JP2010050595A - Wireless network system, and method of configuring network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily obtain the position of a new AP added to a network. <P>SOLUTION: This wireless network system includes: a group configuring part 27 configuring at least one group comprising three APs adjacent to one another within a plurality of APs; a first object group selection part 17 selecting one out of one or more groups as a processing object; and a first position determination part 23 determining the position of the new AP based on information of the respective positions of the three APs belonging to the selected group, and three distances between the three APs and the new AP. An EEPROM 123 stores positional information showing the determined position as positional information of the new AP, and the group configuring part 27 includes a base station selection part 29 selecting two APs from the three APs belonging to the selected group, and an update part 31 configuring a new group including the two selected APs and the new AP. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio network system and a network configuration method, and more particularly to a radio network system and a network configuration method provided with a plurality of base station devices connectable to a wireless LAN.

  In recent years, wireless network systems in which a plurality of wireless base stations (access points) are introduced have been realized. The wireless base station connects the wireless network terminal to the network by communicating with a portable or stationary wireless network terminal. However, in the conventional wireless network system, there is a problem that only the information indicating which of the plurality of wireless base stations is accessed by the wireless network terminal can be known, and the absolute position of the wireless network terminal itself cannot be known.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-318921 discloses a network management apparatus that manages a network using a station and a plurality of access points, an access point registration unit that registers the installation position of each access point, and the station And a parameter indicating the radio wave intensity in communication with each access point, a radio wave intensity acquisition unit that acquires the parameter from the station or the access point, the radio wave intensity set in advance and the arrival of the radio wave according to the intensity Based on the correspondence with the distance, a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance from the station to each access point using the parameter, and the presence of the station based on the obtained distance and the installation position of each access point A network including a position calculation unit for calculating a position. Work management system is described.

However, the network management device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-318921 must register a plurality of access points and respective installation positions. For example, when an access point is newly added or the position is changed, there is a problem that the administrator of the wireless network system needs to manually register the absolute position information of the AP.
JP 2003-318921 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is a wireless network system capable of easily acquiring the position of a new wireless base station added to the network. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a network configuration method capable of easily acquiring the position of a new radio base station added to the network.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a wireless network system is a wireless network system including a plurality of wireless base stations, and each of the plurality of wireless base stations communicates with a communication partner device. A distance detection means for detecting a distance between the position information storage means for storing position information indicating the positions of a plurality of radio base stations, and a set of three adjacent radio base stations among the plurality of radio base stations At least one set configuration means, target set selection means for selecting one of at least one set as a processing target, position information of each of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set, and three Position determining means for determining the position of the new radio base station based on the three distances between the radio base station and the new radio base station, and the position information storage means is determined Position information indicating a position is stored as position information of a new radio base station, and the set configuration means includes base station selection means for selecting two radio base stations from among the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set; Update means for forming a new set including the two selected radio base stations and the new radio base station.

  According to this aspect, one of at least one set of three adjacent radio base stations is selected as a processing target, position information of each of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set, and three radios The position of the new radio base station is determined based on the three distances between the base station and the new radio base station, and the position information indicating the determined position is stored as the position information of the new radio base station. Then, a new set including two radio base stations selected from the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set and a new radio base station is configured. Therefore, when a new radio base station is added, the position of the new radio base station is determined and a new set including the new radio base station is configured. As a result, it is possible to provide a wireless network system that can easily acquire the position of a new wireless base station added to the network.

  Preferably, the target set selection unit selects at least one set including the first radio base station having the shortest distance from the new radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations, A line segment connecting a third radio base station and a new radio base station through a straight line passing through a second radio base station belonging to the same group as the first radio base station from at least one selected group And a second set selection means for selecting a set in which the first wireless device station and the second wireless base station are not already configured in another two sets. .

  According to this aspect, among the plurality of radio base stations, at least one set including the first radio base station having the shortest distance to the new radio base station, the same set as the first radio base station A set in which a straight line passing through the second radio base station to which the first radio base station belongs and a line segment connecting a third radio base station and a new radio base station is established, A pair that is not already configured in two different sets with two radio base stations is selected. For this reason, since a set close to a new radio base station is selected, the accuracy of determining the position of the new radio base station can be improved. In addition, a new set including a new radio base station can be prevented from overlapping another set.

  Preferably, the base station selection means selects the first radio base station and the second radio base station from among the three radio base stations included in the set selected by the second set selection means.

  Preferably, the set configuration unit stores set information including device identification information provided for each of the plurality of radio base stations and the new radio base station and for identifying other two radio base stations belonging to the same set. In addition, an individual set information storage means is included, and the position information storage means is provided in each of a plurality of radio base stations, includes individual position information storage means for storing the position information of the own device, and includes three pieces belonging to the selected set At least one of the radio base stations includes a position determination unit and a pair configuration unit, the position information determination unit stores the determined position information in a new radio base station, and the update unit includes a new Each of the two selected radio base stations belonging to the set and the new radio base station store set information including device identification information for identifying the other two radio base stations.

  According to this aspect, a wireless network system can be configured with only a plurality of wireless base stations.

  Preferably, the set configuration means further includes level assignment means for assigning a hierarchical level to the set, and the level assignment means includes two radio base stations selected by the base station selection means for the new set constituted by the update means. Assign a hierarchy level lower than the hierarchy level assigned to the set to which the belongs.

  According to this aspect, each time a set is generated, a lower hierarchical level is assigned, so that the hierarchical level of each of the plurality of sets can be grasped.

  Preferably, the distance detection means provided in each of the plurality of radio base stations detects the distance to the radio terminal, and at least one set to which the radio base station closest to the radio terminal among the plurality of radio base stations belongs. Position detecting means for detecting position information of the wireless terminal based on three distances between each of the three wireless base stations belonging to the group having the highest hierarchical level and the wireless terminal.

  According to this aspect, each of the three radio base stations belonging to the group having the highest hierarchical level out of at least one set to which the radio base station closest to the radio terminal among the plurality of radio base stations belongs, and the radio terminal, Since the position information of the wireless terminal is detected based on the three distances between them, the position of the wireless terminal can be detected as accurately as possible.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a network configuration method is a network executed in a radio network system including a plurality of radio base stations each provided with a distance detection unit that detects a distance between a communication partner device. A configuration method comprising: storing position information indicating positions of a plurality of radio base stations; configuring at least one set of three adjacent radio base stations among the plurality of radio base stations; and at least Selecting one out of one set, position information of each of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set, and three distances between the three radio base stations and the new radio base station A step of determining a position of the new radio base station, a step of storing position information indicating the determined position as the position information of the new radio base station, Selecting two radio base stations from the three radio base stations belonging to the set; and configuring a new set including the two selected radio base stations and a new radio base station. Including.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a network configuration method capable of easily acquiring the position of a new radio base station added to the network.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a wireless network system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless network system includes three access points (hereinafter referred to as “AP”) 100, 100A, and 100B as wireless base stations in a basic configuration. Each of the APs 100, 100A, 100B stores the absolute position of the position where it is installed. For example, each of the APs 100, 100A, and 100B stores an absolute position input by an administrator when installed. Here, the absolute position is the latitude and longitude. Note that the relative position from the reference point may be used instead of the absolute position. For example, when the wireless network system is configured in a predetermined site, a vector determined by a direction and a distance from the reference point with a certain position in the site as a reference point may be used. Since the functions of the APs 100, 100A, and 100B are the same, in the following description, the AP 100 will be described as an example.

  In the wireless network system according to the present embodiment, a set of three APs is configured. Since the wireless network system shown in FIG. 1 includes three APs 100, 100A, and 100B, these constitute one set. In the wireless network system according to the present embodiment, when a new AP is added, one set is determined, and each of the three APs belonging to the set detects a distance from the new AP, Determine the absolute position of the AP. Then, a new set is formed by the new AP and two APs selected from the three APs belonging to the determined set. Therefore, when one AP is added, at least one new set is configured. Hereinafter, a wireless network system having a basic configuration will be described unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the AP. Referring to FIG. 2, AP 100 is executed by CPU 111 for controlling the entire AP 100, a communication unit 113 capable of wireless communication, an input unit 115 for accepting a user operation, a display unit 117, and the CPU 111. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 119 for storing a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 121 used as a work area of the CPU 111, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 123 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, including.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the function of the CPU together with the data stored in the EEPROM 123. With reference to FIG. 3, the CPU 111 detects a distance between the communication unit 113 and a partner device with which wireless communication is performed, a distance detection unit 11 that transmits distance information from the communication unit 113, and A distance information acquisition unit 15 that acquires distance information transmitted by other APs, a first target group selection unit 17 that selects a group to be processed, and a first position determination that determines the position of a newly added AP Unit 23, a first position information transmission unit 25 that transmits the determined position information to the newly added AP, a group configuration unit 27, and a group information transmission unit 33 that transmits information of the newly configured group A second target set selection unit 41 that selects a group to be processed, a second position determination unit 43 that determines the position of the wireless terminal, and a second position information transmission that transmits the determined position information to the wireless terminal Part 45.

  In the EEPROM 123, master data 51, individual position information 53, and set information 55 are stored. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of master data. Referring to FIG. 4, master data 51 includes an item “DN” in which the name of the AP in which it is stored is set, an item “AL” in which the absolute position of the AP is set, radio field intensity and distance. And an item “CI” in which an expression or table indicating the relationship is set. The name of the AP is device identification information for identifying the AP 100 in which it is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the communication unit 113 becomes communicable with the new AP, the distance detection unit 11 acquires the device identification information of the new AP and the strength of the radio wave received from the new AP from the communication unit 113. To do. Then, the distance is calculated from the acquired radio wave intensity using an expression or table set in the item “CI” of the master data 51. The distance detection unit 11 sets the calculated distance as the distance between the AP 100 and the new AP, and sets the distance information including the new AP device identification information and the calculated distance as the distance information transmission unit 13 and the first information. The data is output to the one target group selection unit 17.

  The distance information transmission unit 13 transmits the distance information input from the distance detection unit 11 by broadcast via the communication unit 113. On the other hand, since the other APs 100A and 100B communicate with the new AP in the same manner, distance information including the distance to the new AP and the device identification information of the new AP is transmitted by broadcast. For this reason, since the communication unit 113 receives the distance information transmitted by the other APs 100A and 100B, the distance information acquisition unit 15 acquires the distance information received by the communication unit 113 from the APs 100A and 100B, respectively. The distance information acquisition unit 15 outputs the received distance information to the first target set selection unit 17 together with device identification information for identifying the AP that has transmitted the distance information, here, the AP 100A and the AP 100B.

  The first target set selection unit 17 refers to the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 and selects at least one set. Here, the group information 55 will be described. The set information 55 includes a set record corresponding to at least one set to which the AP 100 belongs. There is one set record for one set.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of a set record. Referring to FIG. 5, the set record includes a set number item, a first device identification information item, a first location information item, a second device identification information item, and a second location information item. And hierarchical level items. The item of the set number is set identification information for identifying the set. In the item of the first device identification information and the item of the second device identification information, device identification information of two APs other than the own device constituting the set is set. In the first position information item, the absolute position of the AP specified by the device identification information set in the first device identification information item is set. In the second position information item, the absolute position of the AP specified by the device identification information set in the second device identification information item is set. The level assigned to the set is set for the item of the hierarchy level. As the hierarchical level, “0” is set for a set of three APs whose absolute positions are set by the user. As will be described later, every time a new AP is added to the wireless network system, at least one set is newly configured. However, the hierarchical level assigned to the new set is determined by the absolute position of the new AP. This is a hierarchical level that is one level lower than the hierarchical level of the set to which the three APs that are the basis of calculation belong. The lower the hierarchy level, the higher the level.

  A set record whose hierarchy level is “0” is previously input and stored in the three APs by the user. In addition, after a user inputs an absolute position to each of the three APs, each of the three APs generates and stores a set record so that each of the three APs executes an initial setting process for exchanging absolute positions with each other. You may do it.

  In a wireless network system having a basic configuration composed of APs 100, 100A, and 100B, the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 of the AP 100 includes the device identification information of the APs 100A and 100B in the first and second device identification information items, respectively. It includes set records in which the absolute positions of the APs 100A and 100B are set in the items of the first and second position information, and “0” is set in the item of the hierarchy level. In the group information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 of the AP 100A, the device identification information of the AP 100 and 100B is set in the items of the first and second device identification information, respectively, and the absolute information of the AP 100 and 100B is set in the item of the first and second position information. Each set includes a set record in which “0” is set in the item of the hierarchy level. In the group information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 of the AP 100B, the device identification information of the AP 100 and 100A is set in the items of the first and second device identification information, respectively, and the absolute information of the AP 100 and 100A is set in the item of the first and second position information. Each set includes a set record in which “0” is set in the item of the hierarchy level.

  Here, the set information 55 stores the set record of the set to which the AP 100 belongs. However, the set information 55 may include set records of all sets included in the wireless network system.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the first target set selecting unit 17 includes a first set selecting unit 19 and a second set selecting unit 21. The first set selection unit 19 receives distance information including the distance between the new AP and the AP 100 from the distance detection unit 11, and the distance between each other AP and the new AP from the distance information acquisition unit 15. Distance information including is input. Here, distance information including the distance from the AP 100A and distance information including the distance from the AP 100B are input from the distance information acquisition unit 15. Based on the distance information input from the distance detection unit 11 and the distance information acquisition unit 15, the first set selection unit 19 determines whether or not the own device AP100 is closest to the new AP. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the distance included in the distance information input from the distance detection unit 11 is smaller than any of the distances included in the distance information input from the distance information acquisition unit 15. The first set selection unit 19 outputs the distance information input from the distance detection unit 11 and the distance information acquisition unit 15 to the second set selection unit 21 if the own device AP 100 is closest to the new AP. If not, nothing is output to the second set selection unit 21. That is, the second set selection unit 21 is prohibited from executing processing. For this reason, only the AP having the closest distance to the new AP causes the second set selection unit 21 to execute the process. In other words, the group to which the AP closest to the new AP belongs is selected from at least one group to which each of the plurality of APs constituting the wireless network system belongs. Here, a case where the AP 100 is closest to the new AP will be described as an example.

  The second set selection unit 21 reads the set information 55 from the EEPROM 123 and selects at least one from at least one set record included in the set information 55. The condition to be selected is that a straight line passing through the first AP 100 that is the own apparatus from the selected at least one set record and the second AP that is one of the first apparatus identification information and the second apparatus identification information is the first apparatus identification. Information and the group in which the positional relationship intersecting with the line segment connecting the other third AP of the second device identification information and the new AP is established, and the first AP 100 and the second AP do not already belong to the other two groups It is a pair. Then, the set record of the set selected as the processing target is output to the first position determination unit 23 and the set configuration unit 27.

  A new group is generated by the group composition unit 27 to be described later. When the second group selection unit selects a group under this selection condition, a new group configured by the group composition unit 27 is changed to an existing group. It is possible to make a set of three APs that surround an area that does not overlap with an area that is surrounded by the three APs that constitute the.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship as a selection condition. Referring to FIG. 6, a case where a new AP 101 is added to a wireless network system constituted by five APs 100 to 100D is shown. One set is configured by the APs 100, 100A, and 100B, one set is configured by the APs 100A, 100D, and 100B, and one set is configured by the APs 100, 100B, and 100C. As a set including the AP 100 having the closest distance from the new AP 101, a set configured by the APs 100, 100A, and 100B and a set configured by the APs 100, 100B, and 100C are selected. Looking at the group composed of AP100, 100A, and 100B, a positional relationship is established where a straight line passing through AP100 and AP100A that is the closest to the new AP intersects with a line segment that connects another AP100B and the new AP101. To do. In addition, regarding a set composed of APs 100, 100B, and 100C, a positional relationship in which a straight line passing through AP 100 and AP 100B closest to the new AP intersects with a line segment connecting another AP 100C and the new AP 101. Is established. However, two sets including the AP 100 and the AP 100B are already configured. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a set including APs 100, 100A, and 100B is selected as a processing target.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the first position determination unit 23 calculates the absolute value of the new AP based on the group record input from the first target group selection unit 17 and the distance information input from the distance information acquisition unit 15. Determine the position. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a set record of a set composed of APs 100, 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B is input from the first target set selection unit 17. The absolute position of the AP 100 is acquired from the individual position information 53, the absolute positions of 100A and 100B are acquired from the set information 55, the distance between each of the AP 100, 100A and 100B and the new AP 101 is acquired from the distance information, The absolute position of the new AP is calculated from the absolute positions of the three APs and the distance from them to the new AP. Then, the device identification information of the new AP 101 and the absolute position are output to the first position information transmission unit 25 and the set configuration unit 27.

  The first position information transmission unit 25 transmits position information including the absolute position to the new AP 101. In the new AP 101, the received position information is stored in the EEPROM provided therein.

  The group configuration unit 27 includes a base station selection unit 29 and an update unit 31. The base station selection unit 29 selects two of the three APs belonging to the set specified by the set record input from the first target set selection unit 17. The second set selection unit 21 described above is a set in which a straight line passing through the second AP belonging to the same set as the first AP 100 that is the own device intersects with a line segment connecting the third AP and the new AP. Selected. The base station selection unit 29 selects APs corresponding to the first AP and the second AP under this selection condition. Here, AP100 and AP100B are selected. Then, the device identification information of the two selected APs is output to the update unit 31.

  The updating unit 31 includes the device identification information of the two APs input from the base station selection unit 29, the device identification information of the new AP, and the position information of the new AP input from the first position determination unit 23. Based on this, a new set record is generated, and the generated new set record is added to the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 and stored, and the generated new set record is stored in the set information transmission unit 33. Output. The new set record includes the device identification information of the AP other than its own device (here AP100B) and the absolute position of the device identification information of the two APs input from the base station selection unit 29, and the new AP (here. AP101) includes the device identification information and its absolute position, and a hierarchical level that is one level lower than the hierarchical level set in the hierarchical level item of the set record input from the first target set selection unit 17.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, a value obtained by adding “1” to the maximum group number among the group records included in the group information 55 is set in the group number item, and the first device identification information item and In the 1 position information item, set the device identification information of the AP other than its own device (AP 100B in this case) and its absolute position input from the base station selection unit 29, respectively, and newly add to the second device identification information item The device identification information of the AP (here, AP101) is set, the location information of the new AP input from the first location determination unit 23 is set in the second location information item, and the first item is set in the hierarchical level item. A hierarchy level (here, “1”) that is one level lower than the hierarchy level (here “0”) set in the hierarchy level item of the group record input from the target group selection unit 17 is set.

  The set information transmission unit 33 sets the set record inputted from the update unit 31, the device identification information of the own device, and the absolute position in the first and second device identification information items of the set record, respectively. It transmits to two APs specified by the information. Here, it transmits to AP100A and new AP101. When the AP 100A and the new AP 101 receive the set record, the first device identification information item and the first location information item, or the second device identification information item and the second location information item of the set record are received. A new set record is generated in which the device identification information and absolute position of the AP 100 that has transmitted the set record are set in the items in which the device identification information and absolute position of the own device are set, and the generated set record is stored in the EEPROM 123. In addition to the stored set information 55, it is stored. The set information transmission unit 33 generates a set record for each of the two APs specified by the device identification information set in the first and second device identification information items of the set record. The set record may be transmitted. Specifically, for the AP 100A specified by the device identification information set in the first device identification information item of the set record input from the update unit, the first device of the set record input from the update unit A set record in which the device identification information of the AP 100 is set in the identification information item and the absolute position of the AP 100 is set in the first position information item is transmitted to the AP 100. In addition, for the new AP 101 specified by the device identification information set in the second device identification information item of the set record input from the update unit, the second device identification of the set record input from the update unit A set record in which the device identification information of the AP 100 is set in the information item and the absolute position of the AP 100 is set in the second position information item is transmitted to the new AP 101.

  The distance detection unit 11 further detects a distance to the wireless terminal when a wireless terminal such as a mobile phone or a navigation device enters the wireless network system, and includes a device identification information of the wireless terminal and a detected distance. Information is output to the second target set selection unit 41.

  The second target set selection unit 41 transmits the input distance information by broadcast. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the other APs 100 </ b> A to 100 </ b> D configuring the wireless network system also detects the distance to the wireless terminal, and transmits distance information including the device identification information as a broadcast. The second target set selection unit 41 acquires distance information transmitted by the other APs 100A to 100D and determines whether or not the own device is closest to the wireless terminal. If the own device is closest to the wireless terminal, one of the set records included in the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 is selected at the highest hierarchical level, and the selected set record is sent to the second position determination unit 43. If it is not closest to the wireless terminal, nothing is output to the second position determination unit 43. Among the plurality of APs 100, 100A to 100D constituting the wireless network system, the one closest to the wireless terminal is processed in the second position determining unit 43. Here, a case where the AP 100 is closest to the wireless terminal will be described as an example.

  The second target pair selection unit 41 selects a pair record having the highest hierarchical level from among the pair records included in the pair information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123. When there are a plurality of set records having the highest hierarchical level, any one of them may be selected. The second target group selection unit 41 outputs the selected one group record to the second position determination unit 43.

  The second position determination unit 43 is based on the absolute positions of the three APs belonging to the group specified by the group record input from the second target group selection unit 41 and the distance from each of the three APs to the wireless terminal. Then, the absolute position of the wireless terminal is calculated. Then, the calculated absolute position is output to the second position information transmission unit 45. The second position information transmission unit 45 transmits the absolute position input from the second position determination unit 43 to the wireless terminal. Since the absolute position of the wireless terminal is calculated based on the absolute positions of the three APs belonging to the pair specified by the pair record having the highest hierarchical level, the absolute position of the wireless terminal is calculated based on the absolute position with the highest possible accuracy. Can be calculated. This is because an error for calculating the absolute position is included as the hierarchical level becomes lower.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of network configuration processing. The network configuration process is executed in each of at least three APs configuring the wireless network system. Here, the case where the AP 100 executes the network configuration process in the example illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described as an example. In this case, the network configuration process is executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 included in the AP 100 executes the network configuration program.

  Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 111 determines whether a new AP 101 has been added (step S11). The process waits until a new AP 101 is added (NO in step S11). If a new AP 101 is added (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. When the communication unit 113 can communicate with the new AP 101, the communication unit 113 receives the device identification information of the AP 101. When the communication unit 113 acquires the device identification information of the new AP 101, the process proceeds to step S12. That is, the processing after step S12 is processing executed on condition that a new AP 101 is added.

  In step S12, the distance to the new AP 101 is detected. The radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the communication unit 113 from the new AP 101 is acquired from the communication unit 113, and the equation or table set in the item “CI” of the master data 51 stored in the EEPROM 123 is used. Get distance corresponding to phone strength.

  And distance information is transmitted by broadcast via the communication part 113 (step S13). On the other hand, the other APs 100A to 100D configuring the wireless network system similarly execute Steps S11 to 13 and transmit distance information by broadcast. For this reason, in step S14, the distance information transmitted by each of the other APs 100A to 100D is received.

  Next, the distance included in the distance information received in step S14 is compared with the distance detected in step S12, and the own device AP100 is the new AP101 among the AP100, 100A to 100D configuring the wireless network system. It is judged whether it is closest to (step S15). If it is closest, the process proceeds to step S16; otherwise, the process ends. Therefore, only the AP 100, 100A to 100D, which is closest to the new AP 101, executes the processing of step S16 to step S26. Here, a case where the AP 100 is closest to the new AP 101 will be described.

  In step S16, the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 is read. Then, one of at least one set record included in the set information 55 is selected as a processing target (step S17). In the next step S18, the own device is selected as the first AP among the three APs belonging to the set specified by the selected set record, one is selected as the second AP, and the remaining APs are set as the third AP. To do.

  Next, it is determined whether there are two sets including the first AP and the second AP (step S19). It is determined whether or not there are two set records including the device identification information of the second AP in the set information 55 read in step S16. If there are two sets including the device identification information of the second AP, the process proceeds to step S21; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S20. This is because when there are two sets including the selected first AP and second AP, three or more sets including the two APs are not configured. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the triangular regions composed of the three APs belonging to the set from overlapping each other.

  In step S20, the absolute position of the new AP 101 is calculated. In step S17, the absolute position of the new AP 101 is calculated from the position information of the three APs belonging to the set specified by the set record selected as the processing target and the distance from each of the three APs to the new AP 101.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not a straight line passing through the first AP and the second AP intersects with a line segment connecting the new AP detected in step S11 and the third AP. If the straight line and the line segment intersect, the process proceeds to step S23, and if not, the process proceeds to step S22. When the first AP and the new AP are located in each of the two areas divided by the straight line passing through the first AP and the second AP, a new set is generated. In step S22, it is determined whether there is an unselected AP. If there is an unselected AP, the process returns to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S26. There are two types of AP selection, in which the own device is set as the first AP from the selected set, and the second AP is selected from one of the two remaining APs.

  In step S23, a new set is generated by the first AP, the second AP, and the new AP. Specifically, it includes the device identification information and location information of each of the second AP and the new AP, and a hierarchical level one lower than the hierarchical level set in the hierarchical level item of the set record selected in step S17. Generate a set record that contains. Then, the set information 55 is updated by adding the generated set record to the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 (step S24).

  In the next step S25, the set record generated in step S23, the device identification information and location information of the first AP, and the hierarchy level are transmitted to the second AP and the new AP. Thereby, a new set record is added to the set information 55 and stored in the second AP and the new AP.

  In the next step S26, it is determined whether or not an unselected set exists. If there is an unselected set, the process returns to step S17. If not, the process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of position notification processing. The location notification process is executed in each of at least three APs constituting the wireless network system. Here, the case where the AP 100 executes the position notification process in the example illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described as an example. In this case, the location notification process is executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 included in the AP 100 executes the network configuration program.

  Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 111 determines whether a wireless terminal has been detected (step S31). The process waits until a wireless terminal is detected (NO in step S31). If a wireless terminal is detected (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32. When the communication unit 113 can communicate with the wireless terminal, the communication unit 113 receives the device identification information of the wireless terminal. When the communication unit 113 acquires the device identification information of the wireless terminal, the process proceeds to step S32. That is, the processing after step S32 is processing executed on condition that a wireless terminal is detected.

  In step S32, the distance to the wireless terminal is detected. The radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the communication unit 113 from the wireless terminal is acquired from the communication unit 113, and the telephone is obtained using the formula or table set in the item “CI” of the master data 51 stored in the EEPROM 123. Get the distance corresponding to the intensity.

  And distance information is transmitted by broadcast via the communication part 113 (step S33). The distance information includes the device identification information of the wireless terminal, the device identification information of the AP 100, and the distance detected in step S32. On the other hand, the other APs 100A to 100D configuring the wireless network system similarly execute steps S31 to S33, and transmit distance information by broadcast. For this reason, in step S34, the distance information transmitted by the other APs 100A to 100D is received.

  Next, the distance included in the distance information received in step S34 is compared with the distance detected in step S32, and the own apparatus AP100 becomes the wireless terminal among the AP100, 100A to 100D configuring the wireless network system. It is determined whether or not they are closest (step S35). If it is closest, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process ends. Therefore, only the AP 100, 100A to 100D that is closest to the wireless terminal executes the processing of Step S36 to Step S39. Here, a case where the AP 100 is closest to the wireless terminal will be described.

  In step S36, the set information 55 stored in the EEPROM 123 is read. Then, the group having the highest hierarchical level is selected from at least one group record included in the group information 55 (step S37). In the next step S38, the absolute position of the wireless terminal is calculated from the position information of the three APs belonging to the set specified by the selected set record and the distance from each of the three APs to the new AP 101. In calculating the absolute position of the wireless terminal, the set specified by the set record having the highest hierarchical level is used as a reference, so that the absolute position calculation accuracy can be made as high as possible. Then, the calculated absolute position is transmitted to the wireless terminal (step S39).

  As described above, the wireless network system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of APs 100 and 100A to 100D, and one of at least one set of three adjacent APs is selected as a processing target and selected. Based on the absolute position of each of the three APs belonging to the set and the three distances between the three APs and the new AP 101, the absolute position of the new AP 101 is determined, and the determined absolute position is determined as the new AP 101. And a new set including two APs selected from the three APs belonging to the selected set and a new radio base station is configured. Therefore, when a new AP 101 is added, the position of the new AP 101 is determined and a new set including the new AP 101 is configured. As a result, the position of a new AP added to the network can be easily acquired.

  A straight line passing through the second AP 100A belonging to the same set as the first AP 100, which is at least one set including the first AP 100 having the shortest distance from the new AP 100 among the plurality of APs 100, 100A to 100D, A pair in which a positional relationship intersecting with a line segment connecting 3AP 100B and a new AP 101 is established, and a pair in which the first AP 100 and the second AP 100A are not already configured in two different groups is selected. For this reason, since a set close to the new AP 101 is selected, the accuracy of determining the position of the new AP 101 can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent a new set including the new AP 101 from overlapping another set.

  In addition, since a lower hierarchy level than the hierarchy level assigned to the group selected to determine the position of the new AP 100 is assigned to the new group, it is possible to grasp the hierarchy level of each of the plurality of groups. it can.

  Further, among the plurality of APs 100, 100A to 100D, between each of the three APs 100, 100A, 100B belonging to the group having the highest hierarchical level among at least one group to which the AP 100 having the shortest distance to the wireless terminal belongs, and the wireless terminal Since the absolute position of the wireless terminal is detected based on these three distances, the position of the wireless terminal can be detected as accurately as possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless network system has been described. However, a network configuration program for causing a computer to execute a network configuration method for executing the processes shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and a separate work configuration method. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The update means includes:
First set information adding means for storing, in the new radio base station, set information including device identification information of each of the first radio base station and the second radio base station;
Second set information adding means for storing, in the second radio base station, set information including device identification information of each of the first radio base station and the new radio base station;
The radio | wireless of Claim 4 including the 3rd group information addition means to memorize | store the group information containing the apparatus identification information of each of the said 2nd radio base station and each of the said new radio base station in the said group 1st radio base station Network system.

It is a figure which shows an example of the basic composition of the radio | wireless network system in this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of AP. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of CPU with the data memorize | stored in EEPROM. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of master data. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of a group record. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional relationship used as selection conditions. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a network configuration process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a position notification process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Distance detection part, 13 Distance information transmission part, 15 Distance information acquisition part, 17 Target group selection part, 19 Pair selection part, 21 Pair selection part, 23 Position determination part, 25 Position information transmission part, 27 Pair structure part, 29 Base station selection unit, 31 update unit, 33 group information transmission unit, 41 target group selection unit, 43 position determination unit, 45 position information transmission unit, 51 master data, 53 individual position information, 55 group information, 100, 100A to 100D AP, 111 CPU, 113 communication unit, 115 input unit, 117 display unit, 119 ROM, 121 RAM, 123 EEPROM.

Claims (7)

A wireless network system including a plurality of wireless base stations,
Each of the plurality of radio base stations includes a distance detection unit that detects a distance between a communication partner device,
Position information storage means for storing position information indicating positions of the plurality of radio base stations;
A pair constituting means for constituting at least one pair composed of three adjacent wireless base stations among the plurality of wireless base stations;
Target set selection means for selecting one of the at least one set as a processing target;
Based on the position information of each of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set and the three distances between the three radio base stations and the new radio base station, the new radio base station Position determining means for determining a position, and
The location information storage means stores location information indicating the determined location as location information of the new radio base station,
The set configuration means includes base station selection means for selecting two radio base stations from three radio base stations belonging to the selected set,
A wireless network system, comprising: update means for forming a new set including the two selected radio base stations and the new radio base station. The target set selection means is a first set selection means for selecting at least one set including the first radio base station with the shortest distance from the new radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations;
A straight line passing through the second radio base station belonging to the same set as the first radio base station from the selected at least one set connects the third radio base station and the new radio base station. Second set selection means for selecting a set in which the positional relationship intersecting with the line segment is established and the first radio equipment station and the second radio base station are not already configured in two different sets And a wireless network system.   The base station selection means selects the first radio base station and the second radio base station from among the three radio base stations included in the set selected by the second set selection means. The wireless network system described. The set configuration means is provided in each of the plurality of radio base stations and the new radio base station, and stores set information including device identification information for identifying other two radio base stations belonging to the same set And further comprising individual group information storage means,
The location information storage means includes individual location information storage means provided in each of the plurality of radio base stations, and stores location information of the own device,
At least one of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set includes the position determining means and the set configuring means,
The location information determining means stores the determined location information in the new radio base station,
The updating means includes set information including device identification information for identifying the other two radio base stations in each of the two selected radio base stations and the new radio base station belonging to the new set. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network system is stored. The set construction means further comprises level assignment means for assigning a hierarchy level to the set,
The level assigning means assigns a hierarchy level lower than the hierarchy level assigned to the set to which the two radio base stations selected by the base station selecting means belong to the new set constituted by the updating means. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network system is assigned. The distance detecting means provided in each of the plurality of wireless base stations detects the distance to the wireless terminal,
Between each of the three radio base stations belonging to the set having the highest hierarchical level among at least one set to which the radio base station closest to the radio terminal belongs among the plurality of radio base stations and the radio terminal The wireless network system according to claim 1, further comprising position detection means for detecting position information of the wireless terminal based on the three distances. A network construction method that is executed in a wireless network system that includes a plurality of wireless base stations each having a distance detecting means for detecting a distance to a communication partner device,
Storing position information indicating positions of the plurality of radio base stations;
Configuring at least one set of three adjacent radio base stations among the plurality of radio base stations;
Selecting one of the at least one set;
The position of the new radio base station based on the position information of each of the three radio base stations belonging to the selected set and the three distances between the three radio base stations and the new radio base station A step of determining
Storing location information indicating the determined location as location information of the new radio base station;
Selecting two radio base stations from three radio base stations belonging to the selected set;
Forming a new set including the two selected radio base stations and the new radio base station.

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