JP2015043537A - Management device and access point - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for efficiently controlling a plurality of SSIDs to be set to an access point.SOLUTION: An acquisition unit 42 acquires information on use environment of an access point 12. A selection unit 46 selects a third number, which is equal to or smaller than a first number, of service set identifiers from a second number, which is larger than the first number, of service set identifiers on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit 42, where the first number is the number of service set identifiers capable of being set to the access point. The instruction unit 48 instructs the access point 12 to transmit beacons including the third number of service set identifiers selected by the selection unit 46 respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to communication technology, and more particularly to a management apparatus and an access point that use a service set identifier.

  In a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) in IEEE802.11, a service set identifier (SSID: Service Set Identifier) is defined. The SSID is used to identify an access point of a wireless LAN, and is generally included in a beacon and broadcast from the access point. One access point may support broadcasting of a plurality of SSIDs, and a virtual access point can be generated (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Masahiro Morikura, Shuji Kubota, 802.11 High-Speed Wireless LAN Textbook, Japan, Impress Net Business Company, January 1, 2005, p. 64-77

  A virtual access point is obtained by dividing a single physical access point into a plurality of logical access points, and different settings can be made for each logical access point. Such a virtual access point makes it possible to construct a flexible network. On the other hand, when a plurality of SSIDs can be set for one access point, efficient control of the SSID is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for efficiently controlling a plurality of SSIDs to be set in an access point.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about a use environment of an access point, and a service that can be set in the access point according to the information acquired in the acquisition unit A selection unit for selecting a third number of service set identifiers equal to or less than the first number from a second number of service set identifiers greater than the first number of set identifiers; and a third number of service set identifiers selected by the selection unit An instruction unit for instructing the access point to transmit a beacon including each of the beacons.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an access point. The access point is an access point that can use a plurality of frequency bands, and a first communication unit that transmits a beacon including a service set identifier in the first frequency band among the plurality of frequency bands; A second communication unit that performs communication with a terminal that has received a beacon from the first communication unit in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The first communication unit changes, with time, a third number of service set identifiers equal to or less than the first number from a second number of service set identifiers greater than the first number of service set identifiers that can be set for the access point. The beacon including each of the third number of service set identifiers is transmitted, and the second communication unit uses the service set identifier included in the beacon transmitted by the first communication unit for communication.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently control a plurality of SSIDs to be set in an access point.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the advertisement and SSID in the communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the time change of SSID selected in the selection part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5B are diagrams illustrating other SSIDs selected by the selection unit in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication procedure of SSID by the management apparatus of FIG. 7A to 7B are diagrams illustrating SSIDs used in the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication procedure by the communication system which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part contained in the management apparatus which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication procedure of SSID by the management apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part contained in the management apparatus of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the transmission procedure of the beacon by the communication system which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the management apparatus which concerns on Example 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Example 7 of this invention.

Example 1
Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. The embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication system combining a wireless LAN compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and an advertisement distribution technology. The user operates the station to access the web page via the access point and the network. In a web page, contents and advertisements are generally distributed from different servers. By separating these distributions, for example, different advertisements can be distributed to each of a plurality of users browsing the same web page. Such an advertisement is distributed from an ad server. Ad servers are often owned and operated by publishers, but advertisers may own ad servers.

  As described above, when a plurality of SSIDs can be set in the access point, different settings can be made for each SSID, and a flexible network can be constructed. On the other hand, when connecting from a station to an access point, many SSIDs can be selected, which makes it difficult for the user to select which SSID should be selected. In addition, when applying for a new service on the spot, there is a case where the SSID of the connection destination is completely unknown. In order to deal with these, the SSID and the advertiser are associated one-to-one, and a name that is associated with the advertiser is given to the SSID. As a result, it becomes easy to select the SSID according to the advertisement that the user wants to browse. Furthermore, setting for each advertiser is possible. However, the number of SSIDs that can be set simultaneously at the access point is 1 to 16, which is smaller than the number of advertisers.

  In order to increase the number of SSIDs that can be set at the access point, that is, the number of SSIDs that can be broadcast and included in the beacon, the communication system according to the present embodiment executes the following processing. Here, as an example, the number of SSIDs that can be simultaneously set in the access point (hereinafter referred to as “first number”) is “4”, and the number of SSIDs according to the number of advertisers (hereinafter referred to as “second number”). Is set to “32”. The management apparatus connected to the access point via the network selects the first number of SSIDs from the second number of SSIDs, and transmits each selected SSID to the access point. After the elapse of the predetermined time, the management device selects the first number of other SSIDs from the second number of SSIDs, and repeats the same processing. As described above, since the access point is caused to transmit while changing the SSID in a time division manner, the number of SSIDs that can be substantially transmitted from the access point increases.

  When a station approaches the vicinity of the access point, a probe request is transmitted from the station, and the probe request includes the MAC address of the station. Since the management device acquires the MAC address via the access point and the network, the management device selects the SSID corresponding to the MAC address and executes the above-described processing. The SSID corresponding to the MAC address is a result of the SSID used in the past by the MAC address, and can be said to be an SSID that is likely to be used this time. Since the SSID that is likely to be used is included in the beacon and transmitted, a plurality of SSIDs to be set in the access point are efficiently controlled.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes a first station 10a, a second station 10b, which are collectively referred to as a station 10, an access point 12, an advertisement board 14, a network 16, an ad server 18, a management device 20, and a content server 22. The access point 12 includes a wireless communication unit 30, a processing unit 32, a wired communication unit 34, a setting unit 36, and a control unit 38. The management device 20 includes a wired communication unit 40, an acquisition unit 42, a storage unit 44, and a selection unit 46. , An instruction unit 48 and a control unit 50. A service area 110 is formed by the access point 12.

  The advertising board 14 includes a plasma display, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display), a video projector, and the like, and displays text / moving images / still image advertisements. The display area varies from the wall size of the building to the size of the small window display section built into the vending machine. Such an advertisement by the advertising board 14 is also called digital signage (Digital Signage), which is an advertising medium that uses a digital technology for display and communication to display video and information by a flat display, a projector, or the like. The advertising board 14 is connected to the ad server 18 via the network 16 and displays an advertisement in response to an instruction from the ad server 18. The advertisement is changed over time, such as an advertisement of “Company A”, an advertisement of “Company B”,..., An advertisement of “Company Z”, and an advertisement of “Company A”. Is displayed.

  The station 10 is a wireless LAN terminal device. The station 10 may be a PC, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, or the like, for example. The station 10 executes wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 30 by executing processing conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  The access point 12 is installed in the vicinity of the advertising board 14 and forms a service area 110. The vicinity means that the billboard 14 is included in the service area 110. The wireless communication unit 30 in the access point 12 performs wireless communication with the station 10. The wireless communication unit 30 also executes processing compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The setting unit 36 sets parameters in the wireless communication unit 30. Here, in particular, the SSID included in the beacon to be broadcast from the wireless communication unit 30 is set. One beacon includes one SSID. Further, the number of SSIDs that can be simultaneously set in the wireless communication unit 30 is the first number described above. An example of the first number is “4”. The wireless communication unit 30 broadcasts a beacon including one SSID, and broadcasts a beacon including another SSID at another timing.

  In this example, the SSID is associated with the advertisement. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between advertisements and SSIDs in the communication system 100. As illustrated, an advertisement column 200 and an SSID column 202 are included. The advertisement column 200 shows a list of advertisements to be targeted. The advertisement A corresponds to an advertisement of “Company A”, and the advertisement B corresponds to an advertisement of “Company B”. The SSID column 202 shows the SSID corresponding to the advertisement. For advertisement A, “advertisementa” is assigned as the SSID, and for advertisement B, “advertisementb” is assigned as the SSID. The number of SSIDs corresponds to the second number described above, and the second number is defined to be larger than the first number. Returning to FIG.

  The processing unit 32 is an interface between the wireless communication unit 30 and the wired communication unit 34, and executes processing between them. The wired communication unit 34 communicates with the ad server 18 and the management device 20 via the network 16. The control unit 38 controls processing of the access point 12.

  The wired communication unit 40 communicates with the wired communication unit 34 via the network 16. The wired communication unit 40 receives information from the wired communication unit 34 and transmits information to the wired communication unit 34. The acquisition unit 42 acquires information received by the wired communication unit 40. For example, information on display timing from the ad server 18 and information on display timing of an advertisement displayed on the advertising board 14 is acquired. As described above, since the advertising board 14 is installed in the vicinity of the access point 12, the display timing of the advertisement displayed on the advertising board 14 can be said to be information on the usage environment of the access point 12. The acquisition unit 42 stores the acquired information in the storage unit 44. The storage unit 44 stores information from the acquisition unit 42 and also stores a table showing the correspondence between the advertisement and the SSID shown in FIG.

  The selection unit 46 selects a third number of SSIDs equal to or less than the first number from the second number of SSIDs according to the information stored in the storage unit 44. For the sake of clarity, the third number is “4” here, and the third number and the first number are the same. The selection unit 46 selects the SSID corresponding to the advertisement displayed on the advertising board 14. For example, when “Advertisement A”, “Advertisement B”, “Advertisement C”, and “Advertisement D” are continuously displayed on the advertisement board 14, the selection unit 46 selects “Advertisement A”, “Advertisement B”, The SSID corresponding to each of “advertisement C” and “advertisement D” is selected. Furthermore, when the advertisement displayed on the advertising board 14 changes from “advertisement A” to an advertisement other than “advertisement D”, the selection unit 46 changes the third number SSID from the second number SSID with time. Select while.

  FIG. 3 shows the time change of the SSID selected by the selection unit 46. In the vertical direction, a third SSID is shown. Here, they are indicated as “first SSID” to “fourth SSID”. In the horizontal direction, an SSID that is selected as time passes is shown. At the first timing, “advertisementa” is selected as the first SSID, “advertisementb” is selected as the second SSID, “advertisementc” is selected as the third SSID, and “advertisemented” is selected as the fourth SSID. After the predetermined period, “advertisementh” is selected from “advertisemente” as shown in the figure. In this way, the SSID is allocated in a time division manner. Note that the SSID may be cyclically assigned sequentially. Returning to FIG.

  The instruction unit 48 generates information including the third number of SSIDs selected by the selection unit 46. The instruction unit 48 causes the wired communication unit 40 to transmit the generated information to the wired communication unit 34 via the network 16. The wired communication unit 34 receives information from the instruction unit 48. The setting unit 36 acquires information from the processing unit 32 via the processing unit 32. The setting unit 36 sets a plurality of SSIDs based on the acquired information, and causes the wireless communication unit 30 to transmit a beacon including each of the plurality of SSIDs. As shown in FIG. 3, when the SSID changes with time, the instruction unit 48 instructs the setting unit 36 so that the third number of SSIDs to be included in the beacon changes each of the times with time.

  The station 10 receives the beacon from the access point 12 to acquire the SSID corresponding to each of the plurality of advertisements displayed on the advertisement board 14. A user who operates the station 10 confirms the list of acquired SSIDs, and selects an SSID corresponding to an advertisement desired to be browsed. For example, when browsing the “advertisement A” is desired, the user selects “advertisementa”. The station 10 executes a connection process with the access point 12 by using the selected SSID. Since a well-known technique should just be used for a connection process, description is abbreviate | omitted here. Communication between the station 10 and the content server 22 is executed via the access point 12 and the network 16 with the setting corresponding to the selected SSID. The station 10 acquires content from the content server 22. The content includes, for example, information corresponding to an advertisement desired to be browsed.

  The access point 12 outputs information on the correspondence relationship between the MAC address of the station 10 and the selected SSID to the wired communication unit 40. The acquisition unit 42 acquires correspondence information via the wired communication unit 40 and stores the correspondence in the storage unit 44. That is, the storage unit 44 stores the correspondence between the MAC address of the station 10 that has accessed the access point 12 in the past and the SSID. FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 44. As illustrated, a MAC address column 210 and an SSID column 212 are included. The MAC address column 210 shows the MAC address of each station 10. For example, “addressa” that is the MAC address of the first station 10a, “addressb” that is the MAC address of the second station 10b, and the like are included. In the SSID column 212, the SSID corresponding to the MAC address is shown. Returning to FIG.

  When the station 10 enters the service area 110 again after the access to the access point 12 by the station 10 is completed, the station 10 transmits a resource request including the MAC address. The wireless communication unit 30 of the access point 12 receives the resource request, the processing unit 32 extracts the MAC address included in the resource request, and the wired communication unit 34 sends the MAC address to the management apparatus 20 via the network 16. Send.

  The acquisition unit 42 acquires the MAC address of the station 10 that can access the access point 12 as information about the usage environment of the access point 12 via the wired communication unit 40. The selection unit 46 selects the SSID from the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42 by referring to the correspondence relationship of FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 44. In this way, the SSID is extracted from the past history or the SSID to be guided is extracted. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 42 acquires a new MAC address, the selection unit 46 selects the third number SSID while changing it with time. That is, the SSID is dynamically changed by executing matching based on the MAC address history of the station 10. As described above, the instruction unit 48 instructs the access point 12 to transmit a beacon including each of the selected SSIDs. The control unit 50 controls processing of the management device 20.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a communication function loaded in the memory. Describes functional blocks realized by collaboration. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  Here, a modified example will be described regarding the assignment of a plurality of SSIDs. So far, the selection unit 46 has selected all of the third number of SSIDs. On the other hand, the selection unit 46 may set a part of SSIDs of the third number of SSIDs fixedly and selectively set the remaining SSIDs. 5A to 5B show other SSIDs selected by the selection unit 46. FIG. FIG. 5A shows the first SSID to the fourth SSID. SSIDs are fixedly assigned to the first SSID and the second SSID. Therefore, the processing described above is not necessary for these SSIDs. SSIDs are dynamically selected and assigned to the third SSID and the fourth SSID. In particular, an SSID that is likely to be used is assigned. Here, the fixed number of SSIDs is “2” and the number of selective SSIDs is “2”. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Returning to FIG.

  When the number of SSIDs to be included and transmitted in the beacon is less than the first number in a certain period, that is, when the number of MAC addresses acquired by the acquisition unit 42 is less than the first number, A fourth SSID that is less than the number is selected. The fixed period is set to 1 second, for example. When the first number is “4”, an example of the fourth number is “3”. At the same time, the selection unit 46 has not selected the fifth SSID of the difference between the first number and the fourth number. The fifth number is “1” in the above example.

  In FIG. 5B, one of the four usable SSIDs is not selected as reserved. In addition, the selection unit 46 fixes a part of the fourth number of SSIDs, for example, the first SSID and the second SID, and changes the remaining part of the fourth number of SSIDs, for example, the third SSID with time. While selecting. In addition, when the number of MAC addresses acquired in the acquisition unit 42 increases to the first number in a certain period, the selection unit 46 starts assignment to the reserved SSID. That is, when the number of users visiting the service area 110 is small, the number of SSIDs to be included in the beacon is reduced, and transmission of the optimal SSID is started after detecting the MAC address of the station 10. Returning to FIG. If the beacon including the selected SSID is not transmitted from the access point 12, the instruction unit 48 transmits the beacon including only each of the fourth number of SSIDs selected by the selection unit 46. 12 is instructed.

  The operation of the communication system 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an SSID instruction procedure by the management apparatus 20. The acquisition unit 42 acquires a MAC address (S10). The selection unit 46 acquires the SSID (S12). If the acquired SSID is not being transmitted (N in S14), the instruction unit 48 instructs transmission of the acquired SSID (S16). If the acquired SSID is being transmitted (Y in S14), the process is terminated.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the third number of SSIDs is selected from the second number of SSIDs according to the information about the usage environment of the access point, it is possible to transmit the SSID suitable for the usage environment. In addition, since the SSID linked to the advertisement on the billboard is selected, the selection of the SSID can be facilitated. In addition, since the selection is made while changing the third SSID, more SSIDs than the first number can be transmitted. In addition, since more SSIDs than the first number are transmitted, the network can be flexibly constructed. Moreover, since the fifth SSID is not selected, the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved. In addition, since some SSIDs are fixed and the remaining SSIDs are selected, the number of SSIDs to be selected is reduced and processing can be facilitated.

  In addition, since the SSID is selected from the acquired MAC address based on the correspondence between the MAC address of the station that has accessed the access point in the past and the SSID, it is possible to select the SSID that is likely to be used. In addition, since an SSID that is likely to be used is selected, an advertisement can be distributed efficiently. Also, since the usage record is fed back, SSIDs with more access can be transmitted dynamically.

(Example 2)
As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point. The access point and the station in the first embodiment use one frequency band. On the other hand, the access point according to the second embodiment broadcasts a beacon including an SSID in one frequency band (hereinafter referred to as “Ch1”). Ch1 corresponds to a dedicated channel for beacons and is not used for communication. In such Ch1, as many SSIDs as possible are circulated and transmitted. When the station confirms the SSID in Ch1, the station and the access point transition to another frequency band (hereinafter referred to as “Ch2”) and execute communication. Ch2 corresponds to a dedicated channel for communication. Since the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG.

  The access point 12 in FIG. 1 can use a plurality of frequency bands. The wireless communication unit 30 transmits a beacon including an SSID in Ch1 among a plurality of frequency bands. In the wireless communication unit 30, a function corresponding to Ch1 is referred to as a “first communication unit” for convenience. The first communication unit changes the third number of SSIDs with time from the second number of SSIDs greater than the first number, and transmits a beacon including each of the third number of SSIDs. The setting unit 36 sets the SSID based on an instruction from the management device 20 as before.

  FIGS. 7A to 7B show SSIDs used in the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the SSID transmitted in Ch1. For example, “advertisementd” is cyclically transmitted from “advertisementa”. The station 10 accesses the SSID transmitted cyclically in this way. Returning to FIG.

  The wireless communication unit 30 performs communication with the station 10 that has received the beacon from the first communication unit in Ch2 that is different from Ch1 among the plurality of frequency bands. In the wireless communication unit 30, a function corresponding to Ch2 is referred to as a “second communication unit” for convenience. The second communication unit uses the SSID included in the beacon transmitted in the first communication unit for communication. The transition from Ch1 to Ch2 may be made at any timing when the station 10 transmits an association request or when communication is started after the association ends. Note that the wireless communication unit 30 may transmit an instruction to make a transition from Ch1 to Ch2 to the station 10. FIG. 7B shows the SSID used in Ch2. “Advertisementa” transmitted in Ch1 is also used in communication in Ch2. Returning to FIG.

  The instruction unit 48 of the management device 20 causes the access point to transmit a beacon including the SSID in Ch1 among a plurality of frequency bands that the access point 12 can use. Here, since selection of the SSID to be transmitted may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. In addition, the instruction unit 48 causes the access point 12 to perform data communication corresponding to the SSID in Ch2, which is different from Ch1.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a communication procedure by the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The management device 20 instructs the SSID to the access point 12 (S20). The access point 12 sets the SSID (S22). The access point 12 transmits the SSID using the Ch1 beacon (S24). The station 10 selects an SSID (S26). The station 10 and the access point 12 execute connection processing with Ch2 (S28). The station 10 and the access point 12 communicate using Ch2 (S30).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since different frequency bands are used for SSID transmission and data communication, the SSID can be acquired by checking only the first frequency band. In addition, since only the beacon is repeatedly transmitted in the first frequency band, the acquisition of the SSID can be speeded up. In addition, since the beacon is not transmitted in the second frequency band, the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved. In addition, when transitioning from the first frequency band for beacon repeated transmission to the frequency band for communication, depending on the type / content of the transitioning SSID, more appropriate in consideration of the congestion status of the transition destination frequency band, etc. A specific frequency band can be selected and shifted. This means that a frequency suitable for serviceability related to SSID can be selected.

Example 3
As in the first embodiment, the third embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point. The management apparatus in the first embodiment instructs the SSID to be transmitted to one access point. The third embodiment relates to processing of a management apparatus for a plurality of access points. In such a case, it is troublesome for the user to register the name and e-mail address each time the place changes. To cope with this, the management apparatus according to the third embodiment, like the first embodiment, uses the SSID used when the station connects to one access point (hereinafter referred to as “first access point”). The correspondence relationship with the MAC address of the station is stored. When the connection between the station and the first access point is disconnected, the station transmits a probe request including the MAC address. When an access point different from the first access point (hereinafter referred to as “second access point”) receives the probe request, the MAC address is extracted and transmitted to the management apparatus.

  When the management apparatus acquires the MAC address, the management apparatus selects an SSID based on the already stored correspondence. That is, the management device uses the correspondence relationship across a plurality of access points. The management apparatus instructs the second access point to transmit a beacon including the selected SSID. As described above, the third embodiment operates in a plurality of service areas in the first embodiment. As a result, even when the station moves across a plurality of access points, the SSID is selected so as to follow the movement.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes a station 10, a first access point 12 a collectively referred to as an access point 12, a second access point 12 b, a network 16, and a management device 20. The first access point 12a forms a first service area 110a, and the second access point 12b forms a second service area 110b. The first service area 110a and the second service area 110b are collectively referred to as the service area 110. Here, in order to mainly explain the SSID selection operation, the advertisement board 14, the ad server 18, and the content server 22 of FIG. 1 are omitted. Since the configuration of the access point 12 and the management device 20 is the same type as in FIG. 1, the difference will be mainly described here.

  The first access point 12 a and the second access point 12 b are connected to the management device 20 via the network 16. In the first stage, the station 10 is connected to the first access point 12a. At this time, the SSID transmission instruction from the management apparatus 20 to the first access point 12a is made in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the next stage, it is assumed that the station 10 has moved from the first service area 110a to the second service area 110b. At that time, the connection between the station 10 and the first access point 12a is disconnected, and the station 10 broadcasts a probe request in the second service area 110b.

  When receiving the probe request from the station 10, the second access point 12 b extracts the MAC address included in the probe request. The second access point 12 b transmits the MAC address to the management device 20 via the network 16.

  The acquisition unit 42 of the management device 20 acquires the MAC address of the station 10 that can access the second access point 12b different from the first access point 12a as information about the usage environment of the access point 12. On the other hand, the storage unit 44 stores the correspondence between the MAC address of the station 10 that has already accessed the first access point 12a and the SSID, as in the first embodiment. The selection unit 46 selects the SSID from the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42 by referring to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit 44. If the beacon including the selected SSID is not transmitted from the second access point 12b, the instruction unit 48 instructs the second access point 12b to transmit the beacon including the selected SSID.

  The second access point 12b broadcasts a beacon including the SSID instructed from the instruction unit 48. The station 10 receives the beacon and extracts the SSID. If the SSID is already used with the first access point 12a, the station 10 selects it and uses it for communication with the second access point 12b.

  The first access point 12a and the second access point 12b may be different communication carriers. At that time, a management device 20 corresponding to each telecommunications carrier is provided, and a database storing the correspondence relationship is linked between them. This corresponds to SSID roaming. Furthermore, cooperation including other WWAN service providers including global may be performed.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the SSID to be transmitted from the second access point is determined based on the usage record of the SSID at the first access point, it is possible to transmit the SSID that is likely to be used. Since the SSID used so far is transmitted from another access point, the SSID can be easily selected for the station. Moreover, even if the access point is changed, the same SSID can be used immediately, so that convenience can be improved.

Example 4
As in the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point, and also relates to processing of a management apparatus for a plurality of access points. In Example 3, the connection between the station and the first access point is disconnected, and the management device instructs the SSID to the second access point at the timing when the station transmits the probe request. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, when the station is connected to the first access point and the station is moving toward the second access point, the management apparatus instructs the SSID to the second access point. More specifically, the third embodiment selects the SSID based on the acquisition of the MAC address, while the fourth embodiment selects the SSID based on the position information of the station. Since the communication system 100 according to the fourth embodiment is the same type as that in FIG. 9, the description will focus on the differences.

  The station 10 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and acquires position information. Since a well-known technique should just be used for acquisition of the positional information by a GPS function, description is abbreviate | omitted here. The position information is indicated by latitude and longitude. The station 10 corresponds to the Geolocation API, and transmits position information to the management apparatus 20 via the access point 12. Here, the Geolocation API is an API (Application Programming Interface) for handling user location information. The Geolocation API is a standard for which the standardization organization of the web advances specification development. Since this is a known technique, description thereof is omitted here.

  The storage unit 44 of the management device 20 stores location information where each access point 12 is installed. FIG. 10 shows a data structure of a table stored in the storage unit 44 included in the management apparatus 20 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, an access point name column 220 and a location information column 222 are included. The location information as shown in the location information column 222 is associated with each of the access points 12 shown in the access point name column 220. Here, La1 indicates the latitude, and Lo1 indicates the longitude. Returning to FIG. In addition, the storage unit 44 stores the correspondence between the MAC address of the station 10 that should access the access point 12 and the SSID. This correspondence is stored by the same processing as in the first and third embodiments.

  The acquisition unit 42 is highly likely to be accessed by the station 10 by referring to the location information stored in the storage unit 44 based on the location information of the station 10 as information about the usage environment of the access point 12. The access point 12 is acquired. This process is performed when it is detected that the station 10 is away from the current access point 12. The access point 12 that is likely to be accessed corresponds to, for example, the access point 12 having the shortest distance from the station 10. Therefore, the acquisition unit 42 calculates the distance to each access point 12 based on the position information of the station 10 and the position information of each access point 12. For the calculation of the distance, for example, a vector operation is used.

  Further, the acquisition unit 42 selects the access point 12 with the shortest distance from the distances to the access points 12. Note that the direction of movement of the station 10 may be taken into consideration when selecting an access point 12 that is likely to be accessed. At that time, the acquisition unit 42 selects the access point 12 having the shortest distance from the access points 12 existing in the moving direction of the station 10. The acquisition unit 42 outputs information related to the selected access point 12 to the selection unit 46.

  The selection unit 46 acquires information regarding the access point 12 from the acquisition unit 42. The selecting unit 46 selects the SSID from the MAC address of the station 10 that should access the access point 12 acquired by the acquiring unit 42 by referring to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit 44. That is, the selection unit 46 grasps the nearby access point 12 and selects the SSID corresponding to the access point 12. If the beacon including the selected SSID is not transmitted from the second access point 12b, the instruction unit 48 instructs the second access point 12b to transmit the beacon including the selected SSID.

  Subsequent processing of the access point 12 and the station 10 is the same as that of the third embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here. In addition, when the VPN service is combined with the above configuration, a “chat” of a secure environment is realized. Furthermore, as a supplementary function, a function for notifying a nearby access point 12 to the user may be provided. This function is realized by (1) mail to a mobile phone owned by the user, (2) push by an agent, (3) output to a digital board, and the like.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an SSID instruction procedure by the management apparatus 20. The acquisition unit 42 acquires the position information of the station 10 (S40). When it is detected that the station 10 is away from the access point 12 (Y in S42), the acquisition unit 42 specifies a new access point 12 (S44). If the SSID corresponding to the station 10 is not transmitted from the new access point 12 (N in S46), the instruction unit 48 instructs the new access point 12 to transmit the SSID corresponding to the station 10 (S48). . If it is not detected that the station 10 is away from the access point 12 (N in S42), or if the SSID corresponding to the station 10 is transmitted from the new access point 12 (Y in S46), the process is completed. Is done.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, a nearby access point is specified based on the location information, and the SSID used so far is transmitted from the access point. SSID can be used. Therefore, wherever you go, you can immediately use your home / office SSID. Further, since the same SSID is transmitted regardless of the location, the convenience for the user can be improved. In addition, an environment can be constructed with an SSID similar to an office environment in a hotel venue or a commercial rental space. It can also be used in facilities where multiple companies come and go. It can also be applied to facilities where people who have difficulty in setting SSIDs such as elderly people come and go.

(Example 5)
The fifth embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point, as before. In order to increase the security of the communication system, it is desirable to perform authentication for the station when the station accesses the access point. The authentication is performed by inputting an ID and a password, for example. However, in the case where the station also supports WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) in addition to the wireless LAN, it is troublesome to use different IDs and passwords for the connection between the stations. In order to cope with this, in the fifth embodiment, the connection of the station to the access point is permitted when the WWAN subscriber information can be confirmed. In such a process, the WWAN and the wireless LAN are managed with the same subscriber information, so that the convenience of the user receiving the WWAN service is improved when using the wireless LAN.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes a station 60, an access point 12, a network 16, a management apparatus 20, a base station apparatus 62, a WWAN network 64, and a WWAN management apparatus 66. Here, in order to mainly explain the SSID selection operation, the advertisement board 14, the ad server 18, and the content server 22 of FIG. 1 are omitted.

  The station 60 has a communication function compliant with the wireless LAN as well as the station 10 so far, and also has a communication function compliant with WWAN. The WWAN is, for example, a mobile phone system, LTE (Long Term Evolution), or WiMAX (registered trademark). The station 60 communicates with the base station device 62 as a WWAN terminal device. The base station device 62 is connected to the station 60 on one end side and connected to the WWAN network 64 on the other end side. Further, the base station device 62 is connected to the WWAN management device 66 via the WWAN network 64. When the station 60 accesses the base station apparatus 62, the WWAN management apparatus 66 authenticates the station 60 by confirming the subscriber information of the station 60. If the authentication is successful, the station 60 is connected to the WWAN. In addition, about the authentication of the station 60, since a well-known technique should just be used, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The storage unit 44 of the management device 20 stores a first correspondence between WWAN subscriber information related to the station 10 and the MAC address of the station 10. FIG. 13 shows a data structure of a table stored in the storage unit 44 included in the management apparatus 20. As shown, a WWAN subscriber information column 230 and a MAC address column 232 are included. In the WWAN subscriber information column 230, WWAN subscriber information related to the station 10, here, the ID is shown as “usera”. A password may be stored as subscriber information. The MAC address column 232 shows a MAC address corresponding to each subscriber information. Returning to FIG. The storage unit 44 also stores the second correspondence between the MAC address of the station 10 and the SSID, as before.

  The acquisition unit 42 acquires the MAC address of the station 10 via the wired communication unit 40 as information about the usage environment of the access point 12. The selection unit 46 specifies WWAN subscriber information for the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42 by referring to the first correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit 44. The selection unit 46 requests the WWAN management apparatus 66 to authenticate the specified WWAN subscriber information. This is equivalent to checking whether the user is a WWAN subscriber with the acquisition of the MAC address as a trigger. The selection unit 46 receives an authentication result from the WWAN management device 66. When the authentication result is OK, that is, when the WWAN subscriber information for the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42 is confirmed, the selection unit 46 refers to the second correspondence stored in the storage unit 44. Thus, the SSID is selected from the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42.

  If the beacon including the selected SSID is not transmitted from the access point 12, the instruction unit 48 instructs the access point 12 to transmit the beacon including the selected SSID. It is also possible to collaborate with other WWAN service providers including global.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a beacon transmission procedure by the communication system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The station 60 transmits a probe request (S60). The access point 12 extracts the MAC address from the received probe request and transmits the MAC address to the management apparatus 20 (S62). The management device 20 transmits the inquiry to the WWAN management device 66 (S64). The WWAN management apparatus 66 transmits the authentication result to the management apparatus 20 (S66). The management device 20 confirms that the authentication result is OK (S68). The management device 20 selects an SSID (S70). The management device 20 transmits the SSID to the access point 12 (S72). The access point 12 sets the SSID (S74) and transmits a beacon (S76).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since authentication of the wireless LAN is executed based on the WWAN subscriber information, the authentication process can be simplified. Moreover, since authentication with respect to a wireless LAN is performed, safety can be improved. Since the same ID or the like is used for the WWAN and the wireless LAN, the management of the ID by the user can be simplified.

(Example 6)
The sixth embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point, as before. Until now, the SSID associated with the advertisement is assigned based on the use record in the station. Furthermore, there is a need for an efficient advertisement giving method for an unspecified number of people who come to public places. In the sixth embodiment, stations are classified based on a category, and past statistical information is used for each category, and an SSID is assigned. The communication system 100 according to the sixth embodiment is the same type as that shown in FIG. Here, it demonstrates centering on the difference from before.

  FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the management apparatus 20 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The management device 20 includes a wired communication unit 40, an acquisition unit 42, a storage unit 44, a selection unit 46, an instruction unit 48, a control unit 50, and an estimation unit 52.

  The acquisition unit 42 acquires a combination of the MAC address, SSID, and SSID of the station 10. The acquisition unit 42 classifies the station 10 into one of a plurality of categories based on the MAC address. For example, the profile is associated with the MAC address and the profile of the owner of the station 10 is stored in advance, and the acquisition unit 42 performs classification according to the profile. An example of an owner's profile is gender and age. The acquisition unit 42 stores the classified result in the storage unit 44.

  The storage unit 44 stores, as information about the usage environment of the access point 12, the past SSID usage record for the MAC address of the station 10 and the SSID usage record associated with the advertisement. FIG. 16 shows the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 44. As shown, a category column 240, a MAC address column 242, and an SSID usage record column 244 are included. The category column 240 shows a category based on the profile. The MAC address column 242 shows the MAC address of the station 10 included in each category. Thus, a plurality of stations 10 are included in one category. In the SSID usage record column 244, the past use record of the SSID corresponding to the MAC address is shown. Returning to FIG.

  The estimation unit 52 estimates an advertisement suitable for the station 10 by statistically processing the usage record stored in the storage unit 44 for each category. In other words, the tendency of the masses is examined with the MAC address, and an advertisement suitable for the trend is estimated. Since a well-known technique should just be used for a statistical process, description is abbreviate | omitted here. The selection unit 46 selects the SSID associated with the advertisement estimated by the estimation unit 52 based on the MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit 42. The first advertisement may be put out with reference to the table stored in the storage unit 44.

  Furthermore, as a supplementary function, a function for notifying the user of the SSID may be provided. This function is realized by (1) mail to a mobile phone owned by the user, (2) push by an agent, (3) output to a digital board, and the like. Further, the user response result may be reported to the advertisement publisher.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the SSID is selected by statistically processing the usage record for each category, it is possible to select a valid SSID including SSIDs that have not been used so far. Moreover, since the use results are accumulated in the category associated with the MAC address, it is possible to select advertisement content with higher accuracy.

(Example 7)
The seventh embodiment relates to a communication system that transmits, in a time division manner, a larger number of SSIDs than the number of SSIDs that can be set in an access point, and similarly to the sixth embodiment, relates to efficient advertisement assignment. Further, in the seventh embodiment, similar to the sixth embodiment, the SSID and the advertisement are matched, and statistical information is used. On the other hand, in the seventh embodiment, the concept of a place newly associated with the SSID is added to the advertisement distribution system configured by the ad server and the WEB server. In other words, not only the content but also the optimal advertisement is distributed in consideration of the place.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 includes a first access point 12 a, a second access point 12 b, a third access point 12 c, a network 16, a management device 20, and an advertisement system 70 that are collectively referred to as an access point 12. The advertisement system 70 includes an ad server 18 and a WEB server 72.

  As illustrated, the ad server 18 is associated with the WEB server 72. The WEB server 72 may be provided integrally with the content server 22 or may be provided separately. The storage unit 44 of the management device 20 stores a table similar to the table shown in FIG. The table stored in the storage unit 44 according to the seventh embodiment is provided for at least one of the position and time of the access point 12. This corresponds to the generation of a table classified by at least one of the position and time of the access point 12. The estimation unit 52 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 44 and performs estimation for each position and / or time of the access point 12 accessed by the station 10. The estimation may be the same processing as in the sixth embodiment. In this way, processing based on the table between the MAC address and the access point 12 at each location is performed.

  Note that the Geolocation API may be used for specifying the location of the station 10. Further, an application program may be linked, or sensing by a camera may be performed.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since estimation is performed for each of at least one of the position and time of the access point, it is possible to extract different characteristics depending on the location and time. Also, since different features are extracted depending on the location and time, an SSID suitable for at least one of the location and time of the access point can be selected in detail. In addition, since the user statistical information / location information is taken into account, the optimum SSID can be selected.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  10 stations, 12 access points, 14 billboards, 16 networks, 18 ad servers, 20 management devices, 22 content servers, 30 wireless communication units, 32 processing units, 34 wired communication units, 36 setting units, 38 control units, 40 wired communication Unit, 42 acquisition unit, 44 storage unit, 46 selection unit, 48 instruction unit, 50 control unit, 100 communication system, 110 service area.

Claims (12)

An acquisition unit for acquiring information about the usage environment of the access point;
According to the information acquired in the acquisition unit, a third number of service set identifiers equal to or less than the first number is selected from a second number of service set identifiers greater than the first number of service set identifiers that can be set in the access point. A selection section to
An instruction unit for instructing the access point to transmit a beacon including each of the third number of service set identifiers selected by the selection unit;
A management apparatus comprising: The selection unit selects the third number of service set identifiers from the second number of service set identifiers while changing with time,
The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit instructs the access point to change each of the third number of service set identifiers to be included in the beacon with time. The selection unit selects the fourth number of service set identifiers when the beacon including each of the fourth number of service set identifiers smaller than the first number is to be transmitted to the access point, and selects the first number and The fifth number of service set identifiers of the difference from the fourth number has not been selected;
The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit instructs the access point to transmit a beacon including only each of the fourth number of service set identifiers selected by the selection unit. .   The selection unit fixedly selects a part of the fourth number of service set identifiers, and selects the remaining part of the fourth number of service set identifiers while changing with time. 3. The management device according to 3.   The instructing unit causes the access point to transmit a beacon including a service set identifier in a first frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands usable by the access point, and a second frequency different from the first frequency band. 5. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access point performs data communication corresponding to the service set identifier in the band. A storage unit for storing a correspondence relationship between a MAC address of a station that has accessed the access point in the past and a service set identifier;
The acquisition unit acquires a MAC address of a station that can access an access point as information about a use environment,
The said selection part selects a service set identifier from the MAC address acquired in the said acquisition part by referring the correspondence relationship memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Management device. A storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between the MAC address of the station that has already accessed the first access point and the service set identifier;
The acquisition unit acquires a MAC address of a station that can access a second access point different from the first access point as information about a use environment;
The said selection part selects a service set identifier from the MAC address acquired in the said acquisition part by referring the correspondence relationship memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Management device. A storage unit that stores location information where the access point is installed, and stores a correspondence between a MAC address of a station that should access the access point and a service set identifier;
The acquisition unit acquires an access point that is likely to be accessed by the station by referring to the position information stored in the storage unit based on the position information of the station as information on the use environment. ,
The selection unit selects a service set identifier from a MAC address of a station that should access the access point acquired by the acquisition unit by referring to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit. To 5. The management device according to any one of 5. Storing a first correspondence between the WWAN subscriber information related to the station and the MAC address of the station, and further storing a second correspondence between the MAC address of the station and the service set identifier,
The acquisition unit acquires a MAC address of a station as information about a use environment,
When the selection unit confirms WWAN subscriber information for the MAC address acquired in the acquisition unit by referring to the first correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, the selection unit stores the second correspondence stored in the storage unit. 6. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a service set identifier is selected from a MAC address acquired by the acquisition unit by referring to a correspondence relationship. A storage unit that stores the service set identifier used in the past and the service set identifier used in association with the advertisement.
An estimation unit for estimating an advertisement suitable for the station by processing the usage records stored in the storage unit over a plurality of stations;
The acquisition unit acquires a MAC address of a station as information about a use environment,
The said selection part selects the service identifier matched with the advertisement estimated in the said estimation part based on the MAC address acquired in the said acquisition part, The any one of Claim 1 to 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Management device.   The management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the estimation unit performs estimation for each of at least one of a position and a time of an access point accessed by the station. An access point that can use multiple frequency bands,
A first communication unit that transmits a beacon including a service set identifier in a first frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands;
A second communication unit that performs communication with a terminal that has received a beacon from the first communication unit in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands;
The first communication unit changes, with time, a third number of service set identifiers equal to or less than the first number from a second number of service set identifiers greater than the first number of service set identifiers that can be set for the access point. And transmitting a beacon including each of the third number of service set identifiers,
The access point, wherein the second communication unit uses a service set identifier included in a beacon transmitted by the first communication unit for communication.

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