Communication device and method

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and method that allow setting for forming a wireless link to be automatically executed without requiring a special setting operation. A personal computer 1 forms a wireless link with an access-point device 3 using a wireless communication unit, and exchanges data with, for example, a server (not shown) connected to a network 4, via the access-point device 3. The personal computer 1 requires an SSID and a WEP KEY defined in IEEE 802.11b to be set before forming a wireless link with the access-point device 3. The setting is executed only by placing an IC card 2 within a predetermined distance of (or momentarily in contact with) an IC-card contactless communication unit 19 of the personal computer 1. The present invention can be applied to a wireless LAN system including personal computers, PDAs, access-points, etc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to communication apparatuses and methods, for example, a communication apparatus and method that are suitable for use in forming a wireless link with another electronic apparatus and carrying out data communication therewith.

BACKGROUND ART

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b and Bluetooth™ are known as techniques for forming wireless links among a plurality of apparatuses. In this specification, a wireless link and a wireless communication refer to those that use radio waves.

IEEE 802.11b is used to form a wireless LAN (local area network) by forming wireless links among, for example, a plurality of personal computers, access-point devices, etc.

When a wireless LAN is to be formed using the wireless link techniques described above, in which only desired ones of a plurality of nearby electronic apparatuses capable of forming wireless links are to be linked, in order to inhibit an unintended electronic apparatus from getting linked with the wireless LAN, according to one method, ID information, passwords, etc. are set in advance to electronic apparatuses that are to be linked to the wireless LAN.

However, it has been laborious for a user to set network configuration by entering ID information and a password to an electronic apparatus for which a wireless link is to be formed.

Furthermore, setting network configuration is difficult for a user not familiar with operating the electronic apparatus for which a wireless link is to be formed, and is not considered to be an operation that can be readily performed by anyone.

Furthermore, since the ID information and password themselves are usually meaningless sequences of characters and digits, errors could occur when the user manually enters the ID information and password.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the situation described above, and an object thereof is to allow setting for a wireless link to be automatically executed without a user performing a laborious setting operation.

A first communication apparatus according to the present invention includes wireless communication means for carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; detection means for detecting presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus; reading means for reading the setting information, by contactless communication, from the information recording medium detected by the detection means; and setting means for adjusting setting of the wireless communication means according to the setting information read by the reading means.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be IEEE 802.11b.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be the Bluetooth™ wireless communication standard.

The contactless communication may be carried out using a FeliCa™ System.

The information recording medium may be an IC card.

The setting information may include at least one of ID information, a password associated with the ID information, a user name, and a password associated with the user name.

The first communication apparatus according to the present invention may further include recording means for recording, by the contactless communication, setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the communication apparatus on the information recording medium detected by the detection means.

A first communication method according to the present invention includes a wireless communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a detection step of detecting presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, by contactless communication, from the information recording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step based on the setting information read by processing in the reading step.

A program on a first recording medium according to the present invention includes a wireless communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a detection step of detecting presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, by contactless communication, from the information recording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step based on the setting information read by processing in the reading step.

A first program according to the present invention includes a wireless communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a detection step of detecting presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus; a reading step of reading the setting information, by contactless communication, from the information recording medium detected by processing in the detection step; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the wireless communication step based on the setting information read by processing in the reading step.

A second communication apparatus according to the present invention includes first communication means for carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; second communication means for receiving setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronic apparatus; and setting means for adjusting setting of the first communication means according to the setting information received by the second communication means.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be IEEE 802.11b.

The predetermined wireless communication standard may be the Bluetooth™ wireless communication standard.

The second communication means may be contactless communication.

The second communication means may be infrared communication.

The setting information may include at least one of ID information, a password associated with the ID information, a user name, and a password associated with the user name.

The second communication means may send setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the communication apparatus to the another electronic apparatus.

A second communication method according to the present invention includes a first communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a second communication step of receiving setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronic apparatus; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the first communication step according to the setting information received by processing in the second communication step.

A program on a second recording medium according to the present invention includes a first communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a second communication step of receiving setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronic apparatus; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the first communication step according to the setting information received by processing in the second communication step.

A second program according to the present invention includes a first communication step of carrying out wireless communication with another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined wireless communication standard; a second communication step of receiving setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with the another electronic apparatus from the another electronic apparatus; and a setting step of adjusting setting of processing in the first communication step according to the setting information received by processing in the second communication step.

According to the first communication apparatus and method, and program, presence of an information recording medium having recorded thereon setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with another electronic apparatus is detected, the setting information is read, by contactless communication, from the information recording medium detected, and setting of processing for wireless communication is adjusted.

According to the second communication apparatus and method, and program, setting information that is required for forming a wireless link with another electronic apparatus is received from the another electronic apparatus, and setting of wireless communication with the another electronic apparatus based on a predetermined communication standard is adjusted according to the setting information received.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a scheme of a wireless link formed between a personal computer1and an access-point device3according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The personal computer1forms a wireless link with the access-point device3by a wireless communication function conforming to IEEE 802.11b, and exchanges data with, for example, a server (not shown) connected to a network4such as the Internet.

Before forming a wireless link with the access-point device3, however, ID information SSID and a password WEP KEY defined in IEEE 802.11b (hereinafter referred to as access-point information) must be set in a wireless communication unit of the personal computer1.

Access-point information can be set only by placing an IC card2having the access-point information recorded thereon within a predetermined distance of (or momentarily in contact with) an IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1.

FIG. 2shows an example configuration of the personal computer (PC)1. The personal computer1includes a CPU (central processing unit)11. The CPU11is connected to an input/output interface15via a bus14. Furthermore, a ROM (read only memory)12and a RAM (random access memory)13are connected to the bus14.

The input/output interface15is connected to an operation input unit16including input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse for allowing a user to input operation commands, a display controller17for outputting an image signal to a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display, an LCD (liquid crystal display), or the like for displaying an operation screen, a storage unit18such as a hard disk drive for storing programs and various data, an IC-card contactless communication unit19for detecting the IC card2when it is placed in close proximity thereto and reading data from and writing data to the IC card2, a wireless communication unit20for forming a wireless link and exchanging data with, for example, the access-point device3by a wireless communication function conforming to IEEE 802.11b, according to access-point information, local-network information, or the like that is set by the CPU11, and to a drive21for reading data from and writing data to a recording medium such as a magnetic disc22(including a flexible disc), an optical disc23(including a CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory) and a DVD (digital versatile disc)), a magneto-optical disc24(including an MD (mini disc)), or a semiconductor memory25.

Furthermore, the input/output interface15is connected to an infrared communication unit26for exchanging local-network information, etc. with other electronic apparatuses (e.g., a PDA71shown inFIG. 14) using infrared signals. An optical transmitter and an optical receiver of the infrared communication unit26are provided outside the case of the personal computer1.

The CPU11controls each of the components according to programs that are stored in the ROM12or that are read from the magnetic disc22to the semiconductor memory25and stored in the storage unit18and then loaded from the storage unit18into the RAM13, thereby executing various processes.

The IC-card contactless communication unit19may be provided outside the case of the personal computer1, as shown inFIG. 1, or inside the case, for example, on a side face thereof. Data can be read from and written to the IC card2in a contactless manner using, for example, a FeliCa system.

Furthermore, the IC-card contactless communication unit19is capable of exchanging local-network information, etc. with a contactless communication unit59of a PDA41(FIG. 12) when it is placed in close proximity thereto.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the IC card2is sold together with, for example, the access-point device3, and access-point information for forming a link with the access-point device3is pre-recorded in the IC card2.

FIG. 3shows an example of the access-point information pre-recorded in the IC card2, written in XML (Extensible Markup Language). In the figure, “****” indicates ID information SSID, and “####” indicates a password Wep key. Usually, “****” and “####” are meaningless sequences of characters and digits.

The access-point device3is capable of carrying out wireless communications according to IEEE 802.11b with the wireless communication unit20included in the personal computer1. The access-point device3relays data communications between the personal computer1and, for example, a server on the network4.

The access-point device3can be wirelessly linked simultaneously with, in addition to the personal computer1, a plurality of personal computers equivalent to the personal computer1(not shown, hereinafter referred to as personal computers1′). In that case, the access-point device3also relays data communications between the personal computer1and the personal computers1′.

Next, processing for setting an access-point, executed by the personal computer1, will be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 4. In step S1, the IC-card contactless communication unit19starts detection of the IC card2, and waits until the IC card2is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card2in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1, the IC-card contactless communication unit19detects the IC card2, and the processing proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the IC-card contactless communication unit19determines whether access-point information is recorded in the IC card2detected. If it is determined that access-point information is recorded in the IC card2detected, the processing proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the IC-card contactless communication unit19reads the access-point information recorded in the IC card2. The CPU11sets configuration of the wireless communication unit20according to the access-point information read by the IC-card contactless communication unit19. Thus, the personal computer1establishes a wireless link with the access-point device3, and is allowed to access, for example, a server on the network4via the access-point device3.

If it is determined in step S2that access-point information is not recorded in the IC card2detected, step S3is skipped, and the processing is exited. In that case, a wireless link is not established between the personal computer1and the access-point device3. This concludes description of the processing for setting an access-point, executed by the personal computer1.

FIG. 5shows a scheme of a wireless link formed between the personal computer1and an access-point device31that is capable of reading data from and writing data to the IC card2.

The access-point device31, as compared with the access-point device3shown inFIG. 1, additionally has a function equivalent to that of the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1.

Since the access-point device31is capable of writing data to the IC card2, by using the access-point device31, in the IC card2having already recorded access-point information thereon, it is possible to additionally record user information for forming a link with a wireless LAN that is formed via the access-point device31(e.g., a user name that is set for a user of the personal computer1, a password associated with the user name, etc.).

FIG. 6shows an example where user information is added to the access-point information written in XML, shown inFIG. 3. In the figure, “ABC” indicates a user name that is set to the personal computer1, and “ABC123” indicates a password associated with the user name.

The user information to be recorded additionally in the IC card2can be input, for example, from another personal computer (not shown) that has already been linked to the access-point device31.

By placing the IC card having the user information additionally recorded thereon in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1as described above, the personal computer1is allowed to carry out wireless communications with the access-point device31using the access-point information recorded in the IC card2, and is also allowed to form a link with a wireless LAN that is formed via the access-point device31, using the user information recorded in the IC card2.

However, if the user name set to the personal computer1and the password associated with the user name are recorded in the IC card2, as shown inFIG. 6, when the IC card2is placed in proximity to another personal computer1′ that is equivalent to the personal computer1, “ABC” is set as a user name of the personal computer1′ and the personal computer1′ becomes linked with the wireless LAN.

In order to avoid this situation, alternatively, of the user information, the password (“ABC123” in the example shown inFIG. 6) may be held at the personal computer1instead of recording it on the IC card2. In that case, the password held is read and set when the IC-card contactless communication unit19detects the IC card2in which the user name “ABC” that is set to the personal computer1is recorded as user information.

FIG. 7shows a scheme of processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode between a personal computer1-1and a personal computer1-2.

The personal computers1-1and1-2are configured identically to the personal computer1. The CPU of the personal computer1-1will be referred to as a CPU11-1, and the CPU of the personal computer1-2will be referred to as a CPU11-2. Other components will be similarly referred to.

The processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode, executed by the personal computers1-1and1-2, will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10.FIG. 8is a flowchart showing processing executed by the personal computer1-1, andFIG. 10is a flowchart showing processing executed by the personal computer1-2.

The personal computer1-1starts processing when a user performs an operation for requesting that local-network information required for the personal computer1-2to form a wireless link with the personal computer1-1be recorded in the IC card2.

In step S11, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-1of the personal computer1-1starts detection of the IC card2, and waits until the IC card2is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card2in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit19-1of the personal computer1-1, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-1detects the IC card2, and the processing proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-1records the local-network information required for the personal computer1-2to form a wireless link with the personal computer1-1in the IC card2.

FIG. 9shows an example of the local-network information recorded by the IC-card contactless communication unit19-1in the IC card2, written in XML. In the figure, “****” indicates ID information SSID, and “####” indicates a password Wep key.

Next, processing executed by the personal computer1-2will be described. The processing is started when the user performs an operation for requesting that configuration of the wireless communication unit20be set based on the local-network information recorded in the IC card2.

In step S21, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2of the personal computer1-2starts detection of the IC card2, and waits until the IC card2is detected.

At this time, when the user places the IC card2in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2of the personal computer1-2, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2detects the IC card2, and the processing proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2determines whether local-network information is recorded in the IC card2detected. If it is determined that local-network information is recorded in the IC card2, the processing proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2reads the local-network information recorded in the IC card2. The CPU11-2sets network configuration of the wireless communication unit20-2according to the local-network information read by the IC-card contactless communication unit19-2. Thus, a wireless LAN is formed between the personal computer1-1and the personal computer1-2in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode, executed by the personal computer1-1and the personal computer1-2. Obviously, it may be such that the processing described above as executed by the personal computer1-1is executed by the personal computer1-2and that the processing described above as executed by the personal computer1-2is executed by the personal computer1-1.

FIG. 11shows a scheme of a wireless LAN that is formed in ad-hoc mode by contactless communication between the personal computer1and a PDA41without using the IC card2. More specifically, when the PDA41is placed in proximity to the personal computer1, contactless communication is established, and local-network information is exchanged, whereby configuration for wireless communication is set.

FIG. 12shows an example configuration of the PDA41. The PDA41includes a CPU51. The CPU51is connected to an input/output interface55via a bus54. Furthermore, a ROM52and a RAM53are connected to the bus54.

The input/output interface15is connected to an operation input unit56for allowing a user to input operation commands, a display57for showing an operation screen, a storage unit58for storing programs and various data, a contactless communication unit59for exchanging local-network information, etc. in a contactless manner with the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1when it is placed in proximity, a wireless communication unit60for forming a wireless link and exchanging data with the wireless communication unit20of the personal computer1by a wireless communication function conforming to IEEE 802.11b, according to local-network information, etc. that is set by the CPU51, and to a drive61for reading data from and writing data to a recording medium62.

The CPU51controls each of the components according to programs that are stored in the ROM52or programs that are read from the recording medium62and stored in the storage unit58and then loaded from the storage unit58into the RAM53, thereby executing various processes.

Processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode by contactless communication without using the IC card2, executed by the personal computer1and the PDA41, will be described with reference toFIG. 13.

In step S31, the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1, under the control of the CPU11based on an operation performed by the user, enters a mode for sending local-network information by contactless communication.

Meanwhile, the contactless communication unit59of the PDA41, in step S41, under the control of the CPU51based on an operation performed by the user, enters a mode for receiving local-network information by contactless communication.

In step S32, the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1starts detection of the contactless communication unit59of the PDA41, and waits until the contactless communication unit59is detected and contactless communication is established.

At this time, when the user places the PDA41in proximity to the IC-card contactless communication unit19of the personal computer1, the contactless communication unit59of the PDA41is detected and wireless communication is established, and the processing proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, the IC-card contactless communication unit19sends local-network information required for forming a wireless link with the contactless communication unit59of the PDA41.

In step S42, the contactless communication unit59of the PDA41receives the local-network information sent by the IC-card contactless communication unit19. In step S43, the CPU51sets network configuration of the wireless communication unit60according to the local-network information received by the contactless communication unit59. Thus, a wireless LAN is formed between the personal computer1and the PDA41in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode by contactless communication without using the IC card2, executed by the personal computer1and the PDA41. Alternatively, it may be such that the processing described above as executed by the personal computer1is executed by the PDA41and that the processing described above as executed by the PDA41is executed by the personal computer1.

FIG. 14shows a scheme of a wireless LAN that is formed between the personal computer1and a PDA71in ad-hoc mode by infrared communication without using the IC card2. That is, local-network information is exchanged between the personal computer1and the PDA71using infrared rays, whereby configuration for wireless communications is set.

FIG. 15shows an example configuration of the PDA71. The PDA71, as compared with the PDA41shown inFIG. 12, includes an infrared communication unit81instead of the contactless communication unit59. The infrared communication unit81exchanges local-network information with the infrared communication unit26of the personal computer1by infrared communication.

The components of the PDA71other than the infrared communication unit81are denoted by the same numerals as the corresponding components of the PDA41, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Processing for forming a wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode by infrared communication without using the IC card2, executed by the personal computer1and the PDA71, will be described with reference toFIG. 16.

In step S51, the infrared communication unit26of the personal computer1, under the control of the CPU11based on an operation performed by the user, enters a mode for sending local-network information by infrared communication.

Meanwhile, the infrared communication unit81of the PDA71, in step S61, under the control of the CPU51based on an operation performed by the user, enters a mode for receiving local-network information by infrared communication.

In step S52, the infrared communication unit26of the personal computer1waits until communication with the infrared communication unit81of the PDA71is established.

At this time, when the user places the infrared communication unit81of the PDA71in proximity to and directs it toward the infrared communication unit26of the personal computer1, communication is established between the infrared communication unit26and the infrared communication unit81, and the processing proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the infrared communication unit26sends local-network information required for forming a wireless link with the infrared communication unit81of the PDA71.

In step S62, the infrared communication unit81of the PDA71receives the local-network information sent by the infrared communication unit26. In step S63, the CPU51sets network configuration of the wireless communication unit60according to the local-network information received by the infrared communication unit81. Thus, a wireless LAN is formed between the personal computer1and the PDA71in ad-hoc mode.

This concludes description of the processing for forming a wireless LAN by infrared communication without using the IC card2, executed by the personal computer1and the PDA71. Alternatively, it may be such that the processing described above as executed by the personal computer1is executed by the PDA71and that the processing described above as executed by the PDA71is executed by the personal computer1.

The present invention can be applied to, without limitation to personal computers and PDAs, any type of electronic apparatuses including, for example, cellular phones, digital video cameras, television receivers, video recorders, microwave ovens, and air conditioners.

Furthermore, although IEEE 802.11b is used as a wireless communication standard in the embodiment, other wireless communication standards including, for example, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, and Bluetooth may be used.

The series of processing steps described above may be executed either by hardware or by software. When the series of processing steps is executed by software, a program constituting the software are installed from a recording medium onto, for example, a computer embedded in special hardware, or a computer such as a general-purpose computer that allows various functions to be executed with various programs installed thereon.

The recording medium may be, for example, as shown inFIG. 2, a package medium such as the magnetic disc22to the semiconductor memory25having the program recorded thereon, distributed for providing the program to a user separately from the computer. Alternatively, the recording medium may be a ROM, a hard disc, or the like having the program recorded thereon, incorporated in advance in a computer and provided to a user.

In this specification, steps of the program recorded on the recording medium may include, as well as processes executed sequentially in the described order, processes executed in parallel or individually without limitation to processes executed sequentially.

In this specification, a system refers to the entirety of a plurality of apparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, setting for forming a wireless link can be automatically executed without requiring a user to perform a special setting operation.