JP2008042476A - Radio communication system, radio communication apparatus, radio communication method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a station to scan new access points efficiently with low power consumption along with a change in communication status when providing a roaming service. <P>SOLUTION: Each access point includes a peripheral information management portion which exchanges information with a station to which the access point is currently connected and with other access points in the surrounding area, and manages information about channels being used in the surrounding area. On the other hand, the station includes a channel management for efficiently limiting the use channels of itself, based on the channel scanning results by itself and additional information from the access points in the surrounding area, and limits the channels to be scanned for the roaming service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio communication system, a radio communication apparatus, a radio communication method, and a computer program for controlling communication operations of a station whose access point, which is a fixed station, is a mobile station in a communication cell, and more particularly to a service area. The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication method, and a computer program that are operated by installing a plurality of access points that are fixed stations therein and a station that is a mobile station connected to the nearest access point.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer that perform roaming to a peripheral access point in accordance with a change in communication status with an access point to which a station is currently connected.・ Regarding the program.

  A wireless network is attracting attention as a system free from wiring in the conventional wired communication system. As a standard for a wireless network, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 or the like can be cited. Recently, wireless communication functions have been installed in various information devices such as personal computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and game machines due to the price reduction of wireless LAN modules, and wireless networks have become widespread.

  In order to configure a wireless LAN, a method in which a control station called an “access point (AP)” comprehensively controls the communication operation of each terminal station called a “station (ST)” in a communication cell is generally used. It is used. That is, when a mobile station performs information transmission, first, a band necessary for the information transmission is reserved in an access point, and a transmission path is used so that a collision with information transmission in another mobile station does not occur. Synchronous access control methods based on reservations are widely adopted. For example, networking in IEEE 802.11 is based on the concept of BSS (Basic Service Set), and an infrastructure mode in which an access point exists is defined.

  Many of the wireless communication systems employ a frequency spreading method in which a signal frequency band is spread over a wide frequency band such as several tens of times. For example, in IEEE 802.11 PHY (physical layer), it is agreed to implement either frequency spreading by direct sequence (DSSS: Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) or frequency spreading by frequency hopping (FHSS). Also, in main wireless LAN systems such as IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11g, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme is adopted.

  By the way, as one of the use forms of recent wireless networks, a public wireless LAN service, that is, an access point which is a fixed station is installed in an airport, a station, a hotel, a cafe, etc., and a mobile station (MT such as a notebook PC or PDA) A public wireless LAN service in which a station is connected to a broadband network via an access point as a fixed station is known. According to this type of public wireless LAN service, users can use the broadband environment even when they are away from home, access various servers on the Internet, send and receive e-mails, and provide various information such as moving images and music. You can search and collect content.

  In a network configuration in which a station that is a mobile station accesses an access point that is a fixed station, as in a public wireless LAN service, a situation in which the communication status deteriorates easily due to movement of the station or the like. In such a case, the station changes the connection destination from the currently used access point to a new peripheral access point, that is, performs “roaming”.

  When a station performs roaming, the station needs to scan access points existing in the vicinity in advance to secure a new connection destination. At this time, the station must scan on the frequency channel used by the access point. If the frequency channel that the access point is using cannot be identified, the station needs to scan across all frequency channels.

  However, the frequency channels actually used by the access point often use only a part of all channels in order to avoid interference with adjacent channels. For this reason, scanning across all frequency channels when a station roams increases processing time and wastes power for invalid channels.

  For example, hopping information (including channel information) of peripheral access points is transmitted over Ethernet (registered trademark), and the station downloads hopping information of peripheral access points from the connected access point, and downloads the hopping downloaded. A high-speed roaming method in which roaming to an access point having the highest RSSI (Received Signal Strength) by directly synchronizing with neighboring access points based on information has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in this roaming method, it is necessary to register adjacent access points in advance, which is an obstacle for a station that wants to connect to a new access point or an unregistered access point.

JP 2002-94572 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent wireless communication system, a wireless communication system in which a plurality of access points that are fixed stations are installed in a service area, and a station that is a mobile station is connected to the nearest access point and is preferably operated. To provide a communication device, a wireless communication method, and a computer program.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent wireless communication system and wireless communication capable of efficiently performing roaming to neighboring access points in accordance with changes in the communication status with the access point to which the station is currently connected. An apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program are provided.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is that a plurality of usable channels are provided, and a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals, A wireless communication system comprising one or more stations connected to an access point,
Each of the access points exchanges information with both the currently connected station and the peripheral access point, and manages information on the channels used in the vicinity.
The station restricts a channel to be used based on a channel scan result by the local station and channel information supplied from a peripheral access point.
This is a wireless communication system.

  However, “system” here refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize specific functions), and each device or functional module is in a single housing. It does not matter whether or not (hereinafter the same).

  Recently, wireless communication technology has become widespread, but wireless LAN networks such as IEEE 802.11 are operated in an infrastructure mode in which an access point comprehensively controls the communication operation of each station in a communication area. It is common.

  Also, in a usage form of a wireless LAN network such as a public wireless LAN service, a station as a mobile station roams appropriately to a new access point as the communication status changes due to movement or the like. .

  When a station roams, it must scan surrounding access points. Typically, in a wireless network, it is necessary to scan on all channels where an access point may be present. However, the access point is actually using some frequency channels, but scanning all channels nevertheless increases processing time and wastes power for invalid channels. .

  Therefore, in the wireless communication system according to the present invention, the access point as a fixed station provides a mechanism for restricting the channel used by the station as a mobile station, so that the access point can be efficiently operated when the station performs roaming. Can be done.

  Specifically, the access point includes a peripheral information management unit that exchanges information with both the currently connected station and peripheral access points, and manages information on channels used in the vicinity. Furthermore, the station includes a channel management unit that restricts the channel used by the station based on the channel scanning result of the station and additional information from the peripheral access points.

  Therefore, when a station roams to a new access point, the station can scan the access point within the range of the limited use channel, thereby saving processing time and power consumption for an invalid channel. be able to.

  In addition, when the station fails to connect to the access point even after scanning for the access point within the range of the restricted use channel, the station releases the restriction, The access point is scanned over a number of channels. Therefore, even if the channel used in the station is limited, it does not hinder the connection of the next access point.

The second aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communication of a station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and the station is connected to any one of a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals. A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute processing for controlling operations on a computer,
A first procedure for connecting to a station existing in the communication area of the access point and obtaining peripheral information about a channel used in the vicinity from the station;
A second procedure for connecting to each peripheral access point and obtaining peripheral information about the channel used in the vicinity from the access point;
A notification procedure for notifying the station of the peripheral information acquired by executing the first and second procedures;
Is a computer program characterized in that

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on the computer. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention in the computer, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer. In the wireless communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, access By operating as a server that controls the wireless communication operation of a station that connects to an access point or performs a wireless communication operation, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In addition, the third aspect of the present invention is to connect to any access point in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and a plurality of access points are arranged at predetermined intervals. A computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to execute processing for performing a communication operation on a computer,
An access point scanning procedure for scanning access points that are connectable among the plurality of available channels;
A connection procedure for connecting to any access point detected in the access point scanning procedure;
A channel information notification procedure for notifying information regarding the channel used by each access point detected in the access point scanning procedure to the access point that is the connection destination;
Executing a channel management procedure for managing information on the use channel of each access point acquired in the access point scanning procedure, and information on a use channel of a peripheral access point acquired from the access point serving as the connection destination;
In the access point scanning procedure, when performing roaming, scanning of new access points is performed by limiting to the use channels of the peripheral access points managed in the channel management procedure.
This is a computer program characterized by the above.

  The computer program according to the third aspect of the present invention defines a computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on the computer. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the third aspect of the present invention in the computer, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer. In the wireless communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the station The same effect as that of the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, an excellent radio communication system and radio communication apparatus capable of efficiently roaming to a peripheral access point in accordance with a change in communication status with the access point to which the station is currently connected. And a wireless communication method and a computer program can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, in a wireless network, an excellent wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method capable of performing efficient roaming with a low load by efficiently scanning an access point through an effective frequency channel in a station. As well as computer programs.

  According to the wireless communication system of the present invention, since the access point side as a fixed station provides a mechanism for limiting the channel used by a station as a mobile station, the station can roam to a new access point. In doing so, it is possible to scan the access point within the range of the limited use channels, and to save power consumption due to scanning of invalid channels.

  Further, according to the present invention, the station does not have to scan an invalid channel, so that the processing time for roaming can be shortened.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when an access point is newly installed, the existing access point does not need to perform special settings such as registration of the new access point, and adds information on the channel used. be able to.

  In addition, a management server connected to the access point, an information terminal such as a personal computer that operates as a station (or a wireless LAN card installed in the terminal), an access point information management unit, a channel management unit, etc. By implementing the function, the present invention can be applied to an existing wireless communication system.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a wireless LAN network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated wireless LAN network is composed of communication areas 1 to 3 operated by access points 1 to 3, respectively.

  Each access point 1 to 3 is a fixed station, for example, constructs a wireless network conforming to IEEE802.11b and g, and assigns a communication band to stations accommodated in its own communication area 1 to 3 and performs its communication operation. Control. Each of the access points 1 to 3 is installed at a certain interval so that the communication areas do not overlap each other.

  In this embodiment, the adjacent access points 1 to 3 generally use different channels individually to avoid mutual radio wave interference. In a wireless network using IEEE802.11b and g, the channel width of each channel is wide, and the frequency band to be used is divided into channels 1-14. In order to avoid radio wave interference between adjacent access points, it is necessary to designate a skipped channel from among the channels 1-14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the access point 1 uses the channel 1, the access point 2 uses the channel 6, and the access point 3 uses the channel 11.

  The access points 1 to 3 are interconnected by inter-access point networks 12, 13, and 23. The inter-access point network is composed of a communication medium different from the wireless communication medium used by the station in the communication area (for example, equivalent to DSM (Distributed System Medium) defined by IEEE 802.11), wired or wireless Either may be sufficient. In this embodiment, the access point obtains the used channel information in the neighboring access points through the inter-access point network, and provides a method for controlling the used channel of the station that is a mobile station using this used channel information.

  An example of the illustrated wireless LAN network is a public wireless LAN network that provides a broadband network usage environment to a station through a nearest access point. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to the public wireless LAN service.

  The station 11 is an information terminal such as a notebook computer, a PDA, a game machine, and a mobile phone equipped with a wireless LAN card, and participates in any one of the communication areas 1 to 3 as a mobile station. When the station 11 connects to the access points 1 to 3 and uses the public wireless LAN service, the wireless LAN adapter setting such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key and ESS-ID (Extended Service Set-Identity) is set, and the IP (Internet) It is necessary to set a network such as a Protocol address and a default gateway, and install a communication application program to be used. However, these procedures are well-known technical matters and are not directly related to the gist of the present invention.

  When the communication state deteriorates due to movement or the like, the station 11 needs to roam from the currently used access point 1 to a nearby new access point. Here, the station 11 needs to perform access point scanning for all of the channels 1 to 14 supported in the communication protocol when the channel information used by the peripheral access points is not acquired. . However, the time and power spent scanning an invalid channel that is not used by any neighboring access points is wasted. In the example shown in FIG. 1, as a result of the station scanning the access point, information is returned only for the channels 1, 6, and 11 used by the peripheral access points, and the other channel scans are idle. End.

  Therefore, the wireless LAN network according to the present embodiment provides a mechanism for restricting the channel used by a station as a mobile station on the access point side as a fixed station, so that the access point can be operated efficiently when the station performs roaming. Can be done. Specifically, the access point includes a peripheral information management unit that exchanges information with both the currently connected station and peripheral access points, and manages information on channels used in the vicinity. Further, the station includes a channel management unit for efficiently limiting the channel used by the station based on the channel scanning result of the station and additional information from the peripheral access points.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a functional configuration for managing channel information in an access point and a station interconnected by a wireless network.

  The access point 13 is interconnected with peripheral access points via a network 18 between access points, and is interconnected with a station 16 accommodated in its own communication cell via a wireless network 17. . The access points 13 connected via the inter-access point network 18 include already registered access points 11-1 to 11-N and an unknown access point 11-M.

  The access point 13 includes an access point processing unit 13-1 that performs processing as a normal access point in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as IEEE802.11b and g, and a peripheral information management unit that manages information related to peripheral access points 13-2.

  The peripheral information management unit 13-2 can be mounted not only inside the device of the access point 13, but also on a management server (not shown) connected to the access point 13.

  The station 16 includes a station processing unit 16-1 that performs processing as a normal station in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as IEEE802.11b and g such as connection to an access point and roaming, and a channel scanning result by the own station and peripherals. A channel management unit 16-2 is provided for restricting the channel to be used based on additional information from the access point. For example, in IEEE 802.11, 14 frequency channels are defined, but the station 16 can use only the channels registered in the channel management unit 16-2 as its own communication.

  The channel management unit 16-2 may be mounted on an information terminal main body such as a personal computer using the wireless LAN card, in addition to being mounted on a real machine such as a wireless LAN card (not shown). it can.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a mechanism for controlling the channel used by the station 16 based on channel information of peripheral access points managed by the access point 13. The used channel control method shown in the figure is composed of procedures 1 to 5 as described below.

Procedure 1) Connection of an unconnected station to an access point An unconnected station scans all available channels in order to connect to the access point (in a wireless communication system in accordance with IEEE 802.11, Station scans all channels 1-14).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, as a result of scanning all channels, the station 16 can acquire channel information from the access point 13 and the peripheral access points 11-1 to 11 -N. Further, channel information of an unknown access point 11-M that is not registered in the access point 13 can be acquired. The station 16 stores the channel information in the channel management unit 16-2.

  The station 16 then connects to the desired access point based on the information acquired by scanning all channels. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the access point 13 is connected. When connected to the access point 13, the station 16 transmits the access point information stored in the channel management unit 16-2 to the access point 13.

Procedure 2) Channel acquisition of peripheral access points When the access point 13 receives peripheral information from the station 16, it passes it to the peripheral information management unit 13-2 and determines whether the information is already managed. If there is an already updated peripheral access point 11-1 to 11 -N that has already been registered, the station 16 uses the inter-access point network 18 to check the update status.

  The access point 13 searches the access point for the unregistered access point 11-M based on information from the station 16, confirms whether it is a directly connectable access point, and accesses as a new access point. Information of the network 19 between the point 11-M and the new access point is stored.

  Each time the station 16 connects to the access point 13, the access point 13 performs addition, deletion, information update, etc. of the peripheral access point by repeating the above-described procedure 1 and procedure 2.

Procedure 3) Transmission of peripheral channel information by access point The access point 13 stores the channel information received from the station 16 in the peripheral information management unit 13-2, and then extracts only the peripheral access point information that the station 13 does not possess. And sent to the station 16 through the access point processing unit 13-1.

  On the other hand, on the station 16 side, the access point information received from the access point 13 is sent to the channel management unit 16-2 via the station processing unit 16-1. The channel management unit 16-2 adds information sent from the access point as a use channel in addition to the channel information currently being managed. As a result, the station 16 side can grasp the peripheral access points that could not be detected by the scanning of all the channels.

Procedure 4) Restricting the channel used on the station side The channel management unit 16-2 informs the station processing unit 16-1 of channel information registered in a database format, for example. The station processing unit 16-1 sets restrictions on the channels to be used based on the information.

  The station communication management unit 16-1 may request the channel information from the channel management unit 16-2 to acquire the information.

Step 5)
When the communication status of the station 16 with the currently connected access point 13 deteriorates due to movement or the like, the access point needs to be scanned for roaming to the peripheral access point.

  In this case, the station processing unit 16-1 scans only the channels used by the peripheral access points by scanning only the channels restricted in the above procedure 4). That is, since it is not necessary to scan invalid channels, the processing time for roaming can be shortened and power consumption can be saved.

  Through such a procedure, the station 16 can establish a wireless connection with a new access point within a use channel restricted by the channel management unit 16-2.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed in the station when the connection with the access point is disconnected.

  If an event occurs that the wireless network with the access point is disconnected due to deterioration of the wireless environment (step S1), the station needs to reconnect to the access point.

  At this time, the station provides usable channel information obtained based on the channel information possessed by the channel management unit 16-2 to the station processing unit 16-1 (step S2), and the station processing unit 16-1 The peripheral access points are scanned within the range of the usable channels (step S3).

  If an access point is detected as a result of this channel scanning, it is checked whether or not connection is possible (step S4). If connection is possible, the access point is connected (step S5).

  On the other hand, if the access point cannot be detected even if scanning is performed within the range of the used channel, or if it is not possible to connect to the detected access point (No in step S4), the channel management unit 16-2 holds it. The restricted channel information that has been set is released (step S6). Then, the channel management unit 16-2 notifies the station processing unit 16-1 that the channel restriction has been released (step S7).

  In response to the channel restriction release notification, the station 16-1 performs access point scanning for all channels (step S8). If the access point can be detected and connected (Yes in step S9), the access point is connected (step S5), and this processing routine is terminated.

  Further, the station 16-1 scans all channels (step S8), and if the access point cannot be detected or cannot be connected to the detected access point (No in step S9), this processing routine is regarded as a connection failure. finish.

  According to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, the station first performs an efficient access point scan within the range of the restricted use channel, but if reconnection with the access point fails, the station restricts the use channel. And the operation is performed over all channels supported by a communication protocol such as IEEE802.11. Therefore, even if the channel used in the station is limited, it does not hinder the connection of the next access point.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In this specification, a plurality of access points that are fixed stations are installed in a service area, and the mobile station can be applied to a wireless communication system that connects to the nearest access point. In other types of wireless LAN networks, a station can perform roaming by efficiently scanning a new access point with low power consumption as the communication status changes.

  In short, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the description of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims should be taken into consideration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless LAN network according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration for managing channel information in an access point and a station interconnected by a wireless network. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for controlling the channel used by the station 16 based on channel information of peripheral access points managed by the access point 13. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed in the station when the connection with the access point is disconnected.

Explanation of symbols

11-1 to 11-N: registered access point 11-M: unknown access point 13 ... access point 13-1 ... access point processing unit 13-2 ... peripheral information management unit 16 ... station 16-1 ... station processing Unit 16-2 ... channel management unit 17 ... wireless network 18 ... network between access points 19 ... network between new access points

Claims (14)

A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of available channels, a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals, and one or more stations connected to any one of the access points,
Each of the access points exchanges information with both the currently connected station and the peripheral access point, and manages information on the channels used in the vicinity.
The station restricts a channel to be used based on a channel scan result by the local station and channel information supplied from a peripheral access point.
A wireless communication system. When the station roams to a new access point, it scans the access point within the restricted channel of use.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. If the station fails to connect to the access point even after scanning for the access point within the range of the restricted use channel, the station releases the restriction and releases all the available channels. Scan access points across
The wireless communication system according to claim 2. A wireless communication device that controls a wireless communication operation of a station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels that can be used are provided and the station is connected to any of a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals.
A wireless communication means for connecting to a station existing in the communication area of the access point;
An inter-access point connection means for connecting to each peripheral access point via a communication medium different from the wireless communication means,
Via the wireless communication means and the access point connection means, peripheral information management means for managing peripheral information related to channels used in the vicinity;
Notification means for notifying the peripheral information to a station connected via the wireless communication means;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: A wireless communication method for controlling a wireless communication operation of a station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and the station is connected to any of a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals,
A first step of connecting to a station existing in the communication area of the access point and obtaining peripheral information about a channel used in the vicinity from the station;
A second step of connecting to each peripheral access point and obtaining peripheral information about the channel used in the vicinity from the access point;
A notification step of notifying the station of the peripheral information acquired in the first and second steps;
A wireless communication method comprising: In a wireless communication environment in which a station is connected to one of a plurality of access points arranged at predetermined intervals, where a plurality of usable channels are provided, a process for controlling the wireless communication operation of the station is performed on the computer. A computer program written in a computer readable format to be executed, said computer having
A first procedure for connecting to a station existing in the communication area of the access point and obtaining peripheral information about a channel used in the vicinity from the station;
A second procedure for connecting to each peripheral access point and obtaining peripheral information about the channel used in the vicinity from the access point;
A notification procedure for notifying the station of peripheral information regarding the channels used in the periphery obtained by executing the first and second procedures;
A computer program for executing A wireless communication apparatus that performs communication operation by connecting to any access point in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and a plurality of access points are arranged at predetermined intervals. ,
Access point scanning means for scanning access points that can be connected among the plurality of available channels;
Connection means for connecting to any access point detected by the access point scanning means;
Channel information notifying means for notifying the access point that is the connection destination of information on the channel used by each access point detected by the access point scanning means;
Channel management means for managing information on the use channel of each access point acquired by the access point scanning means, and information on the use channel of a peripheral access point acquired from the access point serving as the connection destination;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: The access point scanning means, when roaming, scans a new access point by limiting to the channels used by the peripheral access points managed by the channel management means.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7. When the access point scanning means is unable to connect to the access point even if it scans the access point within the range of the restricted use channel, the access point scanning means cancels the restriction and the access point can be used. Scan access points across all channels,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8. A wireless communication method for performing communication operation by connecting to any access point in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and a plurality of access points are arranged at predetermined intervals. ,
An access point scanning step of scanning an access point that becomes connectable among the plurality of available channels;
A connection step of connecting to any access point detected in the access point scanning step;
A channel information notifying step of notifying the access point serving as a connection destination of information on the channel used by each access point detected in the access point scanning step;
A channel management step for managing information on the use channel of each access point acquired in the access point scanning step, and information on the use channel of a peripheral access point acquired from the access point serving as the connection destination;
A wireless communication method comprising: In the access point scanning step, when roaming is performed, scanning of a new access point is performed by limiting to a use channel of each peripheral access point managed in the channel management step.
The wireless communication method according to claim 10. In the access point scanning step, if the access point cannot be connected even if the access point is scanned within the range of the restricted use channel, the restriction is released and the available access point is released. Scan access points across all channels,
The wireless communication method according to claim 11. In a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of usable channels are provided and a plurality of access points are arranged at predetermined intervals, a process for connecting to any access point and performing a communication operation is performed on the computer. A computer program written in a computer readable format to be executed on the computer,
An access point scanning procedure for scanning access points that are connectable among the plurality of available channels;
A connection procedure for connecting to any access point detected in the access point scanning procedure;
A channel information notification procedure for notifying information regarding the channel used by each access point detected in the access point scanning procedure to the access point that is the connection destination;
Executing a channel management procedure for managing information on the use channel of each access point acquired in the access point scanning procedure, and information on a use channel of a peripheral access point acquired from the access point as the connection destination;
In the access point scanning procedure, when performing roaming, scanning of new access points is performed by limiting to the use channels of the peripheral access points managed in the channel management procedure.
A computer program characterized by the above. In the access point scanning procedure, if the access point cannot be connected even after scanning the access point within the range of the restricted use channel, the restriction is released and the access point can be used. Scan access points across all channels,
The computer program according to claim 13.

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