U.S. patent application number 13/778075 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-04 for communication parameter setting method, communicating apparatus, and managing apparatus for managing communication parameters.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Takahiro Shichino.
Application Number | 20130170483 13/778075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39301485 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130170483 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shichino; Takahiro |
July 4, 2013 |
COMMUNICATION PARAMETER SETTING METHOD, COMMUNICATING APPARATUS,
AND MANAGING APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION PARAMETERS
Abstract
When a plurality of managing apparatuses which manage
communication parameters exists, there is a case where the wrong
communication parameters are set into a communicating apparatus.
When the communication parameters are set between the managing
apparatus which manages the communication parameters and the
communicating apparatus, if a plurality of managing apparatuses in
a setting state of the communication parameters into the
communicating apparatus is detected, the managing apparatus in the
setting state is notified that the plurality of managing
apparatuses in the setting state exists. Whether or not the setting
of the communication parameters is continued is discriminated,
thereby continuing or stopping the setting of the communication
parameters.
Inventors: |
Shichino; Takahiro; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha; |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39301485 |
Appl. No.: |
13/778075 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12377859 |
Feb 17, 2009 |
8391258 |
|
|
PCT/JP2007/070764 |
Oct 18, 2007 |
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13778075 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/082 20130101;
H04W 68/00 20130101; H04W 76/14 20180201; H04W 28/18 20130101; H04W
24/00 20130101; H04W 8/245 20130101; H04L 41/0873 20130101; H04W
16/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/338 |
International
Class: |
H04W 16/18 20060101
H04W016/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 20, 2006 |
JP |
2006-286469 |
Claims
1.-8. (canceled)
9. A communicating apparatus comprising: a detecting device that
detects a managing apparatus that is operating in a setting mode
for providing wireless communication parameters, wherein the
wireless communication parameters comprise at least one of an
encrypting system, an encryption key, an authenticating system and
an authentication key; and a notifying device that, if the
detecting device detects a plurality of managing apparatuses
operating in the setting mode for providing wireless communication
parameters while the communication apparatus is operating in a
setting mode for receiving the wireless communication parameters
from the managing apparatus, notifies the managing apparatuses
operating in the setting mode that the plurality of managing
apparatuses operating in the setting mode exists.
10. A communicating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
detecting device performs the detection based on a signal
transmitted from a base station serving as a management target of
the managing apparatus operating in the setting mode.
11. A communicating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when
the detecting device detects the plurality of managing apparatuses
operating in the setting mode, the notifying device performs the
notification according to the wireless communication parameters
which are managed by the plurality of managing apparatuses
operating in the setting mode.
12. A communicating apparatus according to claim 9, further
comprising: an additional detecting device that detects that the
managing apparatus operating in the setting mode has finished the
setting mode; and a finishing device that finishes the setting mode
of the communicating apparatus based on the detection by the
additional detecting device.
13. A communicating apparatus according to claim 9, further
comprising: an additional detecting device that detects that the
managing apparatus operating in the setting mode has finished the
setting mode; and a displaying device that displays a message for
urging a user to reset the setting mode of the communication
parameters according to the detection by the additional detecting
device.
14. A communicating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein if the
setting mode of the communication parameters is set again, the
communication apparatus executes a process for receiving the
wireless communication parameters from one of the plurality of
managing apparatuses operating in the setting mode which has been
detected first.
15. A communicating apparatus according to claim 10, further
comprising a selecting device that selects the managing apparatus
for performing a process for receiving the wireless communication
parameters based on a receiving state of the signal from the base
station when the detecting device detects the plurality of managing
apparatuses operating in the setting mode.
16. A communicating apparatus according to claim 10, further
comprising a deciding device that, when the detecting device
detects the plurality of managing apparatuses operating in the
setting mode, decides whether or not the managing apparatus for
executing a process for receiving the wireless communication
parameters is to be selected based on a receiving state of the
signal from the base station, and wherein the notifying device
performs the notification according to the decision by the deciding
device.
17. A communicating apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising a transmitting device that transmits information for
displaying a message to make the managing apparatus selected by the
selecting device correspond to the communicating apparatus to the
managing apparatus selected by the selecting device.
18.-22. (canceled)
23. A method of sharing wireless communication parameters
comprising at least one of an encrypting system, an encryption key,
an authenticating system and an authentication key, wherein the
wireless communication parameters are shared between communicating
apparatuses, the method comprising: detecting, at a first
communicating apparatus, one or more other communicating
apparatuses operating in a setting mode for sharing the wireless
communication parameters between the communicating apparatuses,
while the first communicating apparatus is operating in the setting
mode; sending, at the first communicating apparatus, a notification
of overlap onto a network, in accordance with a number of detected
communicating apparatuses operating in the setting mode.
24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising stopping, at
the first communicating apparatus, a process of the setting mode
after sending the notification of overlap.
25. A method according to claim 23, further comprising stopping, at
the other communicating apparatus receiving the notification of
overlap, a process of the setting mode.
26. A method according to claim 23, wherein the sending sends, at
the first communicating apparatus, the notification of overlap onto
the network, when a plurality of base stations that are operating
in the setting mode exist.
27. A method according to claim 23, wherein the first communication
apparatus is a managing apparatus for managing the wireless
communication parameters.
28. A communicating apparatus comprising: a detecting device that
detects one or more other communicating apparatuses operating in a
setting mode for sharing wireless communication parameters between
communicating apparatus, while the communicating apparatus is
operating in the setting mode, wherein the wireless communication
parameters comprise at least one of an encrypting system, an
encryption key, an authenticating system and an authentication key;
and a sending device that sends a notification of overlap onto a
network, in accordance with a number of the other communicating
apparatuses operating in the setting mode.
29. A communicating apparatus according to claim 28, further
comprising a stopping device that stops a process of the setting
mode after the sending device sends the notification of
overlap.
30. A communicating apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the
sending device sends the notification of overlap onto the network,
when a plurality of base stations that are operating in the setting
mode exist.
31. A communicating apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the
communicating apparatus is a managing apparatus for managing
communication parameters.
32. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer program for causing a computer to execute the method
according to claim 23.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a technique which is used when
communication parameters are set between a managing apparatus for
managing the communication parameters and a communicating
apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] To make radio communication, it is necessary to set various
radio parameters into an apparatus. For example, in a wireless LAN
which conforms with the IEEE802.11 Standard, it is necessary to set
the radio parameters such as SSID as a network identifier,
encrypting system, encryption key, and the like.
[0003] In order to set the radio parameters into the radio
apparatus, a personal computer (PC) is connected to the radio
apparatus by a wire and the radio parameters are set into the radio
apparatus by the operation of the PC. In the wireless LAN, there
are base stations serving as access points and radio terminals
serving as user terminals and the user needs to connect those
apparatuses to the PC and set the radio parameters.
[0004] Since the setting of the radio parameters into the radio
apparatus is troublesome, it is demanded to realize a simple
setting method of the radio parameters.
[0005] Such a construction that the apparatuses in which a button
for setting the radio parameters has been operated are
automatically connected in a wireless manner and the operation
which is executed at the time of the wireless connection is
simplified has been disclosed in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. US-2006-0200564 (Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2004-328289).
[0006] When the setting of the radio apparatus is made by using the
PC, there is a case where if a plurality of PCs exists, the user's
desired radio parameters cannot be set into the radio terminal. For
example, a case where a radio parameter 1 is set into a base
station 1 by using a PC 1, a radio parameter 2 is set into a base
station 2 by using a PC 2, and the PCs 1 and 2 store and manage the
set radio parameters is considered.
[0007] It is now assumed that the user who owns the radio terminal
wants to set the radio parameters set in the base station 1 into
his radio terminal. However, since there are two PCs in which the
radio parameters have been stored and managed, the user does not
know which one of the PCs should be used to set the radio
parameters. If the user has erroneously set the radio parameters by
using the PC 2, he cannot make data communication even when he
connects his PC to the base station 1.
[0008] It is now assumed that in order to realize the easy setting
of the radio parameters, the radio terminal is constructed so that
the radio parameters can be set by the PC in a wireless manner and
the setting of the radio parameters is activated by the setting
operation (for example, depression of a setting button) in each of
the PC and the radio terminal. At this time, if another user
executes the setting operation by using the adjacent PC, there is a
case where the radio terminal sets the radio parameters which are
managed by the adjacent PC. In such a case, the wrong radio
parameters are also set.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the invention to solve a problem which
occurs when a plurality of managing apparatuses for managing
communication parameters exists.
[0010] Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the
following specification and drawings.
[0011] The invention provides a communication parameter setting
method of setting communication parameters between a managing
apparatus for managing the communication parameters and a
communicating apparatus, comprising: a detecting step of detecting
the managing apparatus in a setting state of the communication
parameters into the communicating apparatus; a notifying step of,
if a plurality of managing apparatuses in the setting state is
detected in the detecting step, notifying the managing apparatuses
in the setting state that the plurality of managing apparatuses in
the setting state exists; a discriminating step of discriminating
whether or not the setting of the communication parameters is
continued; and a step of continuing or stopping the setting of the
communication parameters according to the discrimination in the
discriminating step.
[0012] The invention also provides a communicating apparatus
comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect a managing
apparatus in a setting state of communication parameters into the
communicating apparatus; and a notifying unit configured to, if a
plurality of managing apparatuses in the setting state is detected
by the detecting unit, notify the managing apparatuses in the
setting state that the plurality of managing apparatuses in the
setting state exists.
[0013] The invention also provides a managing apparatus for
managing communication parameters which are set into a
communicating apparatus, comprising: a detecting unit configured to
detect another managing apparatus in a setting state of the
communication parameters; a confirming unit configured to confirm
the communication parameters which are managed by the other
managing apparatus detected by the detecting unit; and a
discriminating unit configured to discriminate whether or not the
setting of the communication parameters is continued according to a
result of the confirmation by the confirming unit.
[0014] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a system constructional diagram in the first to
sixth embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a constructional diagram of a radio terminal in
the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a constructional diagram of a managing apparatus
in the embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a reservation area of a beacon which is
transmitted from a base station in the embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a base station information unit in the
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a managing apparatus information unit in the
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in the first embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the radio terminal in the first
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a radio parameter setting managing
apparatus in the first embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in the first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 11 shows a reservation area of a beacon which is
transmitted from a base station in the second embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a base station information unit in the second
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the second
embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a managing apparatus in the second
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram in the third embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the third
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the fourth
embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a managing apparatus in the fourth
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 19 shows a construction of a RAM (202) in the fifth
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 20 shows an S/N difference storing unit in the fifth
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 21 shows a base station information unit in the fifth
embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the fifth
embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the sixth
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a managing apparatus in the sixth
embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 25 is a system constructional diagram in the seventh
embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a radio terminal in the seventh
embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a managing apparatus in the
seventh embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0042] FIG. 1 is a system constructional diagram in the
embodiment.
[0043] In FIG. 1, base stations 103 and 105 and managing
apparatuses 102 and 106 are connected to a wired LAN. The base
stations 103 and 105 and radio terminals 100 and 104 mutually
communicate in a wireless manner by wireless LAN communication
which conforms with the IEEE802.11. The radio terminal 100 is
located in a communication area of the base stations 103 and
105.
[0044] The managing apparatus 102 manages radio parameters which
are used in the base station 103 and notifies the radio terminal of
the radio parameters. The radio parameters which are managed by the
managing apparatus 102 are radio network information such as SSID
(Service Set Identifier) as an identifier of a radio network which
is formed by the base station 103, encrypting system and encryption
key which are used by the base station 103, and the like. The
managing apparatus 106 manages radio parameters which are used in
the base station 105 and notifies the radio terminal of the radio
parameters. The radio parameters which are managed by the managing
apparatus 106 are radio network information such as SSID as an
identifier of a radio network which is formed by the base station
105, encrypting system and encryption key which are used by the
base station 105, and the like.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a construction of each of the radio terminals
100 and 104 in the embodiment.
[0046] A CPU 200 controls functions of the radio terminal according
to programs stored in a ROM 201. A program for making the radio
terminal operative has been stored in the ROM 201. The CPU 200
executes the programs stored in the ROM 201, so that the radio
terminal executes the operation, which will be described
hereinafter. A RAM 202 is used as a memory area which is necessary
upon operating. A base station information unit 205 which stores
base station information and a timer 206 are included in the RAM
202.
[0047] A setting button 203 is used when the radio parameters are
set by the switch operation. When the setting button 203 is pressed
by the user, the radio terminal starts the operation, which will be
described hereinafter, for the radio parameter setting by control
of the CPU 200. A radio unit 204 transmits and receives data in a
wireless manner. In the embodiment, the radio unit 204 makes the
wireless LAN communication which conforms with the IEEE802.11. A
display unit 207 displays various information and notifies the user
of them.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a construction of each of the managing
apparatuses 102 and 106 in the embodiment.
[0049] A CPU 300 controls functions of the managing apparatuses
according to programs stored in a ROM 301. A program for making the
managing apparatuses operative has been stored in the ROM 301. The
CPU 300 executes the programs stored in the ROM 301, so that the
managing apparatuses 102 and 106 execute the operation, which will
be described hereinafter. A RAM 302 is used as a memory area which
is necessary upon operating. A managing apparatus information unit
305 which stores the information of the managing apparatuses is
included in the RAM 302.
[0050] A setting button 304 is used when the radio parameters are
set by the switch operation. When the setting button 304 is pressed
by the user, the managing apparatus starts the operation, which
will be described hereinafter, for the radio parameter setting by
control of the CPU 300.
[0051] A wired LAN I/F 303 is an interface unit for communicating
data through a wired LAN 107.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows an example of a reservation area of an alarm
signal which is transmitted from the base station in the
embodiment.
[0053] Each of the base stations 103 and 105 transmits the alarm
signal (beacon) and notifies of information regarding a radio
network which is formed by the base station. A reservation area of
an unused area is included in the beacon. In the embodiment, a part
of this reservation area is used as an area for inserting
information showing an operating mode of the base station.
[0054] If a mode area 400 is equal to "1", this means that the base
station is operating in a setting mode. If the mode area 400 is
equal to "0", this means that the base station is operating in a
normal mode.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows a construction of the base station information
unit 205 stored in the RAM 202 of each of the radio terminals 100
and 104.
[0056] Reference numeral 500 denotes an index number to identify
the base station; 501 an MAC (Media Access Control) address of the
base station; and 502 an SSID of the base station. The SSID 502 is
an identifier of the radio network which is formed by the base
station. Reference numeral 503 denotes an operating mode showing in
which one of the normal mode and the setting mode the base station
is operating. In the normal mode, "0" is stored and, in the setting
mode, "1" is stored in 503. Reference numeral 504 denotes a
notification flag showing whether or not an overlap notification,
which will be described hereinafter, has been made to the
corresponding base station in the case where there is a plurality
of base stations in the setting mode. If the notification has been
made, "1" is stored. If the notification is not made, "0" is
stored.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a construction of the managing apparatus
information unit 305 which is stored in the RAM 302 in each of the
managing apparatuses 102 and 106.
[0058] Reference numeral 600 denotes an index number for
identifying the managing apparatus. Its own apparatus also becomes
a management target. Reference numeral 601 denotes an MAC address
of the managing apparatus; 602 an SSID which is managed by the
managing apparatus; 603 an encrypting system which is managed by
the managing apparatus; and 604 an encryption key which is managed
by the managing apparatus. The base station as a management target
is notified of the SSID, encrypting system, and encryption key
which are managed by the managing apparatus and they are set into
the base station. Reference numeral 605 denotes an operating mode
of the managing apparatus. In the normal mode, "0" is stored and,
in the setting mode, "1" is stored in 605.
[0059] FIGS. 7 and 10 are sequence diagrams in the embodiment. FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio terminal in the
embodiment. The CPU 200 executes this flow according to the
programs stored in the ROM 201. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the
operation of the managing apparatus in the embodiment. The CPU 300
executes this flow according to the programs stored in the ROM
301.
[0060] The radio terminal 100 receives the beacons (normal mode)
which are periodically transmitted from the base stations 103 and
105 (S700, S701). The user of the radio terminal 100 desires here
to connect the radio terminal 100 to the base station 103 and make
the data communication. For this purpose, the user of the radio
terminal 100 wants to set the radio parameters of the base station
103 which is managed by the managing apparatus 102 into the radio
terminal 100.
[0061] The user of the radio terminal 100 sets the managing
apparatus 102 for managing the radio parameters of the base station
103 into the setting mode and presses the setting button 304 in the
managing apparatus 102 in order to make the radio parameter
automatic setting of the radio terminal 100 by using the managing
apparatus 102 (S702, 900). When the depression of the setting
button 304 is detected, the managing apparatus 102 changes the
operating mode corresponding to its own apparatus of the managing
apparatus information unit 305 to "1" to thereby shift the
operating mode from the normal mode to the setting mode and
notifies the base station 103 as a management target of the start
of the setting mode (S703, 901). At this time, it is assumed that
the setting button 304 in the managing apparatus 106 has also been
pressed by another user (S704, 900). When the depression of the
setting button 304 is detected, the managing apparatus 106 notifies
the base station 105 of the start of the setting mode (S705, 901).
When the setting mode is started, the managing apparatuses 102 and
106 monitor whether or not the overlap notification and a setting
request from the radio terminal, which will be described
hereinafter, have been received.
[0062] Each of the base stations 103 and 105 which have been
notified of the start of the setting mode sets the mode area 400 in
the reservation area of the beacon into "1" and transmits the
beacon (setting mode).
[0063] The user of the radio terminal 100 presses the setting
button 203 in order to also set the radio terminal 100 into the
setting mode (S706, 800). When the depression of the setting button
203 is detected, the radio terminal 100 starts to scan for a
predetermined time (801) in order to search for the base station
103 which is a base station connected to the managing apparatus 102
and which is operating in the setting mode. After the start of the
scan, when the beacon (setting mode) transmitted from each of the
base stations 103 and 105 is received (S707, S708, 802), the radio
terminal 100 stores information of the base station which is known
from the received beacon into the base station information unit 205
(803).
[0064] A state of the base station information unit 205 in the case
where the beacons of the base stations 103 and 105 have been
received as shown in the example of FIG. 7 is illustrated in FIG.
5. It will be understood from FIG. 5 that the information of the
base stations 103 and 105 other than the MAC addresses 501 is the
same.
[0065] When the scan is finished (YES in 804), the radio terminal
100 discriminates the number of base stations in the setting mode
(805).
[0066] If there is one base station in the setting mode ("1" in
805), the radio terminal 100 is connected to this base station by
using a packet which can be communicated irrespective of the radio
parameters set in the base station and transmits the setting
request to the managing apparatus. The base station which has
received the setting request transfers the setting request to the
managing apparatus which manages its own radio parameters. When the
setting request is detected, the managing apparatus notifies the
request-transmitted radio terminal of the radio parameters which
are managed and executes a setting process between the radio
terminal and the managing apparatus (811, 906). When the setting of
the radio parameters is finished, the managing apparatus notifies
the base station of the end of the setting mode. When the setting
mode end notification is received from the managing apparatus, the
base station switches the operating mode to the normal mode. The
radio terminal 100 sets the radio communication parameters provided
from the managing apparatus 102, is connected to the base station
103 which operates in the normal mode, and can make the data
communication. In the above description, the radio terminal has
communicated with the managing apparatus by using the packet which
can be communicated irrespective of the radio parameters set in the
base station. However, it is also possible to construct in such a
manner that when the setting mode is set, the radio parameters of
the base station and the radio terminal are switched to the preset
radio parameters for setting, thereby enabling the communication
between the radio terminal and the base station to be made and
enabling the communication between the radio terminal and the
managing apparatus to be made. Also in the following description,
the communication upon setting of the radio parameters is made by a
similar method.
[0067] If there are no base stations in the setting mode and the
number of base stations in the setting mode is equal to 0 ("0" in
805), its own setting mode is finished (812).
[0068] In the example of FIG. 5, since both of base stations 103
and 105 are operating in the setting mode, the radio terminal 100
determines that there are a plurality of base stations in the
setting mode ("plural" in 805). In this case, the radio terminal
100 notifies the base stations 103 and 105 which are operating in
the setting mode of the overlap of the setting mode (S709, S710,
806). After all of the base stations which are operating in the
setting mode were notified of the overlap (YES in 807), the radio
terminal 100 starts the timer 206 (S711, 808).
[0069] When the setting mode overlap notification received by the
base station 103 in S709 is transferred from the base station 103
(YES in 902), the managing apparatus 102 searches for the managing
apparatus (903). Information of the searched managing apparatus is
stored into the managing apparatus information unit 305. As a
searching method, there is a method of requesting to search for all
apparatuses connected onto the wired LAN 107, or the like.
[0070] The managing apparatus 102 receives a search response from
the managing apparatus 106 (S713) in response to the search request
transmitted in S712. The managing apparatuses 102 and 106 mutually
confirm the radio parameters which are managed (S714, 904). The
confirmed radio parameters are stored into the managing apparatus
information unit 305. The managing apparatus 102 compares the radio
parameters of the managing apparatus 106 stored in the managing
apparatus information unit 305 with the radio parameters managed by
itself, thereby confirming whether or not they are the same
(905).
[0071] FIG. 6 shows a state of the managing apparatus information
unit 305 at that point of time. It will be understood from FIG. 6
that the radio parameters managed by its own apparatus (that is,
the managing apparatus 102) and the radio parameters managed by the
managing apparatus 106 are the same (YES in 905). Even if there are
a plurality of base stations which are operating in the setting
mode, when the radio parameters are the same, naturally, the radio
terminal 100 may receive the radio parameters from any one of the
managing apparatuses. In other words, even when the base stations
103 and 105 are operating in the setting mode, in the case where
the managing apparatus 102 which manages the radio parameters of
the base station 103 and the managing apparatus 106 which manages
the radio parameters of the base station 105 manage the same radio
parameters, the same radio parameters are set into the radio
terminal 100 even if it has received the radio parameters from any
one of the managing apparatuses. Therefore, in such a case, the
base stations 103 and 105 periodically and continuously transmit
the beacons of the setting mode without finishing the setting mode
(S715, S716).
[0072] When the radio parameters of the searched managing apparatus
106 are the same as the radio parameters which are managed by its
own managing apparatus 102 (YES in 905), the managing apparatus 102
waits for the setting request from the radio terminal. When the
setting request is detected, the managing apparatus 102 executes
the setting process of the radio parameters between the managing
apparatus 102 and the radio terminal (906).
[0073] The radio terminal 100 discriminates whether or not the base
stations 103 and 105 finish the setting mode before the time-out of
the timer 206 activated in 808. In the example of FIG. 7, since the
base stations 103 and 105 periodically transmit the beacons of the
setting mode (S715, S716), the radio terminal 100 does not detect
the end of the setting mode of the base stations (NO in 809) and
the time-out of the timer 206 occurs (S717, 810). The radio
terminal 100 is connected to the base station which is operating in
the setting mode, transmits the setting request to the managing
apparatus, and executes the setting process of the radio parameters
between the managing apparatus and the radio terminal (811, 906).
In the example of FIG. 7, the radio terminal 100 is connected to
the base station 103 (S718) and sets the radio communication
parameters between the radio terminal and the managing apparatus
102 (S720, 811, 906). When the setting of the radio parameters is
finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base station of the
end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end notification is
received from the managing apparatus, the base station switches the
operating mode to the normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets the
radio communication parameters provided from the managing apparatus
102, is connected to the base station 103 which is operating in the
normal mode, and can make the data communication.
[0074] A sequence in the case where the radio parameters which are
managed by the managing apparatuses 102 and 106 differ is
illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0075] If it is determined that the radio parameters are not the
same (NO in 905), the managing apparatuses 102 and 106 notify the
base stations 103 and 105 of the end of the setting mode (S1000,
S1001, 908). Each of the managing apparatuses 102 and 106 finishes
its own setting mode (909). When the setting mode end notification
is received (S1000, S1001), the base stations 103 and 105
periodically transmit the beacon of the normal mode in which the
mode area 400 of the beacon has been set into "0" (S1002,
S1003).
[0076] The radio terminal 100 receives the beacon of the normal
mode before the time-out of the timer 206 (S1002, S1003), detects
that the base stations 103 and 105 have finished the setting mode
(YES in 809), and finishes the setting mode (S1004, 812).
[0077] As mentioned above, in the embodiment, when a plurality of
base stations which are operating in the setting mode is detected,
the radio terminal notifies those base stations of the overlap and
notifies the managing apparatus of the overlap of the setting mode
through the base stations. Therefore, the managing apparatus and
the base stations can finish the setting mode in a short time.
[0078] If there are a plurality of managing apparatuses in the
setting mode, each of the managing apparatuses confirms the
coincidence or dissidence of the radio parameters which are managed
by itself. Thus, when the radio parameters which are managed by the
managing apparatuses in the setting mode coincide and the same
radio parameters are set into the radio terminal even if the radio
parameters are set from any one of the managing apparatuses, the
setting mode is continued, thereby enabling the radio parameters to
be set.
[0079] In the embodiment, when the end of the setting mode of the
base station is detected for a time interval from the start to the
end of the timer 206, the radio terminal 100 finishes the setting
mode. However, the managing apparatus may transmit the notification
showing the coincidence or dissidence of the radio parameters to
the radio terminal through the base station. In this case, if the
radio terminal receives the dissidence notification, the setting
mode is finished, and if it receives the coincidence notification,
the setting mode is continued.
Second Embodiment
[0080] In this embodiment, the radio parameters which are managed
by the managing apparatus are preliminarily grouped and the base
station notifies the radio terminal of identification information
of the group of the radio parameters which are managed by the
managing apparatus. The radio terminal analogizes the coincidence
or dissidence of the parameters from the identification information
of the group.
[0081] The embodiment will now be described hereinbelow with
reference to the drawings. The portions which have already been
described are designated by the same reference numerals and their
description is omitted. The constructions of the radio terminals
100 and 104 and the managing apparatuses 102 and 106 are similar to
those in the first embodiment.
[0082] FIG. 11 shows a reservation area of a beacon which is
transmitted from the base station in the embodiment. In the
embodiment, a part of the reservation area is used to show the
group to which the base stations belong. In the embodiment, it is
assumed that the same radio parameters have been set in the base
stations of the same group.
[0083] FIG. 12 shows a construction of the base station information
unit 205 of the radio terminal in the embodiment. Identification
information 1200 of the group to which each base station belongs
has been stored in the base station information unit 205.
[0084] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio
terminal in the embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the
CPU 200 according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. FIG. 14 is
a flowchart showing the operation of the managing apparatus in the
embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the CPU 300
according to the programs stored in the ROM 301.
[0085] Also in the embodiment, the user of the radio terminal 100
wants to connect the radio terminal 100 to the base station 103 and
make the data communication. Therefore, the user of the radio
terminal 100 wants to set the radio parameters of the base station
103 which are managed by the managing apparatus 102 into the radio
terminal 100.
[0086] The user of the radio terminal 100 sets the managing
apparatus 102 which manages the radio parameters of the base
station 103 into the setting mode and depresses the setting button
304 of the managing apparatus 102 in order to make the radio
parameter automatic setting of the radio terminal 100 by using the
managing apparatus 102 (900).
[0087] When the depression of the setting button 304 is detected,
the managing apparatus 102 changes the operating mode corresponding
to its own apparatus in the managing apparatus information unit 305
to "1", shifts the operating mode from the normal mode to the
setting mode, and notifies the base station 103 as a management
target of the start of the setting mode (901). The managing
apparatus 102 notifies the base station 103 of the group number of
the radio parameters which are managed (1400). It is now assumed
that the managing apparatus 102 notifies the base station 103 of
the group number "1". The base station 103 starts to periodically
transmit the beacon indicative of the setting mode and the group
number "1". At this time, it is assumed that the setting button 304
of the managing apparatus 106 has also been depressed by another
user. When the depression of the setting button 304 is detected
(900), the managing apparatus 106 notifies the base station 105 of
the start of the setting mode (901). The managing apparatus 106
notifies the base station 105 of the group number of the radio
parameters which are managed (1400). It is now assumed that the
managing apparatus 106 also notifies the base station 105 of the
group number "1". The base station 105 starts to periodically
transmit the beacon indicative of the setting mode and the group
number "1". When the setting mode is started, each of the managing
apparatuses 102 and 106 monitors whether or not the overlap
notification and the setting request from the radio terminal have
been received.
[0088] The user of the radio terminal 100 presses the setting
button 203 in order to also set the radio terminal 100 into the
setting mode (800). When the depression of the setting button 203
is detected, the radio terminal 100 starts to scan for the
predetermined time in order to search for the base station 103
which is a base station connected to the managing apparatus 102 and
which is operating in the setting mode (801). After the start of
the scan, when the beacons (setting mode) transmitted from the base
stations 103 and 105 are received (802), the radio terminal 100
stores the information of the base stations 103 and 105 which is
known from the received beacons into the base station information
unit 205 (803). A state of the base station information unit 205 in
the case where the beacons of the base stations 103 and 105 were
received is illustrated in FIG. 12. It will be understood from FIG.
12 that the two base stations of the setting group exist and the
base stations 103 and 105 have transmitted the beacons of the same
group number.
[0089] When the scan is finished (YES in 804), the radio terminal
100 discriminates the number of base stations in the setting mode
(805). When referring to the base station information unit 205 in
FIG. 12, the number of base stations in the setting mode is equal
to 2 ("plural" in 805), the radio terminal 100 confirms the group
of the base stations stored in the base station information unit
205 (1300).
[0090] If the number of base stations in the setting mode is equal
to "1" or "0", processes similar to those in FIG. 8 are
executed.
[0091] In the example of FIG. 12, since the groups (1200) of the
base stations 103 and 105 are equal to "1", the radio terminal 100
determines that those groups are the same (YES in 1301). If all of
the group numbers shown by the beacons which are transmitted from
the base stations in the setting mode coincide, the radio
parameters which are managed by the managing apparatuses which
manage the radio parameters of those base stations are the same.
Therefore, even if the radio parameters are received from any one
of the managing apparatuses, the same radio parameters are set. In
such a case, the radio terminal 100 continues the setting mode, is
connected to the base station in the setting mode, and executes the
setting process of the radio parameters between the radio terminal
100 and the managing apparatus (811). When the setting of the radio
parameters is finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base
station of the end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end
notification is received from the managing apparatus, the base
station switches the operating mode to the normal mode. The radio
terminal 100 sets the radio communication parameters provided from
the managing apparatus 102, is connected to the base station 103
which is operating in the normal mode, and can make the data
communication.
[0092] If the group 1200 in the base station information unit 205
stored in 803 differs, the radio terminal 100 notifies all of the
base stations stored in the index number 500 of the base station
that the setting mode has been overlapped (806) and finishes the
setting mode (812). In this instance, the base stations 103 and 105
are notified of the overlap.
[0093] When the overlap notification is transferred from the base
stations 103 and 105 (YES in 902), the managing apparatuses 102 and
106 notify the base stations 103 and 105 of the end of the setting
mode (908) and finish the setting mode (909).
[0094] As mentioned above, in the embodiment, when the dissidence
of the group numbers included in the beacons is detected, the radio
terminal transmits the overlap notification. When the overlap
notification is received, the managing apparatuses finish the
setting mode. Thus, the processes such as search request (S712),
search response (S713), and radio communication parameter
confirmation (S714) in FIG. 10 (sequence of the first embodiment)
can be omitted. The setting modes of the managing apparatus and the
base station can be finished in a shorter time. In a manner similar
to the first embodiment, even when there are a plurality of
managing apparatuses in the setting mode, if the radio parameters
which are managed by the managing apparatuses coincide, the setting
mode is continued, thereby enabling the radio parameters to be
set.
Third Embodiment
[0095] In this embodiment, before the radio terminal finishes its
own setting mode in FIGS. 8 and 13, the radio terminal displays a
message for urging the user to depress again the setting button 304
of the managing apparatus onto the display unit 207 for a
predetermined time.
[0096] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram in the embodiment. FIG. 16 is
a flowchart showing the operation of the radio terminal in the
embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the CPU 200
according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. The portions which
have already been described are designated by the same reference
numerals and their description is omitted. The constructions of the
radio terminals 100 and 104 and the managing apparatuses 102 and
106 are similar to those in the first embodiment.
[0097] When it is detected that the base stations 103 and 105 have
finished the setting mode in S1002 and S1003 (YES in 809), the
radio terminal 100 displays the message for urging the user to
depress again the setting button 304 of the managing apparatus onto
the display unit 207 for the predetermined time (S1500, 1600). Also
in the case where none of the base stations in the setting mode
could be detected in step 805, the radio terminal 100 displays the
message for urging the user to depress again the setting button 304
of the managing apparatus onto the display unit 207 for the
predetermined time (1600).
[0098] It is assumed that the user of the radio terminal 100 has
depressed again the setting button 304 of the managing apparatus
102 according to the displayed message (S1501). If the setting
button 304 is pressed again after the setting mode was finished
(909 in FIG. 9), the managing apparatus 102 returns to step 900 and
notifies the base station 103 of the start of the setting mode
(901, S1502).
[0099] The base station 103 transmits the beacon showing that its
own station is in the setting mode (S1503). At this time, if the
setting button 304 in the managing apparatus 106 is not pressed,
the base station 105 transmits the beacon showing the normal
mode.
[0100] The radio terminal 100 receives the beacon in S1503 and
detects the base station 103 in the setting mode (1601). The radio
terminal 100 is connected to the base station in the setting mode
which has been detected first after the message showing the
re-depression of the setting button was displayed and executes the
setting of the radio communication parameters between the radio
terminal 100 and the managing apparatus (811). In the example of
FIG. 15, since the beacon (setting mode) from the base station 103
is detected (S1601), the radio terminal 100 is connected to the
base station 103 and executes the setting of the radio
communication parameters between the radio terminal 100 and the
managing apparatus 102 (S1506, 811). When the setting of the radio
parameters is finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base
station of the end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end
notification is received from the managing apparatus, the base
station switches the operating mode to the normal mode. The radio
terminal 100 sets the radio communication parameters provided from
the managing apparatus 102, is connected to the base station 103
which is operating in the normal mode, and can make the data
communication. If the base station in the setting mode cannot be
detected even after the elapse of the predetermined time after the
message showing the re-depression of the setting button had been
displayed, the radio terminal 100 finishes its own setting mode
(812).
[0101] In the above description, when the end of the setting mode
of the base station is detected in FIG. 16, the message for urging
the re-depression of the setting button 304 of the managing
apparatus is displayed onto the display unit 207. However, the
message can be also displayed after the overlap notification to the
base station (806) shown in FIG. 13. Also in this case, the radio
terminal 100 is connected to the base station in the setting mode
which has been detected first after the display of the message
showing the re-depression of the setting button and executes the
setting of the radio communication parameters between the radio
terminal 100 and the managing apparatus.
[0102] As mentioned above, in the embodiment, when it is detected
that the base station has finished the setting mode, the radio
terminal displays the message for urging the user to depress again
the setting button of the managing apparatus onto the display unit.
The radio terminal executes the setting of the radio parameters
between the radio terminal and the managing apparatus through the
base station in the setting mode which has been detected first.
Thus, in addition to the effects of the first and second
embodiments, the radio parameters can be easily received from a
desired managing apparatus.
Fourth Embodiment
[0103] Also in this embodiment, before the radio terminal finishes
its own setting mode in FIGS. 8 and 13, the radio terminal displays
the message for urging the user to depress again the setting button
304 of the managing apparatus onto the display unit 207 for the
predetermined time. When the setting button 304 of the managing
apparatus is pressed again, the managing apparatus requests the
base station to change the contents of the beacon, thereby changing
contents of the beacon.
[0104] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio
terminal in the embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the
CPU 200 according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. FIG. 18 is
a flowchart showing the operation of the managing apparatus in the
embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the CPU 300
according to the programs stored in the ROM 301. The portions which
have already been described are designated by the same reference
numerals and their description is omitted.
[0105] When it is detected that the base stations 103 and 105 have
finished the setting mode in S1002 and S1003 (YES in 809), the
radio terminal 100 displays the message for urging the user to
depress again the setting button 304 of the managing apparatus onto
the display unit 207 for the predetermined time (S1500, 1600). Also
in the case where none of the base stations in the setting mode
could be detected in step 805, the radio terminal 100 displays the
message for urging the user to depress again the setting button 304
of the managing apparatus onto the display unit 207 for the
predetermined time (1600).
[0106] It is assumed that the user of the radio terminal 100 has
depressed again the setting button 304 of the managing apparatus
102 according to the displayed message.
[0107] If the setting button 304 is pressed again after completion
of the setting mode (909 in FIG. 9), the managing apparatus 102
requests the base station to change the contents of the beacon
(1801), thereby allowing the base station to change the information
of the reservation area of the beacon. When the request for the
change of the contents of the beacon is received from the managing
apparatus, the base station transmits the beacon whose contents
have been changed. As a method of changing the information of the
reservation area of the beacon, there is a method whereby, for
example, random values have previously been stored in a specific
area in the reservation area and they are changed or the like.
[0108] When the change in the beacon is detected (YES in 1700), the
radio terminal 100 is connected to the base station which detected
the change in the beacon first and executes the setting of the
radio parameters between the radio terminal 100 and the managing
apparatus (811, 906). When the setting of the radio parameters is
finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base station of the
end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end notification is
received from the managing apparatus, the base station switches the
operating mode to the normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets the
radio communication parameters provided from the managing apparatus
102, is connected to the base station 103 which is operating in the
normal mode, and can make the data communication. If the base
station in the setting mode cannot be detected even after the
elapse of the predetermined time after the message showing the
re-depression of the setting button had been displayed, the radio
terminal 100 finishes its own setting mode (812).
[0109] In the above description, when the end of the setting mode
of the base station is detected in FIG. 17, the message for urging
the re-depression of the setting button 304 of the managing
apparatus is displayed onto the display unit 207. However, the
message can be also displayed after the overlap notification to the
base station (806) shown in FIG. 13. Also in this case, the radio
terminal 100 is connected to the base station in which the beacon
change has been detected first after the display of the message
showing the re-depression of the setting button and executes the
setting of the radio communication parameters between the radio
terminal 100 and the managing apparatus.
[0110] As mentioned above, when the setting button is pressed
again, the managing apparatus allows the base station tot change
the contents of the beacon which is transmitted from the base
station. The radio terminal is connected to the base station in
which the beacon has been changed first and executes the setting of
the radio parameters between the radio terminal 100 and the
managing apparatus. Thus, in addition to the effects of the first
and second embodiments, the radio parameters can be easily received
from a desired managing apparatus.
Fifth Embodiment
[0111] In this embodiment, when a plurality of managing apparatuses
in the setting mode exists, S/N ratios (Signal/Noise ratios) of the
beacons which are transmitted from the base stations are compared
and the base station to be connected is selected. This construction
is effective in the case where a distance between the base station
and the managing apparatus is small, for example, in the case where
the base station and the managing apparatus exist in the same
casing. That is, this is because if the distance between the base
station and the managing apparatus is small, when the user holds
the radio terminal and presses the setting button 304 of the
managing apparatus, a distance between the radio terminal and
managing apparatus is also small.
[0112] Although the constructions of the managing apparatuses 102
and 106 are similar to those in the first embodiment, the managing
apparatus 102 is arranged at the position close to the base station
103 or the managing apparatus 102 and the base station 103 are
arranged in the same casing. The managing apparatus 106 is arranged
at the position close to the base station 105 or the managing
apparatus 106 and the base station 105 are arranged in the same
casing. Although the constructions of the RAMs of the radio
terminals 100 and 104 differ, other constructions of the radio
terminals are similar to those in the first embodiment.
[0113] FIG. 19 shows the construction of the RAM 202 in the radio
terminal in the embodiment. An S/N difference storing unit 1900
exists in the RAM 202.
[0114] FIG. 20 shows the construction of the S/N difference storing
unit 1900. The S/N difference storing unit 1900 is used when the
radio terminal 100 compares the S/N ratios of the beacons which are
transmitted from the two base stations and discriminates whether or
not the connection destination can be determined. In a column 2000
of the S/N ratio, a larger value of the S/N ratio to be compared
corresponds and is divided every predetermined range. In a column
2001 of the minimum value of the differences, the minimum value of
the differences between the larger value of the S/N ratio and a
smaller value of the S/N ratio is shown.
[0115] For example, assuming that the S/N ratio of the beacon of
the base station 103 which is received by the radio terminal 100 is
equal to 0.times.19 and the S/N ratio of the beacon of the base
station 105 is equal to 0.times.16, its difference is equal to
0.times.03. Referring to FIG. 20, if the larger value of the S/N
ratio is equal to 0.times.20-0.times.17 (the S/N ratio of the
beacon of the base station 103 corresponds to this range), the
minimum value of the differences by which the connection
destination can be determined is equal to 0.times.05. The
difference between the S/N ratios of the base stations 103 and 105
is equal to 0.times.03 and this value does not satisfy such a
condition. Therefore, it is determined that the connection
destination cannot be determined. The reason why the minimum value
of the differences differs every S/N ratio column 2000 is that it
depends on propagating characteristics of a radio wave.
[0116] FIG. 21 shows the base station information unit 205 of the
radio terminal 100 in the embodiment. In the embodiment, an item
2100 of the S/N ratio of the signal transmitted by the base station
is added to the base station information unit shown in FIG. 5.
[0117] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio
terminal in the embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the
CPU 200 according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. The
operation of the radio terminal 100 will be described hereinbelow
with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22. Since the operation of the
managing apparatus is similar to that in the first embodiment, its
description is omitted here.
[0118] Also in this embodiment, the user of the radio terminal 100
wants to connect the radio terminal 100 to the base station 103 and
make the data communication. Therefore, the user of the radio
terminal 100 wants to set the radio parameters of the base station
103 which are managed by the managing apparatus 102 into the radio
terminal 100.
[0119] In FIG. 22, when the depression of the setting button 203 is
detected (800), in order to search for the base station 103, the
radio terminal 100 starts to scan for the predetermined time (801).
After the start of the scan, when the beacon (setting mode)
transmitted from each of the base stations 103 and 105 is received
(802), the radio terminal 100 stores the information of the base
station which is known from the received beacon into the base
station information unit 205 (803).
[0120] When the scan is finished (YES in 804), the radio terminal
100 discriminates the number of base stations in the setting mode
(805).
[0121] If there is one base station in the setting mode ("1" in
805), the radio terminal 100 is connected to the relevant base
station and executes the setting process of the radio parameters
between the radio terminal 100 and the managing apparatus (811). If
there are no base stations in the setting mode ("0" in 805), the
radio terminal 100 finishes its own setting mode (812).
[0122] If it is determined that there are a plurality of base
stations in the setting mode ("plural" in 805), the radio terminal
100 compares the S/N ratios of the beacons transmitted from the
base stations (2200). In the example of FIG. 21, the radio terminal
100 compares the S/N ratios of the beacons transmitted from the
base stations 103 and 105 (2200). Referring to FIG. 21, an S/N
ratio of the radio wave from the base station 103 which is received
by the radio terminal 100 is equal to 0.times.16, an S/N ratio of
the radio wave from the base station 105 which is received is equal
to 0.times.0f, and its difference is equal to 0.times.07.
[0123] In FIG. 20, when the S/N ratio is equal to 0.times.16, the
minimum value of the differences by which the connection
destination can be determined is equal to 0.times.04. Therefore,
the radio terminal 100 determines that the connection destination
can be selected (YES in 2201) and decides that the base station 103
of the larger S/N ratio is the connection destination (2202). The
radio terminal 100 is connected to the base station 103 and
executes the setting process of the radio parameters between the
radio terminal 100 and the managing apparatus 102 (811). When the
setting of the radio parameters is finished, the managing apparatus
notifies the base station of the end of the setting mode. When the
setting mode end notification is received from the managing
apparatus, the base station switches the operating mode to the
normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets the radio communication
parameters provided from the managing apparatus 102, is connected
to the base station 103 which is operating in the normal mode, and
can make the data communication.
[0124] In step 2201, if the difference between the S/N ratios of
the beacons from the base stations 103 and 105 is smaller than the
minimum value 2001 of the difference in FIG. 20, the radio terminal
100 decides that the connection destination cannot be selected (NO
in 2201). The radio terminal 100 transmits the overlap notification
to the base stations 103 and 105 (806). The subsequent processes
are similar to those in the first embodiment. The processes in the
third and fourth embodiments may be executed.
[0125] In the above description, when a plurality of base stations
in the setting mode is detected, the S/N ratios are compared.
However, in FIG. 13, when a plurality of base stations in the
setting mode is detected ("plural" in 805), the S/N ratios are
compared and the base station can be also selected.
[0126] Although the embodiment has been described on the assumption
that the S/N ratio is used as a value showing a nature of the radio
wave, even in the case of using a field intensity (RSSI) or another
information, a similar effect is obtained so long as it indicates
the nature of the radio wave.
[0127] As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, when a
plurality of candidates of the connection destination exists, the
radio terminal decides the connection destination by using the
state of the received radio wave. Further, whether or not the
connection destination can be determined is discriminated by the
difference between the states of the radio wave. Therefore, such a
risk that the radio terminal is connected to the undesirable
connection destination can be reduced.
[0128] The embodiment is effective particularly in the following
cases. [0129] 1. The base station and the managing apparatus are
closely arranged or exist in the same casing. [0130] 2. In the
state where the user carries the radio terminal, he presses the
setting button of the managing apparatus and the setting button of
the radio terminal.
[0131] In the state as mentioned above, since it is presumed that
the S/N ratio of the signal of the base station to be connected is
large and the S/N ratio of another base station is relatively
small, a possibility that the user can set the ratio parameters for
connecting to the desired base station rises.
Sixth Embodiment
[0132] According to this embodiment, when the connection
destination is decided by using the S/N ratios in the fifth
embodiment, the user is made to confirm the connection destination
by using flickering patterns of LEDs of the ratio terminal and the
managing apparatus.
[0133] According to the ratio terminal and the managing apparatus
in this embodiment, the LEDs as display units are added to the
constructions illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0134] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio
terminal in the embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the
CPU 200 according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. FIG. 24 is
a flowchart showing the operation of the managing apparatus in the
embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the CPU 300
according to the programs stored in the ROM 301. The portions which
have already been described are designated by the same reference
numerals and their description is omitted.
[0135] When the connection destination is selected by using the S/N
ratios in 2202 as described above in FIG. 22, the radio terminal
100 transmits the flickering pattern of the LED to the base station
as a relevant connection destination (2300). The radio terminal 100
turns on and off (flicker) its own LED according to the same
flickering pattern as the flickering pattern transmitted to the
base station (2301).
[0136] The base station which has received the flickering pattern
of the LED transfers the flickering pattern of the LED to the
managing apparatus which manages its own radio parameters. When the
flickering pattern of the LED is received, the base station 103
transfers the received flickering pattern to the managing apparatus
102.
[0137] When the flickering pattern of the LED is received from the
base station 103 (2400), the managing apparatus 102 turns on and
off (flickers) its own LED according to the received flickering
pattern (2401).
[0138] After the LED was flickered in 2301, the radio terminal 100
displays a message for allowing the user to confirm the flickering
pattern of the LED of the desired connection destination (in this
case, managing apparatus 102) onto the display unit 207. The radio
terminal 100 displays a message for allowing the user to select the
connection or disconnection (2302).
[0139] When "connection" is selected (YES in 2303) by the user who
has confirmed the message displayed in 2302, the radio terminal 100
is connected to the base station (base station 103) selected by
using the S/N ratios and executes the radio parameter setting
process between the radio terminal 100 and the managing apparatus
102 (811, 906). When the setting of the radio parameters is
finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base station of the
end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end notification is
received from the managing apparatus, the base station switches the
operating mode to the normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets the
radio communication parameters provided from the managing apparatus
102, is connected to the base station 103 which operates in the
normal mode, and can make the data communication.
[0140] When "disconnection" is selected by the user who has
confirmed the message displayed in 2302, the radio terminal 100
notifies all of the base stations of the overlap (806). The
subsequent processes are similar to those in the first embodiment.
The processes in the third and fourth embodiments may be
executed.
[0141] In the above description, when a plurality of base stations
in the setting mode is detected, the S/N ratios are compared.
However, in a manner similar to the fifth embodiment, when a
plurality of base stations in the setting mode is detected
("plural" in 805) in FIG. 13, the base station is selected by using
the S/N ratios and the processes of 2300 and subsequent steps may
be also executed to the selected base station.
[0142] Another information such as a reception field intensity
(RSSI) or the like showing the nature of the radio wave may be used
in place of the S/N ratios.
[0143] As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, after the
connection destination was decided, the radio terminal displays the
message for allowing the user to select the connection or
disconnection based on the flickering pattern of the LED. Thus, the
user of the radio terminal can confirm the connection destination
by the eyes and a risk that the radio parameters are erroneously
set between the radio terminal and the undesirable managing
apparatus can be reduced. When there are a plurality of base
stations in the setting mode, the confirmation is made by using the
LED. Therefore, if there is one base station in the setting mode,
the confirmation using the LED is unnecessary and the setting
process of the radio parameters can be executed in a short
time.
[0144] Although the user can confirm by the sense of sight based on
the flickering pattern of the LED, a visible device other than the
LED or a sound can be also used.
Seventh Embodiment
[0145] In the first to sixth embodiments, the radio terminal has
detected the base stations in the setting mode (for example, 801 to
804 in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the managing apparatus searches
for the base stations in the setting mode and performs the overlap
notification.
[0146] FIG. 25 is a system constructional diagram in the
embodiment. The managing apparatus 102 is connected to the base
station 103 in a wireless manner (2500). The managing apparatus 106
is connected to the base station 105 in a wireless manner (2501).
In the first to sixth embodiments, the base station has the base
station information unit 205 (FIG. 5) in the RAM 202. In the
embodiment, each of the managing apparatuses 102 and 106 has a
similar base station information unit in the RAM 302.
[0147] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radio
terminal in the embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the
CPU 200 according to the programs stored in the ROM 201. FIG. 27 is
a flowchart showing the operation of the managing apparatus in the
embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the CPU 300
according to the programs stored in the ROM 301. The portions which
have already been described are designated by the same reference
numerals and their description is omitted.
[0148] When the setting button 304 is pressed (900), the managing
apparatus 102 notifies the base station 103 of the start of the
setting mode (901) and starts to scan for the predetermined time
(2700) in order to search for the base stations in the setting
mode. When the setting mode start notification is received, the
base station 103 transmits the beacon of the setting mode. When the
setting button 304 is pressed, the managing apparatus 106 also
notifies the base station 105 of the start of the setting mode. The
base station 105 transmits the beacon of the setting mode.
[0149] When the beacon of the setting mode is detected (YES in
2701), the managing apparatus 102 stores the information of the
detected base station into the base station information unit in the
RAM 302 (2702). When the scan is finished (YES in 2703), the
managing apparatus 102 discriminates the number of base stations in
the setting mode (2704).
[0150] If there is one base station in the setting mode ("1" in
2704), the managing apparatus 102 waits for the setting request
from the radio terminal. When the setting request is received, the
managing apparatus 102 notifies the radio terminal of the radio
parameters of the base station 103 and executes the setting process
of the radio parameters (906). When the setting of the radio
parameters is finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base
station of the end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end
notification is received, the base station switches the operating
mode to the normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets the radio
communication parameters provided from the managing apparatus 102,
is connected to the base station 103 which operates in the normal
mode, and can make the data communication. If there are no base
stations in the setting mode ("0" in 2704), the managing apparatus
102 determines that the setting mode start notification does not
reach the base station 103, and notifies again the base station 103
of the start of the setting mode (901).
[0151] If a plurality of base stations in the setting mode are
detected ("plural" in 2704), the managing apparatus 102 broadcasts
the overlap notification through the base station 103. The overlap
notification transmitted from the base station 103 is also sent to
the radio terminal 100. The overlap notification is also sent to
the base station 105 through the wired LAN and is also transmitted
from the base station 105 to the managing apparatus 106 and the
radio terminal 104.
[0152] When the overlap notification is performed, the managing
apparatus 102 searches for the managing apparatus (903). The
information of the searched managing apparatus is stored into the
managing apparatus information unit 305. When the search is
finished, the managing apparatus 102 confirms whether or not the
radio parameters of another managing apparatus stored in the
managing apparatus information unit 305 coincide with the radio
parameters which are managed by its own managing apparatus by
comparing them (904). If the radio parameters of the searched other
managing apparatus coincide with the radio parameters which are
managed by its own managing apparatus (YES in 905), the managing
apparatus 102 waits for the setting request from the radio
terminal. When the setting request is detected, the managing
apparatus 102 executes the setting process of the radio parameters
between the managing apparatus and the radio terminal (906). In
this case, even if the radio terminal sets the radio parameters
which are managed by any one of the managing apparatuses, the same
radio parameters are set. Therefore, it is unnecessary to finish
the setting mode.
[0153] If the radio parameters of the searched other managing
apparatus differ from the radio parameters which are managed by its
own managing apparatus (NO in 905), the managing apparatus 102
notifies the base station 103 of the end of the setting mode (908).
The managing apparatus 102 finishes its own setting mode (909).
When the setting mode end notification is received, the base
station 103 periodically transmits the beacon of the normal mode in
which the mode area 400 of the beacon has been set to "0".
[0154] When the setting button 203 is pressed (800), the radio
terminal 100 starts the timer 206 (2600) and monitors whether or
not the overlap notification is received. The timer 206 is a timer
for assuring a time which is required until the managing apparatus
102 scans the base station in the setting mode and transmits the
overlap notification of the setting mode.
[0155] The radio terminal 100 starts to scan for the predetermined
time (801) in order to search for the base station which is
operating in the setting mode. After the scan was started, the
radio terminal 100 receives the beacon (setting mode) transmitted
from the base station (802) and stores the information of the base
station 103 which will be known from the received beacon into the
base station information unit 205 (803). When the scan is finished
(YES in 804), the radio terminal 100 discriminates whether or not
the overlap notification has been received (2601).
[0156] If the time-out of the timer activated in 2600 has occurred
in the state where not the overlap notification is not received (NO
in 2601, YES in 2602), the radio terminal 100 refers to the base
station information unit 205 stored in 803. The radio terminal 100
is connected to the base station in the setting mode and sets the
radio communication parameters between the managing apparatus and
the radio terminal (811). When the setting of the radio parameters
is finished, the managing apparatus notifies the base station of
the end of the setting mode. When the setting mode end notification
is received from the managing apparatus, the base station switches
the operating mode to the normal mode. The radio terminal 100 sets
the radio communication parameters provided from the managing
apparatus 102, is connected to the base station 103 which is
operating in the normal mode, and can make the data
communication.
[0157] When the overlap notification is received before the
time-out of the timer 206 activated in 2600 (YES in 2601), the
radio terminal 100 resets the timer 206 and restarts the timer 206
(808). The radio terminal 100 discriminates whether or not the base
station finishes the setting mode until the time-out of the timer
206 activated in 808. When the time-out of the timer 206 occurs
(YES in 810) without detecting the end of the setting mode of the
base station (NO in 809), the radio terminal 100 is connected to
the base station which is operating in the setting mode, transmits
the setting request to the managing apparatus, and executes the
setting process of the radio parameters between the radio terminal
and the managing apparatus (811).
[0158] When it is detected that the base station which had
transmitted the beacon of the setting mode has transmitted the
beacon of the normal mode (YES in 809) before the time-out of the
timer 206, the radio terminal 100 finishes its own setting mode
(812). By referring to the base station information unit 205, the
radio terminal 100 discriminates that the base station in the
setting mode has been switched to the normal mode and has finished
the setting mode.
[0159] As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, the overlap
of the setting mode can be discriminated on the managing apparatus
side without receiving the overlap notification from the radio
terminal. Therefore, the process for searching for another managing
apparatus (903) can be rapidly started and the time which is
required until the setting mode is finished can be shortened.
[0160] The managing apparatus 102 may execute the setting mode
start notification (901) if it is determined that there are no base
stations in the setting mode after the scan (2700 to 2703). In such
a case, since the base station 103 is operating in the normal mode
at the start of the scan, if it is decided as a result of the scan
that at least one base station in the setting mode exists, the
radio terminal 100 is notified of the overlap of the setting mode
(2705). When the overlap notification is received, the radio
terminal finishes its own setting mode.
[0161] By using such a construction as mentioned above, in the case
of finishing the setting mode, the base station does not need to
wastefully transmit the beacon of the setting mode.
[0162] It is also possible to construct in such a manner that, on
the radio terminal side as well, whether or not a plurality of base
stations in the setting mode exists is discriminated and if the
time-out of the timer occurs (2602) without receiving the overlap
notification in spite of the fact that there are a plurality of
base stations in the setting mode, the overlap notification is
performed from the radio terminal as in the case of the first
embodiment.
[0163] By using such a construction as mentioned above, the
managing apparatus and the base station can more certainly finish
the setting mode.
[0164] Although each of the above embodiments has been described
with respect to the wireless LAN according to the IEEE802.11 as an
example, the invention can be also embodied in another wireless
medium such as wireless USB, MBOA (Multi Band OFDM Alliance),
Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.
[0165] Although each of the above embodiments has been described
with respect to the example in which the network identifier,
encrypting system, and encryption key is used as radio parameters,
other information such as authenticating system, authentication
key, and the like may be included in the radio parameters.
[0166] According to the first to seventh embodiments as mentioned
above, the managing apparatus and the base station can finish the
setting mode in a shorter time.
[0167] Even if there are a plurality of managing apparatuses in the
setting mode, when the radio parameters which are managed by the
managing apparatuses in the setting mode coincide, the radio
parameters can be set.
[0168] Therefore, the occurrence of such a situation that the wrong
communication parameters are set into the communicating apparatus
can be reduced.
[0169] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0170] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-286469, filed Oct. 20, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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