JP2012160931A - Radio communication repeater and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform intentional association and easy connection between radio communication repeaters connecting ad hoc networks.SOLUTION: A radio communication repeater includes: a radio interface for performing radio communication; a network interface for performing communication with a network; communication conversion means for mutually converting the communication of the radio interface and the communication of the network interface; connection destination list request transmission means for transmitting the list request of other radio communication repeaters to a predetermined management server through the network interface; connection destination list reception means for receiving the list of the other radio communication repeaters from the predetermined management server through the network interface; and connection request transmission means for transmitting a connection request, where at least one radio communication repeater included in the received list of the other radio communication repeaters is designated, to predetermined management server through the network interface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for transferring wireless communication via a network.

Recent portable information terminals, such as portable game terminals, can communicate with each other by using wireless communication represented by the ad-hoc mode of the IEEE 802.11 standard. The ad hoc mode is a communication mode in which wireless communication can be performed directly between terminals without using a specific repeater. With such a communication function, the user of the portable game terminal can enjoy a battle game or communicate with other users.
As a matter of course, wireless communication using the ad hoc mode can be performed only within a range where radio waves reach. Therefore, it is necessary for each user to stay within the reach of radio waves, usually within a range of several tens of meters. However, this makes it impossible to communicate with users at remote locations, and it has been one of the factors that detract from the attractiveness of competitive games and the like that become more interesting by communicating with many users. Patent Document 1 is disclosed as one means for solving such a problem.

JP 2007-37120 A

Patent Document 1 relates to a bridge connecting ad hoc communication networks called piconets, and a system using the bridge. In this document, the operating principle of a bridge that connects ad hoc networks is disclosed, and by using this, portable game terminals at remote locations can communicate with each other in an ad hoc mode.
However, if this is actually applied to a mobile game terminal, the problem is how the user of one mobile game terminal specifies the other user. In other words, both bridges connecting ad hoc networks need to be associated with each other in advance so that one-to-one communication is possible.

  The invention of the present application is to solve this problem. That is, the wireless communication repeater (referred to as a bridge in Patent Document 1) connecting ad hoc networks can be intentionally associated and easily connected.

  A first embodiment according to the present invention includes a wireless interface that performs wireless communication, a network interface that communicates with a network, communication conversion means that mutually converts communication between the wireless interface and the network interface, and a network interface A connection destination list request transmitting means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to a predetermined management server, and a connection for receiving a list of other wireless communication repeaters from the predetermined management server via a network interface A destination list receiving means and a connection request transmitting means for sending a connection request designated by at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of other wireless communication repeaters to a predetermined management server via a network interface; Wireless communication repeater provided.

  More preferably, it further comprises connection information transmitting means for transmitting its own connection information to a predetermined management server at a predetermined timing.

  A second embodiment according to the present invention includes a wireless interface that performs wireless communication, a network interface that communicates with a network, communication conversion means that mutually converts communication between the wireless interface and the network interface, and a network interface A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from a predetermined management server, a connection permission transmitting means for transmitting a permission for the received connection request to a predetermined management server via a network interface, and reception A connection information request transmission means for transmitting a connection information request source connection request to a predetermined management server through a network interface, and a connection as a response to the transmission source connection information request from a predetermined management server through the network interface. A connection information receiving means for receiving information, the connection information is received, based on the connection information, the wireless communication relay equipped with a connection means for connecting.

  More preferably, it further comprises connection information transmitting means for transmitting its own connection information to a predetermined management server at a predetermined timing.

  A third embodiment according to the present invention includes a wireless interface that performs wireless communication, a network interface that communicates with a network, a communication conversion unit that mutually converts communication between the wireless interface and the network interface, and a network interface. A connection destination list request transmitting means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to a predetermined management server, and a connection for receiving a list of other wireless communication repeaters from the predetermined management server via a network interface Destination list receiving means, and connection request transmitting means for sending a connection request in which at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of other wireless communication repeaters is designated to a predetermined management server via a network interface; Through the network interface A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from a predetermined management server, and a connection permission transmitting means for transmitting a permission for the received connection request to a predetermined management server through a network interface; A connection information request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request source connection information request to a predetermined management server through a network interface, and connection information as a response to the source connection information request from a predetermined management server through the network interface. A connection information receiving means for receiving and a wireless communication repeater comprising connection means for making a connection based on the connection information when the connection information is received.

  According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication repeater having a wireless interface and a network interface, a communication conversion means for mutually converting communication of the wireless interface and communication of the network interface, and a predetermined amount through the network interface. A connection destination list request transmission means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to the management server, and a connection list reception for receiving a list of other wireless communication repeaters from a predetermined management server through a network interface Means, a connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request designated by at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of other wireless communication repeaters to a predetermined management server through the network interface, and a network interface Through the specified management service. A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from the server, a connection permission transmitting means for transmitting permission for the received connection request to a predetermined management server through the network interface, and transmission of the received connection request. Connection information request transmitting means for transmitting a source connection information request to a predetermined management server through a network interface, and connection information for receiving connection information as a response to the source connection information request from a predetermined management server through the network interface A program that, when receiving connection information is received with a receiving means, functions as a connecting means for making a connection based on the connection information.

  According to the present invention, ad hoc networks at remote locations can be easily connected in any combination.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
[System overview]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a system according to the present invention. The wireless communication repeaters 102 (a) and 102 (b) are connected via the Internet, and the management server 103 is also connected to the Internet. Each wireless communication repeater 102 includes a wireless interface in addition to a wired interface used for connection to the Internet, and can communicate wirelessly with the portable wireless terminals 101 (a) and 102 (b). Although details will be described later, the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) is a connection request side, and the wireless communication repeater (b) is a connection permission side.
[Functional block diagram of wireless communication repeater (connection request side)]

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater 102 (a). As can be seen from the figure, the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) includes a wireless interface 201, a wired interface 202, and communication conversion means 203 for converting each communication with each other. In this embodiment, the connection on the Internet side is a wired interface, but any connection means such as a wireless interface may be used.

  The connection destination list request transmission / reception unit 204 receives a connection destination list request transmitted from the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) and transmits it to the management server 103. Specifically, the connection destination list is a list of wireless communication repeaters on the connection permission side. In FIG. 1, only one unit (the wireless communication repeater 102 (b)) corresponds to this, but a plurality of units may exist.

  The connection destination list transmission / reception unit 205 receives the connection destination list transmitted from the management server 103 and transmits it to the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) as a response to the connection destination list request.

  The connection request transmission / reception unit 206 receives a connection request from the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) and transmits the request to the management server 103. Here, the connection request is a request for connection to the wireless communication repeater on the connection permission side, that is, the wireless communication repeater 102 (b).

The communication conversion means 203 converts only the part depending on each interface, and the actual data (payload) is passed through as it is without any modification. The wireless interface 201 is an interface that communicates with the portable wireless terminal 101 (a), and specifically, performs communication in an ad-hoc mode of IEEE 802.11. A wired interface 205 is an interface connected to the Internet. Similarly, when the interface on the Internet side is a means other than wired, only communication depending on the interface excluding the payload is converted.
[Functional block diagram of wireless communication repeater (connection permission side)]

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater 102 (b). Note that the wireless interface 201, the wired interface 202, and the communication conversion unit 203 are the same as those on the connection request side, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The connection request notification transmission / reception means 301 receives the connection request notification transmitted from the wireless communication relay 102 (a) on the connection request side via the management server 103, and transmits this notification to the portable wireless terminal 101 (b). Is.

  The connection permission transmission / reception unit 302 receives the connection permission transmitted from the portable wireless terminal 101 (b) and transmits it to the management server 103.

  The connection information request transmission / reception unit 303 receives a request for information necessary for connection with the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) on the connection request side from the portable wireless terminal 101 (b) and transmits it to the management server 103. Specifically, the information necessary for connection means all the information necessary for connection, such as the IP address of the wireless communication repeater 102 (a).

When the connection information receiving unit 304 receives the connection information transmitted from the management server 103, the connection information receiving unit 304 notifies the connection unit 305 of the connection information. Direct connection with a) is performed. The management server 103 is not involved in this connection.
[Wireless communication repeater flowchart (connection request side)]

  FIG. 4 is an operation flow of the wireless communication repeater 102 (a). As shown in the figure, it is composed of three flows, and each operation is performed mainly by the above-described functional blocks. In step 401, it is determined whether a connection destination list request from the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) has been received. If received, the request is transmitted to the management server 103 in step 402.

  In step 411, it is determined whether or not the connection destination list from the management server 103 has been received. If received, the list is transmitted to the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) in step 412.

In step 421, it is determined whether or not a connection request from the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) has been received. If received, the request is transmitted to the management server 103 in step 422.
[Wireless communication repeater flowchart (connection permission side)]

  FIG. 5 is an operation flow of the wireless communication repeater 102 (b). As shown in the figure, it is composed of five flows, and each operation is performed mainly by the above-described functional blocks. In step 501, it is determined whether or not a connection request notification has been received. If received, the notification is transmitted to the portable wireless terminal 102 (b) in step 502.

  In step 511, it is determined whether a connection permission has been received. If it has been received, the permission is transmitted to the management server 103 in step 512.

  In step 521, it is determined whether a connection information request has been received. If received, the request is transmitted to the management server 103 in step 522.

  In step 531, it is determined whether connection information has been received, and if received, the information is notified to the connection means 305 in step 532.

In step 541, it is determined whether or not a notification from the connection information receiving means 304 has been received. If it has been received, a direct connection is made to the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) in step 542.
[Sequence Diagram]

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the entire system according to the present invention. In step 601, the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) transmits a connection destination list request to the wireless communication repeater 102 (a). This request indicates that the user of the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) wants to connect to another portable wireless terminal 101 (b). In step 602, the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) transmits the received connection destination list request to the management server 103.

  The management server 103 holds a list of wireless communication repeaters, and in step 603, transmits the list to the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) as a response to the received connection destination list request. In step 604, the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) transmits a response from the management server 103 to the portable wireless terminal 101 (a).

  The portable wireless terminal 101 (a) presents the received list of wireless communication repeaters 102 (b) to the user, and the user selects a desired connection destination at step 605. In step 606, the portable wireless terminal 101 (a) transmits the connection to the selected connection destination as a connection request to the wireless communication repeater 102 (a). In step 607, the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) transmits the received request to the management server 103.

  In step 608, the management server 103 transmits the received connection request as a connection request notification to the wireless communication relay 102 (b) on the connection permission side. In step 609, the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) that has received the notification transmits the notification to the portable wireless terminal 101 (b) and waits for permission from the user.

  In step 610, the portable wireless terminal 101 (b) transmits a connection permission to the wireless communication relay 102 (b), and the wireless communication relay 102 (b) that has received the permission transmits the connection permission in step 611. A notification is transmitted to the management server 103.

  In step 612, the portable wireless terminal 101 (b) transmits a connection information request to the wireless communication repeater 102 (b), and the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) that has received the request receives the request in step 613. The request is transmitted to the management server 103.

  In step 614, the management server 103 transmits the connection information of the connection destination for which the connection information is requested to the wireless communication repeater 102 (b). In step 615, the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) that has received the information performs direct connection with the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) on the connection request side based on the received connection information.

In step 616, the connection between the wireless communication repeaters is established, and the portable wireless terminals 101 wirelessly connected to each other can communicate in the ad hoc mode.
[Example 2]

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the figure, connection information transmitting means 701 is added. This means transmits its own connection information to the management server 103 when the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) is activated.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram according to the second embodiment. Steps 801 to 803 are added with reference to the figure. In step 801, the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) is activated. The activation timing does not have to be the one shown in the figure, and any timing can be used as long as it is before the connection destination list request (step 601) from the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) on the connection request side. Good. In step 802, connection information of the activated wireless communication repeater 102 (b) is transmitted to the management server 103. In step 803, the management server 103 registers the received connection information in its own list.

In this way, the connection information of the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) is transmitted to the management server 103 in advance by sending its connection information to the management server 103 when the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) permitting the connection is started. It is possible to save the trouble of registering.
[Example 3]

  In the first and second embodiments, in the process until the connection between the wireless communication repeaters is established, the wireless communication repeaters 102 (a) and 102 (b) and the portable wireless terminals 101 (a) and 101 (b) We were communicating between. Specifically, in the case of the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) on the connection request side, the communication in steps 601, 604 and 606 in FIG. 6, and in the case of the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) on the connection permission side , Communication in steps 609, 610 and 612. These communications are not necessarily required for carrying out the present invention, and can be performed by a single wireless communication repeater as shown in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater 102 (a) in the present embodiment. Referring to the figure, touch panel 901, connection destination list request transmission means 902, connection destination list reception means 903, and connection request transmission means 904 are functions that characterize this embodiment.

  The touch panel 901 is for the user to select and touch (determine) the connection destination list from the panel when requesting the connection destination list. When the list request button on the panel is touched, the connection destination list request transmission unit 902 , The request is transmitted to the management server 103. As a result, step 601 in FIG. 6 becomes unnecessary.

  The connection destination list receiving unit 903 receives the connection destination list transmitted from the management server 103 and causes the touch panel 901 to display the list. As a result, step 604 in FIG. 6 becomes unnecessary.

  The connection request transmission unit 904 transmits a connection request for the connection destination selected by the user on the touch panel 901 to the management server 103. As a result, step 606 in FIG. 6 becomes unnecessary.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater 102 (b) in the present embodiment. Referring to the figure, touch panel 901, connection request notification receiving means 1001, connection permission transmitting means 1002, and connection information request transmitting means 1003 are the features that characterize this embodiment.

  The connection request notification receiving unit 1001 displays the connection request notification transmitted from the management server 103 on the touch panel 901. This eliminates the need for step 609 in FIG.

  The connection permission transmission unit 1002 transmits the connection permission determined by the user on the touch panel 901 to the management server 103. This eliminates the need for step 610 in FIG.

  The connection information request transmission unit 1003 transmits a connection information request determined by the user on the touch panel 901 to the management server 103. As a result, step 612 in FIG. 6 becomes unnecessary.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to connect to each other by a single wireless communication repeater without performing communication between the portable wireless terminal and the wireless communication repeater. That is, it is not necessary to establish communication between the portable wireless terminal and the wireless communication repeater in advance, and communication between the wireless communication repeaters can be established with a simpler operation.
[Other Examples]

In the above embodiments, the wireless communication repeaters are classified into the connection request side and the connection permission side. However, one wireless communication repeater may have both functions. In this way, one wireless communication repeater can function as a connection request side in some cases and as a connection permission side in other cases.
[Summary]

According to the present invention, ad hoc networks at remote locations can be easily connected in any combination.

Overall system diagram Functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater of the first embodiment (connection request side) Functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater of the first embodiment (connection permission side) Operation flow of wireless communication repeater (connection request side) Operation flow of wireless communication repeater (connection permission side) Sequence diagram of embodiment 1 Functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater of the second embodiment (connection permission side) Sequence diagram of embodiment 2 Functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater of Embodiment 3 (connection request side) Functional block diagram of the wireless communication repeater according to the third embodiment (connection permission side)

201 wireless interface 202 wired interface 203 communication conversion means 902 connection destination list request transmission means 903 connection destination list reception means 904 connection request transmission means 1001 connection request notification reception means 1002 connection permission transmission means 1003 connection information request transmission means

Claims (6)

A wireless interface for wireless communication;
A network interface for communicating with the network;
Communication conversion means for mutually converting communication of the wireless interface and communication of the network interface;
A destination list request transmission means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to a predetermined management server through the network interface;
A destination list receiving means for receiving a list of the other wireless communication repeaters from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request in which at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of the other wireless communication repeaters is designated to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A wireless communication repeater.   The wireless communication repeater according to claim 1, further comprising connection information transmitting means for transmitting its own connection information to the predetermined management server at a predetermined timing. A wireless interface for wireless communication;
A network interface for communicating with the network;
Communication conversion means for mutually converting communication of the wireless interface and communication of the network interface;
A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from a predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection permission transmission means for transmitting permission for the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection information request transmitting means for transmitting a source connection information request of the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection information receiving means for receiving connection information as a response to the transmission source connection information request from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
When connection information is received, a connection means for connecting based on the connection information;
A wireless communication repeater.   The wireless communication repeater according to claim 2, further comprising connection information transmitting means for transmitting its own connection information to the predetermined management server at a predetermined timing. A wireless interface for wireless communication;
A network interface for communicating with the network;
Communication conversion means for mutually converting communication of the wireless interface and communication of the network interface;
A destination list request transmission means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to a predetermined management server through the network interface;
A destination list receiving means for receiving a list of the other wireless communication repeaters from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request in which at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of the other wireless communication repeaters is designated to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection permission transmission means for transmitting permission for the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection information request transmitting means for transmitting a source connection information request of the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection information receiving means for receiving connection information as a response to the transmission source connection information request from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
When connection information is received, a connection means for connecting based on the connection information;
A wireless communication repeater. A wireless communication repeater having a wireless interface and a network interface;
Communication conversion means for mutually converting communication of the wireless interface and communication of the network interface;
A destination list request transmission means for transmitting a list request of another wireless communication repeater to a predetermined management server through the network interface;
A destination list receiving means for receiving a list of the other wireless communication repeaters from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request in which at least one wireless communication repeater included in the received list of the other wireless communication repeaters is designated to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection request notification receiving means for receiving a notification of a connection request to itself from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection permission transmission means for transmitting permission for the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
A connection information request transmitting means for transmitting a source connection information request of the received connection request to the predetermined management server through the network interface;
Connection information receiving means for receiving connection information as a response to the transmission source connection information request from the predetermined management server through the network interface;
When connection information is received, a connection means for connecting based on the connection information;
Program to make it work.