Abstract:
A wireless communication device comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication; a connector that enables exchange of a signal with an information processing device; an acquisition unit that acquires setting information when an information processing device connected to the connector uses the wireless communication unit based on the setting information stored in the information processing device; a storing unit that stores the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a communication processing unit that performs communication processing by using the wireless communication unit based on the setting information stored by the storing unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese patent application no. 2006-238903 filed Sep. 4, 2006. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a computer readable medium storing a wireless communication program, a wireless communication system, an image formation device, and a computer readable medium storing a control program for an image formation device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, there have been increased opportunities to utilize wireless communication using radio waves or the like. For example, there have been proposed various devices communicable with a wireless access point operating as a base station, and these devices include personal computers, printers, scanners, and hard disk drives. 
     For wireless communication between a wireless access point and those devices as mentioned above, it is a general practice to use an encryption method using ESS-ID (Extended Service Set Identifier) or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key, or identification information including a password. Therefore, both the wireless access point and the wireless communication devices including equipment for communicating with the wireless access point are required to set therein such identification information as setting information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device comprising a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication; a connector that enables exchange of a signal with an information processing device; an acquisition unit that acquires setting information when an information processing device connected to the connector uses the wireless communication unit based on the setting information stored in the information processing device; a storing unit that stores the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a communication processing unit that performs communication processed by using the wireless communication unit based on the setting information stored by the storing unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram for explaining an outline of an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a printer  2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating functional configuration of the printer  2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating configuration when a USB is employed for a connector  12  and a connector  20 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram for explaining the flow of operations of the printer  2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram for explaining an outline of an exemplary embodiment 2; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a wireless communication device  4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating functional configuration of the wireless communication device  4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating functional configuration of the a printer  6 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of a distributor  63 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be made of a wireless communication device, a computer readable medium storing a wireless communication program, a wireless communication system, an image formation device, and a computer readable medium storing a control program for an image formation device, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     Exemplary Embodiment 1 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram for explaining an outline of an exemplary embodiment 1. Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to the exemplary embodiment 1, an information processing device  1  such as a personal computer is connected to a printer  2  to which the present invention is applied, so that the printer  2  is able to perform wireless communication with a wireless access point  3 . 
     Configuration of the printer  2  will now be described.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating configuration of the printer  2 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the printer  2  includes a connector  2   a , an arithmetic unit  2   b , a memory  2   c , a wireless unit  2   d , and a printer forming part  2   e.    
     The connector  2   a  is an interface connecting between the information processing device  1  and the printer  2 . The arithmetic unit  2   b  is for performing arithmetic processing, and is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory  2   c  is for storing information or the like, and is realized by a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or nonvolatile memory, or a magnetic disk. The wireless unit  2   d  is for performing wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  or the like, and includes an antenna, a transmission/reception circuit and so on. The printer forming part  2   e  includes typical components forming a printer. The printer  2  realizes the functions as described below by operating the arithmetic unit  2   b  in accordance with a program stored in the memory  2   c.    
     The program stored in the memory  2   c  can be provided by storing the same in various memories or storage media such as an optical disk, or by distributing the same through a communication line. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating functional configuration of the printer  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the printer  2  has a connector  20 , a switching unit  21 , a communication processing relay unit  22 , a switching unit  23 , a wireless communication unit  24 , an information acquisition unit  25 , a setting unit  26 , a setting information storing unit  27 , a communication processing unit  28 , and a printer forming part  29 . The information processing device  1  has a wireless setting unit  10 , a wireless communication processing unit  11 , and a connector  12 . 
     The connector  20  is an interface for connecting to the connector  12  of the information processing device  1 . The switching unit  21  is for switching the connection with the information processing device  1  via the connector  20  between the communication processing relay unit  22  and the printer forming part  29 . When the connection is switched to the communication processing relay unit  22 , the information processing device  1  is allowed to perform wireless communication. When switched to the printer forming part  29 , the information processing device  1  is allowed to use the printer. The switching unit  21  may be a mechanical switch or a switch operating on software. 
     When a USB (Universal Serial Bus) is employed for the connector  12  and the connector  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the information processing device  1  is provided with a USB control unit (host side)  12   a  and a USB port  12   b , while the printer  2  is provided with a USB port  20   a , a USB hub  20   b , a USB control unit (slave side)  20   c , and a USB control unit (slave side)  20   d . In this case, the information processing device  1  is allowed to use both the wireless communication and the printer without the need of the switching unit  21 . 
     The information processing device  1  is not necessarily be able to utilize the printer forming part  29 . Therefore, the switching unit  21  may be omitted, and the connector  20  may be directly connected to the communication processing relay unit  22 . The communication processing relay unit  22  is activated when the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  24 . The communication processing relay unit  22  causes the wireless communication unit  24  to operate based on setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1 , so that the information processing device  1  is allowed to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  by using the wireless communication unit  24 . The setting information output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1  is set by the wireless setting unit  10  and stored by the wireless communication processing unit  11 . 
     When the information processing device  1  performs wireless communication by using the wireless communication unit  24 , the information acquisition unit  25  acquires setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID used for the wireless communication. The setting unit  26  causes the setting information storing unit  27  to store the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit  25 . 
     The communication processing unit  28  operates when the printer forming part  29  uses the wireless communication unit  24 . The communication processing unit  28  causes the wireless communication unit  24  to operate based on the setting information stored by the setting information storing unit  27 , so that the printer forming part  29  is allowed to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  by using the wireless communication unit  24 . 
     The switching unit  23  switches the connection with the wireless communication unit  24  between the communication processing relay unit  22  and the communication processing unit  28 . This switching unit  23  may be a mechanical switch or a switch operating on software. The wireless communication unit  24  performs wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  with the use of setting information. When the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  24 , the wireless communication unit  24  utilizes setting information output by the wireless communication processing unit  11 . When the printer forming part  29  uses the wireless communication unit  24 , the wireless communication unit  24  utilizes setting information stored by the setting information storing unit  27 . 
     A description will be made of the flow of operations of the printer  2 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of the printer  2 . 
     When the printer  2  is enabled to use wireless communication, the user manipulates an operating unit (not shown of the printer  2  to switch the printer  2  to a state where the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  24  (step  101 ). This switching is performed by switching the connection of the switching unit  21  and the connection of the switching unit  23  to the communication processing relay unit  22 . However, when a USB or the like is used for the connector  20  to eliminate the need of switching thereof, only the switching unit  23  may be switched to the communication processing relay unit  22 . The wireless communication unit  24  thus operates as a wireless communication unit of the information processing device  1  (the device connected through the connector  20 ). 
     The user then connects the information processing device  1  to the printer  2  (step  102 ), and sets setting information (WEP key or ESS-ID) required for wireless communication through the information processing device  1  (step  103 ). This setting is performed by the wireless setting unit  10 . The wireless setting unit  10  is realized either by utilizing a function of an operating system operating on the information processing device  1  (for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) setting function), or by installing a driver for wireless communication in the information processing device  1  and using this driver. 
     Upon completion of the setting, the user performs wireless communication using the wireless communication unit  24  from the information processing device  1  (step  104 ). During the execution of the wireless communication, the wireless communication processing unit  11  outputs setting information, which has been set by the wireless setting unit  10 . 
     When the information processing device  1  performs wireless communication by using the wireless communication unit  24 , the information acquisition unit  25  of the printer  2  acquires setting information from the contents of the communication, and the setting unit  26  sets this setting information in the setting information storing unit  27  (step  105 ). 
     Thereafter, the user manipulates operating unit (not shown) of the printer  2  to switch the printer  2  to a state where the printer  2  uses the wireless communication unit  24  (step  106 ). This switching is performed by switching the connection of the switching unit  21  and the connection of the switching unit  23  to the printer forming part  29  and the communication processing unit  28 , respectively. However, when a USB or the like is used for the connector  20  to eliminate the need of switching thereof, only the switching unit  23  may be switched to the communication processing relay unit  28 . This causes the wireless communication unit  24  to operate as a wireless communication unit of the printer  2 . 
     When the printer  2  is switched to the state where the printer  2  uses the wireless communication unit  24 , the printer  2  is enabled to perform wireless communication using the wireless communication unit  24 . The wireless communication unit  24  utilizes setting information stored in the setting information storing unit  27  to perform wireless communication (step  107 ). 
     The description of the exemplary embodiment 1 above has been made of a case in which the present invention is applied to a printer. However, the present invention is also applicable to various other peripheral apparatuses such as a scanner and a disk drive as long as they can be used on a network to realize wireless communication. In this case, the printer forming part  2   e  shown in  FIG. 2  and the printer forming part  29  shown in  FIG. 3  are replaced with a functional part forming the peripheral apparatus, such as a scanner forming part or a disk drive forming part, while the other configuration remains the same. 
     Exemplary Embodiment 2 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram for explaining outline of an exemplary embodiment 2. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the exemplary embodiment 2, an information processing device  1  such as a personal computer, and an external device such as a printer  5  are connected to a wireless communication device  4  to which the present invention is applied, so that the external device such as the printer  5  is able to perform wireless communication with a wireless access point  3  via the wireless communication device  4 . 
     A description will be made of configuration of the wireless communication device  4 .  FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing configuration of the wireless communication device  4 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the wireless communication device  4  includes a connector  4   a , an arithmetic unit  4   b , a memory  4   c , and a wireless unit  4   d.    
     The connector  4   a  is an interface for connecting the wireless communication device  4  to the information processing device  1  and the external device such as the printer  5 . The arithmetic unit  4   b  is for performing arithmetic processing and is realized by a processor such as a CPU. The memory  4   c  is for storing information and the like, and is realized for example by a memory such as an ROM, RAM, or nonvolatile memory, or a magnetic disk. The wireless unit  4   d  is for performing wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  or the like, and includes an antenna, a transmission/reception circuit, and so on. The wireless communication device  4  realizes the functions as described below, by causing the arithmetic unit  4   b  to operate according to a program stored in the memory  4   c.    
     The program stored in the memory  4   c  may be provided by storing the same in various memories or storage media such as optical disks or the like, or by distributing the same via a communication line. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing functional configuration of the wireless communication device  4 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the wireless communication device  4  includes a connector  40 - 1 , a switching unit  41 , a connector  40 - 2 , a communication processing relay unit  42 , a switching unit  43 , a wireless communication unit  44 , an information acquisition unit  45 , a setting unit  46 , a setting information storing unit  47 , a communication processing unit  48 , and a connector  49 . The information processing device  1  has a wireless setting unit  10 , a wireless communication processing unit  11 , and a connector  12 . The printer  5  has a connector  50 , a connector  51 , and a printer forming part  52 . 
     The connector  40 - 1  is an interface for connecting to the connector  12  of the information processing device  1 . The switching unit  41  is for switching the connection with the information processing device  1  via the connector  40 - 1 , between the communication processing relay unit  42  and the connector  40 - 2 . When the connection is switched to the communication processing relay unit  42 , the information processing device  1  is allowed to perform wireless communication, whereas when the connection is switched to the connector  40 - 2 , the information processing device  1  is allowed to utilize the printer  5  connected to the connector  40 - 2  by the connector  50 . This switching unit  41  may be a mechanical switch, or may be a switch operating on software. 
     When a USB is employed for the connector  12 , the connector  40 - 1 , and the connector  40 - 2 , the information processing device  1  is allowed to use both wireless communication and the printer without the need of the switching unit  41 . 
     The information processing device  1  is not necessarily able to use an external device such as the printer  5 . Therefore, the connector  40 - 1  and the communication processing relay unit  42  may be connected directly to each other while omitting the switching unit  41 . 
     The communication processing relay unit  42  is activated when the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  44 . The communication processing relay unit  42  causes the wireless communication unit  44  to operate based on setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1 , so that the information processing device  1  is able to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  by using the wireless communication unit  44 . The setting information output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1  is set by the wireless setting unit  10  and stored by the wireless communication processing unit  11 . 
     When the information processing device performs wireless communication by using the wireless communication unit  44 , the information acquisition unit  45  acquires setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID utilized for the wireless communication. The setting unit  46  causes the setting information storing unit  47  to store the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit  45 . 
     The communication processing unit  48  operates when the external device such as the printer  5  connected to the connector  49  uses the wireless communication unit  44 . The communication processing unit  48  causes the wireless communication unit  44  to operate based on the setting information stored in the setting information storing unit  47 , so that the external device such as the printer  5  is able to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3  by using the wireless communication unit  44 . 
     The switching unit  43  switches the connection with the wireless communication unit  44  between the communication processing relay unit  42  and the communication processing unit  48 . This switching unit  43  may be a mechanical switch, or may be a switch operating on software. The wireless communication unit  44  uses the setting information to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3 . When the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  44 , the wireless communication unit  44  utilizes the setting information output by the wireless communication processing unit  11 , whereas when the external device such as the printer  5  uses the wireless communication unit  44 , the wireless communication unit  44  utilizes the setting information stored in the setting information storing unit  47 . 
     The connector  49  is an interface for connecting to the connector  51  of the printer  5 , and is for example an interface for LAN (Local Area Network). 
     A description will be made of the flow of operations of the wireless communication device  4 . Operation of the wireless communication device  4  is substantially the same as the operation of the printer  2  described in the exemplary embodiment 1. Therefore, the description will be made with reference to  FIG. 5 , while, however, the printer  2  in  FIG. 5  is replaced with the wireless communication device  4 . 
     In order to enable the printer  5  to perform wireless communication, the user manipulates an operating unit (not shown) of the wireless communication device  4  to switch the wireless communication device  4  to a state where the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  44  (step  101 ). This switching is performed by switching the connection of the switching unit  41  and the connection of the switching unit  43  to the communication processing relay unit  42 . However, when an USB or the like is used for the connector  40 - 1  to eliminate the need of the switching thereof, the switching unit  43  only is switched to the side of the communication processing relay unit  42 . Thus, the wireless communication unit  44  is caused to operate as a wireless communication unit of the information processing device  1  (the device connected via the connector  40 - 1 ). 
     The user then connects the information processing device  1  to the wireless communication device  4  (step  102 ), and sets setting information (a WEP key, ESS-FD or the like) required for wireless communication through the information processing device  1  (step  103 ). This setting is performed by the wireless setting unit  10 . The wireless setting unit  10  is realized by utilizing a function of the operating system operating on the information processing device  1  (for example, a wireless LAN setting function), or by installing a driver for wireless communication in the information processing device  1  and utilizing this driver. 
     Upon completion of the setting, the user performs wireless communication utilizing the wireless communication unit  44  through the information processing device  1  (step  104 ). When the wireless communication is performed, the wireless communication processing unit  11  outputs setting information, which has been set by the wireless setting unit  10 . 
     When the information processing device  1  performs wireless communication by using the wireless communication unit  44 , the information acquisition unit  45  of the wireless communication device  4  acquires setting information from the contents of the communication, and the setting unit  46  sets the acquired setting information in the setting information storing unit  47  (step  105 ). 
     The user then manipulates the operating unit (not shown) of the wireless communication device  4  to switch the wireless communication device  4  to a state in which the external device such as the printer  5  uses the wireless communication unit  44  (step  106 ). This switching is performed by switching the connection of the switching unit  41  and the connection of the switching unit  43  to the connector  40 - 2  and the communication processing unit  48 , respectively. However, when a USB or the like is used for the connector  40 - 1  to eliminate the need of the switching thereof, only the switching unit  43  is switched to the communication processing unit  48 . Thus, the wireless communication unit  44  is caused to operate as a wireless communication unit of the external device such as the printer  5 . 
     When the wireless communication device  4  is switched to a state where the external device such as the printer  5  uses the wireless communication unit  44 , the external device such as the printer  5  is enabled to perform wireless communication utilizing the wireless communication unit  44 , and the wireless communication unit  44  performs wireless communication by using the setting information stored in the setting information storing unit  47  (step  107 ). 
     The description of the exemplary embodiment 2 above has been made of a case in which a printer as an external device is connected to the wireless communication device to which the present invention is applied. However, wireless communication can also be realized by connecting any other external device such as a scanner or a disk drive to the wireless communication device to which the present invention is applied, as long as the device can be connected for use on a network. 
     Exemplary Embodiment 3 
     In the exemplary embodiment 1 and the exemplary embodiment 2, the switching unit  23  and the switching unit  43  are activated to switch the destination of wireless communication. An exemplary embodiment 3 described below relates to a case in which the switching of the destination of wireless communication is not necessary. The following description of the exemplary embodiment 3 will be made of a case in which the configuration of the exemplary embodiment 1 is partially modified. However, it is also possible to provide configuration eliminating the need of switching the destination of wireless communication, by partially modifying the configuration of the exemplary embodiment 2. 
     The following description of the exemplary embodiment 3 will be made of a case in which the printer  2  having configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  is replaced with a printer  6 . The configuration of the printer  6  is similar to that of the printer  2  shown in  FIG. 2 , but the printer  6  uses a different program to operate the arithmetic unit  2   b  from that of the printer  2 . This program can be provided by storing the same in various memories or storage media such as an optical disk, or by distributing the same through a communication line. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing functional configuration of the printer  6 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the printer  6  includes a connector  60 , a distributor  61 , a communication processing relay unit  62 , a distributor  63 , a wireless communication unit  64 , an information acquisition unit  65 , a setting unit  66 , a setting information storing unit  67 , a communication processing unit  68 , and a printer forming part  69 . 
     The connector  60  is an interface for connecting to the connector  12  of the information processing device  1 . The distributor  61  directs information received from the information processing device  1  connected via the connector  60 , either to the communication processing relay unit  62  or to the printer forming part  69 . This function can be realized for example by employing a USB port for the connector  60  and employing a USB hub for the distributor  61 . 
     The information processing device  1  is not necessarily able to utilize the printer forming part  69 . Therefore, the distributor  61  may be omitted, and the connector  60  may be directly connected to the communication processing relay unit  62 . 
     The communication processing relay unit  62  operates when the information processing device  1  uses the wireless communication unit  64 , and causes the wireless communication unit  64  to operate based on setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1 , so that the information processing device  1  is allowed to use the wireless communication unit  64  to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3 . The setting information output by the wireless communication processing unit  11  of the information processing device  1  is information that has been set by the wireless setting unit  10  and stored in the wireless communication processing unit  11 . 
     When the information processing device  1  performs wireless communication with the use of the wireless communication unit  64 , the information acquisition unit  65  acquires setting information such as a WEP key or ESS-ID utilized for the wireless communication. The setting unit  66  causes the setting information storing unit  67  to store the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit  65 . 
     The communication processing unit  68  operates when the printer forming part  69  uses the wireless communication unit  64 , and causes the wireless communication unit  64  to operate based on the setting information stored in the setting information storing unit  67 , so that the printer forming part  69  is allowed to utilize the wireless communication unit  64  to perform wireless communication with the wireless access point  3 . 
     The distributor  63  causes the wireless communication unit  64  to transmit information output from the communication processing relay unit  62  and the communication processing unit  68 , and also directs information received from the wireless communication unit  64  either to the communication processing relay unit  62  or to the communication processing unit  68 . 
     The printer  6  operates in the same manner as the printer  2  described in the exemplary embodiment 1 until the setting information is stored in the setting information storing unit  67 . Therefore, the description thereof is omitted, and the following description will be made of operation of the distributor  63  which characterizes the printer  6 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the distributor  63 . The distributor  63  monitors the content of communication (step  201 ). If the content of communication is transmitted data, that is, data output by the communication processing relay unit  62  or the communication processing unit  68 , the distributor  63  directs this data to the wireless communication unit  64  (step  202 ). 
     In contrast, if the content of communication is received data, that is, data output by the wireless communication unit  64 , the distributor  63  determines its destination based on header information or the like of the data. If the data is addressed to the printer  6  (YES in step  204 ), the distributor  63  directs the data to the communication processing unit  68  (step  205 ), whereas if the data is addressed to the information processing device  1  (NO in step  204 ), directs the data to the communication processing relay unit  62  (step  206 ). When the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit  64  utilizes TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), for example, this distributing of the received data can be performed by using a port number defined by TCP/IP. Thus, a relevant printer driver may be caused to operate so that the data addressed to the printer  6  utilizes the specific port number. 
     Although the description of the exemplary embodiment 3 has been made of a case in which the present invention is applied to a printer, wireless communication can be realized by applying the present invention to any other peripheral device such as a scanner or a disk drive, as long as the device can be connected for use on a network. In this case, the printer forming part  2   e  shown in  FIG. 2  and the printer forming part  69  shown in  FIG. 9  are replaced with a functional part forming the peripheral device such as a scanner forming part or a disk drive forming part, while the other configuration remains the same. 
     The forgoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various exemplary embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.