Wireless communication device and method for a non-contact connection and reception of setting data for a wireless connection, establishment and non-release of such wireless connection

(54) Title: DEVICE AND METHOD OF

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AND PROGRAM THAT MAKES A COMPUTER FUNCTION (30) Unionist Priority: 19/04/2007 jp 2007-111016 (73) Owner (s): Sony Corporation (72) Inventor (s): Mitsuhiko Ueda, Takashi Matsuo, Yosuke Tsuda (74) Attorney (s): Momsen, Leonardos & Cia (86) International Request: pct JP2008057151 deii / 04/2008 (87) International Publication: W0 2008 / i33038de06 / n / 2008 (57) Abstract: device and WIRELESS communication method, AND, PROGRAM THAT MAKES A COMPUTER FUNCTION. A radio communication device includes: a first communication unit that performs contactless communication with another radio communication device and receives predetermined adjustment data from the other radio communication device; a second communication unit that can make a radio connection with the other radio communication device; a control unit that makes a radio connection between the second communication unit and the other radio communication device using the adjustment data required for the radio connection and received by the first communication unit; and a data processing unit that stores the adjustment data on a storage medium before the radio connection is disconnected. The control unit uses the adjustment data stored in the storage medium when resuming the radio connection between the second communication unit and the radio communication device.

<img file="BRPI0805823A2_D0001.tif" />

I Energi

<img file="BRPI0805823A2_D0002.tif" />

ΡΙ0805823-7 “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD, AND, PROGRAM THAT MAKES A COMPUTER FUNCTION”

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method and program.

Foundation Technique

Recently, a contactless communication method has been proposed that uses a terminal that is equipped with a contactless integrated circuit (IC) chip and a reader / writer that performs reading and writing data from and to the contactless IC chip equipped in the terminal. According to such a method of contactless communication, bringing the terminal that is equipped with the contactless IC chip and the reader / writer in close proximity to each other, data communication between the devices is enabled.

In addition, wireless communication technologies such as wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like have also become widespread. According to such wireless communication technologies, information can be transmitted and received between a plurality of wireless communication devices without connecting the plurality of communication devices over wires.

On the other hand, to establish a wireless connection between each of the plurality of wireless communication devices, it is necessary to enter adjustment data such as the address of a wireless network, address information of the wireless communication device of a counterparty. communication, and similar to each of the devices of r

wireless communication. It is cumbersome for a user to manually perform adjustment data entry as such, and thus, a technology to simplify an adjustment data entry operation is being proposed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an information processing method of sharing necessary adjustment data for a wireless connection between a mobile phone and a personal computer (PC) using contactless communication between the mobile phone and the computer is exposed and establishing the wireless connection between the mobile phone and the personal computer based on the adjustment data shared by contactless communication.

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2002-204239 Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, with the conventional information processing method, when a user wants a wireless reconnection between wireless communication devices after the wireless connection between wireless communication devices is released due to, for example, waiting time , the user needed to perform contactless communication between the respective wireless communication devices by running again, an operation in the vicinity of bringing respective wireless communication devices in close proximity to each other, and sharing the adjustment data between the respective wireless communication devices. That is, with the conventional information processing method, a user is forced to perform the operation in proximity whenever the wireless reconnection is to be re-established between the respective wireless communication devices, and thus, there is a problem that the user convenience is poor.

Thus, the present invention has been achieved in view of the problem described above, and the aim of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method and a program that are new and improved , and able to easily establish a wireless reconnection between wireless communication devices.

Means to Solve Problems

To solve the problem described above, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system including a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device is provided. More particularly, the first wireless communication device includes a non-contact communication section that transmits necessary adjustment data for a wireless connection between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device to the second communication device wirelessly by a contactless communication method. In addition, the second wireless communication device includes a first communication section that receives the adjustment data transmitted from the first wireless communication device by the contactless communication method, a second communication section that is capable of establishing a wireless connection. with the first wireless communication device, a control section that establishes the wireless connection between the second communication section and the first wireless communication device using the adjustment data received by the first communication section, and a data processing section that stores the adjustment data in a storage medium before and the wireless connection is released, where the control section uses the adjustment data stored in the storage medium when establishing a wireless reconnection between the second communication section and the first wireless communication device.

In addition, to solve the problem described above, according to another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device is provided including a first communication section that performs contactless communication with another wireless communication device and that receives adjustment data predetermined values ​​of the other wireless communication device, a second communication section that is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless communication device, a control section that establishes the wireless connection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device using the adjustment data, necessary for the wireless connection, received by the first communication section, and a data processing section data that stores the adjustment data on a storage medium before and the wireless connection is released, where the control section uses the adjustment data stored in the storage medium when establishing a wireless reconnection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device.

With such a configuration, the data processing section stores the necessary adjustment data in the storage medium for the wireless connection between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device, and when the need arises for a reconnection after the wireless connection between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device is released, the control section reconnects the wireless connection between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device using the adjustment data stored on the storage medium. Therefore, according to the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device can be reconnected automatically without the user of the wireless communication device being required to perform operations such as the input operation. adjustment data and operation in proximity of the wireless communication device to the other wireless communication device.

The wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device can have group information enabling the identification of a group to which each belongs, and the data processing section can make storage period for the adjustment data in the middle variable storage depending on whether the group information from the wireless communication device and the group information from the other wireless communication device match or not. Here, the storage period for the adjustment data on the storage medium corresponds to a period during which the wireless reconnection can be established between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device using the adjustment data. Therefore, with such a configuration, the period during which the wireless reconnection can be established between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device using the setting data can be made variable depending on whether group information of the wireless communication device and the group information of the other wireless communication device match or not.

The data processing section can make the storage period for the adjustment data on the longest storage medium for a case where the group information of the wireless communication device and the group information of the other wireless communication device correspond. each other than for a case where the group information of the wireless communication device and group information of each other communication device differ from each other. With such a configuration, when the group information of the wireless communication device and the group information of the other wireless communication device correspond to each other than the period during which the wireless reconnection can be established between the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device using the setting data can be made longer than when the group information of the wireless communication device and the group information of the other device communication differ.

In addition, the wireless communication device furthermore includes a power input section to which power is input from outside, and a communication release section that releases the wireless connection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device. wire, where the communication release section does not necessarily have to release the wireless connection while power is being provided by the power input section. With such a configuration, the communication release section releases the wireless connection from the point of view of reducing the energy consumed during the wireless connection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device and effectively using the battery. Therefore, while power is input from the outside via the power input section, there is little need to give thought to the actual use of the battery, and so the communication release section does not release the wireless connection and the process for reconnecting without wire can be eliminated.

In addition, to solve the problem described above, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided making a computer act as a wireless communication device including a first communication section that performs contactless communication with another communication device without wire and receives predetermined adjustment data from the other wireless communication device, a second communication section that is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless communication device, a control section that establishes the wireless connection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device using the data settings required for the wireless connection received by the first communication section, and a data processing section that stores the adjustment data on a storage medium before and the wireless connection is released, where the control section uses the adjustment data stored on the storage medium when establishing a reconnection between the second communication section and the other wireless communication device.

Such a program can, for example, make a computer hardware resource that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM or the like perform the functions of the control section, the data processing section and the like as described above. That is, it is possible to make a computer that uses the program to function as the wireless communication device described above.

In addition, to solve the problem described above, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method is provided including the steps of performing contactless communication with another wireless communication device and receiving predetermined adjustment data from the other device. wireless communication, establish a wireless connection with the other wireless communication device using the setting data, store the adjustment data on a storage medium before the wireless connection is released, release the wireless connection, and establish a wireless reconnection with the other wireless communication device using the adjustment data stored on the storage medium.

[Effect of the Invention]

As explained above, according to the wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method and program according to the present invention, it is possible to easily establish a wireless reconnection between communication devices wireless.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure IA is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a function block diagram showing basic configurations of a personal computer and a portable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by a wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a portable device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a function block diagram showing configurations of a personal computer and the portable device according to the present embodiment.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of adjustment data.

Figure 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device in accordance with the present embodiment.

Figure 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device in accordance with the present embodiment.

Figure 7C is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device in accordance with the present embodiment.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a flow of a wireless communication method being performed by the portable device according to the present embodiment.

Figure 9 is a function block diagram showing configurations of a personal computer and a portable device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data to be stored in a storage section.

Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a storage period for adjustment data in the storage section.

Figure 12 is a flow chart showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by a portable device in accordance with the present embodiment.

Numeral Explanations

- wireless base station

- portable device

116, 216 - contactless communication section

120, 220 - wireless communication section

124, 224 - simple adjustment processing section

132, 232 - timeout control section

140 240 - application

150, 160, 250, 260 - storage section [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Incidentally, in the present specification and drawings, as for configuration elements having substantially the same functional configuration, the same numeral is used and the repeated explanation will be omitted.

Furthermore, the best way to carry out the invention will be explained in the order shown below.

(1) Overview of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment (1-1) Basic configuration of a wireless communication device according to the present embodiment (1-2) Operation of the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment (2) Explanation of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention (2-1) Purpose of the present embodiment (2-2) Hardware configuration of the wireless communication according to the present embodiment (2-3) Functional configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment (2-4) Wireless communication method to be performed by the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment (3) Explanation of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention (3-1) Purpose of the present embodiment (3-2) Functional configuration of the device wireless communication method according to the present embodiment (3-3) Wireless communication method to be performed by the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment (4) Conclusion (1) Overview of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment

First, an overview of a wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1. According to wireless communication system 1, a wireless connection can be easily established between a plurality of wireless communication devices.

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication system 1 includes a personal computer (PC) 10, a wireless base station 12 and a portable device 20.

The personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 are 5 wireless communication devices that implement a contactless communication function and a wireless communication function. As the wireless communication function, there is a wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth (trademark), and the like. Furthermore, Figure 1A shows a situation where the personal computer 10 is connected to the base station 12 of the wireless LAN.

At this time, when the handheld device 20 is brought close to the personal computer 10, the handheld device 20 and the personal computer 10 perform contactless communication. Then, based on contactless communication, the portable device 20 obtains the necessary adjustment data from the personal computer 10 for a wireless connection with the personal computer 10.

Then, as shown in Figure 1B, based on the adjustment data obtained from the personal computer 10, the portable device 20 can wirelessly connect to the personal computer 10 via the base station 12.

That is, in the wireless communication system 1, it is possible to save the user of the portable device 20 from the difficulty of manually entering adjustment data to the portable device 20.

Note that the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 are shown in Figure 1 only as examples of the wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device can be an information processing device such as a home video processing device. (a DVD recorder, a VCR recorder, or similar), a mobile phone, a Personal Handyphone System (PHS), a portable music player, a portable image processing device, personal digital assistant (PDA), a video game device, a portable game device, an appliance, or the like.

Furthermore, in Figure 1, a case is shown where the wireless connection is established between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 by the base station 12. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such an example, and the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 can be connected directly in an ad hoc manner, for example.

In addition, in the previous one, a case was explained where the portable device 20 is brought close to the personal computer 10, and the portable device 20 obtains the adjustment data. However, by bringing the portable device 20 close to the personal computer 10, the personal computer 10 can also obtain the adjustment data and use it for wireless connection with the portable device 20.

(1-1) Basic configuration of a wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

In the following, the basic configurations of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 will be explained as examples of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a function block diagram showing the basic configurations of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. Personal computer 10 includes a contactless communication section 116, a wireless communication section 120, a simple adjustment processing section 124, a timeout control section 132 and an application 140. In addition, handheld device 20 includes a contactless communication section 216, a wireless communication section 220, a simple adjustment processing section 224, a timeout control section 232 and an application 240.

The contactless communication section 116 is a contactless communication interface with the handheld device 20, and may, in some cases, have the function of a reader / writer that communicates with the handheld device 20 the setting data as well as unique data indicating the communication function of the personal computer 10 or the portable device 20. For example, the contactless communication section 116 can transmit radio waves that reach a short distance of approximately 10 cm, excite the contactless communication section 216 of the portable device 20 that is within the radio transmission range, and communicate with the contactless communication section 216 of the handheld 20. Such contactless communication section 116 may in fact include an antenna and a control section that controls communication using the antenna.

The wireless communication section 120 is an interface for wireless communication with the portable device 20. That is, the wireless communication section 120 can, after a wireless connection with the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device. 20 is established based on the operation of the simple tuning processing section 124, transmitting and receiving arbitrary data to and from the portable device 20. Such a wireless communication section 120 may be compatible with a wireless LAN or may be compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, wireless communication section 120 may include an antenna, an IC chip, and software that controls the IC chip to transmit and receive arbitrary data to and from the antenna.

The simple adjustment processing section 124 performs processing to establish a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 and the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20. For example, in a case where the section wireless communication device 120 is connected to a base station for wireless communication, the wireless. contactless communication 116 is made to transmit adjustment data including the base station ID, a network ID, or the like. Or, a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 120 and the wireless communication section 220 of the handheld device 20 is established based on the adjustment data received by the non-contact communication section 116.

The timeout control section 132 has a function of a communication release section, which releases the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 120 and the wireless communication section 220 of the handheld 20. Since power is required to maintain the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20, if the wireless connection is maintained between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 even when the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 are not actually performing data communication, it can result in excessive power consumption. Thus, when data communication is not actually being performed between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 for a predetermined period of time, for example, an hour, thirty minutes, or similar, the timeout control section 132 releases the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20, and can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption.

Application 140 is software to achieve a specific purpose. For example, application 140 can be a data editing application, a data communication application, or a program execution application.

The contactless communication section 216 is a contactless communication interface with the personal computer 10, and has the function of a first communication section that communicates with the personal computer 10 the setting data and also unique data indicating the communication function. personal computer 10 or portable device 20. For example, the contactless communication section 216 can be excited by the radio waves transmitted from the contactless communication section 116 of the personal computer 10, and can communicate with the contactless communication section 116 of the personal computer 10. Such a communication section. Contactless communication 216 may in fact include an antenna, an IC chip, and software that controls the IC chip to transmit and receive arbitrary data to and from the antenna.

The wireless communication section 220 is an interface for wireless communication with the personal computer 10, and has the function of a second communication section. That is, the wireless communication section 220 can, after a wireless connection to the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 is established based on the operation of the simple adjustment processing section 224, transmit and receive arbitrary data to and personal computer 10. Such wireless communication section 220 may be compatible with a wireless LAN or may be compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, wireless communication section 220 may include an antenna, an IC chip, and software that controls the IC chip to transmit and receive arbitrary data to and from the antenna.

Simple fit processing section 224 performs processing to establish a wireless connection between wireless communication section 120 of personal computer 10 and wireless communication section 220 of handheld device 20. For example, in a case where the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 is connected to a base station for wireless communication, adjustment data including the base station ID, a network ID or the like is received by the section contactless communication 216, and a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 and the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 is established based on the setting data.

The timeout control section 232 has a function of a communication release section, which releases the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 and the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 . As described above, since power is required to maintain the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20, if the wireless connection is maintained between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 even when the personal computer 10 and handheld device 20 are not actually performing data communication, it may result in excessive power consumption. Thus, the timeout control section 232 can, for example, count the time that has elapsed after the current data communication is performed between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20, and, when the count reaches a predetermined value, can release the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20. As a result, the timeout control section 232 can contribute to reducing energy consumption.

The 240 application is software to achieve a specific purpose. For example, application 240 can be a data editing application, a data communication application, or a program execution application. Data communication between application 240 and application 140 of personal computer 10 is performed, for example, by wireless communication section 120 and wireless communication section 220.

(1-2) Operation of the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment

In the following, a flow until a wireless connection is established in the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the wireless communication system 1 in accordance with the present embodiment. First, when the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 establishes a wireless connection to the base station 12 (S304), adjustment data is produced to the non-contact communication section 116 by the simple adjustment processing section 124 (S308 ). Then, when the handheld device 20 is brought close to the personal computer 10 (S312), the contactless communication section 116 of the personal computer 10 transmits the setting data to the contactless communication section 216 of the handheld device 20 (S316) .

The simple adjustment processing section 224 then produces the adjustment data received by the non-contact communication section 216 of the handheld device 20 for the wireless communication section 220 (S320), and performs a wireless connection processing using the adjustment data between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 (S324). Note that wireless connection processing includes, for example, mutual authentication processing between handheld device 20 and personal computer 10.

Next, when the wireless connection is established between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20, arbitrary data is transmitted and received between the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 and the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device. 20 (S328, S332).

As such, the wireless communication system 1 is effective since the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 can be made without the user of the personal computer 10 or the portable device 20 being forced to perform a scanning operation. adjustment data entry.

(2) Explanation of a wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

In the following, the purposes, particular configurations and the like of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 as examples of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment will be explained in detail.

(2-1) Purpose of the present embodiment

As described above, the user of the portable device 20 can establish a wireless connection between the portable device 20 and a counterparty communication device by bringing the portable device 20 and the counterparty communication device in close proximity to each other. That is, the user of the portable device 20 can make the wireless connection between the portable device 20 and the counterparty communication device without performing an adjustment data entry operation.

However, the wireless connection between the portable device 20 and the counterparty communication device can be released due to several reasons. For example, the timeout control section 232 releases the wireless connection when the handheld device 20 and the counterparty communication device do not perform current communication for a predetermined time. Or, the user of handheld device 20 may intentionally release the wireless connection. When the need arises to establish a wireless reconnection after the wireless connection is released in such a manner, the user of the handheld device 20 needs to bring the handheld device 20 close to the counterparty communication device (operation in proximity). When such proximity operation is forced on the user for every wireless reconnection, there is a problem that is uncomfortable for the user.

Therefore, the portable device 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention has been created focusing on the circumstance as described above. According to the portable device 20 according to the present embodiment, a wireless reconnection between the portable device 20 and the counterparty communication device can be easily established. In the following, the configuration and operation of such a portable device 20 will be explained in detail.

(2-2) Hardware configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. The portable device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read-only memory (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a host bus 204, a bridge 205, an external bus 206, an interface 207, an input device 208, an output device 210, a storage device (HDD) 211, a drive unit 212 and a communication device 215.

CPU 201 functions as a computing processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the portable device 20 according to various programs. In addition, CPU 201 may be a microprocessor. ROM 202 stores programs, computation parameters and the like to be used by CPU 201. RAM 203 temporarily stores programs to be used by CPU 201 in its execution, parameters that change as appropriate in the execution of programs, and the like. These are interconnected by host bus 204 configured by a CPU bus or similar.

Host bus 204 is connected to external bus 206, such as a peripheral component interface (PCI) bus or similar, via bridge 205. Note that it is not absolutely necessary to configure host bus 204, bridge 205 and the external bus 206 separately, and its functions can be implemented on a single bus.

Input device 208 is configured by means of input for the user to enter information, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, microphone, key, lever, or similar, for example, a circuit input control that creates an input signal based on input by the user and produces the signal for CPU 201, and the like. The user of the handheld device 20 can input various data to the handheld device 20 and instruct processing operations to the handheld device 20 operating the input device 208.

Output device 210 is configured by a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a lamp, or the like, and an output device audio such as a speaker, a headset, or the like. Output device 210 produces reproduced content, for example. Specifically, the display device displays various information such as reproduced video data and the like as text and images. On the other hand, the audio output device converts the reproduced and similar audio data into sound and produces the same.

The storage device 211 is a device for storing data, which is configured as an example of the storage section of the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment, and can include a storage medium, a recording device storing data in the medium. a storage device, a reading device reading data from the storage medium, a erasing device erasing data stored on the storage medium, and the like. The storage device 211 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), for example. The storage device 211 drives a hard disk and stores programs to be executed by the CPU 201 and various data. In addition, the adjustment data, unique data and the like are stored in the storage device 211.

The drive unit 212 is a reader / writer for a storage medium, and is built into the portable device 20 or is mounted externally on the portable device 20. The drive unit 212 reads information stored in a connected removable storage medium 24 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or similar, and produces the same for RAM 203.

Communication device 215 is a communication interface that is configured by a communication device or the like to connect to a communication network 12, for example. In addition, the communication device 215 may be a communication device compatible with wireless local area network (LAN), a wireless communication device compatible with USB, a wired communication device that performs communication over wires, a compatible device with contactless communication, or a combination of a plurality of the communication devices described above. Communication device 215 transmits and receives arbitrary data to and from base station 12 or other wireless communication devices. Note that the hardware configuration of the personal computer 10 can be configured to be substantially the same as for the portable device 20, and the explanation will be omitted.

(2-3) Functional configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

Figure 5 is a function block diagram showing configurations of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 as examples of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment. Personal computer 10 includes contactless communication section 116, wireless communication section 120, simple adjustment processing section 124, timeout control section 132, application 140, storage section 150 and a power input section 134, and the handheld 20 includes the contactless communication section 216, the wireless communication section 220, the simple adjustment processing section 224, the timeout control section 232, the application 240, the storage section 250 and a power input section 254. Many parts of the configurations of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 are duplicated from subjects explained with reference to Figure 2, and thus parts that differ from the subjects explained with reference to Figure 2 will be explained mainly.

The simple adjustment processing section 224 of the portable device 20 has a function of a control section that establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 and the personal computer 10 based on adjustment data obtained from the personal computer 10 by contactless communication section 216, and a function of a data processing section that stores the adjustment data obtained from the personal computer 10 by the contactless communication section 216 in the storage section 250.

That is, the simple adjustment processing section 224 stores the adjustment data obtained from the personal computer 10 by the contactless communication section 216 in the storage section 250 before the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 and the computer personnel 10 is released by the timeout control section 232, for example. Then, when the need arises for the wireless reconnection between the wireless communication section 220 and the personal computer 10, the wireless reconnection between the wireless communication section 220 and the personal computer 10 is established based on the stored adjustment data in storage section 250. Note that the need for wireless reconnection arises when, for example, there is a 240 application order.

The storage section 250 functions as a storage medium that contains the adjustment data stored by the simple adjustment processing section 224. The storage section 250 can be, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an electronically programmable and erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable and erasable read-only memory (EPROM) or similar, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, a circular magnetic disk or similar, an optical disk such as a recordable compact disc (CD-R), a rewritable compact disc (CD-RW), a versatile digital recordable disc (DVDR), a versatile digital rewritable disc (DVD-RW), a versatile digital dual layer recordable disc (DVD + R), a versatile digital dual layer rewritable disc (DVD + RW), a random disk access memory digital versatile (DVD-RAM), a recordable Blu-ray ™ disc (BD-R), a re-recordable Blu-ray ™ disc (BD-RE) or similar, a magneto-optical disc (MO), or similar.

The adjustment data is, as described above, data necessary for the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20. Next, a concrete example of such adjustment data will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the adjustment data. As shown in Figure 6, the setup data includes information needed for the wireless connection, such as a connection technology for wireless communication, a connection type, a Fixed Service Identifier (SSID), an authentication type, a encryption key, and the like.

In addition, in Figure 6, adjustment data is shown where the connection technology is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), the connection type is Infrastructure Mode, the SSID is SSID1, the type of authentication is WPA (Protected Access from Wi-Fi), and the encryption key is *********.

Note that, in Figure 6, a case is shown where the connection technology is Wi-Fi. However, the connection technology can be Bluetooth (registered trademark), and in the case that and the connection technology is Bluetooth (registered trademark) , information from a Bluetooth address (registered trademark) can be included, instead of the SSID, in the setting data. In addition, when the connection type is ad hoc mode, a network address or similar can be included in the adjustment data.

Here, returning to the explanation of the configuration of the handheld device 20 with reference to Figure 5, the power input section 254 has a role of receiving power input from the outside and providing power to each handheld device configuration 20. When power is input to the portable device 20 from outside the power input section 254, it is possible for the timeout control section 232 not to release the wireless connection between the portable device 20 and the personal computer 10. With such a configuration, the timeout control section 232 frees the wireless connection from the point of view of reducing the energy consumed during the wireless connection between the handheld device 20 and the personal computer 10 and effectively using the battery (not shown). Therefore, while power is being input from outside the power input section 254, there is little need to think about effective battery usage, and so the 232 timeout control section does not release the wireless connection and the process for wireless reconnection can be eliminated.

So far, the configuration of the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment has been explained. Each configuration of the storage section 150 and the power input section 134 of the personal computer 10 can be made to be substantially the same with each configuration of the storage section 250 and the power input section 254 of the portable device 20, and so, the explanation is omitted.

(2-4) Wireless communication method to be performed by the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

In the following, a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device 20 as an example of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. First, as shown in Figure 7A, the non-contact communication section 216 of the handheld 20 obtains adjustment data from the non-contact communication section 116 of the personal computer 10, a wireless connection is established between the wireless communication section 220 of the handheld device 20 and wireless communication section 120 of personal computer 10 based on the adjustment data, and the adjustment data is stored in storage section 250. As such, in the state shown in Figure 7A, since the wireless connection is established between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10, arbitrary data can be transmitted and received between application 240 on portable device 20 and application 140 on personal computer 10.

When, for example, current communication is not performed for a predetermined period of time in a state where the wireless connection is established between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 , the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 is released as shown in Figure 7B. However, the adjustment data is contained in storage section 250.

Here, it is assumed that wireless communication via wireless communication section 220 is required in a state where the wireless connection between wireless communication section 220 of portable device 20 and wireless communication section 120 of personal computer 10 is released and the adjustment data is stored in storage section 250. In this case, for example, wireless communication section 220 receives transmission data from application 240, and executes a wireless request for simple adjustment processing section 224. Then, the simple adjustment processing section 224 reads the adjustment data from the storage section 250, and establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer. 10 based on the adjustment data that is read.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a flow of a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. First, the portable device 20 obtains adjustment data by contactless communication with the personal computer 10 (S404). Next, the simple adjustment processing section 224 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer based on the adjustment data (S408). In addition, simple adjustment processing section 224 stores adjustment data in storage section 250 (S412).

Then, the timeout control section 232 judges if a current data communication is not performed between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 for a period of time predetermined (S416). When a current data communication is not performed between the wireless communication section 220 of the handheld device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 for a predetermined period of time, the timeout control section 232 releases the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 (S420).

Then, when the need arises for a wireless reconnection due to, for example, a data transmission request from application 240 (S424), the simple tuning processing section 224 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication section wire 220 of portable device 20 and wireless communication section 120 of personal computer 10 based on the adjustment data stored in storage section 250 (S428).

As described above, with the portable device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the simple adjustment processing section 224 stores in the storage section 250 adjustment data necessary for a wireless connection between the portable device 20 and the computer personal 10, and when the need arises for a reconnection after the wireless connection between the portable device 20 and the personal computer 10 is released, reconnects the wireless connection between the handheld 20 and the personal computer 10 using the adjustment data stored in storage section 250. Therefore, according to the handheld device 20, the handheld device 20 and the personal computer 10 can be reconnected automatically without the user of the handheld device 20 being required to perform operations such as an adjustment data entry operation and the operation in proximity from portable device 20 to personal computer 10.

(3) Explanation of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention

In the following, the purpose of a particular and similar configuration of the portable device 20 as an example of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment will be explained in detail.

(3-1) Purpose of the present embodiment

As described above, with handheld device 20 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to easily reconnect a wireless connection based on adjustment data stored in storage section 250 without requiring the user of handheld device 20 to perform any special operations. On the other hand, with the portable device 20 according to the first embodiment, the period for storing the adjustment data in the storage section 250 is not particularly specified.

As a result, the portable device 20 according to the first embodiment can automatically establish a wireless reconnection between the portable device 20 and the personal computer 10 regardless of whether the personal computer 10 is a counterpart communication device of the portable device 20, it is a user possession of the portable device 20 or not.

However, if the owner of the portable device 20 and the owner of the personal computer 10 are different, there is a problem that the owner of the portable device 20 can perform the wireless reconnection between the portable device 20 and the personal computer 10 without an approval from the owner personal computer 10. That is, there are cases for the portable device 20 according to the first embodiment, where the security protection of each wireless communication device and the privacy of the user of each wireless communication device are insufficient.

Therefore, the portable device 20 according to a second embodiment has been created focusing on the circumstance as described above. According to the portable device 20 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the security protection of the portable device's counterparty communication device 20 and the privacy of the counterparty communication device can be increased. Next, the portable device 20 according to the present embodiment as such will be explained in detail.

(3-2) Functional configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

Figure 9 is a function block diagram showing configurations of the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. Personal computer 10 includes contactless communication section 116, wireless communication section 120, simple adjustment processing section 124, timeout control section 132, application 140 and a storage section 160, and the handheld device 20 includes the contactless communication section 216, the wireless communication section 220, the simple adjustment processing section 224, the timeout control section 232, application 240 and a storage section 260. Many parts of the personal computer 10 and portable device 20 configurations are duplicates of subjects explained with reference to Figure 2, and thus parts that differ from the subjects explained with reference to Figure 2 will be explained mainly.

Each of the wireless communication devices, such as the personal computer 10, the portable device 20, and the like according to the present embodiment has a group ID as an example of group information indicating the group to which the device itself belongs . As for such a group ID, the same group ID is set for the wireless communication devices of the same owner.

The simple adjustment processing section 224 obtains the group ID of the personal computer 10, which is the counterpart communication device of the personal computer 10 by the contactless communication section 216 or by the wireless communication section 220, and stores the same in storage section 260. Such a group ID is stored in storage section 260 in association with the adjustment data as shown in Figure 10, for example.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data to be stored in storage section 260. As shown in Figure 10, the simple adjustment processing section 224 stores in the storage section 260, in association with each other a counterparty communication device ID named only to the counterparty communication device, adjustment data for the communication device counterparty, the group ID of the counterparty communication device, and the time of storage of the adjustment data, for example.

In addition, the simple adjustment processing section 224 makes the storage period for the adjustment data in the storage section 260 variable as shown in Figure 11, for example, depending on whether the group ID of the counterparty communication device and the Group ID of the portable device 20 correspond to one another or not.

Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the storage period for the adjustment data in storage section 260. As shown in Figure 11, the simple adjustment processing section 224 can make the storage period for the adjustment data for a counterparty communication device whose group ID is the same as the portable device 20 a month, and the period of storage for the adjustment data for a counterparty communication device whose group ID is different from the portable device 20 an hour, for example. That is, the simple adjustment processing section 224 can delete the adjustment data for the counterparty communication device whose group ID is the same as the portable device 20 from the storage section 260 when a month elapsed from the storage time and the adjustment data for the counterparty communication device whose group ID is different from the portable device 20 when one hour has elapsed from the storage time.

Here, there is a case where the same owner owns the devices having the same group ID. In addition, the storage period for the adjustment data in storage section 260 corresponds to the period during which the wireless reconnection can be established between the portable device 20 and the counterparty communication device using the adjustment data. Therefore, as described above, the period during which the wireless reconnection can be established with the counterparty communication device whose group ID is the same as the portable device 20 using the adjustment data can be made longer than the period during which the wireless reconnection can be established with the counterparty communication device whose group ID is different from the portable device 20 using the adjustment data. As a result, wireless reconnection to the counterparty communication device whose group ID is different from the handheld device 20 based on the adjustment data is restricted, and thus, the security protection of the counterparty communication device, user user privacy. counterparty, and similar communication device can be increased. Note that the simple adjustment processing section 224 may also prohibit wireless connection to a counterparty communication device with a different group ID.

Furthermore, in the previous one, a case was explained where the storage time of adjustment data is stored in storage section 260 in association with the adjustment data and control is performed on whether the adjustment data is to be contained or not based on the elapsed time since storing time since. However, it is also possible to store the release time of the wireless connection release in storage section 260 in association with the adjustment data and perform control over whether the adjustment data is to be contained or not based on the time elapsed since the time release. Furthermore, the storage section 160 of the personal computer 10 can be configured to be substantially the same as the storage section 260 of the portable device 20, and thus, a detailed explanation is omitted.

(3-3) Wireless communication method to be performed by the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment

In the following, a wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device 20 as an example of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 12.

Figure 12 is a flow chart showing a flow of the wireless communication method to be performed by the portable device 20 in accordance with the present embodiment. First, the portable device 20 obtains adjustment data by contactless communication with the personal computer 10 (S504). Next, the simple adjustment processing section 224 establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 based on the adjustment data (S508). In addition, simple adjustment processing section 224 stores adjustment data in storage section 260 (S512).

Then, the timeout control section 232 judges if a current data communication is not performed between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 for a period of time predetermined (S516). When a current data communication is not performed between the wireless communication section 220 of the handheld device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 for a predetermined period of time, the timeout control section 232 releases the wireless connection between the wireless communication section 220 of the portable device 20 and the wireless communication section 120 of the personal computer 10 (S520).

Next, the simple adjustment processing section 224 judges whether the storage period for the adjustment data in storage section 260 has elapsed or not (S524). When it is judged that the storage period for the adjustment data in storage section 260 has not elapsed and, for example, there is an instruction for data communication via wireless communication from application 240 (S528), the adjustment processing section Simple 224 establishes a wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 based on the adjustment data stored in the storage section 260 (S532).

Furthermore, when it is judged that the storage period for the adjustment data in storage section 260 has not elapsed and, for example, there is no instruction for data communication via wireless communication from application 240 (S528), it resumes processing of S524. Furthermore, when it is judged in S524 that the storage period for the adjustment data in the storage section 260 has elapsed, the simple adjustment processing section 224 deletes the corresponding adjustment data stored in the storage section 260 (S536).

(4) Conclusion

As described above, as the handheld device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention obtains adjustment data via contactless communication, the handheld device 20 and the personal computer 10 can be reconnected automatically without the user of the handheld device 20 being required of operations such as the adjustment data entry operation and the operation in proximity of the portable device 20 to the personal computer 10.

In addition, the portable device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention makes the storage period for the adjustment data in the storage section 260 variable depending on the relationship between the group ID of the counterparty communication device and the group ID of the device itself, and thus, the security protection of the counterparty communication device, user privacy of the counterparty communication device, and the like can be increased.

Note that, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that various modifications and alterations can be achieved by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that they are naturally within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the embodiments described above, a case is explained where the wireless connection between the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 is established in a state where the personal computer 10 is connected to the base station 12. However, the present invention does not is limited to such an example. For example, the wireless connection to the handheld device 20 can be established based on adjustment data that is received by the personal computer 10 from the handheld device 20 bringing the handheld device 20 in close proximity to the personal computer 10 while the handheld device 20 and the station are connected and having the adjustment data transmitted from the portable device 20 to the personal computer 10 by contactless communication.

Each of the steps to be performed by the handheld device 20 in this specification need not necessarily be performed chronologically in the order shown in the flowcharts or sequence diagram, and processing to be performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or object processing) can also be included.

In addition, a computer program can also be created that makes hardware such as CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203 and the like built into the personal computer 10 and the portable device 20 function as each of the personal computer 10 configurations and the portable device 20 described above. In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program is stored is also provided.