JP6563881B2 - Communication switching device, access point, terminal, communication switching method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for switching a communication method in wireless communication such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technology for connecting a wireless terminal having a wireless slave function, such as a mobile phone or a game machine, to a wireless access point by a wireless LAN that is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard Is widely used. Wireless LAN communication is performed when a wireless access point and a wireless terminal use radio waves in a specific frequency band, and has an advantage that the network can be connected anywhere as long as the radio waves reach.

  The IEEE802.11 standard includes 11a, 11g, 11b, 11n, etc. Among them, IEEE802.11ac (hereinafter referred to as 11ac) enables large-capacity high-speed communication and has become the mainstream in recent years.

  Further, the 11ad standard is attracting attention as a next-generation wireless LAN standard. 11ad communicates using a millimeter wave in the 60 GHz band, unlike the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band that have been used in the conventional wireless LAN standards. For this reason, there is an advantage that high-speed communication of 7 Gbps becomes possible theoretically by using a wide band.

  By the way, with the spread of the wireless LAN technology as described above, a scene where a plurality of wireless terminals belong to one access point and perform communication is increasing. For example, public wireless LAN scenes used by an unspecified number of users, family scenes where family members connect each wireless terminal to a single access point, and multiple employees connecting to a single access point Such as office scenes.

  In such a situation, a limited frequency band is shared by a plurality of wireless terminals, and a large load is applied to the access point. As a result, there is a problem that communication quality is deteriorated. With respect to this problem, Patent Document 1 detects the communication status for each communication channel of the access point, and when the communication status deteriorates, by switching the communication method and communication channel between the access point and the communication terminal, A technique for ensuring required communication quality is disclosed.

JP 2011-188122 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, when switching the communication method and communication channel between the access point and the communication terminal, the communication is disconnected during the switching, so that the communication stability is impaired. As a result, in the communication of a specific type of packet or a packet with high priority, a communication failure such as a communication delay or packet loss due to the switching operation occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication switching device capable of switching the communication method while suppressing the influence of instability of communication at the time of switching. .

  When the communication switching device of the present invention is connected to the counterpart device connected by the first and second communication methods using the first communication method, the counterpart device enters the area of the second communication method. A detection unit that detects that the device has entered; a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a specific packet is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method when the detection unit performs the detection; and the confirmation unit A switching unit that switches the connection with the counterpart device to the second communication method.

  The access point of the present invention is an access point whose communication is controlled by the communication switching device of the present invention.

  The terminal of the present invention is a terminal whose communication is controlled by the communication switching device of the present invention.

  According to the communication switching method of the present invention, when the partner device connected by the first and second communication methods is connected by the first communication method, the partner device is placed in the area of the second communication method. When it is detected that the communication device has entered and the detection is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a specific packet is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method. Is switched to the second communication method.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication switching apparatus which can suppress the influence of the instability of the communication at the time of switching and can switch a communication system can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication switching apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the access point which is a communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the wireless terminal management table containing the registration information of the wireless terminal connected to the access point which the access point which is the communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention manages. It is a figure for demonstrating the communicable area | region of the access point which is a communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that a radio | wireless terminal moves in the communicable area | region of the access point which is the communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the access point which is a communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of Vendor Specific IE added to Deauthentication transmitted from the access point which is the communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility with the usable communication system of Submentment ID contained in Vendor Specific IE added to Deauthentication transmitted from the access point which is the communication switching apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of Vendor Specific IE added to Association Request transmitted from the radio | wireless terminal of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the preferred embodiments described below are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication switching device according to a first embodiment of this invention. The communication switching device 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the counterpart device 10 is connected to the counterpart device 10 that is connected using the first and second communication schemes using the first communication scheme, the counterpart device 10 is configured to perform the second communication. It has a detection unit 11 that detects that the system has been entered. Furthermore, when the detection unit 11 performs the detection, the detection unit 11 includes a confirmation unit 12 that confirms whether or not a specific packet is being communicated with the counterpart device 10 using the first communication method. Furthermore, when the confirmation unit 12 confirms that the communication is not being performed, the confirmation unit 12 includes a switching unit 13 that switches the connection with the counterpart device 10 to the second communication method.

  According to the communication switching device 1 of the present embodiment, when the communication method is switched between the communication switching device 1 and the counterpart device 10, the switching is not performed during the communication of the specific packet, and when the communication of the specific packet is not performed. Switching takes place. Thereby, communication failure due to the switching operation to the specific packet is suppressed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication switching device that can suppress the influence of communication instability at the time of switching and switch the communication method.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an access point that is a communication switching device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The access point 2 corresponds to the 2.4 GHz communication unit 21 and 5 GHz communication unit 22 (11ac standard) corresponding to the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band in the IEEE 802.11 standard in the wireless LAN, and the 60 GHz band in the 11ad standard. A 60 GHz communication unit 23 is included. Furthermore, it has the Bluetooth communication part 24 corresponding to Bluetooth (registered trademark) in the IEEE 802.15.1 standard. As a configuration of the communication unit according to the present embodiment, if any one of the 2.4 GHz communication unit 21 and the 5 GHz communication unit 22 and the 60 GHz communication unit 23 are included, other configurations can be arbitrary. .

  The access point 2 further includes a connection information storage unit 25, a communication history storage unit 26, a switching determination unit 27, and a control unit 28.

  The connection information storage unit 25 includes a communication method supported by each wireless terminal 20 connected to the access point 2 via a wireless LAN, and a MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the communication unit of the wireless terminal 20 that communicates with each communication method. Stores the information. FIG. 3 shows a wireless terminal management table including a communication method and its MAC address for each wireless terminal 1 to N (N is a positive integer). The connection information storage unit 25 stores the wireless terminal management table of FIG. The access point 2 can acquire the information of the wireless terminal 20 by, for example, the wireless terminal 20 connecting to the access point 2 via a wireless LAN.

  The communication history storage unit 26 records the time when a specific packet, such as a specific type of packet or a packet with a higher priority than a predetermined priority, was transmitted and received last. As a result, the access point 2 can confirm whether or not a specific packet is currently being communicated.

  The switching determination unit 27 calculates the elapsed time from the time when the specific packet was last communicated. If the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the switching determination unit 27 determines that the specific packet is not in communication and switches the communication method. Decide what to do.

  For example, when the access point 2 is connected to the wireless terminal 20 by the 5 GHz communication unit 22, the control unit 28 checks whether the wireless terminal 20 is compatible with the 60 GHz band in the 11ad standard. This confirmation can be made by confirming the wireless terminal management table of FIG. 3 having information acquired from the wireless terminal 20.

  The control unit 28 detects whether or not the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable area of the 60 GHz communication unit 23 after confirming that the wireless terminal 20 is compatible with the 60 GHz band in the 11ad standard.

  To detect whether the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable area of the 60 GHz communication unit 23, the control unit 28 first instructs the 60 GHz communication unit 23 to transmit a Beacon signal to the wireless terminal 20. do. In response to this instruction, the 60 GHz communication unit 23 transmits a Beacon signal to the wireless terminal 20. When the wireless terminal 20 receives the Beacon signal, the wireless terminal 20 transmits a transmission Frame signal as a reply thereto. When the 60 GHz communication unit 23 receives the transmission frame signal from the wireless terminal 20, the control unit 28 enters the communicable area of the 60 GHz communication unit 23 when the radio field intensity of the transmission frame signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value. It is determined that

  In addition, the control part 28 can perform the said instruction | indication to the 60 GHz communication part 23 regularly. Further, when the 5 GHz communication unit 22 detects the radio wave intensity of communication at 5 GHz and confirms that the radio wave intensity has exceeded the threshold value, and after this time, if the threshold value is continuously exceeded, it is periodically You may instruct.

  When the control unit 28 confirms that the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable region of the 60 GHz communication unit 23, the control unit 28 confirms with the switching determination unit 27 whether or not switching of the communication method is possible. When the switching determination unit 27 replies that the switching of the communication method is possible, the control unit 28 switches the connection with the wireless terminal 20 from the 5 GHz communication unit 22 to the 60 GHz communication unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communicable areas of the 11ac standard and the 11ad standard are narrower in the 11ad standard using millimeter waves than in the 11ac standard. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless terminal 20 enters the 11ad standard area within the 11ac standard area, the above switching operation occurs.

  In contrast to FIG. 5, when the wireless terminal 20 moves out of the 11ad standard area and moves into the 11ac standard area, the connection with the wireless terminal 20 is connected to the 60 GHz communication, contrary to the switching operation described above. Switching from the unit 23 to the 5 GHz communication unit 22. The fact that the radio terminal 20 is out of the 11ad standard area can be confirmed by the radio wave intensity of the 60 GHz communication unit 23 being lower than the threshold value. Also at this time, the control unit 28 confirms with the switching determination unit 27 whether or not switching of the communication method is possible. The switching determination unit 27 determines whether or not the communication method can be switched using the same method as described above.

  In the above description and the following description of the operation of the access point 2 using the flowchart of FIG. 6, the 11ac standard is cited as a communication method used in combination with the 11ad standard, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the 11ac standard, the 11a standard or 11n standard, which is a standard of 2.4 GHz band or another 5 GHz band, may be used. Moreover, although the 11ad standard is mentioned as a communication system used together with the 11ac standard, it is not limited to this. Instead of the 11ad standard, the 11a standard or the 11n standard, which is a standard in the 2.4 GHz band or another 5 GHz band, may be used.

  By switching the communication method, the communication concentrated on the channel of one communication method can be distributed, and the load on the access point can be reduced. As a result, desired communication quality can be maintained.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the access point 2 which is the communication switching device of this embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the user registers in advance information on the communication method that the wireless terminal 20 corresponds to the access point 2 and the MAC address of the communication unit of the wireless terminal 20 that communicates with each communication method. .

  Information regarding these communications is registered in the wireless terminal management table of FIG. 3 and stored in the connection information storage unit 25. For registration in the wireless terminal management table by the user, WEB-GUI (Graphical User Interface), which is a setting / display function in the Web browser of the access point 2, can be used.

  The flowchart in FIG. 6 starts when the access point 2 and the wireless terminal 20 start the connection operation. The connection operation is started, for example, when each user of the access point 2 and the wireless terminal 20 activates a connection operation between the access point 2 and the wireless terminal 20. Each user of the access point 2 and the wireless terminal 20 may be the same user.

  In step S <b> 101, the access point 2 connects to the wireless terminal 20 through the 5 GHz communication unit 22 within an area where connection according to the 11ac standard is possible.

  That is, the control unit 28 of the access point 2 receives the transmission frame that the wireless terminal 20 receives and returns the Beacon signal transmitted by the 5 GHz communication unit 22, so that the wireless terminal 20 conforms to the 11ac standard. Recognize that it is in an area where connection is possible. When recognizing this, the control unit 28 instructs the 5 GHz communication unit 22 to connect to the wireless terminal 20. In response to this instruction, the 5 GHz communication unit 22 connects to the wireless terminal 20 according to the 11ac standard.

  In addition, when the connection with the wireless terminal 20 is possible even with a standard other than the 11ac standard, the control unit 28 can connect with a standard with a high priority by setting a priority to the standard to be connected in advance. .

  In step S <b> 102, the access point 2 confirms the communication method of the wireless terminal 20. That is, the control unit 28 of the access point 2 can confirm the communication method of the wireless terminal 20 by confirming the wireless terminal management table stored in the connection information storage unit 25.

  In step S103, the access point 2 determines whether or not the wireless terminal 20 is compatible with a standard capable of switching the connection according to the 11ac standard, in this case, the 11ad standard. That is, the access point 2 ends the flowchart when there is no 11ad standard in the usable communication method of the wireless terminal management table (NO in S103). When the 11ad standard is available in the usable communication method of the wireless terminal management table (YES in S103), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the access point 2 determines whether or not the wireless terminal 20 has entered a communicable area according to the 11ad standard.

  That is, the control unit 28 of the access point 2 instructs the 60 GHz communication unit 23 to transmit a Beacon signal to the wireless terminal 20. In response to this instruction, the 60 GHz communication unit 23 transmits a Beacon signal to the wireless terminal 20. When the wireless terminal 20 receives the Beacon signal, the wireless terminal 20 transmits a transmission Frame signal as a reply thereto. When the 60 GHz communication unit 23 receives the transmission frame signal from the wireless terminal 20, the control unit 28 determines that the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable region based on the 11ad standard when the radio field intensity of the transmission frame signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value. judge.

  Note that the determination of whether or not the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable region of the 11ad standard is not limited to the evaluation of whether or not the radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The determination can also be made, for example, by evaluating a signal-to-noise ratio (Signal-Noise Ratio) of a transmission frame signal from the radio terminal 20.

  If the control unit 28 determines that the wireless terminal 20 is not in the communicable area of the 11ad standard (NO in S104), the control unit 28 repeats Step S104 in order to continue monitoring the radio wave intensity. This repetition can be performed periodically. Further, when the 5 GHz communication unit 22 detects the radio wave intensity of communication at 5 GHz and confirms that the radio wave intensity has exceeded the threshold value, and after this time, if the threshold value is continuously exceeded, it is periodically It can also be done.

  If the control unit 28 determines that the wireless terminal 20 has entered the communicable region of the 11ad standard (YES in S104), the control unit 28 proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the access point 2 calculates the elapsed time since the last transmission of the specific packet.

  That is, the control unit 28 of the access point 2 instructs the switching determination unit 27 to calculate the elapsed time since the last transmission / reception of the specific packet. In response to this instruction, the switching determination unit 27 calculates the elapsed time from the time when the specific packet was last transmitted and received recorded in the communication history storage unit 26. The time when the specific packet was last transmitted / received can be arbitrarily selected from the time when transmission / reception is started and the time when transmission / reception is completed.

  Here, the specific packet includes a specific type of packet, a packet having a higher priority than a predetermined priority, and the like. Since these specific packets may be strongly affected by a momentary interruption during communication, they should not be subjected to a momentary interruption when switching the communication method.

  Examples of the specific packet type include RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol). Further, a high priority packet can be specified by a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value included in QoS (Quality of Service). The threshold of the DSCP value treated as a high priority packet can be arbitrarily set.

  In step S106, the access point 2 determines whether or not the calculated elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

  If the elapsed time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (NO in S106), the switching determination unit 27 determines that the specific packet may be in communication, and switches the communication method in order to prioritize communication stability. Is determined not to be executed, and the flowchart is ended.

  When setting the predetermined threshold value for the elapsed time, for example, first, the capacity of the last packet transmitted / received recorded in the communication history storage unit 26 and the data transfer rate (communication speed) of the 5 GHz communication unit 22 that transmits / receives the packet. ) To determine the time required for transmission and reception. Furthermore, a threshold value can be set by adding a predetermined time margin to this time as necessary. Note that the predetermined time margin is a time margin sufficient to eliminate the influence of the switching, and the past performance can be fed back and updated.

  Note that when the switching determination unit 27 determines not to switch the communication method, step S105 and subsequent steps may be repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, when the switching determination unit 27 determines not to switch the communication method, step S104 and the subsequent steps may be repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, when it is assumed that the position of the wireless terminal 20 has also changed after a certain period of time, it is more preferable to repeat step S104 and subsequent steps.

  When the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in S106), the switching determination unit 27 determines that the specific packet is not being communicated, and therefore determines to perform the switching of the communication method, and proceeds to Step S107. Transition.

  The determination as to whether or not the specific packet is in communication is not limited to the elapsed time since the last transmission / reception of the specific packet described above. For example, when the 5 GHz communication unit 22 is communicating, whether or not the specific packet is being communicated is determined by whether or not the packet being communicated is RTP and the DSCP value included in the QoS. It is also possible to determine whether or not.

  In step S <b> 107, the access point 2 transmits a Deauthentication (disconnection notification) with the Vendor Specific IE added to the wireless terminal 20, and disconnects the wireless terminal 20.

  That is, the 5 GHz communication unit 22 of the access point 2 transmits to the wireless terminal 20 a deauthentication to which the Vendor Specific IE including the communication method and MAC address information of the 60 GHz communication unit 23 that is the switching destination is added. Disconnect from the.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the Vendor Specific IE. The Vendor Specific IE according to the present embodiment includes a sub-segment ID associated with a switching destination communication method and a MAC address of a communication unit that is a switching destination. FIG. 8 shows an example of a Sublement ID and a corresponding communication method. As shown in FIG. 8, by associating a Sublement ID and a communication method, information on a communication method to be a switching destination can be given. Further, the MAC address of the communication unit that is the switching destination is the MAC address of the 60 GHz communication unit 23 that is the switching destination.

  By adding the Subsequent ID and the MAC address to the deauthentication, it is possible to provide the wireless terminal 20 with the communication method and communication unit information to be switched to after disconnection, so that the wireless terminal 20 can be quickly switched to the switching destination. It can be connected.

  In step S108, the access point 2 is connected to the wireless terminal 20 by the 11ad standard at the 60 GHz communication unit 23, and the flowchart ends.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the user has registered in the wireless terminal management table the communication method in which the wireless terminal 20 corresponds to the access point 2 and the MAC address information of the communication unit of the wireless terminal 20 communicating with each communication method. Later, it was supposed to start. However, when the user manually inputs from the WEB-GUI or the like, an error may occur due to an operation error. Further, it is necessary to perform an input operation every time the number of connected wireless terminals increases, which is a burden on the user.

  Therefore, before registering the communication method and MAC address of the wireless terminal 20 in the access point 2, the flowchart is started and the connection with the wireless terminal 20 based on the 11ac standard in step S101 is performed. At that time, by adding a Vendor Specific IE including information on the communication method and MAC address of the wireless terminal 20 to the Association Request transmitted from the wireless terminal 20, the wireless slave device management table is automatically updated. May be.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the Vendor Specific IE added to the Association Request transmitted from the wireless terminal. In the Vendor Specific IE of FIG. 9, all communication methods and MAC addresses supported by the wireless terminal 20 can be included. By assigning the communication method and MAC address information of the wireless terminal 20 to the Vendor Specific IE, the access point 2 can acquire the communication method and MAC address of the wireless terminal 20 and register them in the wireless slave device management table.

  After the above, step S102 and subsequent steps in the flowchart of FIG. 6 may be performed.

  Note that the relationship between the access point 2 that is the communication switching device of the present embodiment and the wireless terminal 20 that is the partner device connected to the access point 2 may be switched. That is, the wireless terminal 20 can include the components of the access point 2 described above and perform the operation of the flowchart of FIG.

  According to the access point 2 that is the communication switching device of the present embodiment, when switching the communication method between the access point 2 and the communication terminal 20, the switching is not performed during the communication of the specific packet, and the communication of the specific packet is not performed. Switching occurs when there is not. Thereby, communication failure due to the switching operation to the specific packet is suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication switching device that can suppress the influence of communication instability at the time of switching and switch the communication method.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, although a part or all of said embodiment may be described also as the following additional remarks, it is not restricted to the following.
(Appendix 1)
A detecting unit that detects that the partner device has entered the area of the second communication method when connected to the partner device connected by the first and second communication methods using the first communication method. When,
When the detection unit performs the detection, a confirmation unit that confirms whether the specific packet is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method;
A communication switching device comprising: a switching unit that switches the connection with the counterpart device to the second communication method when the confirmation unit confirms that the communication is not being performed.
(Appendix 2)
The detection unit detects that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method after confirming that the counterpart device is compatible with the second communication method. Communication switching device.
(Appendix 3)
The communication switching device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit detects that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method based on radio wave intensity from the counterpart device.
(Appendix 4)
The communication switching device according to appendix 3, wherein the radio field intensity includes a strength of a signal that the partner device receives and returns a Beacon signal transmitted to the partner device.
(Appendix 5)
5. The communication switching device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether or not the communication is being performed based on an elapsed time since the last transmission of the specific packet.
(Appendix 6)
The communication switching device according to appendix 5, wherein the confirmation unit determines that the communication is not being performed when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
(Appendix 7)
7. The communication switching device according to one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the specific packet includes a specific type of packet or a packet having a predetermined priority or higher.
(Appendix 8)
When the switching unit switches from the first communication method to the second communication method, the switching unit sends a disconnection notification including information on the second communication method to the partner device, and the partner device transmits the second communication method. 8. The communication switching device according to one of appendices 1 to 7, wherein connection is made by the second communication method based on information related to the communication method.
(Appendix 9)
The communication switching device according to appendix 8, wherein the information related to the second communication method includes an address to be connected in the second communication method.
(Appendix 10)
The communication switching device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9, wherein the second communication method has a communication area narrower than that of the first communication method.
(Appendix 11)
The first communication method includes IEEE 802.11 standard 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz communication method, and the second communication method includes IEEE 802.11 standard 60 GHz communication method. The communication switching device according to item.
(Appendix 12)
An access point whose communication is controlled by the communication switching device according to any one of appendices 1 to 11.
(Appendix 13)
A terminal whose communication is controlled by the communication switching device according to any one of appendices 1 to 11.
(Appendix 14)
Detecting that the partner device has entered the area of the second communication method when connected to the partner device connected by the first and second communication methods using the first communication method;
When the detection is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a specific packet is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method,
A communication switching method for switching the connection with the counterpart device to the second communication method when it is confirmed that the communication is not being performed.
(Appendix 15)
15. The communication switching method according to appendix 14, wherein after confirming that the counterpart device is compatible with the second communication method, it is detected that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method.
(Appendix 16)
16. The communication switching method according to appendix 14 or 15, wherein it is detected that the counterpart device has entered the second communication mode area based on radio field intensity from the counterpart device.
(Appendix 17)
The communication switching method according to supplementary note 16, wherein the radio field strength includes a strength of a signal that the partner device receives and returns a Beacon signal transmitted to the partner device.
(Appendix 18)
18. The communication switching method according to any one of appendices 14 to 17, wherein whether or not the communication is being performed is confirmed based on an elapsed time since the last transmission of the specific packet.
(Appendix 19)
The communication switching method according to appendix 18, wherein the communication is not being performed when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
(Appendix 20)
20. The communication switching method according to any one of appendices 14 to 19, wherein the specific packet includes a specific type of packet or a packet having a predetermined priority or higher.
(Appendix 21)
When switching from the first communication method to the second communication method, a disconnection notification including information related to the second communication method is sent to the partner device, and the partner device sends information related to the second communication method to the information related to the second communication method. 21. The communication switching method according to any one of appendices 14 to 20, wherein the connection is made based on the second communication method.
(Appendix 22)
The communication switching method according to appendix 21, wherein the information related to the second communication method includes an address of a portion that performs the second communication method.
(Appendix 23)
The communication switching method according to any one of appendices 14 to 21, wherein the second communication method has a communication area narrower than that of the first communication method.
(Appendix 24)
The first communication method includes the IEEE 802.11 standard 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz communication method, and the second communication method includes the IEEE 802.11 standard 60 GHz communication method. The communication switching method according to item.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication switching device 10 Counterpart device 11 Detection part 12 Confirmation part 13 Switching part 2 Access point 20 Wireless terminal 21 2.4GHz communication part 22 5GHz communication part 23 60GHz communication part 24 Bluetooth communication part 25 Connection information storage part 26 Communication history storage part 27 switching determination unit 28 control unit

Claims (9)

A detecting unit that detects that the partner device has entered the area of the second communication method when connected to the partner device connected by the first and second communication methods using the first communication method. When,
When the detection unit performs the detection, a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a packet having a priority higher than a predetermined priority is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method;
When confirming that the checking unit is not in the communication, have a, a switching unit for switching the connection between the counterpart device to the second communication method,
The communication switching device , wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether or not the communication is being performed based on an elapsed time since a packet having a higher priority than the predetermined priority was last transmitted .   The detection unit confirms that the counterpart device is compatible with the second communication method, and then detects that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method. The communication switching device described.   The communication switching device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method based on a radio wave intensity from the counterpart device. When the switching unit switches from the first communication method to the second communication method, the switching unit sends a disconnection notification including information on the second communication method to the partner device, and the partner device transmits the second communication method. to connect the second communication mode based on the information about the communication system, the communication switching device according one of among claims 1 to 3. Wherein the communication method of the first communication scheme IEEE802.11 standards 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, the second communication scheme includes a 60GHz communication method IEEE802.11 standard, of claims 1 to 4 The communication switching device according to claim 1. Access points controls communication by the communication switching device according one of claims 1 5. Terminal controlled communication with communication switching device according one of among claims 1 to 5. Detecting that the partner device has entered the area of the second communication method when connected to the partner device connected by the first and second communication methods using the first communication method;
When the detection is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a packet having a priority higher than a predetermined priority is being communicated with the counterpart device in the first communication method.
If it is confirmed that the communication is not in progress, the connection with the counterpart device is switched to the second communication method ,
In the confirmation as to whether or not the communication is in progress, a communication switching method for confirming whether or not the communication is being performed based on an elapsed time since the packet having a higher priority than the predetermined priority was last transmitted. . The communication switching method according to claim 8 , wherein after confirming that the counterpart device is compatible with the second communication method, it is detected that the counterpart device has entered the area of the second communication method. .

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