Wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method

The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal and a wireless communication method that can be connected to a wireless LAN.

In recent years, non-contact IC readers / writers installed in automatic ticket gates at stations and automatic ticket gate systems that perform short-range wireless communication between non-contact IC cards carried by station users to perform ticket gates, etc. Services using contact IC cards are widespread.

And portable wireless communication terminals having such a non-contact IC function are also beginning to spread. For example, there was an access control system using such a wireless communication terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this access control system, users of wireless communication terminals can manage access such as automatic ticket gates in view of the fact that manners related to ringing tones when using mobile phones in public such as in stations and trains are social issues. When passing through the device, the access control device sends a request for setting the manner mode to the non-contact IC card of the wireless communication terminal, and the wireless communication terminal receives the request and switches to the manner mode.<patcit num="1"><text>JP-A-2002-199457</text></patcit>

<p> By the way, services that enable wireless LAN (Local Area Network) are becoming widespread in places such as station premises and coffee shops, and receive wireless LAN services using the above-mentioned portable wireless communication terminals. Needs are increasing.</p><p> However, in order to perform wireless LAN communication, it is necessary for the user to set the identification information of the base station device to be connected to the wireless communication terminal. Although the user does not need to be aware of the information required for such settings, it is complicated and troublesome for the user because it requires work such as inputting information on the setting screen of the wireless communication terminal. was there.</p><p> The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method capable of easily setting a wireless LAN connection.</p>

<p> The wireless communication terminal of the present invention includes a wireless LAN communication means for connecting to a wireless LAN for communication, a short-range wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication, and a wireless LAN setting acquired via the short-range wireless communication means. It includes a wireless LAN communication setting means for automatically setting a wireless LAN communication setting based on information, and a storage means for storing the wireless LAN communication setting.</p><p> With this configuration, the wireless LAN setting information is stored at the time of communication performed in the short-range wireless communication, and the wireless LAN connection is set based on the information, so that the wireless LAN connection can be easily set.</p><p> Further, in the wireless communication terminal of the present invention, the wireless LAN setting information includes displayability information relating to at least a part of the included information, and the wireless LAN communication setting means performs wireless LAN communication according to the displayability information. Control the display of settings.</p><p> With this configuration, it is possible to prohibit the display of, for example, information that is not preferable to be leaked to the outside among the setting information of the wireless LAN connection, so that the security level can be improved.</p><p> Further, in the wireless communication terminal of the present invention, the wireless LAN setting information includes expiration date information indicating an expiration date of the wireless LAN setting, and the wireless LAN communication setting means is stored in the storage means according to the expiration date information. Delete the existing wireless communication setting information.</p><p> With this configuration, it is also possible to provide a service with an expiration date.</p><p> The wireless communication method of the present invention includes a step of performing short-range wireless communication and acquiring wireless LAN setting information, a step of setting wireless LAN communication based on the acquired wireless LAN setting information, and the set wireless LAN. It has a step of storing the communication setting of.</p><p> By this method, the wireless LAN setting information is stored at the time of communication performed in the short-range wireless communication, and the wireless LAN connection is set based on the information, so that the wireless LAN connection can be easily set.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method capable of easily setting a wireless LAN connection.</p>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication terminal 1 of the present embodiment includes a wireless LAN communication unit 9, a control unit 14, a short-range wireless communication unit 15, a communication system connection application control unit 20, and an input / output unit 22. The operation unit 24 and the information storage means 25 are provided.

The wireless LAN communication unit 9 connects to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and communicates with a base station. A communication system wireless unit 10 that performs wireless communication processing and a communication system that performs transmission / reception processing. It has a transmission / reception unit 12.

For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 15 performs close-range non-contact communication with a reader / writer (not shown), and has a short-range communication system wireless unit 16 that performs wireless processing of communication and a short-range communication system. It has a transmission / reception unit 18.

The information storage means 25 includes a user authentication card 28 that is detachably connected to the wireless communication terminal 1 for authenticating a user who uses the wireless communication terminal 1, and a storage unit 26 for storing and storing the contents of information data. including. The information storage means 25 may be any one of these, or may be a storage medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card that does not have a user authentication function.

The input / output unit 22 includes an input / output unit for audio and the like, a display unit for outputting an image, and the like. The operation unit 24 receives operation inputs such as buttons. The communication system connection application control unit 20 performs communication settings and communication control for connecting to the wireless LAN using the wireless LAN communication unit 9. The control unit 14 controls each unit of the wireless communication terminal 1.

When the wireless communication terminal 1 has a mobile phone function, it also has a mobile communication unit for connecting to the mobile communication network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of wireless LAN setting information. The wireless LAN setting information set at the time of wireless LAN communication has a setting name, a type including detailed settings, operation settings, etc., and a name corresponding to each type and its setting value.

In the example of FIG. 2, "wlan_test" is set as the communication setting name. The detailed setting information includes ESSID, WEP key, other, and the like. The ESSID is a wireless LAN base station (hereinafter referred to as an access point) and a network identifier (ESSID: Extended Service Set Identifier, hereinafter referred to as ESSID) set for each terminal, and the ESSIDs match to prevent interference due to wireless radio waves. This is setting information consisting of up to 32 alphanumeric characters arbitrarily set for wireless LAN communication only between devices. For example, "wlanTest" is set in the ESSID of this embodiment.

The WEP key functions the security of communication data between devices that communicate wirelessly, protects the data stream of the wireless LAN, and registers the same encryption (WEP: Wired Equivalent Privacy) to use the wireless LAN safely. , Hereinafter referred to as WEP) key. By setting the WEP key, it is possible to prevent the risk of reading the contents of the communication data even if the contents of the wireless communication are intercepted by a third party. The length of the WEP key includes 40 bits, 108 bits, etc. In this example, the set value is, for example, "64XXXXXXXX".

For other, any other detailed setting information is set, and if nothing is set, for example, "-" is set in the setting value.

For the operation settings, specify the expiration date and the name of the setting display permission. For example, if the expiration date of this communication setting is until 17:00:00 on July 30, 2004, the expiration date settings are set to, for example, "Yes" and "2004.7.30 17.00.00".

When the setting display permission is not permitted, for example, "No" is set in the setting value. In this way, by setting the wireless LAN setting information including "whether or not the setting information can be displayed" and "expiration date", it is possible to set the detailed setting information, which has a problem if leaked, not to be displayed after the expiration date, and security. The security level is improved without leaking information from the inside.

Further, the operation setting update means (not shown) may be installed so that the content of the operation setting including the expiration date can be updated and changed as necessary.

The wireless LAN setting information is controlled and transmitted by the communication system connection application control unit reading the information of "whether or not the setting information can be displayed" and "expiration date" from the storage unit or the user authentication card.

The communication system connection application control unit 20 deletes the wireless LAN setting information stored in the storage unit 26 or the user authentication card 28 when the expiration date of the wireless LAN setting information has expired.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of wireless LAN settings according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless LAN setting list information can be displayed on the display unit of the input / output unit 22 of the wireless communication terminal 1. For example, when a plurality of wireless LAN settings are stored in the information storage means 25, the plurality of wireless LAN settings are displayed in a list. In FIG. 3, "Home", "Office", "wlan_test", and "other" are shown as examples of the wireless LAN settings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying wireless LAN setting information according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, arbitrary wireless LAN setting information can be displayed on the display unit of the input / output unit 22 of the wireless communication terminal 1. For example, the desired settings selected from the list shown in FIG. 3, the wireless LAN settings currently being communicated, and the like are displayed.

In the example of FIG. 4, the setting name, ESSID, WEP, expiration date, and detailed setting display are displayed as display items, and "Home", "home", "64k", "none", and "possible" are displayed, respectively. In this case, since the detailed setting display is specified as "OK", ESSID and WEP are set as explicit information without being hidden.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of displaying the wireless LAN setting information according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of the wireless LAN setting display when the detailed setting display of the wireless LAN is disallowed. As shown in FIG. 5, since the detailed setting display is specified as "No", ESSID and WEP are set as hidden information.

FIG. 6 is an overall sequence diagram illustrating the wireless LAN setting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this system, an example in which the automatic ticket gate system 91 is used as a target for short-range wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal 1 will be described.

First, a communication link is established by exchanging messages according to a communication protocol between the short-range communication system radio unit 16 of the wireless communication terminal 1 and the short-range wireless unit 94 of the ticket gate system 91 (step S1). Next, a message is exchanged between the control unit 14 of the wireless communication terminal 1 and the charge control unit 96 of the ticket gate system 91, and for example, a charge payment procedure is performed (step S2).

Next, the terminal setting unit 98 of the ticket gate system 91 wirelessly transmits a notification signal of the wireless LAN setting information to the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the wireless communication terminal 1 (step S3). After receiving this notification signal, the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the wireless communication terminal 1 outputs a control signal for saving the WLAN setting information to the control unit 14 of the wireless communication terminal 1 (step S4). As a result, a function of acquiring wireless LAN setting information via the short-range wireless interface of the short-range communication system wireless unit 16 and storing it in the storage unit 26 or the information storage means 25 of the user authentication card 28 is realized.

Next, the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the communication terminal 1 wirelessly transmits a response signal for completing the setting of the wireless LAN setting information to the terminal setting unit 98 of the ticket gate system 91 (step S5). After receiving this response signal, the terminal setting unit 98 of the ticket gate system 91 sets a manner mode for setting the mobile phone terminal to mute mode in order to carry the mobile phone in a public space where quietness is required as a manner. Message exchange is exchanged with the control unit 14 of the wireless communication terminal 1 (step S6).

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a wireless LAN communication setting in the wireless LAN setting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, a communication link is established by exchanging messages according to a communication protocol between the short-range communication system radio unit 16 of the wireless communication terminal 1 and the short-range wireless unit 94 of the ticket gate system 91 (step S10).

When the communication link is established, the terminal setting unit 98 of the ticket gate system 91 outputs the notification signal of the wireless LAN setting information to the short-range wireless unit 94 of the ticket gate system 91 (step S11). Next, in the wireless communication terminal 1, the short-range communication system transmission / reception unit 18 receives the wireless LAN setting information via the short-range communication system radio unit 16 (step S12).

Next, the short-range communication system transmission / reception unit 18 of the wireless communication terminal 1 notifies the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the wireless communication terminal 1 of the wireless LAN setting information (step S13). This notified wireless LAN setting information is collated and confirmed with the wireless LAN setting information already stored in the user authentication card 28 of the wireless communication terminal 1 or the information storage means 25 of the storage unit 26 (step S14), and then the information is saved. It is stored in the user authentication card 28 or the storage unit 26 of the means 25 (step S15).

Next, the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the wireless communication terminal 1 outputs a response signal notifying that the wireless LAN setting is completed to the short-range communication system transmission / reception unit 18 (step S16). Subsequently, the short-range communication system transmission / reception unit 18 transmits a response signal for completing the wireless LAN setting to the ticket gate system 91 via the short-range communication system radio unit 16 (step S17). The short-range wireless unit 94 of the ticket gate system 91 receives the response signal for completing the wireless LAN setting, and outputs the received signal to the terminal setting unit 98 (step S18).

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process related to an expiration date in the wireless LAN setting information according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the expiration notification signal by the timer is input to the communication system connection application control unit 20 of the wireless communication terminal 1 (step S20), the communication system connection application control unit 20 communicates a signal requesting the stop of the wireless LAN communication. Output to the system transmitter / receiver 12 (step S21).

Next, the communication system transmission / reception unit 12 outputs a signal requesting the stop of the wireless LAN communication to the communication system radio unit 10 (step S22). When the wireless LAN communication is stopped, the communication system wireless unit 10 outputs a response signal notifying that the wireless LAN communication stop is completed to the communication system transmission / reception unit 12 (step S23).

Next, the communication system transmission / reception unit 12 outputs a response signal notifying that the stop of the wireless LAN communication is completed to the communication system connection application control unit 20 (step S24). Next, the communication system connection application control unit 20 erases the wireless LAN setting information of the user authentication card 28 or the storage unit 26 of the wireless communication terminal 1 (step S25).

As described above, since the wireless communication terminal of the present embodiment can process the wireless LAN communication setting and the charge payment at the same time, conventionally, the wireless LAN setting information was obtained and the setting operation was performed at the time of the service contract. By using the wireless LAN setting system of the form, the user does not need to take an operation action of the wireless LAN communication setting, and does not need to recognize the setting operation method based on the specialized knowledge about the wireless LAN communication setting.

In particular, in an automatic ticket gate system that uses short-range wireless communication to perform ticket gates when entering a station yard, users perform short-range wireless communication to perform ticket gates. Therefore, by setting the wireless LAN communication at the same time, the user does not need to perform short-range communication only for acquiring the wireless LAN setting information, and can efficiently acquire the wireless LAN setting information. ..

In addition, the wireless LAN communication setting provider can give a setting notification requesting that detailed setting information that may cause a problem if leaked is not displayed to the outside. Therefore, the possibility of leaking security information to the outside is reduced, and an improvement in the security level can be expected.

Further, by using the embodiment of the present invention, for example, between the automatic ticket gate system and the wireless communication terminal of the embodiment of the present invention, charge payment using a non-contact IC interface, wireless LAN setting, manner mode setting, Etc. are realized.

In addition, as an example of the wireless LAN system, the case where the automatic ticket gate system of the station is used has been described, but the case is not limited to this, and other systems such as cafes, hospitals, companies, schools, event shops, etc. It is available. Furthermore, it can be applied to a wireless LAN communication system that combines the identification and recognition of the user, the electronic money function for automatically paying the fee, the setting and operation of the device used, and the like.

As described above, by using the embodiment of the present invention, for example, by using a non-contact IC interface between the automatic ticket gate system and the wireless communication terminal of the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a fee is paid. , Wireless LAN setting, manner mode setting, etc. can be easily realized without forcing the user to perform complicated operations, and the security level is improved because it has a function of displaying or not displaying wireless LAN setting information.

The wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method of the present invention have an effect that a wireless LAN connection can be easily set, and are useful for a wireless LAN system or the like using an automatic ticket gate system or the like at a station.

<figref num="1">A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">Diagram showing an example of wireless LAN setting information</figref><figref num="3">The figure which shows an example of the display of the wireless LAN setting list of embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">The figure which shows an example of the display of the wireless LAN setting information of embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">The figure which shows another example of the display of the wireless LAN setting information of embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="6">Overall sequence diagram for explaining the wireless LAN setting system according to the embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="7">A sequence diagram illustrating a wireless LAN communication setting in the wireless LAN setting system according to the embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="8">A sequence diagram showing a process related to an expiration date in the wireless LAN setting information of the embodiment of the present invention.</figref>

Code description

1 Wireless communication terminal 9 Wireless LAN communication unit 10 Communication system radio unit 12 Communication system transmission / reception unit 14 Wireless terminal control unit 15 Short-range wireless communication unit 16 Short-range communication system radio unit 18 Short-range communication system transmission / reception unit 20 Communication system connection application Control unit 22 Input / output unit 24 Operation unit 25 Information storage means 26 Storage unit 28 User authentication card