JP2008079314A - Radio communication terminal device, and network identifier generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique which enables a radio communication terminal device such as a game machine to be efficiently participated in a wireless network. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine 2 of the present invention comprises a processor 10 and a radio interface device 40. For example, in a radio communication environment using IEEE 802.11, a memory unit 22 of the processor 10 stores a network identifier identifying the wireless network to which the game machine itself belongs. An identifier change unit 18 adds a pattern to the network identifier stored in the memory unit 22 or excludes a pattern contained in the network identifier to generate a new network identifier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing communication between a plurality of communication terminals, and more particularly to a technique for allowing a wireless communication terminal apparatus to participate in a wireless network efficiently.

  With the reduction in size and weight of information terminals, it has become common to carry information terminals. In recent years, a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of users can enjoy an application such as a game together using an infrastructure such as a base station or an access point has become a reality. On the other hand, research for constructing a wireless ad hoc network as on-demand communication is being conducted. Since an ad hoc network does not require a base station or an access point, a wireless network can be easily constructed even in a place where such infrastructure does not exist. In an ad hoc network, a plurality of users can bring a portable game machine and wirelessly communicate with each other so that a game can be enjoyed together.

  Infrastructure networks and ad hoc networks are realized using technologies such as IEEE802.11 and Bluetooth. Conventionally, as a wireless communication environment assumed in the past, several terminals gathered and communication between those terminals was generally performed. However, in infrastructure networks and ad hoc networks, for example, several tens of units A situation where a large number of such terminals are gathered in one environment is also assumed.

  In a wireless network using IEEE802.11, BSS (Basic Service Set) is defined as a basic unit constituting a group of terminals communicating with each other. BSS refers to a group of terminals communicating with each other, and terminals belonging to the same BSS can communicate with each other. The BSS is specified by a 48-bit identifier (Basic Service Set ID: BSSID), and a unique value in the environment is assigned to the BSSID. Apart from the BSSID, there is also an SSID (Service Set ID) consisting of a 0-32 byte character string to identify the BSS. The SSID can be arbitrarily set, and the same SSID can be assigned to a plurality of BSSs. BSS is configured by a terminal or access point transmitting a reference packet called a beacon. The range that the beacon reaches may constitute the BSS spatial range, and a plurality of BSSs may exist in the same space.

  When using a wireless network using IEEE802.11, the terminal needs to belong to one of the BSSs. For this purpose, the terminal searches for (scans) the BSS existing around itself. When a terminal joins an existing group, if it knows the SSID of the group that it wants to join, it can be specified. On the other hand, if it does not know the SSID, it will search for all existing BSSs. Then, one SSID is selected from the searched SSIDs and designated. Note that searching all BSSs corresponds to searching by specifying ANY as the SSID.

In this way, if there are many BSSs in the neighborhood, if you do not know the SSID of the BSS that you want to join, specify ANY to list all the neighboring BSSs, and the user can select the desired BSS from the list. It is necessary to select and specify. There is a problem that data related to one BSS is accompanied by various information, and the list becomes large when there are many BSSs by listing information on all neighboring BSSs. . In this case, it is necessary to secure a storage area for holding the list, but it is not preferable to increase the memory capacity for the purpose of only holding the list. Another problem is that it takes a long time to discover the BSS that you want to join because it lists all the BSSs that exist in the vicinity. For these reasons, it is required to efficiently create a candidate list of BSSs to be connected.
An object of this invention is to provide the technique in which a wireless communication terminal device participates in a wireless network efficiently.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory unit that stores a network identifier that identifies a wireless network to which the device belongs, and a pattern added to the network identifier stored in the memory unit The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal apparatus including an identifier changing unit that generates a new network identifier by removing a pattern included in the identifier.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which a wireless communication terminal device can participate in a wireless network efficiently can be provided.

  FIG. 1 conceptually shows an independent basic service set (IBSS) in an ad hoc network using IEEE802.11. IBSS is equivalent to a wireless network. The IBSS stations can directly communicate with each other. Here, four game machines 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are illustrated as wireless communication terminal devices (stations). Note that the number of game machines 2 constituting the IBSS is not limited to four, and may be other than four. The game machine 2 has a wireless communication function, and a plurality of game machines 2 gather to construct a wireless network. A wireless ad hoc network can be constructed by using a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11.

  In IBSS, by building an ad hoc network, communication between a plurality of game machines 2 can be realized without requiring an infrastructure such as a base station or an access point. The present invention is not only applied to ad hoc networks, but can also be applied to infrastructure networks. In the following, an ad hoc network is taken as an example of an environment to which the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 2 shows a state where a plurality of IBSSs are generated in a certain environment. In the example of FIG. 2, three IBSSs are generated, and one game machine 2 exists within the communication range of IBSS1, IBSS2, and IBSS3. The communication range of IBSS is called a basic service area, and this basic service area is determined by the propagation characteristics of the wireless medium. For example, when a game application is being executed between members in each IBSS, the game machine 2 can participate in the game by joining the IBSS in which the game application to be played is executed.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart until the player starts the game application in this embodiment. First, the player turns on the game machine 2 (S10). It is assumed that a recording medium recording a game program to be played is inserted in the media drive of the game machine 2 in advance. A communication program may also be recorded on the recording medium. Note that the communication program may be stored in advance in the ROM of the game machine 2.

  When the power is turned on, the game program is read from the recording medium, and the game application is activated. On the monitor of the game machine 2, a selection screen for selecting whether to play alone or play with another user is displayed. The play with another user is, for example, a battle play in a fighting game, and the user can enjoy a game with another player through a wireless network by selecting a battle mode. When the single player is selected (Y in S12), the game application is started (S22), and the player plays the game in the single player mode.

  When the battle mode is selected (N in S12), the game machine 2 searches for a participating BSS (S14). As a BSS search method, there are two methods: a method in which the game machine 2 transmits a search packet and receives a response packet thereto, and a method in which a beacon is received for a certain period of time. The reply packet and the beacon include network information such as BSS, that is, BSSID and SSID related to the wireless network.

  Here, if there are other game machines in the order of tens or hundreds around, if you search for all BSSs by specifying ANY, the list will become huge and game machine 2 A state that cannot be stored in the memory may occur. Since the number of BSSs in the surroundings is unknown, it is possible to set the memory capacity large in advance so that it can be used in all situations, but it is naturally more advantageous to set the memory capacity small. is there. Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of cost and processing time to reduce the scale of the generated BSS list so that it can be handled with a small memory capacity.

  In the game system of the present embodiment, the game machine 2 searches for a lobby IBSS that can search for another game machine as an opponent or can play against another game machine. The SSID of the lobby IBSS (hereinafter referred to as “lobby SSID”) is set according to the game title. Multiple lobby IBSSs may be constructed for one game application. For example, the lobby IBSS, which has a role as a general lobby room for game applications, and the lobby IBSS, which has a role as a lobby room according to the skill of the game application, have various roles related to the game application. May be generated. By generating the lobby IBSS according to the game title, only the game machines that play the same game are gathered in one lobby IBSS. By gathering players who play the same game, it is possible to increase the utility value of the lobby IBSS, such as performing battles on the spot and easily finding opponents.

  In this embodiment, the SSID of the lobby IBSS related to one game application is generated including a pattern that is uniquely set for the game application. A pattern set for each game application is called a “game identification pattern”. In the present embodiment, when the game identification pattern of the game application A is set as “TITLE_A”, the lobby SSID in the game application A is set in a form in which a character string is added to “TITLE_A”. Note that the game identification pattern itself may function as the lobby SSID.

  The game identification pattern may be directly described in advance in the game program. In this case, the game machine 2 reads a game identification pattern from the game program and searches for an SSID having the game identification pattern. Thereby, the lobby IBSS of the game application specified by the game identification pattern can be found, and the lobby IBSS can be joined by acquiring the BSSID of the lobby IBSS. In order to reduce the burden on the game program production side, the game identification pattern may not be directly described in the game program. In this case, a lobby ID uniquely assigned for each game title is described in the game program, and a communication program prepared in advance in the game machine 2 generates a game identification pattern based on the lobby ID. The lobby ID is preferably defined as a simple character string. In the following, in order to simplify the description, the game identification pattern set for the game title A is “TITLE_A”, and the game identification pattern set for the game title B is “TITLE_B”.

  The lobby ID may have a role as a game ID for specifying a so-called game title. By generating the game identification pattern automatically with the communication program without making the game program producer conscious of the game identification pattern, an extra burden is not imposed on the game program producer. If specific users want to gather in a dedicated lobby IBSS, the user sets a group name, and the communication program is based on the lobby ID and group name. You may create a separate lobby IBSS.

  In the present embodiment, the game machine 2 searches for surrounding BSSs, acquires network information having SSIDs including a predetermined pattern, and lists them. When searching for a BSS related to the game application A, network information having an SSID including “TITLE_A” is listed. Limit the number of SSIDs to list by filtering SSIDs. As a result, the list can be created smaller than when listing all the BSSs present in the vicinity, and the list can be held with a small memory capacity. The generated list is displayed on the monitor of the game machine 2 (S16). For example, the monitor may be configured to display a lobby room for beginners, a lobby room for intermediate persons, a lobby room for advanced persons, and the like as a list.

  The user looks at the list displayed on the game machine 2 and selects a BSS that he / she wishes to participate in (S18). Thereby, the game machine 2 participates in the lobby IBSS (S20). Subsequently, a game application is started on the game machine 2 (S22), and the user can play the game against each other by transmitting and receiving information to and from other game machines in the group by wireless communication.

  FIG. 4 shows a transition diagram of the communication state of the game machine. In the ad hoc network of the present embodiment, three communication states are set: an unconnected state that does not participate in any IBSS, a state that participates in the lobby IBSS, and a state that participates in the game dedicated IBSS. The unconnected state corresponds to a state immediately after the game machine 2 is turned on or a state where the user is playing alone. In the unconnected state, the game machine 2 acquires and lists network information including a predetermined pattern, and moves to the lobby IBSS when the user selects one wireless network from the list.

  In the lobby IBSS, each game machine 2 can chat or play a match. In this embodiment, the game identification pattern for the game title A is set to “TITLE_A”. For example, the lobby SSID for beginners, the lobby SSID for intermediates, and the lobby SSID for advanced users are “TITLE_A”. It is set by adding different character strings to ". Therefore, when searching for lobby IBSS for game title A in an unconnected state, search for SIDs that include "TITLE_A" in the SSID, and exclude IBSSs of other game titles and non-game applications from the search results. can do.

  As shown as an example, the lobby IBSS may be formed according to the skill of the game. In this case, a lobby IBSS for beginners, a lobby IBSS for intermediates, a lobby IBSS for advanced users, and the like can be generated. The user can decide which lobby IBSS to participate in according to his skill, and can enjoy a game with a user of the same skill. At this time, the SSID of the lobby IBSS for beginners may be set to “TITLE_A_CLASS_1”, the SSID of the lobby IBSS for intermediate players may be set to “TITLE_A_CLASS_2”, and the SSID of the lobby IBSS for advanced users may be set to “TITLE_A_CLASS_3”. Thus, it is preferable to associate the SSID of the lobby IBSS of the same title by including at least the game identification pattern, here “TITLE_A”, in the SSID of the lobby IBSS. This association makes it possible to easily execute the search process for the lobby IBSS having the same title. As in this example, the SSID of the lobby IBSS may be configured by adding different character string patterns behind the game identification pattern.

  Thus, by including a common pattern in the SSIDs of a plurality of lobby IBSSs of the same game title, these IBSSs can be associated. In this example, “TITLE_A” (or “TITLE_A_”) corresponds to the common pattern. By setting a common pattern, the lobby IBSS search process can be efficiently realized.

  The lobby IBSS may be formed according to the progress of the game, for example, the game stage. In this case, the lobby IBSS of stage 1, the lobby IBSS of stage 2, the lobby IBSS of stage 3, etc. can be generated. In this case as well, a common pattern is included in the SSIDs of the plurality of lobby IBSSs. The SSID of the lobby IBSS for the stage 1 may be set to “TITLE_A_STAGE_1”, the SSID of the lobby IBSS for the stage 2 may be set to “TITLE_A_STAGE_2”, and the SSID of the lobby IBSS for the stage 3 may be set to “TITLE_A_STAGE_3”. Also in this example, “TITLE_A” corresponds to the common pattern.

  Game machines 2 participating in the lobby IBSS can move to a dedicated game IBSS for the battle group. In the lobby IBSS, games can be played, but in the game system of this embodiment, after confirming the group to be played, if you do not want to accept third-party game participation, a new group is created. You can build a game-specific IBSS. To move to the game-specific IBSS, share the game-specific IBSS parameters used in the group. For example, one member who wants to form a group generates a game-specific IBSS parameter and notifies the other member of the parameter so that the parameter can be shared with each other. The parameter is, for example, an SSID or a used frequency band. The game machine 2 shifts to the game dedicated IBSS by setting the game dedicated IBSS parameters in the library. The game-dedicated IBSS is a group composed of a plurality of game machines that play a game simultaneously, and corresponds to an individual wireless network set for each group. There may be multiple game-specific IBSSs in the same environment.

  From the lobby IBSS and the game IBSS, it is possible to return to the unconnected state at any timing. When returning from the game-only IBSS to the lobby IBSS, after transitioning to the unconnected state, join the lobby IBSS.

  In the game system of the embodiment, when power saving control or signal collision avoidance control is executed, the control mode may be different between the lobby IBSS and the game dedicated IBSS. The lobby IBSS and the game-specific IBSS may require different latencies. Therefore, efficient communication can be realized by changing the control mode for each set IBSS.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the game machine 2. The game machine 2 is configured as a wireless communication terminal device, and includes a processing device 10 that mainly performs operations related to game processing, and a wireless interface device 40 that performs operations related to communication. The processing device 10 and the wireless interface device 40 are provided as separate hardware, and the processing device 10 and the wireless interface device 40 are electrically connected by a bus. The processing device 10 is configured as a host PC and has a function of managing the operation of the wireless interface device 40.

  The communication function of the game machine 2 in the present embodiment is realized by the CPU, the memory, the program loaded in the memory, and the like in the processing device 10 and the wireless interface device 40, and here, a configuration realized by the cooperation thereof is drawn. Yes. The program may be built in the game machine 2 or may be supplied from the outside in a form stored in a recording medium. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof. In the illustrated example, the CPU 12 of the processing apparatus 10 has functions as a list display unit 13, a scan instruction unit 14, a determination unit 16, an identifier change unit 18, and an application processing unit 20. The CPU 42 of the wireless interface device 40 has a function of executing a BSS search process.

  The input / output unit 26 receives input from the user and outputs to the user. Specifically, an operation button group such as a direction key for receiving an operation instruction from a user is provided as an input unit, and a monitor and a speaker are provided as an output unit. The storage device 24 is configured as an external storage device such as a memory stick, and is used for saving game data. A disc-shaped recording medium 30 is inserted into the media drive 28, and programs and data recorded on the recording medium 30 are read out. The read program and data are stored in the memory unit 22 and used for processing in the CPU 12. The memory unit 22 has a larger capacity than the memory unit 44 on the wireless interface device 40 side. Although FIG. 5 shows a case where the memory unit is provided in both the processing device 10 and the wireless interface device 40, the memory units may be combined into one. When the memory units are combined into one, the processing device 10 and the wireless interface device 40 may be configured integrally.

  When the game machine 2 is turned on and the user selects the battle mode, the scan instruction unit 14 acquires a lobby ID described in the game program, and generates a game identification pattern from the lobby ID. The game identification pattern is uniquely determined from the lobby ID. As described above, the game identification pattern is uniquely set according to the game title, so that the same game identification pattern is determined in each game machine 2 for the same game title. The game identification pattern of game title A is determined as “TITLE_A” based on the lobby ID of game title A, and the game identification pattern of game title B is similarly determined as “TITLE_B” based on the lobby ID of game title B. Is done. Here, the game program of the game title A is recorded on the recording medium 30, and therefore the scan instruction unit 14 generates a game identification pattern “TITLE_A”. Note that the scan instruction unit 14 may set a pattern set by the user via the input unit as a game identification pattern.

  The scan instruction unit 14 instructs the CPU 42 to search the surrounding lobby IBSS. These operations of the scan instruction unit 14 are performed based on the fact that the user has selected the battle mode as the game mode. At this time, not only the IBSS of the game title A but also an IBSS of another game title or an IBSS of an application different from the game may exist in the surroundings. In an environment where a large number of wireless networks are constructed, if a list is created from all network information received by the wireless IF unit 46 by a search process specifying SSID “ANY” as in the past, the list will be displayed. There may be a problem that the network information becomes too large to store the desired network information in the memory unit 44.

  In the present embodiment, the scan instruction unit 14 instructs the CPU 42 of the wireless interface device 40 to search for an SSID including a predetermined pattern (game identification pattern). At this time, the scan instruction unit 14 designates the SSID of the IBSS to be searched as “TITLE_A *”. “*” Is a pattern that matches all zero or more characters. Since the lobby SSID of game title A will contain “TITLE_A” at the beginning, the lobby IBSS of game title A can be easily softwareized by specifying “SITLE_A *” as the SIB of the IBSS to be searched. Can be detected.

  Referring to FIG. 2, consider a case where game machine 2 performs a search process. Assume that the SSID of IBSS1 is “TITLE_A_CLASS_1”, the SSID of IBSS2 is “TITLE_A_CLASS_2”, and the SSID of IBSS3 is “TITLE_B_STAGE_2”. As a result of the search, when the wireless IF unit 46 receives network information including the SSID from IBSS1, IBSS2, and IBSS3, the CPU 42 performs pattern matching processing using “TITLE_A *” specified by the scan instruction unit 14. The pattern matching process is performed based on a determination as to whether or not there is a predetermined pattern in the SSID, that is, one containing “TITLE_A” in front of the SSID. As a result, “TITLE_A_CLASS_1” and “TITLE_A_CLASS_2” include “TITLE_A” ahead, and the CPU 42 stores the network information regarding the wireless network whose SSID is “TITLE_A_CLASS_1” and “TITLE_A_CLASS_2” in the memory unit 44 as a list. . As described above, the CPU 42 functions as a selection unit that selects an SSID including a predetermined pattern at least in part. At this time, the CPU 42 discards the network information “TITLE_B_STAGE_2”. In this way, by performing the filtering process on the SSIDs to be listed, the list can be formed small and the capacity of the memory unit 44 can be efficiently used.

  In the above example, since the lobby SSID is configured by adding a character pattern behind the game identification pattern, a search process based on so-called “front matching” is performed. When the lobby SSID is configured by adding a character pattern in front of the game identification pattern, the lobby SSID may be searched for “rearward match”. In addition, if the lobby SSID is configured by adding a character pattern before and after the game identification pattern, the lobby SSID is searched for by determining whether the game identification pattern is included in any part. That's fine. Thus, the present embodiment does not particularly limit the pattern matching portion in the scanning process.

  FIG. 6 shows a BSS list stored in the memory unit 44. In the BSS list, network information about the wireless network such as BSSID and SSID is recorded. The SSID functions as a network identifier for identifying a wireless network, but as described above, the same SSID can be assigned to a plurality of wireless networks. On the other hand, BSSID is a network identifier that uniquely identifies a wireless network. Therefore, in order to participate in the intended IBSS, it is preferable to identify the wireless network based on the BSSID. The BSS list is read and stored in the memory unit 22 on the processing device side.

  The list display unit 13 displays information derived from the network information stored in the memory unit 22 as a list on the monitor of the processing device 10. For example, an SSID containing “CLASS_1” may be displayed as “beginner's battle mode”, and an “SID_2” may be displayed as “intermediate battle mode”. Further, display content may be determined from other information, for example, a group name or the like determined in advance between players may be displayed. The player designates a group to participate using the input unit. Based on this designated and input group, the determination unit 16 determines the BSSID of the wireless network in which the game machine 2 participates from the wireless networks included in the BSS list. The BSSID is notified to the CPU 42 of the wireless interface device 40, and thereafter communication within this group is performed using the BSSID. Specifically, the application processing unit 20 executes the game program, and the operation input from the player is transmitted to other game machines in the group in a packet including the BSSID via the wireless interface device 40. Operation inputs of other game machines in the group are received via the wireless interface device 40 and processed by the application processing unit 20.

  As described above, by listing only candidate IBSSs to be connected, the memory consumption of the wireless interface device 40 can be reduced, and the memory unit 44 can be configured smaller. Further, for example, by setting the processing device 10 in the power saving mode until IBSS is detected by pattern matching, it is possible to suppress power consumption in the processing device 10 while no IBSS is found.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of search processing. As a search method, the game machine 2 may transmit a search packet and receive a response packet thereto, or may receive a beacon transmitted from another game machine for a certain period of time ( S30). The response packet and beacon include network information such as BSSID and SSID.

  In the wireless interface device 40, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the SSID included in the network information matches the SSID pattern specified by the scan instruction unit 14 (S32). If they do not match (N in S32), it is determined whether the other network information matches the SSID pattern.

  On the other hand, if they match (Y in S32), the network information including the SSID is added to the BSS list (S34). In this way, by adding only the SSID that contains a predetermined pattern in part to the BSS list, it is not necessary to register IBSS network information that cannot be a connection candidate in the BSS list, and the BSS list can be made smaller. It becomes possible. If an uninvestigated SSID still exists (N in S36), the processing from S30 to S34 is repeated, and when all SSIDs are investigated, the search process is terminated (Y in S36).

  Next, a method for changing the identifier will be described. In the above example, the lobby SSID is configured by adding a character string to the end of the game identification pattern. If the IBSS that you want to participate in has already been formed, there is no need to create a new SSID on the game machine 2 side, but if the IBSS is not configured yet, one of the game machines 2 will create an SSID. There is a need to. In such a case, the identifier changing unit 18 can generate a new IBSS by adding a character string to the game identification pattern. Specifically, when the lobby SSID for the battle mode of the advanced player of the game title A has not been created, the identifier changing unit 18 adds a character string (_CLASS_3) to the game identification pattern (TITLE_A) to It is possible to generate a unique SSID (TITLE_A_CLASS_3).

  The identifier changing unit 18 may generate a new SSID. For example, in the lobby IBSS for the beginner's battle mode, when the user wants to play a game only with a specific player, the identifier changing unit 18 adds a character string (for example, _friends) to TITLE_A_CLASS_1, thereby creating a new SSID. (TITLE_A_CLASS_1_friends) can be generated. In a game played with a predetermined number of people, such as a mahjong game, it is not necessary to recruit participants when four people gather. So, by setting a new SSID and building a new IBSS, you can create a group of only four people. At this time, it is possible to enjoy the mahjong game in an environment closed by four people by not accepting participation by third parties.

  As a method of not accepting midway participation, a new SSID in a form excluding the common part included in the lobby SSID (TITLE_A_CLASS_1), that is, the game identification pattern “TITLE_A” may be generated. Since TITLE_A is a keyword for searching the lobby IBSS of the game application A, the identifier changing unit 18 does not take a search process from another game machine by creating a new SSID without this keyword. Thus, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of the list amount in other game machines.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . In the above-described embodiment, the case where the IBSS is generated in the ad hoc network has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the ad hoc network but can be applied to an infrastructure network. Even in the infrastructure network, by detecting and listing SSIDs including a predetermined pattern in a part, the list amount can be reduced, and the memory unit 44 can be efficiently used, and the wireless network can be used. It is possible to participate efficiently.

  In this embodiment, the search process is performed at the time of transition from the unconnected state to the lobby IBSS, but the search process can also be performed in the lobby IBSS. For example, after the transition to the lobby IBSS for beginners, the search process may be executed while in the lobby IBSS for beginners in order to transition to the lobby IBSS for intermediate players. As a result, not only the unconnected state but also the lobby IBSS can list IBSSs that execute the same application, and a transition between the lobby IBSSs can be realized in a short time.

1 is a diagram illustrating IBSS in an ad hoc network using IEEE802.11. It is a figure which shows the state by which the some IBSS is comprised in one environment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart until a player starts a game application. It is a figure which shows the communication state of a game machine. It is a functional block diagram of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the BSS list | wrist memorize | stored in a memory part. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a search process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine, 10 ... Processing apparatus, 12 ... CPU, 13 ... List display part, 14 ... Scan instruction | indication part, 16 ... Determination part, 18 ... Identifier change part , 20 ... Application processing unit, 22 ... Memory unit, 24 ... Storage device, 26 ... Input / output unit, 28 ... Media drive, 30 ... Recording medium, 40 ... Wireless Interface device, 42... CPU, 44... Memory unit, 46.

Claims (8)

A memory unit for storing a network identifier for identifying a wireless network to which the user belongs;
An identifier changing unit for generating a new network identifier by adding a pattern to the network identifier stored in the memory unit or removing a pattern included in the network identifier;
A wireless communication terminal device comprising:   The wireless communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier changing unit generates a new network identifier by adding a character string to the network identifier stored in the memory unit.   The wireless communication terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identifier changing unit adds a character string to the end of the network identifier.   The wireless communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier changing unit generates a new network identifier in a form excluding a common part included in a network identifier stored in a memory unit.   The wireless communication terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the identifier changing unit generates a new network identifier that excludes a keyword for searching for a wireless network.   5. The wireless communication network according to claim 4, wherein, when a wireless network is constructed according to an application, the identifier changing unit generates a new network identifier in a form excluding a pattern uniquely set for the application. The wireless communication terminal device according to 1. Storing a network identifier identifying a wireless network to which the user belongs;
Generating a new network identifier by adding a pattern to the stored network identifier or removing a pattern included in the network identifier;
A network identifier generation method comprising: To a computer that can execute the wireless communication function,
A function of storing a network identifier for identifying a wireless network to which the user belongs;
A function of generating a new network identifier by adding a pattern to the stored network identifier or removing a pattern included in the network identifier;
A program for running

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