. From now on, all the communication devices 1 making up the system will be able to perform highly secure wireless communication using the new SSID (second SSID).

Note that in FIG. 6, the processing order of steps S605 and S606 on the system does not matter.

When describing the embodiments of the present invention, the communication device to which the terminal device is connected and the wireless initial setting information is inputted among the plurality of communication devices has been described as the base device. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. Not limited to. For example, regardless of the initial setting information from the terminal device, at the time of mode switching (such as when pressing and holding a switch), it is determined whether wireless initial setting information is stored in the storage section of the own device, and the information is stored. If it is determined that the device in question functions as a master device and no wireless initial setting information is stored, it may function as a slave device and follow the operation flow shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the initial setting information may be input by some method into one communication device functioning as the parent device by switching between the parent device and the child device using a physical setting means (such as a slide SW).

The means for switching the communication mode is not limited to the mechanical switch described above, but may also be by transmitting a switching command signal from the terminal device through the communication link 15, or by remote control using infrared rays or the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized when initializing work for wireless communication is performed efficiently and simply for a plurality of wireless communication devices.

1 Communication device (communication device 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d)
2 Terminal device 10 Wireless network 15 Communication link 100 Communication system 31 Wireless communication unit 32 Storage unit 33 Communication mode switching unit 34 Beacon generation unit 35 Judgment unit 36 Control unit 51 Element ID
52 Length
53 OUI
54 Variable data area 55 Setting information 56 Second SSID
57 Security method 58 Key information

Claims (4)

A communication device that functions as a base device in a process of performing initial settings for wireless communication in a communication system including a plurality of communication devices,
a storage unit that holds a predetermined unique initial SSID (Service Set IDentifier) and wireless initial setting information that is initial setting information necessary for wireless communication;
a beacon generation unit that generates a configuration beacon in which the wireless initial configuration information is stored in a beacon frame;
a wireless communication unit that uses the initial SSID to broadcast the setting beacon to the surroundings of the own device;
a communication mode switching unit that switches the communication mode between a normal mode and a notification mode according to a user's instruction;
a determination unit that determines whether the communication mode of the communication mode switching unit is set to the notification mode;
Based on the notification from the determination unit that the notification mode is set, the transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication is changed from the first transmission output value to the second transmission output value, and the a control unit that controls the setting beacon to notify with a second transmission output value;
A communication device comprising: The determining unit further determines whether the number of times the wireless communication unit notifies the surroundings of the setting beacon has reached a predetermined number of times,
Based on the notification from the determination unit that the predetermined number of times has been reached, the control unit notifies the wireless communication unit of an instruction to stop broadcasting of the setting beacon, and the communication mode switching unit The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication mode is switched to the normal mode. The first transmission output value is a transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication when the communication mode is set to the normal mode,
The second transmission output value is smaller than the first transmission output value, and is the minimum value that the notification radio waves in the communication system can reach.
The communication device according to claim 1 or 2. A communication method for a communication system that performs initial settings for wireless communication with another communication device,
a storing step of storing a predetermined unique initial SSID (Service Set IDentifier) and wireless initial setting information that is initial setting information necessary for wireless communication;
a beacon generation step of storing the wireless initial setting information in a beacon frame and generating a setting beacon;
a wireless communication step of broadcasting the setting beacon around the device using the initial SSID;
a communication mode switching step of switching the communication mode from normal mode to notification mode according to a user's instruction;
a determining step of determining whether the communication mode is set to the notification mode;
Based on the notification that the notification mode is set, the transmission output value of radio waves used for wireless communication is changed from the first transmission output value to a smaller second transmission output value, and the second transmission output value is changed to the second transmission output value. a control step for controlling the setting beacon to notify;
methods of communication, including