JP2009177396A - Wireless lan area searching method, wireless terminal, and access point - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify whether a mobile terminal is close to the access point or not near a service area when searching a wireless LAN area. <P>SOLUTION: A wireless terminal located outside the service area transmits an access point search request. One or a plurality of adjacent terminals having received the access point search request update relay route information indicating the number of relays and relay sequence, and relay the access point search request. An access point search response including the number of relays and the relay route information of the access point search request is generated at the access point having received the access point search request. The access point search response is relayed to the wireless terminal having transmitted the access point search request in the inverse route of the relay route information of the access point search request. The wireless terminal as the transmitting source presents distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless LAN area search method, a wireless terminal, and an access point for searching for a wireless LAN service area formed by an access point.

  A public wireless LAN can receive a service in a limited area called a spot area. In Japan, a public wireless LAN service area is often installed in a space with many people coming and going, such as a railway station, an airport, a hotel, a coffee shop, and a fast food restaurant. In order to find out where such a public wireless LAN service area is, there is an Internet search service.

  In addition, a wireless terminal (STA; Station) corresponding to a wireless LAN existing in the service area is used as a relay wireless terminal, and an access point (formerly a wireless terminal that exists outside the service area via the relay wireless terminal) There is a method of performing data communication with a data packet with an AP (Access Point).

In Patent Document 1, whether or not the own device is located within the communication area of the access point is determined by comparing the communication area information of the access point set in advance with the detected terminal location information. It is described.
JP 2005-229399 A

  However, the method of finding the public wireless LAN service area is only a search from the Internet, and the Internet search service can only search for a rough location of the public wireless LAN service area. There is a problem that it is difficult to specify the service area and it is difficult to reach the actual service area even though the service area should be near the service area. Further, in the case of a public wireless LAN built in an office, there is a problem that there is no means for knowing the service area.

  In addition, in the method of performing data communication with a wireless terminal existing outside the service area and an access point in the service area via the relay wireless terminal, the relay wireless terminal consumes power and affects the processing capability of the relay wireless terminal. There's a problem. Furthermore, since the relay wireless terminal can be set to reject data frame relay, there is a problem that the number of relay wireless terminals that can actually be relayed is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless LAN area search method, a wireless terminal, and an access point that can know whether or not an access point has been approached in the vicinity of a service area. .

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wireless LAN area search method for searching for a service area of a wireless LAN formed by an access point,
Send an access point search request from a wireless terminal outside the service area,
Relaying the access point search request by updating the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order at one or more neighboring wireless terminals that have received the access point search request;
Generate an access point search response in which the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information are set at the access point that has received the access point search request,
Relaying the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request in a route opposite to the relay route information of the access point search request;
Based on the number of relays of the access point search response at the transmission source wireless terminal, distance information to the access point is presented.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless terminal searches for a service area of a wireless LAN formed by an access point from outside the service area,
Search request transmission means for transmitting an access point search request;
Search request relay means for updating and relaying the relay route information indicating the relay number and relay order of the received access point search request;
The access point receives the access point search response transmitted by setting the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information at the access point, and relays the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request Search response relay means to
Distance information presenting means for receiving an access point search response to the access point search request transmitted by the search request transmitting means and presenting distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an access point that forms a service area of a wireless LAN,
The access point search request transmitted from the wireless terminal outside the service area and updated with the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order when relayed by one or more neighboring wireless terminals is received, and the access Search response generating means for generating an access point search response in which the number of relays of the point search request and the relay route information are set.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to know whether or not an access point has been approached in the vicinity of the service area.

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

<System configuration of public wireless LAN>
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a public wireless LAN to which the method of the present invention is applied. In the figure, an access point (AP) 10 is connected to a LAN network 11, and the access point 10 is a wireless terminal (STA) 20A corresponding to a wireless LAN such as a mobile phone, PDA, personal computer, etc. in a service area 12. 20B is wirelessly connected. A wireless LAN-compatible wireless terminal (STA) 20C outside the service area 12 is wirelessly connected to the access point 10 with the wireless terminals 20A and 20B in the service area 12 as relay wireless terminals.

<Configuration of wireless terminal and access point>
FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of an access point (AP) of the present invention. In the figure, the access point includes an external interface 31, a main management unit 32, a wireless state control unit 33, a wireless area search response unit 34, and a frame editing control unit 35.

  The external interface 31 transmits and receives frames and exchanges data and control information with the LAN network 11. The main management unit 32 performs management control of the entire access point, notifies the wireless area search response unit 34 of the access point search request frame received by the external interface 31, and searches for the access point supplied from the wireless area search response unit 34 A response frame is transmitted from the external interface 31.

  The wireless state control unit 33 performs management control of a wireless channel used with each wireless terminal and notifies the main management unit 32 of the management.

  The wireless area search response unit 34 causes the frame editing control unit 35 to generate an access point search response frame for the notified access point search request frame, and passes this access point search response frame to the main management unit 32 to request transmission. .

  The frame editing control unit 35 sets the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order in the access point search request frame to the relay number and relay route information of the access point search response frame, and the own access stored in the internal memory. The service area information such as the neighbor information of the point is set in the access point search response frame, and the transmission source of the access point search request frame is set as the transmission destination of the access point search response frame.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless terminal (STA) of the present invention. In the figure, the wireless terminal has an external interface 41, a main management unit 42, a wireless state control unit 43, a wireless area search unit 44, a frame editing control unit 45, a screen display unit 46, an input unit 47, and a storage unit 48. ing.

  The external interface 41 transmits and receives a frame. The main management unit 42 performs management control of the entire wireless terminal, causes the access point search request frame supplied from the wireless area search unit 44 to be transmitted from the external interface 41, and receives the access point search request frame and access received by the external interface 41. A point search response frame is notified to the wireless area search unit 44.

  The radio state control unit 43 performs management control of a radio channel used with an access point or another radio terminal and notifies the main management unit 42 of the control.

  The wireless area search unit 44 causes the frame edit control unit 45 to generate an access point search request frame in accordance with a user request input from the input unit 47, and passes this access point search request frame to the main management unit 42 to request transmission. To do. Further, when relaying an access point search request frame received from another wireless terminal, the wireless area search unit 44 increments the number of relays by 1, and adds its own wireless terminal ID to the relay route information. However, when relaying an access point search response frame, the wireless terminal set next to its own wireless terminal ID in the relay route information of the access point search response frame without correcting the received access point search response frame This access point search response frame is transmitted toward the ID.

  Further, the wireless area search unit 44 extracts the number of relays and the relay route information from the access point search response frame addressed to its own wireless terminal, and stores it in the storage unit 48. The wireless area search unit 44 executes the shortest route search process and the distance estimation process when a built-in access point search timer times out, and displays service area information on the screen display unit 46 via the main management unit 42. The wireless area search unit 44 is supplied with the received electric field strength when the access point search response frame is received from the external interface 41, and stores the received electric field strength in the storage unit 48.

  The frame edit control unit 45 generates or edits an access point search request frame. The screen display unit 46 displays service area information and the like.

<Flowchart of processing executed by wireless terminal>
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of access point search processing executed by the wireless terminal. This process is started when the user instructs an access point search. In the figure, the received radio wave is measured in step S1, and it is determined in step S2 whether or not the signal broadcast by the access point has been received. When this signal is received, the access point is normally requested to connect. Transition to processing.

  If the signal from the access point cannot be received, the user inputs an access point search request in step S3. Thus, the wireless terminal edits the access point search request frame in step S4, and transmits the access point search request frame to all channels in step S5. In step S6, the access point search timer is started and the search result wait state is entered.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of access point search response reception processing executed by a wireless terminal waiting for a search result. This process is started by waiting for a search result. In the figure, it is determined whether or not the access point search timer has timed out in step S10. If it has not timed out, an access point search response frame, that is, an access point search result is received in step S11, and an access point in step S12. The search result is stored in the storage unit 48, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  If the access point search timer has timed out in step S10, the shortest route search process is performed in step S13. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of relay wireless terminals of the shortest route searched in step S14 is 1, and the distance estimation process is performed in step S15 only when the number of relay wireless terminals is 1.

  Next, a screen display is performed in step S16, and a channel search state for determining a channel to be used by the own wireless terminal is entered.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the shortest route search process executed by the wireless terminal. In the figure, loop processing is performed in steps S21 to S23. In the loop processing, the number of relays for each of the plurality of access point search information is extracted in step S22, and the number of routes for each relay number is counted in step S23. An example of the access point search information and the access point search result (the number of routes for each relay number) is shown in the upper right part of FIG. In addition, it is good also as a structure which counts the number of routes separately also about the number of relays of five or more.

  In each of steps S25, S26, and S27, it is determined whether the number of routes with relay number = 1 is 1 or more, the number of routes with relay number = 2 or 3 is 1 or more, or the number of routes with relay number = 4 or more is 1 or more. If the number of relays = 1 and the number of routes is 1 or more, service area information such as “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■■ (Very Close) Neighborhood Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate” is displayed on the screen display unit 46 in step S28. To display. Note that ■ indicates that the more the service area is, the closer the service area is, and the neighborhood information is information indicating the position where the service area exists.

  If the number of relays = 2 or 3 is 1 or more, the service area information such as “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■ □ (Near) Neighborhood Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate” is displayed on the screen display unit in step S29. 46.

  If the number of routes equal to or greater than 4 is 1 or more, the service area information such as “service area information distance level ■ □□ (not near) neighborhood information: near Yokohama Station South Gate” is displayed on the screen display unit in step S30. 46.

  Furthermore, if the number of routes equal to or greater than 4 is 0, service area information such as “service area information distance level □□□ (distant) neighbor information: none” is displayed on the screen display unit 46 in step S31. In addition, it is good also as a structure which shows information to a user using an audio | voice etc. instead of a screen display.

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of distance estimation processing executed by the wireless terminal. In the figure, the received electric field strength, that is, the frame reception power when the access point search response frame is received by the external interface 41 in step S 41 is calculated and stored in the storage unit 48.

  In step S42, the previous frame reception power is read from the storage unit 48. In steps S43 and S44, the current frame reception power is compared with the previous frame reception power. As a result, if the previous frame received power is greater than the current frame received power, “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■■ (Very close) Neighbor Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate near the radio area in Step S45 Service area information including a distance estimation result such as “!” Is displayed on the screen display unit 46.

  On the other hand, if the previous frame received power is smaller than the current frame received power, in step S46, “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■■ (very close) Neighborhood Information: Near the Yokohama Station South Gate and away from the wireless area! Service area information including a distance estimation result such as “” is displayed on the screen display unit 46.

  If the previous frame reception power is not obtained, the service does not include the distance estimation result such as “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■■ (very close) Neighborhood Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate” in step S47. The area information is displayed on the screen display unit 46. In this case as well, a configuration may be adopted in which information is presented to the user using voice or the like instead of the screen display.

<Flowchart of processing executed by relay wireless terminal>
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of access point search request relay processing executed by the wireless terminal. This process is started by receiving an access point search request. In the figure, an access point search request frame is received in step S51.

  In step S52, the frame edit control unit 45 edits the access point search request frame. Here, the number of relays is incremented by 1, and the own wireless terminal ID (identifier) is added and updated to the relay route information indicating the relay order. Next, the access point search request frame edited in step S53 is transmitted using the channel used by the own wireless terminal.

  FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an access point search response relay process executed by the wireless terminal. This process is started by receiving an access point search response. In the figure, an access point search response frame is received in step S54. The access point search response frame received in step S55 is transmitted on the channel used by the own wireless terminal.

<Flowchart of processing executed by access point>
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of access point search processing executed by the access point. This process is started by receiving an access point search request. In the figure, an access point search request frame is received in step S61.

  In step S62, the frame edit control unit 35 edits the access point search response frame. Here, the number of relays and relay route information of the received access point search request frame are set to the number of relays and relay route information of the access point search response frame, and the neighbor information held in the own access point is further set to the access point. Set to search response frame.

  Next, the access point search response frame edited in step S63 is transmitted on the channel used by the wireless terminal that is the transmission partner based on the relay route information.

<Shortest route search sequence>
FIG. 11 shows a sequence of an embodiment of the shortest route search. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the wireless terminals (STA) 20A and 20B are located in the service area 12 of the access point (AP) 10, and the wireless terminals 20C, 20D, and 20E are located outside the service area 12. Think about the state.

  In FIG. 11, the radio terminal 20D performs reception radio wave measurement, and if it is determined that it is outside the service area 12, it starts an access point search (step SQ1).

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 13, the access point 10 broadcasts a Beacon frame, which is a kind of control frame, for each channel, and the wireless terminals 20A and 20B receive the beacon frame and are within the service area 12. The wireless terminal 20D recognizes that it is outside the service area 12 because it cannot receive the beacon frame when measuring the received radio wave. However, the wireless terminal 20D recognizes that it can communicate with the wireless terminals 20B, 20C, and 20E by receiving the transmitted radio waves of the wireless terminals 20B, 20C, and 20E at the time of reception wave measurement. FIG. 14 shows a format of a frame transmitted / received by a wireless LAN defined by IEEE 802.11. The Beacon frame has the format shown in FIG. 15 in the Frame Body portion shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the radio terminal 20D makes an access point search request to the radio terminals 20B, 20C, and 20E. This access point search request uses, for example, Probe Request, which is a type of control frame defined in IEEE 802.11. In the Probe Request frame, the frame body part shown in FIG. 14 has the format shown in FIG. Here, the number of relays (Transit Count) is set in Transit number, and the relay route information (wireless terminal ID) is set in Routes 1 to x.

  The above access point search request reaches the access point 10 through a different route (step SQ2). The access point 10 creates an access point search response based on each received access point search request, and transmits it to the requesting wireless terminal 20D on the reverse route of the route where the access point search request has arrived (step SQ3).

  For this access point search response, for example, Probe Response, which is a type of control frame defined in IEEE 802.11, is used. In the Probe Response frame, the Frame Body part shown in FIG. 14 has the format shown in FIG. Here, the number of relays (Transit Count) is set in Transit number, route information (wireless terminal ID) is set in Routes 1 to x, and service area information is set in AP area information.

  Note that instead of using Probe Request for this access point search request, for example, a Management frame may be used, and a new access point search request frame may be defined and used.

  In FIG. 11, an access point search response to an access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the radio terminal 20D via the radio terminal 20B when the number of relays = 1, and a radio terminal 20B, An access point search response to an access point search request that has reached the access point 10 via 20A, and an access to an access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the radio terminal 20D via the radio terminals 20E and 20B with the number of relays = 2 The point search response and the access point search response to the access point search request that reaches the access point 10 from the radio terminal 20D via the radio terminals 20C and 20A with the number of relays = 2 reach the radio terminal 10D.

  FIG. 18 shows access point search information stored in the storage unit 48 of the wireless terminal 10D when an access point search response is received, and an access point search result that changes each time an access point search response is received. In FIG. 18, in addition to the above four access point search responses, an access point for an access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20C, 20A, and 20B with the number of relays = 3. A search response and an access point search response to an access point search request that reaches the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20E, 20B, and 20A with the number of relays = 3 are shown. .

  When the access point search timer times out after receiving the access point search response at the wireless terminal 10D, the shortest route search process is executed (step SQ4). The shortest route search process is as shown in FIG. 6, whereby the service area distance level display shown in any of FIGS. 19A to 19D is performed on the screen display unit 46 of the wireless terminal 10 </ b> D. . Note that, instead of the display in FIGS. 19A to 19D, the number of routes may be displayed for each number of relays, as shown in FIGS. 20A to 20D. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 21A to 21D, graphic display may be performed in which, for example, a cross represents an access point, a white circle represents an own wireless terminal, and a black circle represents a relay wireless terminal.

<Movement of wireless terminal>
Consider the case where the radio terminal 20D moves in the direction of the relay radio terminal 20C from the state shown in FIG. 12 as shown in FIG. Due to the movement of the wireless terminal 20D, the connection between the wireless terminal 20D and the wireless terminals 20B and 20E is disconnected.

  Therefore, when an access point search request is made from the wireless terminal 20D, an access point search response to the access point search request that reaches the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20C and 20A with the number of relays = 2, and relay The access point search response to the access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20C, 20A, and 20B with the number = 3 reaches the wireless terminal 10D and is displayed on the screen display unit 46. The service area information is “Service Area Information Distance Level ■■ □ (Near) Neighborhood Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate”. As a result, the user can recognize that the user has moved to a location away from the access point 10.

  In addition, the upper right part of each of FIG. 12 and FIG. 22 shows a table of relay routes and the number of relays from the wireless terminal 20D to the access point 10. In this table, a gray background row cannot be relayed, Only a row with a white background represents a state in which relaying is possible.

  Next, from the state shown in FIG. 22, when the wireless terminal 20D moves in the direction of the relay wireless terminal 20B as shown in FIG. 23, wireless connection between the wireless terminal 20D and the wireless terminals 20A, 20B, and 20E becomes possible. 20D and the wireless terminal 20C are disconnected.

  Therefore, when an access point search request is made from the wireless terminal 20D, the access point search response to the access point search request that reaches the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminal 20B with the number of relays = 1, and the number of relays = 2, an access point search response to the access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20B and 20A, and an access point when the number of relays = 2 from the wireless terminal 20D to the wireless terminals 20E and 20B An access point search response to an access point search request that has reached 10 and an access point search response to an access point search request that has reached the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20E, 20B, and 20A with the number of relays = 3 An access point search response to an access point search request that reaches the access point 10 from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminal 20A when the number of relays = 1, and an access from the wireless terminal 20D via the wireless terminals 20A and 20B when the number of relays = 2 The access point search response to the access point search request that reached the point 10 reaches the wireless terminal 10D, and the service area information displayed on the screen display unit 46 is “service area information distance level” (very close) Information: Near Yokohama Station South Gate ". As a result, the user can recognize that he has approached the access point 10.

  In the upper right part of FIG. 23, a table of relay routes and the number of relays from the wireless terminal 20D to the access point 10 is shown. In this table, a gray background row cannot be relayed, and a background is white. Only the row represents a state where relaying is possible.

<Distance guessing sequence>
FIG. 24 shows the sequence of one embodiment of distance estimation. When the radio terminal 20D performs reception radio wave measurement and determines that the radio terminal 20D is outside the service area 12, it starts an access point search (step SQ11). This access point search request reaches the access point 10 through a different route (step SQ12).

  The access point 10 creates an access point search response based on each received access point search request, and transmits it to the requesting wireless terminal 20D on the reverse route of the route that the access point search request has reached (step SQ13).

  When there is a change in the number of relays of the received access point search response, the wireless terminal 20D executes the shortest route search process (step SQ14). The shortest route search process is as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when there is no change in the number of relays of the received access point search response, the radio terminal 20D executes a distance estimation process (step SQ15). The distance estimation process is as shown in FIG. As a result, distance estimation results such as “I have approached the wireless area!” And “I have moved away from the wireless area!” Are displayed on the screen display unit 46 of the wireless terminal 20D together with the service area information.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to construct an environment in which the wireless LAN service can be more easily used, and it is necessary to use a mobile phone other than the wireless LAN wireless terminal for searching the wireless LAN service area. There is no need to pay extra costs. In addition, the influence on the power, processing capability, and wireless network of the relay wireless terminal can be reduced to a minimum.

In addition, the wireless terminal performs data transmission / reception with the access point after entering the service area. Since no relay wireless terminal is interposed in data transmission / reception, stable data transmission / reception can be performed. Furthermore, it is possible to search for a wireless terminal outside the wireless LAN area by applying this technique.
(Appendix 1)
A wireless LAN area search method for searching for a wireless LAN service area formed by an access point,
Send an access point search request from a wireless terminal outside the service area,
Relaying the access point search request by updating the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order at one or more neighboring wireless terminals that have received the access point search request;
Generate an access point search response in which the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information are set at the access point that has received the access point search request,
Relaying the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request in a route opposite to the relay route information of the access point search request;
A method for searching for a wireless LAN area, wherein distance information to the access point is presented on the basis of the number of relays of the access point search response at the transmission source wireless terminal.
(Appendix 2)
In the wireless LAN area search method according to attachment 1,
When the wireless terminal of the transmission source receives a plurality of access point search responses with different relay routes, it presents distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response with the minimum number of relays. A wireless LAN area search method characterized by the above.
(Appendix 3)
In the wireless LAN area search method according to attachment 2,
The access point includes neighborhood information indicating an installation position of the access point in the access point search response,
The wireless LAN area search method, wherein the transmission source wireless terminal presents the neighbor information of the access point search response together with the distance information.
(Appendix 4)
In the wireless LAN area search method according to attachment 3,
The source wireless terminal calculates and holds the received electric field strength when the access point search response is received, and presents it by estimating the distance from the change in the received electric field strength whether or not the access point is approached. A method for searching for a wireless LAN area.
(Appendix 5)
A wireless terminal that searches a service area of a wireless LAN formed by an access point from outside the service area,
Search request transmission means for transmitting an access point search request;
Search request relay means for updating and relaying the relay route information indicating the relay number and relay order of the received access point search request;
The access point receives the access point search response transmitted by setting the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information at the access point, and relays the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request Search response relay means to
It has distance information presentation means for receiving an access point search response to the access point search request transmitted by the search request transmission means and presenting distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response. A wireless terminal characterized by
(Appendix 6)
In the wireless terminal described in Appendix 5,
The distance information presenting means, when receiving a plurality of access point search responses with different relay routes, presents distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response with the minimum number of relays. Features wireless terminal.
(Appendix 7)
In the wireless terminal described in Appendix 6,
The wireless terminal according to claim 1, wherein the distance information presenting unit presents neighboring information indicating an installation position of the access point included in the access point search response together with the distance information.
(Appendix 8)
In the wireless terminal described in Appendix 7,
The source wireless terminal calculates and holds the received electric field strength when the access point search response is received, and presents it by estimating the distance from the change in the received electric field strength whether or not the access point is approached. A wireless terminal characterized by having a distance estimation presenting means.
(Appendix 9)
An access point that forms a wireless LAN service area,
The access point search request transmitted from the wireless terminal outside the service area and updated with the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order when relayed by one or more neighboring wireless terminals is received, and the access An access point comprising search response generation means for generating an access point search response in which the number of point search request relays and relay route information are set.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a public wireless LAN to which the method of the present invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram of one Embodiment of the access point (AP) of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of one Embodiment of the radio | wireless terminal (STA) of this invention. It is a flowchart of an access point search process. It is a flowchart of an access point search response reception process. It is a detailed flowchart of the shortest route search process. It is a detailed flowchart of a distance estimation process. It is a flowchart of an access point search request relay process. It is a flowchart of an access point search response relay process. It is a flowchart of an access point search process. 6 is a sequence of an embodiment of a shortest route search. It is a figure for demonstrating wireless LAN area search. It is a figure for demonstrating reception radio wave measurement. It is a figure which shows the format of the flame | frame transmitted / received by wireless LAN. It is a figure which shows the format of the flame | frame transmitted / received by wireless LAN. It is a figure which shows the format of the flame | frame transmitted / received by wireless LAN. It is a figure which shows the format of the flame | frame transmitted / received by wireless LAN. It is a figure which shows access point search information and an access point search result. It is a figure which shows the distance level display of a service area. It is a figure which shows the distance level display of a service area. It is a figure which shows the distance level display of a service area. It is a figure for demonstrating wireless LAN area search. It is a figure for demonstrating wireless LAN area search. It is a sequence of one embodiment of distance estimation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Access point 11 LAN network 12 Service area 20A-20E Wireless terminal 31 External interface 32 Main management part 33 Wireless state control part 34 Wireless area search response part 35 Frame edit control part 41 External interface 42 Main management part 43 Wireless state control part 44 Wireless area search unit 45 Frame editing control unit 46 Screen display unit 47 Input unit 48 Storage unit

Claims (7)

A wireless LAN area search method for searching for a wireless LAN service area formed by an access point,
Send an access point search request from a wireless terminal outside the service area,
Relaying the access point search request by updating the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order at one or more neighboring wireless terminals that have received the access point search request;
Generate an access point search response in which the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information are set at the access point that has received the access point search request,
Relaying the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request in a route opposite to the relay route information of the access point search request;
A method for searching for a wireless LAN area, wherein distance information to the access point is presented on the basis of the number of relays of the access point search response at the transmission source wireless terminal. The wireless LAN area search method according to claim 1,
When the wireless terminal of the transmission source receives a plurality of access point search responses with different relay routes, it presents distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response with the minimum number of relays. A wireless LAN area search method characterized by the above. In the wireless LAN area search method according to claim 2,
The access point includes neighborhood information indicating an installation position of the access point in the access point search response,
The wireless LAN area search method, wherein the transmission source wireless terminal presents the neighbor information of the access point search response together with the distance information. In the wireless LAN area search method according to claim 3,
The source wireless terminal calculates and holds the received electric field strength when the access point search response is received, and presents it by estimating the distance from the change in the received electric field strength whether or not the access point is approached. A method for searching for a wireless LAN area. A wireless terminal that searches a service area of a wireless LAN formed by an access point from outside the service area,
Search request transmission means for transmitting an access point search request;
Search request relay means for updating and relaying the relay route information indicating the relay number and relay order of the received access point search request;
The access point receives the access point search response transmitted by setting the number of relays of the access point search request and the relay route information at the access point, and relays the access point search response to the wireless terminal that is the source of the access point search request Search response relay means to
It has distance information presentation means for receiving an access point search response to the access point search request transmitted by the search request transmission means and presenting distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response. A wireless terminal characterized by The wireless terminal according to claim 5, wherein
The distance information presenting means, when receiving a plurality of access point search responses with different relay routes, presents distance information to the access point based on the number of relays of the access point search response with the minimum number of relays. Features wireless terminal. An access point that forms a wireless LAN service area,
The access point search request transmitted from the wireless terminal outside the service area and updated with the relay route information indicating the number of relays and the relay order when relayed by one or more neighboring wireless terminals is received, and the access An access point comprising search response generation means for generating an access point search response in which the number of point search request relays and relay route information are set.

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