JP2011249889A - Router control method and wireless lan router device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption of a wireless LAN router device equipped with a WAN module.SOLUTION: When a wireless LAN router device 10 is wire connected with a computer 20, the wireless LAN router device 10 determines whether a communication state with a wireless LAN slave unit is met with a predetermined condition, and if it determines the predetermined condition is met, it transfers connection information on WAN connection from the wireless LAN router device 10 to the computer 20, and switches a host of a wireless WAN communication module 103 from a main control unit 110 of the wireless LAN router device 10 to the computer 20. Then, the wireless LAN router device 10 turns off at least one of the main control unit 110 and each block corresponding to a wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to a router function of the wireless LAN router device 10. The computer 20 performs WAN connection via the wireless WAN communication module 103 based on connection information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reducing power consumption of a wireless LAN router device.

  A wireless LAN router device that can be connected to the Internet using a wireless WAN line and has a wireless LAN access point function has been devised. In such a wireless LAN router device, since both the wireless LAN function block and the wireless WAN function block are operated and routed, power consumption is large. In particular, a mobile wireless router device that can be operated with a battery is highly convenient because it can be carried and used, but has a problem of high power consumption.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a router device that can be connected to a communication network such as a LAN and a WAN, and controls the power supplied to the inside of the device in accordance with the access status between the terminal-side port and the network-side port. Is disclosed.

JP 2001-320415 A

  The router device of Patent Document 1 turns off the power of a module for connecting to a LAN (hereinafter referred to as a LAN side module) when there is no access request from a terminal device (PC), and when there is no connection request to the WAN. The power supply of the apparatus is reduced by turning off the power of the module for connecting to the WAN (hereinafter referred to as the WAN side module).

  In a wireless LAN router device having a WAN side module, if one PC connected by wire is connected to the WAN via its own device and there is no access from the wireless slave device, the wireless LAN router device The function and the router function are unnecessary. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the power consumption by turning off the power of the blocks corresponding to these functions. However, the router device of Patent Document 1 does not support such a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a router device control method and a wireless LAN router device capable of reducing power consumption of a wireless LAN router device including a WAN side module.

  The present invention is a router control method for controlling a wireless LAN router having a WAN connection module, and when a computer is connected to the wireless LAN router by wire, the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit corresponds to a predetermined condition. A determination step for determining whether or not the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition, a step of transferring connection information relating to a WAN connection from the wireless LAN router device to the computer, and the WAN A step of switching the host of the module from the control unit of the wireless LAN router to the computer, the control unit in the wireless LAN router, each block corresponding to the wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to the router function Turning off at least one power source; and Based on the transferred connection information, a router control method characterized by comprising the steps of: performing a WAN connection over the WAN module of the wireless LAN router.

  The present invention is a wireless LAN router apparatus having a WAN connection module, wherein when a computer is connected by wire, a determination means for determining whether a communication state of a wireless LAN slave device satisfies a predetermined condition; When it is determined that the communication state of the LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition, means for transferring connection information regarding WAN connection to the computer, and a host of the WAN module from the control unit of the wireless LAN router device to the computer A wireless LAN router device comprising: means for switching; a control unit; blocks corresponding to the wireless LAN control function; and blocks corresponding to the router function; and means for turning off at least one power source It is.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a wireless LAN router device including a WAN module.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless LAN router apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the wireless LAN router device and the computer are connected. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the processing operation of the wireless LAN router device. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the power saving transition monitoring process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the power saving transition process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation on the computer side in the power saving transition process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the transition process when shifting from the power saving mode to the router mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless LAN router apparatus without a mode switching switch. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the power saving transition monitoring process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless LAN router apparatus provided with a wired LAN connector.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The wireless LAN router device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile wireless router that can operate on a battery and can be connected to the Internet using a wireless WAN line.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless LAN router device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state where the wireless LAN router device 10 and the computer 20 are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless LAN router device 10 includes a connection interface unit 100, a switch 101, a switch 102, a wireless WAN communication module 103, an antenna 104, a LAN signal conversion unit 105, a mode switching switch 106, and a wired LAN control unit 107. , An interface control unit 108, a storage unit 109, a main control unit 110, a wireless LAN control unit 111, a wireless LAN-RF unit 112, and an antenna 113.

  The connection interface unit 100 is a connector for connecting the computer 20 and the wireless LAN router device 10 and uses an interface capable of power supply and data communication, such as a USB connector or an IEEE1394 connector.

  The switch 101 switches the connection destination of the connection interface unit 100 (computer 20 side) between the LAN signal conversion unit 105 (main control unit 110 side) and the switch 102 (wireless WAN communication module 103 side).

  The switch 102 switches the connection destination of the wireless WAN communication module 103 between the switch 101 (computer 20 side) and the interface control unit 108.

  The wireless WAN communication module 103 is a communication module for connecting to the Internet line, and includes, for example, a communication module corresponding to WiMAX, 3G, PHS and the like.

  The antenna 104 transmits and receives a wireless WAN signal.

  The LAN signal conversion unit 105 converts a signal from the computer 20 into a LAN signal. As a result, the computer 20 is recognized as one of the network devices connected to the wireless LAN router device 10.

  The mode switching switch 106 is a switch for switching the operation mode of the wireless LAN router device 10.

  The wired LAN control unit 107 includes a PHY (physical layer) chip, and performs physical processing of the LAN signal so that the computer 20 and the main control unit 110 communicate with each other by a LAN signal.

  The interface control unit 108 includes a PHY chip, and performs a physical process for causing the wireless WAN communication module 103 and the main control unit 110 to communicate.

  The storage unit 109 stores information necessary for the operation of the main control unit 110.

  The main control unit 110 performs routing operation, control of the wireless WAN communication module 103, and the like.

  The wireless LAN control unit 111 and the wireless LAN-RF unit 112 perform processing for connecting to the slave unit via the wireless LAN.

  The antenna 113 transmits and receives radio signals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 20 has a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit), ROM (Read
Personal computer including a control unit 21 including only memory (RAM), random access memory (RAM), a storage unit 22 including a hard disk device, and a connection interface unit 23 for communication with an external device. including. The control unit 21 of the computer 20 activates a wireless WAN line connection utility stored in the storage unit 22 as a resident program. The wireless WAN line connection utility has a function of communicating with the main control unit 110 of the wireless LAN router device 10 and a function of controlling the wireless WAN communication module 103 of the wireless LAN router device 10.

  Next, the operation of the wireless LAN router device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a mode in which the wireless LAN router device 10 operates as a normal router is referred to as a “router mode”, and a mode in which the function as a router is stopped is referred to as a “power saving mode”.

  First, an outline of the processing operation of the wireless LAN router device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the computer 20 is connected to the wireless LAN router device 10 via the connection interface unit 100, the main control unit 110 of the wireless LAN router device 10 performs a predetermined process for shifting the communication state of the wireless LAN slave device to the power saving mode. A power saving transition monitoring process is performed to determine whether the condition is satisfied (step S301). Then, in the power saving transition management process, when it is determined that the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied, the main control unit 110 performs the power saving transition process (step S302).

  The power saving transition monitoring process in step S301 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main control unit 110 waits for a preset time (monitoring interval time) (step S400), and then determines whether the wireless LAN slave device is connected to the wireless LAN router device 10 (step S401). Specifically, it is determined whether a packet including a predetermined ESS-ID (Extended Service Set Identifier) is received from the slave unit. If it is determined that a slave unit is connected to the wireless LAN router device 10 (step S401: YES), the flow returns to step S400.

  Moreover, when it determines with the subunit | mobile_unit not being connected (step S401: NO), the main control part 110 act | operates a timer (step S402). Then, after elapse of the monitoring interval time (step S403), it is determined whether the wireless LAN slave device is connected to the wireless LAN router device 10 (step S404).

  When it is determined that the slave unit is connected (step S404: YES), the main control unit 110 stops and resets the timer (step S405). Thereafter, the flow returns to step S400.

  If it is determined that the slave unit is not connected (step S404: NO), it is determined whether the timer time has passed a preset time (timeout time) (step S406).

  If the timeout time has not elapsed (step S406: NO), the flow returns to step S403. If the time-out period has elapsed (step S406: YES), it is determined that the transition condition to the power saving mode is satisfied, the power saving transition monitoring process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the power saving transition process.

  Next, the power saving transition process in step S302 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main control unit 110 reads connection information for connecting to the wireless WAN communication from the storage unit 109 and transfers it to the computer 20 (step S500). The connection information includes a connection destination IP address and base station information. The transferred connection information is stored in the storage unit 22 of the computer 20.

  When the transfer of the connection information is completed, the wireless WAN communication module 103 switches the switches 101 and 102 in accordance with a command from the main control unit 110 to connect the computer 20 and the wireless WAN communication module 103 (step S501). With this connection, the host of the wireless WAN communication module 103 is switched to the computer 20. In addition, power is supplied from the computer 20 to the wireless LAN router device 10 via a connector.

  Next, each block related to the router function and the wireless LAN function, that is, the LAN signal conversion unit 105, the wired LAN control unit 107, the interface control unit 108, the storage unit 109, the main control unit 110, the wireless LAN control unit 111, and the wireless LAN -The power control unit (not shown) turns off the power of the RF unit 112 (step S502).

  On the other hand, on the computer 20 side, the wireless WAN communication module 103 is controlled by a wireless WAN line connection utility. Here, the wireless WAN module control processing in the computer 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the utility for connecting to the wireless WAN line of the computer 20 detects the connection with the wireless WAN communication module 103 (step S600), the driver for communicating with the wireless WAN communication module 103 is loaded from the storage unit 22 and activated (step S600). S601).

  The wireless WAN communication module driver activated in step S601 recognizes the wireless WAN communication module 103 and starts communication (step S602).

  Next, the wireless WAN line connection utility connects to the wireless WAN line via the wireless WAN communication module 103 based on the connection information stored in the storage unit 22 (step S603).

  By taking over the connection information in this way, the connection source can be switched to the computer 20 side and the Internet can be connected while maintaining the connection state. Thereby, for example, it is possible to smoothly switch even during the streaming content playback processing in which reconnection is required unless a session is maintained.

  Next, transition processing when the operation mode of the wireless LAN router device 10 transitions from the power saving mode to the router mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  When it is detected that the mode switching switch 106 of the wireless LAN router device 10 is pressed during the power saving mode (step S700), the LAN signal conversion unit 105, the wired LAN control unit 107, the interface control unit 108, and the storage unit 109 are detected. The power control unit turns on the power of the main control unit 110, the wireless LAN control unit 111, and the wireless LAN-RF unit 112 (step S701).

  The main control unit 110 that has been turned on requests connection information for wireless WAN communication from the computer 20, and in response to this, receives connection information transferred from the control unit 21 (utility) of the computer 20, It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 109 (step S702).

  The main control unit 110 maintains the wireless WAN communication by connecting to the wireless WAN line via the wireless WAN communication module 103 based on the connection information (step S703), and restarts the routing operation (step S704).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the router device having the WAN module and the wireless LAN function, only one computer connected via the connection interface unit is connected to the own device. In this case, since the wireless WAN module host is switched to the computer side and the power supply for the blocks related to the wireless LAN function and the router function is turned off, the function of the device can be restricted according to the usage status of the device. Power consumption can be reduced. Further, even when the WAN module host is switched, the WAN connection can be maintained.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the power saving transition process, the power of each block related to the router function and the wireless LAN function of the wireless LAN router device 10 is turned off. The power supply of the block related to any one of the LAN functions may be turned off, or a part of each block related to the router function or the wireless LAN function may be turned off. Further, the main controller 110 may not be turned off.

  Further, the wireless LAN router device 10 may switch the operation mode in response to a request from the computer 20. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the wireless LAN router device 10 may have a configuration that does not include a mode switching switch. In response to an input operation or the like by the user, the control unit 21 of the computer 20 transmits a mode transition request to the wireless LAN router device 10, and in response to this request, the wireless LAN router device 10 switches the mode described above. Processing may be executed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in the power saving transition monitoring process for determining whether the communication state by the wireless LAN slave device corresponds to a predetermined condition for shifting to the power saving mode, the wireless LAN slave device is the wireless LAN router device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not there is an access to the Internet from the slave unit. The power saving transition monitoring process in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main control unit 110 waits for a preset time (monitoring interval time) (step S900), and then determines whether there is an access to the Internet from the wireless LAN slave unit (step S901). Specifically, it is determined whether a packet addressed to the global IP is received from the slave unit during this period.

  If it is determined that there is an access from the slave unit to the Internet (step S901: YES), the flow returns to step S900.

  When it is determined that there is no access to the Internet from the slave unit (step S901: NO), the main control unit 110 operates a timer (step S902). Then, after the monitoring interval time has elapsed (step S903), it is determined whether or not the internet has been accessed from the slave unit during this time (step S904).

  If it is determined that there is an access from the slave unit to the Internet (step S904: YES), the main control unit 110 stops the timer and resets it (step S905). Thereafter, the flow returns to step S900.

  If it is determined that there is no access to the Internet from the slave unit (step S904: NO), it is determined whether the timer time has passed a preset time (timeout time) (step S906).

  If it is determined that the timeout time has not elapsed (step S906: NO), the flow returns to step S903. If the timeout time has elapsed (step S906: YES), the power saving transition monitoring process is terminated.

  Further, when the mode switching switch is pressed in the router mode, the mode may be shifted to the power saving mode. In this case, when detecting that the mode switching switch is pressed during the router mode, the router device 10 executes the power saving transition process described above with reference to FIG.

  The wireless LAN router device 10 may further include a wired LAN connector. The configuration of the apparatus in this case is shown in FIG. In this case, in the power saving transition monitoring process described above with reference to FIG. 4, in the process for determining whether the slave unit has accessed the Internet (steps S401 and S404), not only via the slave unit but also via the wired LAN connector 120. A process of determining whether the connected computer has accessed the Internet is executed. Other than that, the process is the same as described above.

  The main control unit 110 and the wireless WAN communication module 103 of the wireless LAN router device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, and the wireless WAN line connection utility of the computer 20 are operations in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is stored in a memory. It may be realized by reading and executing a program or the like, or may be configured by hardware. Only some functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by a computer program.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A router control method for controlling a wireless LAN router having a WAN connection module,
A determination step of determining whether a communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition when a computer is connected to the wireless LAN router by wire;
When it is determined that the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition, transferring connection information regarding WAN connection from the wireless LAN router device to the computer;
Switching the WAN module host from the controller of the wireless LAN router to the computer;
In the wireless LAN router, turning off at least one of the control unit, each block corresponding to the wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to the router function;
The computer performing a WAN connection via the WAN module of the wireless LAN router based on the transferred connection information;
A router control method comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The determination step determines whether the wireless LAN router corresponds to at least one of a case where there is no connection by the wireless LAN slave unit for a certain period of time and a case where the wireless LAN slave unit does not have access to the Internet for a certain period of time. To
The router control method according to supplementary note 1, wherein:

(Appendix 3)
The computer is connected to the wireless LAN router via an interface capable of supplying power.
The router control method according to appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

(Appendix 4)
A wireless LAN router device having a WAN connection module,
A determination unit that determines whether the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition when the computer is connected by wire;
Means for transferring connection information relating to a WAN connection to the computer when it is determined that the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
Means for switching the host of the WAN module from the control unit of the wireless LAN router device to the computer;
Means for turning off at least one of the control unit, each block corresponding to the wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to the router function;
A wireless LAN router device comprising:

(Appendix 5)
The determination unit determines whether the wireless LAN router corresponds to at least one of a case where there is no connection by the wireless LAN slave unit for a certain period of time and a case where the wireless LAN slave unit does not have access to the Internet for a certain period of time. To
The wireless LAN router device according to supplementary note 4, wherein:

(Appendix 6)
The computer is connected to the wireless LAN router device via an interface capable of supplying power.
The wireless LAN router device according to appendix 4 or 5, characterized by the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless LAN router apparatus 100 Connection interface part 101,102 Switch 103 Wireless WAN communication module 104 Antenna 105 LAN signal conversion part 106 Mode switching switch 107 Wired LAN control part 108 Interface control part 109 Storage part 110 Main control part 111 Wireless LAN control Unit 112 wireless LAN-RF unit 113 antenna 120 wired LAN connector 20 computer 21 control unit 22 storage unit 23 connection interface unit

Claims (6)

A router control method for controlling a wireless LAN router having a WAN connection module,
A determination step of determining whether a communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition when a computer is connected to the wireless LAN router by wire;
When it is determined that the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition, transferring connection information regarding WAN connection from the wireless LAN router device to the computer;
Switching the WAN module host from the controller of the wireless LAN router to the computer;
In the wireless LAN router, turning off at least one of the control unit, each block corresponding to the wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to the router function;
The computer performing a WAN connection via the WAN module of the wireless LAN router based on the transferred connection information;
A router control method comprising: The determination step determines whether the wireless LAN router corresponds to at least one of a case where there is no connection by the wireless LAN slave unit for a certain period of time and a case where the wireless LAN slave unit does not have access to the Internet for a certain period of time. To
The router control method according to claim 1. The computer is connected to the wireless LAN router via an interface capable of supplying power.
The router control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. A wireless LAN router device having a WAN connection module,
A determination unit that determines whether the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition when the computer is connected by wire;
Means for transferring connection information relating to a WAN connection to the computer when it is determined that the communication state of the wireless LAN slave unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
Means for switching the host of the WAN module from the control unit of the wireless LAN router device to the computer;
Means for turning off at least one of the control unit, each block corresponding to the wireless LAN control function, and each block corresponding to the router function;
A wireless LAN router device comprising: The determination unit determines whether the wireless LAN router corresponds to at least one of a case where there is no connection by the wireless LAN slave unit for a certain period of time and a case where the wireless LAN slave unit does not have access to the Internet for a certain period of time. To
The wireless LAN router device according to claim 4. The computer is connected to the wireless LAN router device via an interface capable of supplying power.
The wireless LAN router device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the wireless LAN router device is a wireless LAN router device.

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