JP2011135325A - Radio communication system, radio communication apparatus, and information notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an apparatus (terminal apparatus 301) trying to be connected to a network to select the proper apparatus of the opposite communication party when an apparatus (service apparatus 201) which can transmit service information showing information of a service to be provided through the network before establishing radio communication connection and an apparatus (access point apparatus 101) which can not transmit it, coexist. <P>SOLUTION: The service apparatus 201 obtains the service information from the access point apparatus 101. The service apparatus 201 transmits the information obtained from the access point apparatus 101 and identification information of the access point apparatus 101 to the terminal apparatus 301 before establishing radio communication connection with the terminal apparatus 301. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, and an information notification method.

In recent years, a mechanism for using various services via a network, such as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), has been defined.
One of the networks is a wireless network, and in particular, the wireless LAN (Local Area Network) defined in Non-Patent Document 1 uses a frequency band that does not require a license. Widely used in various forms, such as in
Here, when using a service via a network, devices that use the service can acquire and use service information after establishing a connection to the network, for example, by exchanging UPnP messages after establishing the connection to the network. I knew the details of services. The “service information” here is information on a service that can be used via a network, and is obtained through a protocol (Protocol, regulation) of an upper layer (Upper Layer) higher than the network layer (Network Layer). The service information includes, for example, information defined in UPnP and information related to the network.

  On the other hand, in the case of a wireless network, an environment that can be connected to a plurality of networks is conceivable. If the device to be connected to the network can acquire the service information before establishing the wireless communication connection with the access point device of the network, the user of the device to be connected to the network can obtain the service information based on the acquired service information. , You can select the network to connect. For example, in an environment where a plurality of wireless LAN services can be used, if information on whether a public wireless LAN service is available or can be used free of charge is obtained as information related to the network, the user can connect only to the free public wireless LAN service. Can try.

  In addition, in a wireless network, there is a risk of unauthorized use of so-called free rides and a risk of intercepting communication contents. Therefore, network access point devices usually perform authentication for identifying connected users and encryption of data for preventing interception when connecting. For this authentication and encryption, the access point device generally requires several seconds, sometimes 10 seconds or more, in order to process connection to the wireless network. If the device to be connected to the wireless network can select the network to connect to by acquiring service information before connecting to the wireless network, it is not necessary to connect to each wireless network to acquire the service information. Equipment load and user effort can be reduced.

  Therefore, as shown in Non-Patent Document 2, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) has developed protocols and fields for exchanging information about higher layers before connecting to the network. Yes. In Non-Patent Document 2, information on an upper layer is notified mainly using a beacon, a probe response, and a GAS initial response (Generic Advertisement Service Initial Response). In the beacon and probe response, specific information such as network characteristics (eg, distinction between personal network and public wireless network) can be notified. On the other hand, in the GAS initial response, information to be notified is not particularly defined and can be used for notification of a wide range of information. Whether or not the device can handle the GAS message can be notified by a beacon or a probe response.

IEEE 802.11 (TM) -2007 IEEE P802.11u (TM) /D8.0

The notification method shown in Non-Patent Document 2 is established only between devices corresponding to the communication protocol of the standard IEEE802.11u (hereinafter also simply referred to as “11u”) described in Non-Patent Document 2. Even if one of them is compatible with the 11u communication protocol, if the other party is a device that does not support the 11u communication protocol, notification cannot be made. Therefore, when 11u compatible devices and 11u non-compatible devices coexist in the wireless network, the 11u compatible device to be connected to the wireless network determines the connection destination based on information notified only from the 11u compatible device in the network. decide.
However, when only information from 11u compatible devices is used, an appropriate connection destination may not be selected.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication in a conventional wireless network system.
The access point device 1101 shown in FIG. 1 establishes a wireless communication connection with the printer 1201 to construct a network composed of the access point device 1101 and the printer 1201. The terminal 1301 connects to the access point device 1101 or the printer 1201 and uses the printing service of the printer 1201. Here, the access point device 1101 is a device that does not support 11u. In contrast, the printer 1201 and the terminal device 1301 are 11u compatible devices.
Both the access point device 1101 and the printer 1201 are compatible with 5 GHz (GHz) band wireless communication. Then, the access point device 1101 establishes a wireless communication connection with the printer 1201 via the communication path c1011 using the 5 GHz band.

The access point device 1101 can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of devices using the 5 GHz band, and the terminal device 1301 also supports 5 GHz band wireless communication. The access point device 1101 establishes a wireless communication connection using the 5 GHz band even when establishing a wireless communication connection via the communication path c1012 with the terminal device 1301.
On the other hand, the printer 1201 can wirelessly communicate with only one device using the 5 GHz band, but can further wirelessly communicate with other devices using the 2.4 GHz band. Further, the terminal device 1301 can also perform wireless communication using the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, after establishing a wireless communication connection using the 5 GHz band with the access point device 1101, the printer 1201 uses the 2.4 GHz band to communicate with the terminal device 1301 using the communication path c 1012. Establish wireless communication via

Here, the printer 1201 operates as a network printer by connecting to the access point device 1101, and constructs a network that provides only a print service by operating as the access point device. By providing a network service with a plurality of networks, it is possible to change the security level such as an authentication method and an encryption method at the time of wireless connection. Furthermore, by making the frequency bands used by each of the plurality of wireless networks different from each other, it is possible to suppress a decrease in network communication function due to radio wave interference between the wireless networks. Accordingly, the terminal device 1301 can use the print service regardless of whether it is connected to the access point device 1101 or the printer 1201.
However, in the 2.4 GHz band, the radio wave environment tends to become unstable, such as communication being interrupted or delayed due to external factors such as electromagnetic waves from a microwave oven. On the other hand, the 5 GHz band has few obstacles, and the radio wave environment is more stable than the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, the terminal device 1301 uses the 5 GHz band to establish a connection with the access point device 1101, and performs more stable communication than to connect to the printer 1201 using the 2.4 GHz band. Get service.

  However, after the access point device 1101 and the printer 1201 establish a wireless communication connection, when the terminal device 1301 selects a connection destination device in order to use the print service, the printer 1201 that is an 11u compatible device does not provide the print service. The access point device 1101 that is a device that does not support 11u cannot notify information, although it can be notified that it can be used. For this reason, the terminal device 1301 selects the printer 1201 whose communication becomes unstable using the 2.4 GHz band as the connection destination. Thus, the terminal device 1301 cannot select an appropriate connection destination.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a more appropriate communication partner when a device that can transmit service information and a device that cannot transmit the service information before the wireless communication connection is established. To provide a wireless communication device and an information notification method capable of selecting a device.

  [1] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a wireless communication system according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device and a terminal device, and the wireless communication device Obtains, from the third device, service information of the third device indicating service information provided by the third device via the network, and identification information of the third device, and the wireless communication A service information acquisition unit for acquiring service information of the wireless communication device indicating information of a service provided by the device via a network, and a storage unit for storing identification information of the wireless communication device; The service information of the third device and the identification information of the third device are associated with each other, and the service information of the wireless communication device and the identification information of the unprecedented communication information are associated with each other. A transmission information generating unit that generates a service information advance notification signal, a connection processing unit that establishes a wireless communication connection by performing a connection process between other devices, and the wireless communication connection between the terminal devices. A wireless communication unit that transmits the service information advance notification signal to the terminal device when not established, the terminal device from the service information advance notification signal and the third device A wireless communication unit that receives a signal to be transmitted; and from the service information prior notification signal, the service information of the third device, identification information of the third device, and service information of the wireless communication device A reception information analyzing unit that reads identification information of the wireless communication device; service information of the third device; identification information of the third device; service information of the wireless communication device; and the wireless communication device Based on the identification information, the device that can be connected to use the desired service is identified from the third device and the wireless communication device, and when there are a plurality of identified devices, Based on the information indicating the radio wave environment between the wireless communication device and the information indicating the radio wave environment between the third device and the third device, a connection destination device is selected from the wireless communication device and the third device. And a connection destination selection unit for selecting.

  [2] In addition, a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention provides service information that is service information provided via a network and identification information of a device that provides the service, and a service device that provides the service. A connection process between a service information acquisition unit acquired from a transmission information generation unit that generates a signal including the service information and the identification information, a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a radio signal, and another device. A connection processing unit configured to establish a wireless communication connection, and the wireless communication unit transmits the signal generated by the transmission information generation unit to a device that has not established the wireless communication connection. It is characterized by.

  [3] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication device described above, wherein the service information includes information indicating any one of UPnP, Bonjour, DLNA, SNMP, LLDP, and LLTD standards, And information obtained based on the standard.

  [4] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, wherein the device identification information includes an SSID, a MAC address, an IP address, an identification name assigned to each device, and an identification of the device. It includes at least one of the numbers.

  [5] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, and the signal including the service information and the device identification information is transmitted to a beacon, a probe response, or IEEE802.11u. The GAS initial response is defined as follows.

  [6] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, wherein the signal including the service information and the device identification information is a probe response, and the wireless communication unit includes: Receiving a probe request including information indicating a condition to be satisfied by the service information, and a transmission information generating unit generating the probe response including service information satisfying the condition and identification information of a device providing the service It is characterized by.

  [7] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication device described above, wherein the signal including the service information and the device identification information is a GAS initial response, and the wireless communication unit is The GAS initial request including the information indicating the condition to be satisfied by the service information is received, and the transmission information generating unit returns the GAS initial response including the service information satisfying the condition and the identification information of the device providing the service. It is characterized by generating.

  [8] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, wherein the transmission information generation unit determines that the device that transmitted the signal is based on the service information in IEEE 802.11u. It is determined whether or not the device has the specified function, and the signal including the service information of the device determined not to have the function defined in IEEE 802.11u and the identification information of the device is generated.

  [9] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication device that connects to a network and uses a service provided through the network, and the wireless communication device connects to the network. A wireless communication unit that receives a beacon or a probe response in a state where it is not, service information that is information of a service provided via the network from the beacon or probe response, and identification information of a device that provides the service And a reception information analysis unit that reads out a transmission destination of a further service information request signal, a device that matches the service information to a condition requested by the wireless communication device, and further determines service information of the device that is determined to match A transmission information generation unit for generating the further service information request signal to be requested to the transmission destination; Characterized by comprising a wireless communication unit for transmitting the additional service information request signal the transmission information generating unit has generated to the destination.

  [10] An information notification method according to an aspect of the present invention is a service information notification method that is information of a service provided via a network, and the first wireless communication device connected to the network includes: A service information receiving step of receiving the service information from a service device connected to the network; and the service to the second wireless communication device not connected to the first wireless communication device by the first wireless communication device. A service information transmission step of transmitting information and identification information of the service device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the apparatus which can transmit service information before wireless communication connection establishment and the apparatus which cannot do are mixed, a more suitable apparatus of a communicating party can be selected.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless network system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the functional block structure of the service apparatus 201 in the embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the functional block structure of the radio | wireless control part 11 in the embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the functional block structure of the terminal device 301 in the embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the functional block structure of the radio | wireless control part 51 in the embodiment. 4 is a data configuration diagram illustrating an example data configuration of information stored in a wireless information holding unit 13 of a service device 201 in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which a service device 201 generates and transmits a beacon including service information in the embodiment. 4 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a beacon frame transmitted by a service device 201 in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the terminal device 301 generates and transmits a probe request including service information indicating a service request in the embodiment. It is a data block diagram which shows the data structural example of the probe request frame which the terminal device 301 transmits in the same embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which a service device 201 generates and transmits a probe response including service information in the embodiment. 5 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a probe response frame transmitted by a service device 201 in the embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which the terminal device 301 produces | generates and transmits a GAS initial request in the same embodiment. It is a data block diagram which shows the data structural example of the GAS initial request frame which the terminal device 301 transmits in the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which a service device 201 generates and transmits a GAS initial response including service information in the embodiment. 4 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration of a GAS initial response frame transmitted by a service device 201 in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for acquiring and storing information from a received signal when the terminal device 301 receives any one of a beacon, a probe response, and a GAS initial response in the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which a service device 201 acquires and stores update information in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the wireless network system 1 in the same embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13 of the service device 201 in the same embodiment in the stage of sequence S603. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example in which an access point apparatus performs return communication in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the probe request frame which the terminal device 301 transmits in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the probe response frame transmitted from the service apparatus 201 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the GAS initial request which the terminal device 301 transmits in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the GAS initial request which specified the apparatus which provides a service in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the GAS initial response which the service apparatus 201 transmits in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which the wireless information holding | maintenance part 13 of the terminal device 301 memorize | stores in the same embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network system in which an access point device (wireless communication device, first wireless communication device) 102 transmits service information in the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of communication in the conventional wireless network system.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless network system in one embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a wireless network system 1 includes an access point device 101 (third device), a service device (wireless communication device, first wireless communication device) 102, a terminal device (wireless communication device, second wireless communication device) 301, It comprises.

  The access point device 101 is a device corresponding to an access point (Access Point; hereinafter referred to as “AP”) defined by IEEE 802.11, and establishes a wireless communication connection in response to a connection request from another device. Network services that relay communications. The “network service” here is a service received via a network. Examples of the network service include a printing service by a printer device on the network and a service for relaying communication with other devices on the network. The access point device 101 is not compatible with 11u, and does not transmit service information before establishing a wireless communication connection.

The service device 201 (wireless communication device) is a device corresponding to both an AP and a station (Station; hereinafter referred to as “STA”) defined in IEEE 802.
Hereinafter, a case where the service device 201 is a printer will be described as an example. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the service device 201 may be a device that provides a network service. Examples of service devices include printers, access point devices, audio devices, displays, digital cameras, video cameras, lighting, projectors, NAS (Network Attached Storage), There are car navigation devices.
When the service device 201 receives a connection request from another device as an AP and establishes a wireless communication connection, the service device 201 provides a print service. The service device 201 provides a print service as a network printer when a wireless communication connection is established with an access point device as an STA. The service device 201 corresponds to 11u and can transmit service information before establishing a wireless communication connection.

The terminal device 301 is a device corresponding to an STA, and performs a process of searching for a device that provides a print service. The terminal device 301 corresponds to 11u and performs a process of determining a communication partner based on information received before establishing a wireless communication connection.
In addition, all of the access point device 101, the service device 201, and the terminal device 301 are compatible with the same service protocol (Service Protocol). The “service protocol” here is a rule for using a service via a network. For example, UPnP, Bonjour, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol), LLTD (Link Layer Topology Discovery), and the like correspond to service protocols.
The access point device 101 has established a wireless communication connection with the service device 201 via the communication path c11. Thereby, a wireless communication network is constructed by the access point device 101 and the service device 201. On the other hand, in the initial state, the wireless communication connection between the access point device 101 and the terminal device 301 is not established. It is also assumed that the wireless communication connection between the service device 201 and the terminal device 301 has not been established.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing a functional block configuration of the service device 201. The service device 201 includes a plurality of radio control units (connection processing units) 11, a plurality of radio communication units 12, a plurality of radio information holding units (storage units) 13, one service information control unit 14, and a service protocol control unit (service Information acquisition unit) 15. The service device 201 includes other parts such as a block for providing a service, but illustration and description thereof are omitted.
The radio communication unit 12 receives a frame by a radio signal and outputs the received frame to the radio control unit 11. In addition, the wireless communication unit 12 transmits the frame output from the wireless control unit 11 as a wireless signal.
The wireless control unit 11 controls frame transmission / reception performed by the wireless communication unit 12. In addition, the wireless control unit 11 analyzes the frame output from the wireless communication unit 12 to read data, and writes the read data to the wireless information holding unit 13. Further, the wireless control unit 11 reads data from the wireless information holding unit 13, generates a frame based on the read data, and outputs the generated frame to the wireless communication unit 12. In addition, the wireless control unit 11 performs a connection process in response to a connection request from another device, and establishes a wireless communication connection.

Based on the service protocol implemented by the service device 201, the service protocol control unit 15 acquires service information of the service device 201 and other devices (access point device 101 in the example of FIG. 1) that have established a communication connection. To the service information control unit 14. The service protocol control unit 15 acquires, as service information, information on a service protocol implemented by the device, status information (for example, remaining job amount) obtained based on the service protocol, and the like.
The service information is used when the terminal device 301 determines which access point should be connected to use the service. The service information includes information indicating a protocol supported by a device that provides the service and information obtained by using the protocol. For example, when the service device 201 supports UPnP, the service information of the service device 201 includes information indicating that it corresponds to UPnP and status information obtained using the UPnP protocol. Further, when the service device 201 supports other service protocols, the service information of the service device 201 includes information related to the service protocol as in the case of UPnP.

The service protocol control unit 15 acquires service information of other devices by wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 12 and the wireless control unit 11, for example.
The service information control unit 14 acquires the service acquired by the service protocol control unit 15 of the service device 201 from the device that provides the service based on the service protocol after establishing the communication connection between the service device 201 and the device that provides the service. Information is written in the wireless information holding unit 13.
The service information control unit 14 converts the service information acquired by the service protocol control unit 15 into a data format that can be handled by the radio control unit 11 such as an MIB data format, and writes the data in the radio information holding unit 13.
The wireless information holding unit 13 stores data written by the service information control unit 14 and data written by the wireless control unit 11. In addition, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores identification information of the service device 201.

  The service device 201 connects to the access point device 101 using one of the plurality of wireless communication units 12 and provides a network service to other devices that are also connected to the access point device 101. Further, the service device 201 establishes a wireless communication connection in response to a connection request from another device as an AP using the other one wireless communication unit 12, and establishes a wireless network that provides only the network service by the service device 201. To construct. By providing network services in a plurality of networks as described above, it is possible to change the security level such as an authentication method and an encryption method at the time of wireless connection. Further, by making the frequency bands used by each of the plurality of wireless networks different from each other, it is possible to suppress a decrease in network communication function due to radio wave interference between the wireless networks.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of the wireless control unit 11. In the figure, the radio control unit 11 includes a radio information input unit 21, a reception information analysis unit 22, a reception information storage unit 23, a transmission information generation unit 24, a radio information output unit 25, and a transmission / reception control unit 26. The wireless information input unit 21, the reception information analysis unit 22, and the reception information storage unit 23 are processing units that perform processes at the time of reception. On the other hand, the transmission information generation unit 24 and the wireless information output unit 25 are processing units that perform processing at the time of transmission.
The wireless information input unit 21 controls the wireless communication unit 12 (FIG. 2). The wireless information input unit 21 receives the frame via the wireless communication unit 12 and outputs the frame to the reception information analysis unit 22.

The reception information analysis unit 22 analyzes the frame output from the wireless communication unit 12 and reads data. Specifically, the reception information analysis unit 22 receives, from the probe request (Probe Request) frame or GAS initial request frame, the identification information of the transmission source device, the identification information of the destination of the frame, and the device requesting the service. The identification information and information indicating the requested service are read out. The reception information analysis unit 22 outputs the read data to the reception information storage unit 23.
The reception information storage unit 23 writes the data output from the reception information analysis unit 22 in the wireless information holding unit 13 (FIG. 2).

The transmission information generation unit 24 reads data from the wireless information holding unit 13 and generates a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and a GAS service response frame based on the read data. Hereinafter, the beacon frame, the probe response frame, and the GAS service response frame are also referred to as “service information prior notification signal”.
The transmission information generation unit 24 outputs the generated frame to the wireless information output unit 25.
The wireless information output unit 25 controls the wireless communication unit 12. The wireless information output unit 25 transmits the frame output from the transmission information generation unit 24 via the wireless communication unit 12.
The transmission / reception control unit 26 controls frame transmission / reception timing.
Each unit of the wireless control unit 11 also performs processes other than the above, such as a connection process and a communication process after connection, but these are the same as the processes in the prior art, and a description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing a functional block configuration of the terminal device 301. In the figure, a terminal device 301 includes a wireless control unit 51, a wireless communication unit 12, and a wireless information holding unit 13. In the figure, the same reference numerals (12, 13) are given to portions corresponding to the respective portions in FIG.
The wireless control unit 51 controls frame transmission / reception performed by the wireless communication unit 12. In addition, the wireless control unit 51 analyzes the frame output from the wireless communication unit 12 to read data, and writes the read data to the wireless information holding unit 13. Further, the wireless control unit 51 reads data from the wireless information holding unit 13, generates a frame based on the read data, and outputs the generated frame to the wireless communication unit 12. In addition, the wireless control unit 51 transmits a connection request to another device corresponding to the AP (in FIG. 1, the access point device 101 or the service device 201), and establishes a wireless communication connection with the device.
The terminal device 301 includes other parts such as a block for receiving a user operation and a block for executing an application, but illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of the wireless control unit 51. In the figure, a radio control unit 51 includes a radio information input unit 21, a reception information analysis unit 62, a reception information storage unit 23, a transmission information generation unit 64, a radio information output unit 25, a transmission / reception control unit 66, and a connection destination selection unit 67. It comprises. The wireless information input unit 21, the reception information analysis unit 62, and the reception information storage unit 23 are processing units that perform each process during reception. On the other hand, the transmission information generation unit 64 and the wireless information output unit 25 are processing units that perform processing at the time of transmission. In the figure, the same reference numerals (21, 23, 25) are given to portions corresponding to the respective portions in FIG.

The reception information analysis unit 62 analyzes the frame output from the wireless communication unit 12 and reads data. Specifically, the reception information analysis unit 62 reads out identification information of a transmission source device, identification information of a device providing a service, and service information from a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or a GAS initial response frame. . The reception information analysis unit 62 outputs the read data to the reception information storage unit 23. The transmission information generation unit 64 reads the data from the wireless information holding unit 13, and based on the read data, the probe request frame and the GAS initial request. Generate a frame. The transmission information generation unit 64 outputs the generated frame to the wireless information output unit 25.
The transmission / reception control unit 66 controls frame transmission / reception timing.
The connection destination selection unit 67 reads data from the wireless information holding unit 13 and selects a connection destination based on the read data.
3, each unit of the wireless control unit 51 performs processing other than the above, such as connection processing and communication processing after connection, but a description thereof is omitted.
In the example of FIG. 1, an existing access point device compatible with IEEE 802.11 can be used as the access point device 101, and illustration and description of the configuration of the access point device 101 are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13 of the service device 201. As shown in the figure, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores device identification information, transmission source information, and service information in association with each other.
The device identification information is information for identifying a device that provides a service. Specifically, the wireless information holding unit 13 is one of an SSID (Service Set ID), a MAC (Media Access Control) address, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, an identification name assigned to each device, and an identification number of the device. Or a combination of these is stored as device identification information.
The transmission source information is information for identifying a transmission source device that transmits service information included in a beacon, a probe response, or a GAS initial response. The transmission source information indicates a transmission destination of the GAS initial request when the terminal device 301 further acquires service information using the GAS. Specifically, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores one of SSID (Service Set ID) and MAC (Media Access Control) addresses, or a combination thereof as transmission source information. The network system 1 may use data in different formats for the device identification information and the transmission source information. For example, an SSID may be used as device identification information, and a MAC address may be used as transmission source information.

Note that after establishing a communication connection between the service device 201 and a device that provides a service (the access point device 101 in the example of FIG. 1), the service device 201 controls service information from the device that provides the service based on the service protocol. When the service information is acquired by the unit 14, the service device 201 itself can reply when the service information of the device providing the service is requested. Therefore, in this case, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores the identification information of the service device 201 itself as transmission source information.
Note that the service device 201 acquires service information by the wireless control unit 11 before establishing a connection with a device that provides the service. The wireless control unit 11 receives service information from a device that provides a service via the wireless communication unit 12 based on the GAS protocol before the service device 201 establishes a communication connection with the device that provides the service. Receive.

Next, the operation of each device will be described. In the following description, device identification information may be indicated by SSID, but as described above, devices other than SSID may be used as device identification information.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the service device 201 generates and transmits a beacon including service information. The service device 201 generates and transmits a beacon at regular time intervals, for example, every 100 milliseconds.
In step S <b> 101, the transmission / reception control unit 26 detects that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous beacon transmission, and outputs a signal indicating a beacon transmission request to the transmission information generation unit 24.

In step S102, the transmission information generating unit 24 reads the service information and the device identification information from the wireless information holding unit 13 (FIG. 2).
In step S103, the transmission information generation unit 24 associates the service information read from the wireless information holding unit 13 with the device identification information, and generates a beacon including these service information and device identification information. The transmission information generation unit 24 outputs the generated beacon to the wireless information output unit 25.
In step S <b> 104, the wireless information output unit 25 transmits the beacon output from the transmission information generation unit 24 as a wireless signal via the wireless communication unit 12. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a beacon frame transmitted by the service device 201. As shown in the figure, the service device 201 transmits a beacon frame including device identification information and service information associated with the device identification information. The beacon frame in the figure is an extension of the data structure of the beacon frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

The case where the service device 201 includes the service information in the beacon that is periodically transmitted has been described above. However, the service device 201 may include the service information in the probe response that is transmitted when the service device 201 receives the probe request. .
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the terminal device 301 generates and transmits a probe request including service information indicating a service request. When the terminal device 301 needs to be connected to the network due to a user operation or application execution, the terminal device 301 starts processing to generate and transmit a probe request.

In step S111, the transmission / reception control unit 66 outputs a signal indicating a probe request transmission request.
In step S112, the transmission information generation unit 64 acquires service information indicating a service request. For example, the terminal device 301 includes a user interface such as a keyboard, and the user inputs service information indicating a service request via the user interface. Alternatively, when the terminal device 301 starts the document creation tool, the transmission information generation unit 64 generates service information indicating a service request based on a print request signal output from the document creation tool. The transmission information generation unit 64 may generate service information indicating a service request based on a signal acquired from a running application.

In step S113, the transmission information generation unit 64 generates a probe request including service information indicating a service request.
In step S114, the transmission information generating unit 64 sets the SSID value to a wild card indicating an arbitrary character string and includes it in the probe request. By setting the SSID value to a wild card, the terminal device 301 requests all APs (the access point device 101 and the service device 201 in FIG. 1) to transmit probe responses. The transmission information generation unit 64 outputs the generated probe request to the wireless information output unit 25.
In step S <b> 115, the wireless information output unit 25 transmits the probe request output from the transmission information generation unit 64 as a wireless signal via the wireless communication unit 12. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 10 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a probe request frame transmitted by the terminal device 301. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 301 transmits a probe request including a destination SSID and service information indicating a service request in association with each other. The probe request frame in the figure is an extension of the data structure of the probe request frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the service device 201 generates and transmits a probe response including service information. When the service device 201 receives the probe request, the service device 201 starts a process of generating a probe response including service information.
In step S121, the reception information analysis unit 22 analyzes the received probe request frame, and reads SSID and service information indicating a service request from the probe request.
In step S <b> 122, the reception information analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the SSID read from the probe request matches the SSID of the service device 201. Here, “match” means that all parts other than the wild card match. When it is determined that it is compatible (step S122: YES), the process proceeds to step S123, and when it is determined that it is not compatible (step S122: NO), the process proceeds to step S127.

In step S123, the reception information analysis unit 22 outputs the SSID read from the probe request and the service information indicating the service request to the transmission information generation unit 24. The transmission information generation unit 24 compares service information indicating a service request with the service information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13 and searches for a device that provides a service that meets all the required conditions.
In step S124, as a result of the collation in step S123, the transmission information generation unit 24 sends the service information of the device that provides the service that meets all the required conditions and the identification information of the device to the wireless information holding unit. 13 to read.

In step S125, the transmission information generation unit 24 generates a probe response including the read service information and device identification information in association with each other. The transmission information generation unit 24 outputs the generated probe response to the wireless information output unit 25.
In step S 126, the wireless information output unit 25 transmits the probe response output from the transmission information generation unit 24 as a wireless signal via the wireless communication unit 12. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
On the other hand, in step S127, the reception information analysis unit 22 discards the received probe request. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a probe response frame transmitted by the service device 201. As shown in the figure, the service device 201 reads out from the probe request, the service information of the device that provides the service that matches all the conditions requested by the service information indicating the service request, and the device identification of the device A probe response frame including information in association is transmitted. The probe response frame in the figure is an extension of the data structure of the probe response frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

  Note that the terminal device 301 may further transmit a GAS initial request (Generic Advertisement Service Initial Request) for requesting transmission of service information based on the service information read from the received beacon or probe response. For example, in the beacon or probe response, the service device 201 transmits information related to the network such as a corresponding service protocol and information indicating whether or not GAS is supported. The terminal device 301 that has received the beacon or the probe response transmits a GAS initial request to the device corresponding to the GAS, and acquires further information such as the contents of the service provided by the GAS initial response. In this way, by transmitting only a part of service information in a beacon or probe response, it is possible to transmit only information related to the network transmitted by the beacon, probe request, and probe response in the past, and suppress the extent of specification expansion. It is done.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the terminal device 301 generates and transmits a GAS initial request. When the terminal device 301 receives the beacon or the probe response, the terminal device 301 starts a process of generating and transmitting a GAS initial request.
In step S131, the transmission / reception control unit 66 outputs a signal indicating a transmission request for the GAS initial request.
In step S132, the transmission information generation unit 64 reads out the device information of the service request destination included in the received beacon or probe response. Information included in the received beacon or probe request is analyzed by the reception information analysis unit 62 and written in the wireless information holding unit 13. Then, the transmission information generation unit 64 reads out device information of the service request destination from the wireless information holding unit 13. Alternatively, the identification information of the service request destination device may be set to a wild card. In this case, the transmission information generation unit 64 does not have to read out device information of the service request destination.

The transmission information generation unit 64 generates the requested service information based on the service information indicating the service request acquired at the time of the probe request. The service information to be requested here is information indicating a service condition to be requested to the service request destination device. For example, the terminal device 301 transmits the probe request including only the conditions regarding the network among the requested service conditions, and transmits the GAS initial request including all the conditions.
The transmission information generation unit 64 generates a GAS initial request including the requesting device identification information and the requested service information.

In step S133, the transmission information generation unit 64 reads the transmission source of the beacon or probe response.
In step S134, the transmission information generating unit 64 sets the read transmission source as the destination of the GAS initial request. The transmission information generation unit 64 outputs the generated GAS initial request to the wireless information output unit 25.
In step S <b> 135, the wireless information output unit 25 transmits the GAS initial request output from the transmission information generation unit 64 as a wireless signal via the wireless communication unit 12. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 14 is a data configuration diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a GAS initial request frame transmitted by the terminal device 301. The GAS initial request includes device identification information and requested service information in association with each other, and further includes a destination SSID. The destination SSID is the SSID of the transmission source device that has notified the service information by a beacon or a probe response.

The service device 201 may transmit the beacon or the probe response including the transmission source information. As described above, the transmission source information is information indicating the transmission destination of the GAS initial request, and the terminal device 301 obtains a GAS initial response including service information by transmitting the GAS initial request according to the transmission source information. It is done.
In this case, the terminal device 301 reads the transmission source information in step S133 of FIG. 13, and sets the SSID (transmission destination) of the GAS initial request as the SSID indicated by the transmission source information in step S134.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the service device 201 generates and transmits a GAS initial response including service information. When the service device 201 receives the GAS initial request, the service device 201 starts a process of generating a GAS initial response including service information.
In step S141, the reception information analysis unit 22 analyzes the received GAS initial request, and reads out device identification information, requested service information, and a destination SSID.
In step S142, the reception information analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the destination SSID read from the GAS initial request matches the SSID of the service device 201. When it is determined that it is compatible (step S142: YES), the process proceeds to step S143, and when it is determined that it is not compatible (step S142: NO), the process proceeds to step S146.

In step S <b> 143, the transmission information generation unit 24 reads from the wireless information holding unit 13 the device identification information read from the GAS initial request and the identification information and service information of the device that provides the service that matches the requested service information.
In step S144, the transmission information generation unit 24 generates a GAS initial response including the device identification information and service information read from the wireless information holding unit 13. The transmission information generation unit 24 outputs the generated GAS initial response to the wireless information output unit 25.
In step S145, the wireless information output unit 25 transmits the GAS initial response output from the transmission information generation unit 24 as a wireless signal via the wireless communication unit 12. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
On the other hand, in step S146, the reception information analysis unit 22 discards the received GAS initial request frame. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a data configuration diagram showing a data configuration of a GAS initial response frame transmitted by the service device 201. The GAS initial response includes the device identification information of the device that matches the request and the service information in association with each other.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for acquiring and storing information from a received signal when the terminal device 301 receives any one of a beacon, a probe response, and a GAS initial response. When receiving any one of the beacon, the probe response, and the GAS initial response, the terminal device 301 starts processing to acquire and store information from the received signal.
In step S151, the reception information analysis unit 62 analyzes the reception frame, and reads out device identification information, service information, and transmission source information of the frame.
In step S <b> 152, the reception information analysis unit 62 associates the read device identification information, service information, and transmission source information of the frame, and writes them in the wireless information holding unit 13 via the reception information storage unit 23. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

As described above, the method in which the service device 201 transmits the service information to the terminal device has been described. However, the service device 201 acquires and stores the service information from another device as a previous step.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the service device 201 acquires and stores update information. The update information here is updated service information. For example, when a service device starts communication and service information such as remaining job information is updated, the service device 201 acquires and stores the updated service information. When the service information control unit 14 itself detects that the service protocol control unit 15 has acquired the update information, the service device 201 starts a process for storing the update information. The service information control unit 14 periodically monitors the service protocol control unit 15 to detect information update. Alternatively, the service protocol control unit 15 may output information to the service information control unit 14 when information is updated. Alternatively, both monitoring from the service protocol control unit 15 and information output from the service information control unit 14 may be performed like a response and trap of MIB (Management Information Base).

In step S <b> 161, the service information control unit 14 acquires update information from the service protocol control unit 15.
In step S162, the service information control unit 14 reads out device identification information from the update information in order to determine which device the update information is.
In step S163, the service information control unit 14 collates the read device identification information with the device identification information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13.
In step S164, the service information control unit 14 determines whether the wireless information holding unit has already stored the information on the corresponding device based on the collation in step S163. If it is determined that the information on the corresponding device has already been stored (step S164: YES), the process proceeds to step S165, and if it is determined that the information on the corresponding device has not yet been stored (step S164: NO), the step is performed. The process proceeds to S166.
In step S165, the service information control unit 14 updates the service information of the corresponding device information in the wireless information holding unit 13. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
In step S166, the service information control unit 14 newly writes the update information and the extracted device identification information in the wireless information holding unit 13 in association with each other. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

The configuration and operation of each device of the wireless network system 1 have been described above. Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless network system 1 will be described using an example.
FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the wireless network system 1. In this example, a case will be described in which the terminal device 301 requests a print service from a device that supports UPnP.
In sequence S601, the access point device 101 and the service device 201 perform a connection process between each other, and establish a wireless communication connection via the communication path c11 (FIG. 1). In sequence S602, the access point device 101 and the service device 201 transmit / receive service information to / from each other according to the service protocol. In sequence S <b> 603, the service device 201 stores the service information received from the access point device 101. Specifically, the service device 201 service protocol control unit 15 (FIG. 2) transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as “provided service information”) including service information and identification information of a device providing the service via the wireless communication unit 12. Notification signal ”). The service information control unit 14 analyzes the received provided service information notification signal and reads out device identification information and service information. Then, the service information control unit 14 associates the read device identification information with the service information and writes them in the wireless information holding unit 13.

In sequence S604, the terminal device 301 sends a probe request in order to use the service via the wireless network. In sequence S605, the access point device 101 does not support 11u, and transmits a probe response that does not include service information. On the other hand, the service device 201 corresponds to 11u, and transmits a probe response including service information that matches the service information indicating the service request described in the probe request. At that time, the service device 201 reads out the service information of the service device 201 corresponding to UPnP and the service information of the access point device 101 corresponding to UPnP from the wireless information holding unit 13, and a probe response including the read information Generate and send.
In sequence S606, the terminal device 301 transmits a GAS initial request for requesting service information. In sequence S <b> 607, the service device 201 that has received the GAS initial request transmits a GAS initial response to the terminal device 301.

  In sequence S608, the connection destination selection unit 67 of the terminal device 301 determines a connection destination based on the information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13, performs connection processing with the determined connection destination, and establishes a wireless communication connection. Establish. The print service can be used by connecting to either the access point device 101 or the service device 201. However, since the 2.4 GHz band is used for connection to the service device 201, the radio wave environment is affected by external factors such as a microwave oven. Prone to instability. On the other hand, since 5 GHz is used for connection with the access point device 101, the radio wave environment is more stable than the connection with the service device 201. The connection destination selection unit 67 selects the access point device 101 by comparing the frequency bands to be used. Then, the terminal device 301 starts connection processing with the access point device 101.

  Specifically, the reception information analysis unit 62 uses the signal transmitted from the service device 201 (for example, the service information prior notification signal) as information indicating the radio wave environment between the terminal device 301 and the service device 201 as 2 Read information indicating that communication is performed using the 4 GHz band. Also, the reception information analysis unit 62 performs communication using the 5 GHz band as information indicating the radio wave environment between the terminal device 301 and the access point device 101 from the signal transmitted from the access point device 101. Read the indicated information. The reception information analysis unit 62 sends information indicating the radio wave environment between the terminal device 301 and the service device 201 and information indicating the radio wave environment between the terminal device 301 and the access point device 101 to each device. The data is output to the connection destination selection unit 67 as an index indicating the connection priority. The connection destination selection unit 67 stores in advance a criterion that the 5 GHz band is prioritized over the 2.4 GHz band, and selects the access point device 101 as a connection destination device according to this criterion.

FIG. 20 shows an example of information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13 of the service device 201 at the stage of sequence S603.
In the figure, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores device identification information, transmission source information, service protocol information, external network connection information, and return communication information in association with each other.
As described above, the device identification information is identification information of a device providing a service, and the transmission source information is identification information indicating a transmission destination of the GAS initial request. Here, the wireless information holding unit 13 stores a device name. Since the service device 201 acquires the information of the access point device 101 through the service protocol after establishing the communication connection with the access point device 101, the service device 201 itself is used as the transmission source information of the access point device 101. Is remembered.

In the example of FIG. 20, service protocol information, external network connection information, and loopback communication information correspond to service information.
The service protocol information indicates a service protocol corresponding to each device and service information obtained based on the protocol. In the figure, the service device 201 corresponds to UPnP and provides a print service. Further, the access point device 101 corresponds to UPnP and provides a wireless LAN connection service.
The external network connection information indicates whether or not an external network including devices other than the device can be accessed using the device as an access point of the network. In the figure, it is shown that even if connected to the service device 201, communication with other than the service device 201 is not possible, whereas when connected to the access point device 101, it is possible to connect to an external network.
The return communication information indicates whether or not communication with another device can be performed by return communication. In the example of the figure, it is possible to communicate with other devices connected to the access point device 101 by loopback communication, but the service device 201 does not perform loopback communication.
The loopback communication here means that the access point device transfers a frame transmitted from the wireless communication device to another wireless communication device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the access point device performs loopback communication.
The devices 602 and 603 in the figure are wireless communication devices such as service devices or terminal devices. In addition, the access point device 601 and the device 602 perform wireless communication via the communication path c61, and the access point device 601 and the device 603 perform wireless communication via the communication path c62.
When the device 602 transmits a frame to be transmitted to the device 603 to the access point device 601, the access point device 601 transfers this frame to the device 603. When the device 603 transmits a frame to be transmitted to the device 602 to the access point device 601, the access point device 601 transfers this frame to the device 602. Thereby, the apparatus 602 and the apparatus 603 can communicate with each other via the communication paths c61 and c62.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a probe request frame transmitted by the terminal device 301. In the example shown in the figure, all access point devices are targeted for search by using a wildcard for the SSID value. Further, only the service information of the device corresponding to UPnP is requested in the service information indicating the service request.
Note that a device that does not store service information that matches the service information indicating the service request may not transmit a probe response. Thereby, since the probe response from the apparatus which does not provide the service which matches the conditions which the terminal device 301 requires can be reduced, the network traffic can be reduced.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a probe response frame transmitted from the service device 201. As shown in the figure, the service device 201 transmits a probe response frame including service information of the service device 201 itself and service information of the access point device 101. Thereby, the terminal device 301 can acquire not only the service information of the service device 201 but also the service information of the access point device 101.
The terminal device 301 determines that the service device 201 supports GAS based on the probe response, and further exchanges information with the service device 201 using the GAS.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GAS initial request transmitted by the terminal device 301. In the figure, the GAS initial request includes the SSID of the destination of the GAS initial request, the name of the device that provides the service, and information on the conditions of the requested service. In the example shown in the figure, the terminal device 301 requests the service device 201 to notify the service information of the device corresponding to UPnP among the service information of all devices stored in the service device 201.

When the terminal device 301 receives a beacon, the beacon may include service information that does not match the conditions requested by the terminal device 301. Therefore, the reception information analysis unit 62 determines whether the service information read from the beacon satisfies a necessary condition. When it determines with satisfy | filling, the transmission information generation part 64 produces | generates a GAS initial request.
For example, when the terminal device 301 receives a beacon similar to the probe response in FIG. 23, the reception information analysis unit 62 detects that service information indicating UPnP support is included in the service information read from the beacon. Thereafter, the transmission information generation unit 64 generates the GAS initial request shown in FIG.

The transmission information generation unit 64 specifies a device that provides a service that satisfies the condition from the service information read from the beacon or probe request, and generates a GAS initial request that specifies the device that provides the service. May be.
For example, when the terminal device 301 receives the probe response of FIG. 23, the reception information analysis unit 62 determines that the service device 201 and the access point device 101 support UPnP. Then, the transmission information generation unit 64 generates a GAS initial request in which the service providing device is the service device 201 and the access point device 101.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GAS initial request specifying a device that provides a service. In FIG. 24, a wild card is set for a device that provides a service, whereas in FIG. 24, a service device 201 and an access point device 101 are set as devices that provide a service.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GAS initial response transmitted by the service device 201. In the figure, the GAS initial response includes a device corresponding to UPnP, which is a condition indicated by the GAS initial request, and service information of the device in association with each other.
Here, as described with reference to FIG. 20, since the access point device 101 is connected to the service device 201 and can perform return communication, the terminal device 301 can connect to the access point device 101 to connect the UPnP service of the service device 201. Can be used. Therefore, in FIG. 26, the service device 201 generates service information including the service provided by the service device 201 in the service provided by the access point device 101, and includes the service information in the GAS initial response.
The terminal device 301 that has received the GAS initial response writes the obtained information in the wireless information holding unit 13.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the wireless information holding unit 13 of the terminal device 301. The wireless information holding unit 13 stores service information obtained by the probe response and the GAS initial response, as well as information on the radio frequency band used when connecting to each device. For collecting and storing the radio frequency band information, for example, a conventional method such as a method defined in IEEE 802.11 can be used, and the description thereof is omitted.
As described above, the terminal device 301 receives the service information provided by the service device 201 and the service information provided by the access point device 101 from the service device 201 before establishing the connection, and sets an appropriate connection destination. Can be selected.

  The service device 201 uses the radio frequency band information of the communication path c11 (FIG. 1) as the information indicating the radio wave environment between the service device 201 and the access point device 101, as a service information prior notification signal (beacon or service response). Alternatively, it may be included in the GAS initial response) and transmitted. For example, when the 2.4 GHz band in which the radio wave environment is likely to be unstable even in the communication path c11 is used, the terminal device 301 is connected directly to the service device 201 or via the access point device 101. It is conceivable that the stability of the radio wave environment is comparable. In this case, the terminal device 301 can avoid a delay caused by going through the access point device 101 by directly connecting to the service device 201.

  Specifically, the service device 201 indicates the radio wave environment between the service device 201 and the access point device 101, for example, in the information indicating the print service provided by the access point device 101 in the GAS initial response in FIG. Include information in association. The reception information analysis unit 62 of the terminal device 301 reads information indicating the radio wave environment between the service device 201 and the access point device 101 from the service information advance notification signal transmitted from the service device 201, and the terminal device described above. The information indicating the radio wave environment between the service device 201 and the access point device 101 is associated with the information indicating the radio wave environment between the service device 201 and the access point device 101, and the terminal device 301 and the service device 201 described above are associated with each other. Together with information indicating the radio wave environment during The connection destination selection unit 67 selects a route with the minimum number of hops when a communication path using the 2.4 GHz band is included in any of a plurality of paths for using the service. The standard to do is stored in advance. Then, the connection destination selection unit 67 selects the service device 201 as a connection destination device based on this criterion.

  The index indicating the connection priority to the service device 201 and the index indicating the connection priority to the access point device used by the terminal device 301 is not limited to the information indicating the radio wave environment described above. For example, when the service usage fee varies depending on the connection destination, for example, the service device 201 transmits information indicating the usage fee for each connection destination in the service information prior notification signal, and the terminal device 301 transmits this information. You may make it use as a parameter | index which shows a connection priority. Alternatively, the predicted value of the processing time may be calculated for each connection destination of the service device 201, and the terminal device 301 may use the predicted value of the processing time as an index indicating the connection priority.

  When the service device 201 acquires information from the 11u-compatible device, the device itself can transmit service information to the terminal device 301. Therefore, the service device 201 may not notify the terminal device 301 of information acquired from this device. Thereby, notification of overlapping information can be prevented and the communication amount can be reduced. Whether or not the device is compatible with 11u can be determined from the contents of a beacon or a probe response frame.

Although the case where the service device 201 transmits service information has been described above, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network system in which the access point device (wireless communication device, first wireless communication device) 102 transmits service information.
In the figure, the wireless network system 2 includes an access point device 102, a service device 202, and a terminal device (wireless communication device, second wireless communication device) 302.
The access point device 102 corresponds to 11u, and transmits service information before establishing a wireless communication connection. The terminal device 302 corresponds to 11u and determines a communication partner based on information received before establishing a wireless communication connection. On the other hand, the service device 202 is not compatible with 11u, and does not transmit service information before establishing a wireless communication connection.
After connecting to the service device 202, the access point device 102 collects service information of the service device 202 using a service protocol. 1, the access point device 102 includes the collected information in a beacon, probe response, or GAS initial response, and transmits the information to the terminal device 302.
As described above, even if the service device 202 does not transmit the service information, the terminal device 302 receives the service information including the service information related to the service device 202 from the access point device 102, so that an appropriate connection destination can be selected.

The access point device 102 transmits (redistributes) the service information acquired from the device only when the service point is acquired from a device that does not straddle the network domain and can be used for return communication. May be.
For example, the access point device 102 in FIG. 28 transmits the acquired service information when the service point information is acquired from a device that does not straddle the network domain and the access point device 102 itself can perform return communication. Accordingly, even when the terminal device 302 is located outside the communication area with the device providing the service and cannot communicate directly, the terminal device 302 can receive the service via the access point device 102. In addition, even when the terminal device 302 and the device providing the service are several hops away, the service can be received through a plurality of access point devices that perform loopback communication.
On the other hand, when loopback communication cannot be performed or when the network domain is straddled, the communication amount can be reduced by not transmitting the service information acquired by the access point device 102. Whether or not the network domain is crossed can be determined by referring to the IP address. Whether or not the return communication is possible depends only on the setting of the device that is the access point device, and thus, for example, the access point device 102 itself can determine.

A program for realizing all or part of the functions of the service device 201, the access point device 102, and the terminal devices 301 and 302 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and recorded on the recording medium. Processing of each unit may be performed by causing a computer system to read and execute the program. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention is suitable for use in a wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, and an information notification method. For example, the present invention can be applied to a home network that provides a network service and a corporate network. The present invention can also be applied to network providing service devices (access point devices) represented by public wireless LAN.

  (Additional remark 1) It is a radio | wireless communications system containing a radio | wireless communication apparatus and a terminal device, Comprising: The said radio | wireless communication apparatus is the service information of the 3rd apparatus which shows the information of the service which a 3rd apparatus provides via a network, The identification information of the third device is acquired from the third device, and the service information of the wireless communication device indicating the information of the service provided by the wireless communication device via the network is the wireless communication device. Including a service information acquisition unit acquired from the inside, a storage unit storing identification information of the wireless communication device, service information of the third device, and identification information of the third device in association with each other, Connection processing is performed between the transmission information generation unit that generates the service information advance notification signal including the service information of the communication device and the identification information of the unprecedented communication information in association with another device. A connection processing unit that establishes a communication connection, and a wireless communication unit that transmits the service information advance notification signal to the terminal device when the wireless communication connection is not established with the terminal device. The terminal device includes: a wireless communication unit that receives the service information advance notification signal and a signal transmitted from the third device; and the service information advance notification signal from the service information advance notification signal. Service information; identification information of the third device; service information of the wireless communication device; a reception information analysis unit that reads the identification information of the wireless communication device; service information of the third device; Based on the identification information of the third device, the service information of the wireless communication device, and the identification information of the wireless communication device, a desired service is used from the third device and the wireless communication device. Therefore, when there are a plurality of identified devices, an index indicating the connection priority to the wireless communication device and an index indicating the connection priority to the third device are identified. A connection destination selection unit that selects a connection destination device from the wireless communication device and the third device, and the index indicating the connection priority is the terminal device and the wireless communication device Information indicating the radio wave environment between the terminal device and the third device, and the radio wave environment between the wireless communication device and the third device. The transmission information generation unit of the wireless communication device uses information indicating a radio wave environment between the wireless communication device and the third device as a service information advance notification signal. Including the received information analysis unit of the terminal device. Reads information indicating a radio wave environment between the wireless communication device and the third device from the service information prior notification signal, and transmits the terminal device and the wireless communication device from a signal transmitted from the wireless communication device. Wireless information is acquired, and information indicating a radio wave environment between the terminal device and the third device is acquired from a signal transmitted from the third device. Communications system.

  (Additional remark 2) The service information acquisition part which acquires the service information which is the information of the service provided via a network, and the identification information of the apparatus which provides the said service from the service apparatus which provides the said service, The said service information And a transmission information generating unit that generates a signal including the identification information, a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal, and a connection processing unit that establishes a wireless communication connection by performing connection processing between other devices. The wireless communication unit transmits the signal generated by the transmission information generation unit to a device that has not established the wireless communication connection, and the transmission information generation unit provides the service. It is determined whether the device belongs to the same network domain as the wireless communication device, and whether the wireless communication device can perform loopback communication, and provides the service. When it is determined that the device that belongs to the same network domain as the wireless communication device and the wireless communication device can perform loopback communication, the service information of the device that provides the service and the identification information of the device A wireless communication device that generates the signal including the wireless communication device.

  (Supplementary Note 3) A wireless communication device that connects to a network and uses a service provided through the network, and receives a beacon or a probe response in a state where the wireless communication device is not connected to the network. From the wireless communication unit and the beacon or probe response, service information that is information of a service provided via the network, identification information of a device that provides the service, and a transmission destination of a further service information request signal The reception information analysis unit to be read out, the device that matches the service information to the condition requested by the wireless communication device, and the further service information request signal for further requesting the service information of the device determined to match the transmission A transmission information generation unit that generates the destination, and the further information generated by the transmission information generation unit. Wireless communication device comprising a wireless communication unit that transmits that service information request signal, and said further service information request signal, characterized in that it is a GAS initial request that is defined in IEEE 802.11u.

  (Additional remark 4) The identification information of the transmission destination device of the GAS initial request includes at least one of SSID, MAC address, IP address, identification name given to each device, and identification number of the device. The wireless communication device according to attachment 3.

  (Additional remark 5) The said transmission information production | generation part is a further service information request | requirement signal according to the said service information acquisition condition from the said service apparatus, either of the identification information of the said service apparatus, and the identification information of the said wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication device according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the radio communication device is included in a signal including the service information and the identification information.

  (Supplementary Note 6) A service information receiving step for receiving the service information from a service device connected to the network to a computer connected to the network; and the service information for a wireless communication device not connected to the network A service information transmission step of transmitting identification information of the service device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Wireless network system 101, 102 Access point device 201, 202 Service device 301, 302 Terminal device 11, 51 Wireless control part 12 Wireless communication part 13 Wireless information holding part 14 Service information control part 15 Service protocol control part 21 Wireless information Input unit 22, 62 Reception information analysis unit 23 Reception information storage unit 24, 64 Transmission information generation unit 25 Wireless information output unit 26, 66 Transmission / reception control unit 67 Connection destination selection unit

Claims (10)

A wireless communication system including a wireless communication device and a terminal device,
The wireless communication device is:
The service information of the third device indicating the information of the service provided by the third device via the network and the identification information of the third device are acquired from the third device, and the wireless communication device A service information acquisition unit for acquiring service information of the wireless communication device indicating information of a service provided via a network from the inside of the wireless communication device;
A storage unit for storing identification information of the wireless communication device;
Pre-notification of service information including service information of the third device and identification information of the third device in association with each other, and including service information of the wireless communication device and identification information of the unprecedented communication information in association with each other A transmission information generation unit for generating a signal;
A connection processing unit that establishes a wireless communication connection by performing a connection process with another device;
A wireless communication unit that transmits the service information advance notification signal to the terminal device when the wireless communication connection is not established with the terminal device;
Comprising
The terminal device is
A wireless communication unit that receives the service information prior notification signal and a signal transmitted from the third device;
Received information analysis for reading out the service information of the third device, the identification information of the third device, the service information of the wireless communication device, and the identification information of the wireless communication device from the service information prior notification signal And
Based on the service information of the third device, the identification information of the third device, the service information of the wireless communication device, and the identification information of the wireless communication device, the third device and the wireless communication A device that can be connected to use a desired service is identified from the devices, and when there are a plurality of identified devices, an index indicating the connection priority to the wireless communication device and the third device And a connection destination selection unit that selects a connection destination device from the wireless communication device and the third device based on an index indicating a connection priority to the wireless communication system. . A service information acquisition unit that acquires service information indicating information of a service provided via a network and identification information of a device that provides the service from a device that provides the service;
A transmission information generating unit that generates a service information prior notification signal including the service information and the identification information;
A wireless communication unit for transmitting wireless signals;
A connection processing unit that establishes a wireless communication connection by performing a connection process with another device;
Comprising
The wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device transmits the service information advance notification signal generated by the transmission information generator to a device that has not established a wireless communication connection.   The wireless communication according to claim 2, wherein the service information includes information indicating any one of UPnP, Bonjour, DLNA, SNMP, LLDP, and LLTD standards, and information obtained based on the standards. machine.   The wireless communication device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the device identification information includes at least one of an SSID, a MAC address, an IP address, an identification name assigned to each device, and a device identification number.   5. The signal according to claim 2, wherein the signal including the service information and the device identification information is either a beacon, a probe response, or a GAS initial response defined by IEEE 802.11u. A wireless communication device according to any of the above sections. The signal including the service information and the device identification information is a probe response;
The wireless communication unit receives a probe request including information indicating a condition to be satisfied by the service information;
The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission information generation unit generates the probe response including service information that satisfies the condition and identification information of a device that provides the service. The signal including the service information and the device identification information is a GAS initial response,
The wireless communication unit receives a GAS initial request including information indicating a condition to be satisfied by the service information;
6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission information generating unit generates the GAS initial response including service information that satisfies the condition and identification information of a device that provides the service. Based on the service information, the transmission information generation unit determines whether the device that has transmitted the signal has a function defined in IEEE 802.11u, and does not have a function defined in IEEE 802.11u. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the signal including service information of the determined device and identification information of the device is generated. A wireless communication device that connects to a network and uses a service provided via the network,
In a state where the wireless communication device is not connected to the network, a wireless communication unit that receives a beacon or a probe response;
A reception information analysis unit that reads out service information that is information of a service provided via the network, identification information of a device that provides the service, and a destination of a further service information request signal from the beacon or probe response When,
Transmission information for determining a device whose service information matches a condition requested by the wireless communication device, and generating the further service information request signal for further requesting service information of the device determined to match the destination A generator,
A wireless communication unit that transmits the further service information request signal generated by the transmission information generation unit to the transmission destination;
A wireless communication device comprising: A method for notifying service information, which is service information provided via a network,
A service information receiving step in which a first wireless communication device connected to the network receives the service information from a service device connected to the network;
A service information transmitting step in which the first wireless communication device transmits the service information and the identification information of the service device to a second wireless communication device that is not connected to the first wireless communication device;
An information notification method comprising:

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