JP2015119268A - Wireless apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless apparatus capable of easily finding the optimum arrangement position of a master unit for a plurality of slave units, in a wireless communication environment in infrastructure mode.SOLUTION: A wireless apparatus 10 being moved to one or more positions in order to determine an arrangement position includes: a transmission unit 101 for transmitting response request signals to a plurality of apparatuses registered ar the slave units of the wireless apparatus 10 at one or more positions, respectively; a reception unit 103 for receiving response signals from the plurality of apparatuses, respectively; a detector 104 for detecting the radio field strength of a response signal received at the reception unit 103; and a notification unit 105 for notifying of at least one of radio field strengths detected by the detector 104 at one or more positions, respectively, and one radio field strength at one or more positions, respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless device, and more particularly to a wireless device that is moved to one or more positions in order to determine an arrangement position.

  There is IEEE 802.11 (a / b / g / n) as a wireless communication standard.

  A wireless device serving as an access point, that is, a wireless device serving as a parent device for receiving a radio wave for connecting a plurality of slave devices (client devices) to a network is, for example, an IEEE 802.11 (a / b / g / n) standard. Below, a packet signal (beacon signal) indicating the presence of itself as a parent device is periodically transmitted. In the IEEE802.11 (a / b / g / n) standard, the transmission interval of this beacon signal is normally set to 100 ms or less, and the node of the child device or the parent device other than itself receives the beacon signal sent by the parent device. can do. When the slave unit receives the beacon signal, the slave unit starts communication with the master unit. When there are a plurality of slave units, the slave unit that can communicate with the master unit earliest can communicate.

  One of the most important elements for starting communication is the radio wave environment. All nodes (master unit and slave unit) have means for measuring the input level of a wireless RF signal, such as an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication, Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit, as means for knowing the radio wave environment. However, there is no IEEE 802.11 (a / b / g / n) standard for transmitting a received input level to a node other than the own node. I can't know if it was transmitted. Therefore, it is impossible to know the radio wave environment for communication.

  On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for confirming a radio wave environment.

JP 2006-86782 A

  However, the above Patent Document 1 only discloses a technique for confirming a radio wave environment by communicating one-to-one, and in an environment where a parent device and a plurality of child devices are connected, a pair (parent device) It is necessary to check the radio wave environment individually with a single handset. For this reason, it takes a lot of time and effort to find the optimal arrangement position of the parent device for a plurality of child devices.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a wireless device that can easily find the optimal placement position of a parent device for a plurality of child devices in an infrastructure mode wireless communication environment. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless device according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless device that is moved to one or more positions to determine an arrangement position, and the wireless device is moved to each of the one or more positions. A transmitting unit for transmitting a response request signal to a plurality of devices registered as slave devices, a receiving unit for receiving a response signal from each of the plurality of devices, and a radio wave intensity of the response signal received by the receiving unit. A detection unit that detects, and a notification unit that notifies at least one of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions and notifies one radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions .

  With this configuration, one of the radio field intensities and the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions are notified. Therefore, in the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment, the optimum base unit for a plurality of slave units is provided. The arrangement position can be easily found.

  Here, preferably, the notification unit notifies the lowest radio wave intensity among the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions.

  With this configuration, the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths, and the radio field strength at each of one or more positions are notified. Therefore, the optimum parent for multiple slave units in the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment. The location of the machine can be easily found.

  In addition, for example, the wireless device uses IEEE 802.11, and the transmission unit sets the duration time to the other devices other than one device among the plurality of devices, and the response request signal The response request signal may be transmitted to the plurality of devices by repeating the transmission.

  As a result, even though the standard does not provide a method for transmitting the received input level to nodes other than its own, the wireless device that is the master unit is a response signal from each of a plurality of devices (slave devices). Therefore, it is possible to know the radio wave environment of each of a plurality of devices.

  Here, for example, the response request signal is a beacon signal.

  In addition, for example, a priority is further set for each of the plurality of devices, and the notification unit is configured such that the priority of the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions is equal to or greater than a threshold value. It is also possible to notify at least one radio field intensity among the radio field intensities from the device, and one radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions.

  In addition, for example, the notification unit has a bar display that is a display in which LEDs are arranged in a row at each of the one or more positions, and has the lowest radio field intensity among the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit. The minimum radio wave intensity may be notified by displaying the length of the corresponding level.

  As a result, the radio wave intensity is notified at each of one or more positions of the radio wave intensity, so that the user can easily find the optimal placement position of the parent unit with respect to the plurality of slave units. it can.

  Further, for example, the notification unit notifies the display of the one or more positions by notifying the display of one of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions. The one radio wave intensity in each may be displayed.

  As a result, one of the radio field intensities, and the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions are notified, so that the user can easily find the optimal placement position of the master unit with respect to the plurality of slave units. .

  Here, for example, the display device may be configured in the wireless device.

  In addition, for example, a holding unit that holds the radio field intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions, and an imaging unit that captures an image regarding each of the one or more positions at each of the one or more positions, The notification unit, together with the radio wave intensity held in the holding unit, notifies the display unit of images relating to each of the one or more positions imaged by the imaging unit. The radio wave intensity at each of the one or more positions and an image related to one of the one or more positions may be displayed.

  As a result, one of the radio field intensities is notified of the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions, and an image relating to one or more positions can be displayed by selection. You can easily find the optimal location of the machine.

  Here, for example, as the information for determining the arrangement position of the wireless device, the indicator has a maximum value among the smallest radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions. It is also possible to display an image relating to a position corresponding to the radio wave intensity indicating.

  Further, for example, an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, a position estimation unit that estimates each of the one or more positions using the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor, and the detection unit detects each of the one or more positions. A holding unit that holds the radio wave intensity, and the notification unit notifies the display unit of each of the one or more positions estimated by the position estimation unit together with the radio wave intensity held by the holding unit. Thus, the display device may display the radio wave intensity at each of the one or more positions and a trajectory including the one or more positions.

  As a result, one of the radio field intensities, and the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions is notified, and the position of the trajectory relating to one or more positions can be displayed by selection. It is possible to easily find the optimal placement position of the master unit with respect to the.

  In addition, for example, the display unit displays a local maximum value among the smallest radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions as information for determining an arrangement position of the wireless device. The position of the locus corresponding to the radio wave intensity indicating the maximum value may be indicated together with the radio wave intensity indicated.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the radio | wireless apparatus which can find easily the optimal arrangement | positioning position of a main | base_unit with respect to a some subordinate apparatus is realizable in the radio | wireless communication environment of an infrastructure mode.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement positions of a wireless device and a plurality of devices in the spatial environment according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of RTS. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of CTS. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection configuration between a wireless device and a plurality of devices according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a connected device list of a plurality of devices according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the bar indicator which concerns on Embodiment 1, and its notification example. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a sensor unit according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to Embodiment 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a notification of the display apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a notification of the display apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a notification of the display apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The invention is specified by the claims. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention, but are described as constituting more preferable embodiments. Is done.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement positions of a wireless device and a plurality of devices in the spatial environment according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of devices such as a TV 11, an STB (Set Top Box) 12, a notebook PC 13, a printer 14, and a mobile terminal 15 are disposed in a space 1 such as indoors, and wireless devices are disposed as parent devices thereof. 10 is shown.

  The wireless device 10 has a plurality of wireless communications (wireless LANs), and an arrangement position is determined in order to maintain a stable connection with a slave device such as the TV 11, STB 12, notebook PC 13, and printer 14 in the infrastructure mode.

  This is because some devices (slave devices) cannot be easily moved, and depending on the space structure of the space 1, the connection cannot be maintained or the connection state may be poor depending on the position in the space 1. That is, in the present embodiment, the quality of wireless connection is ensured by changing the arrangement position of the wireless device 10 that is not a child device but a parent device for the above reason. Note that the portable terminal 15 is connected to the wireless device 10 that is a base unit as necessary and is easy to move, and therefore is not used to determine the arrangement position of the wireless device 10. explain.

[Configuration of wireless device]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the wireless device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of an RTS frame format, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a CTS frame format. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection configuration between a wireless device and a plurality of devices according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a connected device list of a plurality of devices according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a bar display according to the first embodiment and a notification example thereof.

  The wireless device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is moved to one or more positions in order to determine the arrangement position. The wireless device 10 includes a transmission unit 101, a duration setting unit 102, a reception unit 103, a detection unit 104, a notification unit 105, and a holding unit 106.

  Here, the wireless device 10 communicates in the infrastructure mode using IEEE 802.11, and in addition to the normal operation mode in which the wireless device 10 functions as an access point, the wireless device 10 determines the placement position under the infrastructure mode. Suppose there is a mode.

  In the present embodiment, the normal operation mode and the arrangement position determination mode are executed using two functions prepared in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  More specifically, in the IEEE802.11 standard, there is communication in which a base unit transmits a response request (Beacon) signal in 100 ms or less and a handset returns a response. This function can be used as a normal operation mode. In addition, in the IEEE 802.11 standard, a state in which wireless signals do not reach each other (propagation environment in which carrier sense does not function) may occur due to the distance between wireless terminals or obstacles that do not transmit radio waves. In the IEEE802.11 standard, in order to solve this state (hidden terminal problem), for example, according to the frame format shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, RTS (Request to Send: transmission request) / CTS (Clear to Send: reception) A measure called “Ready” is defined. 3A and 3B indicate the number of bytes and indicate that the countermeasure is defined by the length of the numerical value. The frame format of RTS / CTS is configured to describe the address of the other party to be transmitted, and can communicate by designating a slave unit. This configuration can be used for the arrangement position determination mode.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the wireless device 10 related to the arrangement position determination mode will be described.

  The transmitting unit 101 transmits a response request signal in infrastructure mode to a plurality of devices registered as slave units of the wireless device 10 at each of one or more positions. Here, the response request signal is typically a beacon signal. The transmitting unit 101 repeats that the transmitting unit 101 transmits a response request signal by giving the duration set by the duration setting unit 102 to other devices other than one device among a plurality of devices. Thus, a response request signal is transmitted to a plurality of devices at each of one or more positions.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of devices are slave devices such as the TV 11, STB 12, notebook PC 13, and printer 14 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, one or more positions in the present embodiment are positions that are associated with time and are identified by graphing the time when the beacon signal is transmitted in time series.

  The duration setting unit 102 sets a duration time in a response request signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 101 to other devices other than one device among a plurality of devices, in accordance with a device list held in the holding unit 106 described later. . In the present embodiment, duration setting section 102 sets the duration time in advance to the slave unit whose radio field intensity is to be confirmed, and transmits the response request signal to transmitter 101 so that only the slave unit whose radio field intensity is to be confirmed is ahead. Can be sent to the main unit.

  And the duration setting part 102 changes the one apparatus for every transmission interval which the transmission part 101 transmits a response request signal. Thereby, the receiving part 103 can receive a response signal in order by all the subunit | mobile_units.

  The receiving unit 103 receives a response signal from each of a plurality of devices. In the present embodiment, receiving section 103 receives response signals from the respective slave units such as TV 11, STB 12, notebook PC 13 and printer 14 shown in FIG. 1.

  The detection unit 104 has an RSSI circuit, for example, and detects the radio field intensity of the response signal received by the reception unit 103. In the present embodiment, detection section 104 detects the radio field intensity of the response signal from each of the slave units such as TV 11, STB 12, notebook PC 13, and printer 14 shown in FIG.

  The notification unit 105 notifies at least one of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions and one radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 105 notifies the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. More specifically, the notification unit 105 includes, on each of one or more positions, the bar display 16 that is a display in which the LEDs 161 illustrated in FIG. By notifying the lowest radio field intensity, the bar display 16 displays the length of the level corresponding to the notified radio field intensity. Thereby, the notification unit 105 can notify the user of the lowest radio field intensity. In the present embodiment, the bar display 16 is described as being separate from the wireless device 10 and connected to the wireless device 10.

  For example, the holding unit 106 holds the connection configuration diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 or the connected device list illustrated in FIG. 5 as a device list. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the product name is included for convenience of explanation of the present embodiment, but in many cases it is not actually displayed. The device name is displayed if the user or manufacturer has registered, and the MAC address of the slave unit (device) is always notified to the master unit (wireless device) and is displayed. Of course, the display contents shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are not limited to these items. In FIG. 5, a connection maintenance column is provided, and a slave unit that is expected to maintain the connection is registered as “◯”, and a terminal that is not expected to maintain the connection is registered as “X”.

  The device list shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be edited after being displayed on a setting PC connected to the wireless device 10 by wireless connection or wired (LAN, USB, RS-232C, etc.). Further, the wireless device 10 may have a display unit (not shown), and the device list may be edited after being displayed on the display unit.

[effect]
According to the wireless device 10 configured as described above, in the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment, the user can easily find the optimum placement position of the parent device for a plurality of child devices that are expected to maintain stable connection. Can do.

  In the IEEE802.11 standard, the wireless device 10 serving as a parent device transmits a response request signal (beacon signal) in 100 ms or less, and the child device (device) transmits a response signal. In the normal operation mode, the slave unit that has received the response request signal (beacon signal) immediately transmits (replies) the response signal. However, the wireless device 10 is the most out of the slave units that have transmitted the response signal. It communicates only with the slave unit that the response signal arrives early.

  On the other hand, in the arrangement position determination mode in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the device list of the slave device (device) is held (registered) in the holding unit, the wireless device 10 wants to check the radio wave intensity. A response request signal is transmitted by giving a duration time in advance to other than the slave unit. The slave unit to which the duration time is given cannot communicate with the wireless device 10 because the reply (transmission) is delayed by the duration time, but the slave unit to which the duration time is not given can communicate with the wireless device 10. In other words, the wireless device 10 can send a response request signal by giving a duration time in advance to the slave device other than the slave device whose radio field strength is to be confirmed, so that only the slave device whose radio field strength is desired can be returned to the wireless device 10. As a result, the slave unit that has received the response signal can be identified, so that the master unit can detect the radio field intensity of the response signal of the identified slave unit. In this way, the wireless device 10 can detect the radio field intensity after identifying all the slave units.

  In the present embodiment, the bar indicator 16 shown in FIG. 6 is used to display the length of the level corresponding to the smallest radio wave intensity (reception level) among the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. ) Is displayed. Thereby, the user can know the lowest radio wave strength (reception level) among the radio wave strengths of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the master unit. Among them, the position at which the highest reception level is displayed on the bar display 16 can be determined as the optimum arrangement position of the master unit.

  In this way, the user can know the radio wave environment of the slave unit at each position where the wireless device 10 has moved, so that the infrastructure is based on the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the plurality of slave units at each position. In the structure mode wireless communication environment, it is possible to easily find the optimal placement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) for a plurality of child devices that are expected to maintain stable connection.

  In addition, when there exists a subunit | mobile_unit (device) which mainly distributes an image | video, an electromagnetic wave intensity is needed rather than another subunit | mobile_unit (device). In that case, for example, priority may be set for each of the device lists shown in FIG. That is, priority may be set for each of the plurality of slave units (devices). In other words, the notification unit 105 has at least one radio field strength among radio field strengths from slave units (equipment) whose priority is equal to or higher than a threshold value among the radio field strengths detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. Thus, one radio wave intensity at each of one or more positions may be notified. As a result, the arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) in which the radio wave intensity of the high-priority slave unit (device) or the high-priority slave unit (device) group becomes advantageous (the radio wave intensity becomes larger) is determined. Can be easily found.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the case where the bar display 16 is used as a method for the user to know the radio wave environment of the child device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a method will be described in which the user knows the radio wave environment of the slave using the display device 26 such as a PC.

  The wireless device 10 according to the present embodiment differs from the wireless device 10 according to the first embodiment in a notification method of a notification unit 105A (not shown). That is, in the present embodiment, the notification unit 105A notifies the display device 26 of one or more of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. One of the radio field intensities at each position is displayed. Typically, the notification unit 105A notifies the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions.

  Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

[Configuration of display device]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the display device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of the display device according to the second embodiment.

  The display device 26 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a display unit 261 and a calculation unit 262.

  The display unit 261 is notified of the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths detected by the radio device 10 (detection unit 104) at each of one or more positions by the radio device 10 (notification unit 105A) of the present embodiment. The smallest radio field intensity is displayed among the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 261 displays the radio field intensity of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions (A to E in the figure) of the wireless device 10 that is the master unit. The lowest radio field strength is displayed.

  Note that the radio wave intensity detected by the wireless device 10 (detection unit 104) at each of one or more positions may be collectively notified by the display device 26 wireless device 10 (notification unit 105A). In that case, the calculation unit 262 calculates the smallest radio field intensity (A to E in the figure) among the radio field intensity detected by the wireless device 10 (detection unit 104) at each of one or more positions, and then displays the display unit 261. Can be displayed. Here, the calculation unit 262 may cause the display unit 261 to display the lowest radio wave intensity at a plurality of positions (for example, A to E) designated by the user among the batch notifications from the notification unit 105A. .

[effect]
As described above, the user can know the radio wave environment (lowest radio wave intensity) of the handset at a plurality of positions where the wireless device 10 has moved by using the display unit 261. Therefore, by comparing the radio wave environments of the slave units at the plurality of displayed positions, it is possible to easily find the optimum arrangement position of the master unit (wireless device 10) with respect to the plurality of slave units that are expected to maintain stable connection. be able to.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the user knows the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the master unit by using the display unit 261. Therefore, the position (position B in the figure) at which the highest radio field intensity is displayed among the plurality of positions can be determined as the optimum arrangement position of the parent device.

  In this way, since the user can know the radio wave environment of the slave unit at the plurality of positions where the wireless device 10 has moved, based on the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the plurality of slave units at each position, In the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment, it is possible to easily find the optimal placement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) for a plurality of child devices that are expected to maintain stable connection.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 261 included in the display device 26 different from the wireless device 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless device 10 may include the display unit 261. In that case, the wireless device 10 is provided with a button or the like so that the minimum radio wave level can be recorded in the slave unit at the position desired by the user, and the radio environment of the slave unit at the position where the button is pressed is set. It may be displayed on the display unit 261.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the method of notifying one of the radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the user is notified of all the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 for each of one or more positions.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of the display device according to the third embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 9, the time which transmitted the beacon signal is graphed in time series.

  In the present embodiment, the notification unit 105B (not shown) notifies the display device 26 of all the radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions, so that the display device 26 has one or more positions. Display all radio field strengths at.

  The display device 26 displays the radio wave environment of the slave unit based on the notified radio wave intensity. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the display device 26 displays, on the display unit 261, the radio field intensity of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the wireless device 10 that is the master unit. To do.

[effect]
As shown in FIG. 9, the user can know the radio wave environment (all radio wave strengths) of the slave unit at one or more positions where the wireless device 10 has moved by using the display unit 261. Therefore, the user confirms the smallest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of all the slave units at each of the one or more positions, and confirms the maximum value of the smallest radio field intensity over the one or more positions. It can be seen that the positions of the corresponding points A and B are the optimum arrangement positions of the master unit (wireless device 10) with respect to a plurality of slave units. Since the user causes the wireless device to receive these received intensities while moving the wireless device 10, it can be seen from the time series that the moving position is roughly.

  In this way, since the user can know the radio wave environment of the slave unit at the plurality of positions where the wireless device 10 has moved, based on the lowest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the plurality of slave units at each position, In the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment, it is possible to easily find the optimal placement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) for a plurality of child devices that are expected to maintain stable connection.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which a camera function is mounted on a wireless device will be described.

[Configuration of wireless device]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to the fourth embodiment.

  The wireless device 30 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a transmission unit 101, a duration setting unit 102, a reception unit 103, a detection unit 104, a notification unit 305, a holding unit 306, and a photographing unit 307.

  The wireless device 30 according to the present embodiment is different from the wireless device 10 according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the notification unit 305, and includes a holding unit 306 and an imaging unit 307.

  The holding unit 306 holds all the radio wave intensities detected by the detecting unit 104 at each of one or more positions.

  The imaging unit 307 captures an image related to each of the one or more positions at each of the one or more positions. The imaging unit 307 stores the captured image in the holding unit 306.

  Note that the imaging unit 307 is not limited to capturing images relating to each of one or more positions, and may capture images (moving images) over the course of movement of the wireless device 30.

  The notification unit 305 notifies all the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions and the radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions.

  More specifically, the notification unit 305 notifies the display device 26 of all the radio wave intensities held in the holding unit 306 and images related to each of the one or more positions photographed by the photographing unit 307. Thereby, the display device 26 can display the radio wave intensity at each of the one or more positions and an image relating to one of the one or more positions.

  Next, an example in which the display device 26 displays information notified by the wireless device 30 to notify the user will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of the display device according to the fourth embodiment.

  The display device 26 displays an image relating to the radio wave environment of the slave unit and one place (position) linked to the radio wave environment based on the notified radio wave intensity and the image.

  Here, for example, as the information for determining the arrangement position of the wireless device 30, the display device 26 sets the maximum value among the smallest radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. An image relating to the position corresponding to the indicated radio wave intensity is displayed. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the display unit 261 displays the radio field strengths of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the wireless device 30 that is the master unit in the screen area 308. At the same time, an image related to one of the one or more positions is displayed in the screen area 309.

  In addition, in the screen area 308 of FIG. 11, the time when the beacon signal is transmitted is graphed in time series as in the third embodiment. The user causes the wireless device to receive these received intensities while moving the wireless device 30.

  In this embodiment, a scroll bar 310 and a cursor button 311 associated with (linked to) one or more positions (horizontal axes) displayed in the screen area 308 are further displayed. When the cursor button 311 is moved to a point A corresponding to the maximum value of the smallest radio wave intensity at one or more positions, an image related to the point A is displayed in the screen area 309. As a result, the user knows where the arrangement position is located together with the optimum arrangement position (point A or point B in the figure) of the parent device (wireless device 30) for the plurality of child devices.

[effect]
As described above, the user can know the radio wave environment (all radio wave intensities) of the slave units over one or more positions where the wireless device 30 has moved as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can confirm the smallest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the slave units at each of the one or more positions, and can confirm the maximum value of the smallest radio field intensity over the one or more positions.

  Then, by positioning the cursor button 311 at the position of the scroll bar 310 corresponding to the confirmed maximum value, an image relating to the position corresponding to the maximum value is displayed in the screen area 309. The optimum arrangement position of the wireless device 10) is specifically known.

  As described above, by mounting the camera function on the wireless device 30, a stable connection is maintained in the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment based on the lowest field strength of the plurality of slave units at each position. It is possible to easily find the optimal arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) for the plurality of child devices that expect the above.

  Note that although the case where the display unit 261 included in the display device 26 different from the wireless device 30 is used has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless device 30 may include the display unit 261.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless device 30 is described as including the imaging unit 307, but the present invention is not limited thereto. If the wireless device 30 does not include the image capturing unit 307, for example, the wireless device 30 may be connected to a Web camera that can be connected via USB. If the wireless device 30 can capture images related to each of the one or more positions at one or more positions, The configuration does not matter.

(Embodiment 5)
In the fourth embodiment, the case where the camera function is mounted on the wireless device in order to present the optimal arrangement position of the wireless device to the user has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the fifth embodiment, an example of presenting a locus of movement of a wireless device in order to present the optimal arrangement position of the wireless device to a user will be described.

[Configuration of wireless device]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the sensor unit according to the fifth embodiment.

  12 includes a transmission unit 101, a duration setting unit 102, a reception unit 103, a detection unit 104, a notification unit 405, a holding unit 406, a sensor unit 408, and a position estimation unit 409. .

  The wireless device 40 according to the present embodiment is different from the wireless device 10 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the notification unit 405, and a holding unit 406, a sensor unit 408, and a position estimation unit 409 are added. ing.

  The holding unit 406 holds all the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the sensor unit 408 includes an acceleration sensor 4081 and a gyro sensor 4082. Here, the acceleration sensor 4081 is a triaxial acceleration sensor, and the gyro sensor 4082 is a triaxial gyro sensor.

  The position estimation unit 409 estimates each of one or more positions using an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. The position estimation unit 409 stores the estimated position (estimated position) in the holding unit 406.

  Note that the position estimation unit 409 may store the estimated position in the holding unit 406 while estimating all the positions during movement of the wireless device 40 as one or more positions.

  The notification unit 405 notifies all the radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions and the radio wave intensity at each of the one or more positions.

  More specifically, the notification unit 405 notifies the display device 26 of all the estimated positions of the one or more positions estimated by the position estimation unit 409 together with all the radio wave strengths held by the holding unit 406. . Thereby, the display device 26 can display the radio wave intensity at each of the one or more positions and the trajectory including the one or more positions (estimated positions).

  The trajectory can be calculated by integrating the notified estimated position.

  Next, an example in which the display device 26 displays information notified by the wireless device 40 to notify the user will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of the display device according to the fifth embodiment.

  The display device 26 displays the radio wave environment of the slave unit and the locus linked to the radio wave environment based on the notified radio wave intensity and the estimated position.

  Here, for example, as the information for determining the arrangement position of the wireless device 40, the display device 26 sets the maximum value among the smallest radio wave intensities detected by the detection unit 104 at each of one or more positions. Along with the indicated radio wave intensity, the position of the locus corresponding to the radio wave intensity indicating the maximum value is indicated. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the display unit 261 displays the radio field intensity of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the wireless device 40 that is the master unit in the screen area 308. At the same time, a trajectory image including one or more positions is displayed in the screen area 410.

  In the screen area 308 of FIG. 14, the time when the beacon signal is transmitted is graphed in time series as in the second and third embodiments. The user causes the wireless device to receive these received intensities while moving the wireless device 40.

  In the present embodiment, a scroll bar 411 and a cursor button 412 associated with (linked to) one or more positions (horizontal axes) displayed in the screen area 308 are further displayed. When the cursor button 412 is set to a point A corresponding to the maximum value of the smallest radio wave intensity at one or more positions, the position on the locus corresponding to the point A (corresponding position) is displayed in the screen area 410. As a result, the user can infer from the corresponding position in the trajectory where the placement position is located together with the optimum placement position (point A or point B in the figure) of the base unit (wireless device 30) for the plurality of handset units.

[effect]
As described above, the user can know the radio wave environment (all radio wave intensities) of the slave unit over one or more positions where the wireless device 40 has moved as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can confirm the smallest radio field strength among the radio field strengths of the slave units at each of the one or more positions, and can confirm the maximum value of the smallest radio field intensity over the one or more positions.

  Then, by aligning the cursor button 412 with the position of the scroll bar 411 corresponding to the confirmed local maximum value, the position on the trajectory corresponding to the local maximum value is displayed in the screen area 410. The optimum arrangement position of (wireless device 40) can be specifically understood.

  In this way, by installing the position estimation function in the wireless device 40, a stable connection can be established based on the lowest field strength of the plurality of slave units at each position in the infrastructure mode wireless communication environment. It is possible to easily find the optimal arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 40) for the plurality of child devices expected to be maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the display unit 261 included in the display device 26 different from the wireless device 40 is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless device 40 may include the display unit 261.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, one of the radio field intensities is notified of the radio field intensity at each of one or more positions. It is possible to easily find the optimal arrangement position of the parent device relative to the child device.

(Other embodiments)
The wireless device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  (1) In the second embodiment, the example in which the lowest radio wave intensity among the radio wave intensities at one or more positions is displayed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the weights of the slave units may be set in the device list of FIG. 5, that is, the priority levels of the slave units may be set. In this case, for example, in the radio wave intensity shown in FIG. 8, a display that makes it easier for the user to identify may be performed by giving a color, an emphasis line, or the like to the graph of the handset with high priority. Thereby, it is possible to easily find the arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) in which the radio field intensity of the child device (device) having a higher priority is higher.

  (2) In the third embodiment, the example in which the user is notified of all the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit 104 for each of one or more positions has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the radio field strength of the slave unit having a higher priority among the radio field strengths detected by the detection unit 104 may be displayed on the graph. Thereby, the user can easily find the arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) in which the radio field intensity of the child device (device) having a higher priority is higher. An example of this will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to another embodiment.

  For example, assume that the user has set STB 12 (ddddSTB) and notebook PC (eeee) in separate rooms shown in FIG. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, on the display unit 261, the responses of the two slave units having high priority among the radio field intensities at all the positions in one or more positions of the wireless device 10 serving as the master unit. The signal strength of the signal may be displayed. Further, the lowest radio field intensity over all positions in each of one or more positions of the wireless device 10 that is the master unit may be further indicated by a light gray line or the like. Thereby, it can be understood that the position of the point C or the point D is the optimum arrangement position of the parent device (wireless device 10) with respect to the child device (device) having a high priority. It should be noted that the points C and D are surrounded by a frame as a recommended arrangement so that the user can easily determine that the points C and D are the optimal arrangement positions of the parent device (wireless device 10). Or decoration may be applied to point D. In this way, the user can easily determine the optimum arrangement position of the parent device.

  (3) Also in the above-described fourth embodiment, only the radio field intensity of the slave with high priority may be displayed on the graph as in (2). FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to another embodiment. That is, as indicated by 308A in FIG. 16, the radio waves of the response signals of the two slave units having higher priority among the radio signal strengths of the response signals of all the slave units at each of one or more positions of the radio device 10 that is the master unit. The intensity may be displayed. In addition, a frame 312 and a frame 313 are displayed in the scroll bar 310 as recommended arrangements so that the user can easily determine that the points C and D are the optimum arrangement positions of the parent device (wireless device 10). May be. In this way, the user can easily determine the optimum arrangement position of the parent device.

  (4) Also in the fifth embodiment, only the radio field intensity of the slave with a high priority may be displayed on the graph as in (2). FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of a display device according to another embodiment. That is, as indicated by 308A in FIG. 17, the radio signals of the response signals of the two slave units having higher priority among the radio signal strengths of the response signals of all the slave units at one or more positions of the radio device 10 that is the master unit. The intensity may be displayed. Then, a frame 413 and a frame 413 are displayed in the scroll bar 411 as recommended arrangements so that the user can easily determine that the points C and D are the optimum arrangement positions of the parent device (wireless device 10). Also good. In this way, the user can easily determine the optimum arrangement position of the parent device.

  (5) In Embodiments 1 to 5, the case where the wireless device uses IEEE 802.11 (a / b / g / n) as the wireless communication standard has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . If other wireless standards have similar problems, the invention of the present application can be applied.

  (6) Further, each of the above units may be specifically configured as a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive, a display unit, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk drive. Each part achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  Further, some or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described units may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

  Furthermore, some or all of the constituent elements that constitute each of the above-described units may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and detached from each device or a single module. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

  Further, the present invention may be the method described above. Further, the present invention may be a computer program that realizes these methods by a computer, or may be a digital signal composed of the above computer program.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a non-transitory recording medium that can read the computer program or the digital signal, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD ( It may be recorded on a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory or the like. The digital signal may be recorded on these non-temporary recording media.

  In the present invention, the computer program or the digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.

  The present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores the computer program, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.

  Further, by recording the program or the digital signal on the non-temporary recording medium and transferring it, or transferring the program or the digital signal via the network or the like, It may be implemented by a computer system.

  Furthermore, the above embodiment and the above modification examples may be combined.

  The present invention can be used for a wireless device, and in particular, can be used for a wireless device such as an access point or a parent device that determines an arrangement position using IEEE 802.11.

1 Space 10, 30, 40 Wireless equipment 11 TV
12 STB
13 Notebook PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Printer 15 Portable terminal 16 Bar display device 26 Display apparatus 101 Transmission part 102 Duration setting part 103 Reception part 104 Detection part 105,305,405 Notification part 106,306,406 Holding part 261 Display part 262 Calculation part 307 Image | photographing part 308, 308A, 309, 410, 410A Screen area 310, 411 Scroll bar 311, 412 Cursor buttons 312, 313, 413, 414 Frame 408 Sensor unit 409 Position estimation unit 4081 Acceleration sensor 4082 Gyro sensor

Claims (12)

A wireless device that is moved to one or more positions to determine a placement position;
A transmitter for transmitting a response request signal to a plurality of devices registered as slave units of the wireless device at each of the one or more positions;
A receiving unit that receives response signals from each of the plurality of devices;
A detection unit for detecting the radio field intensity of the response signal received by the reception unit;
A notification unit that notifies at least one of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions and notifies one radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions.
Wireless equipment. The notification unit
Notifying the smallest radio field intensity among the radio field intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions,
The wireless device according to claim 1. The wireless device uses IEEE 802.11,
The transmission unit repeats transmitting the response request signal by setting a duration time to other devices other than one device among the plurality of devices, thereby transmitting the response request signal to the plurality of devices. To send,
The wireless device according to claim 1 or 2. The wireless device according to claim 3, wherein the response request signal is a beacon signal. Each of the plurality of devices is further set with a priority,
The notifying unit has at least one radio wave intensity among radio wave intensity from devices having the priority equal to or higher than a threshold value among the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions, Notify one radio field strength at each of the above positions,
The wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The notification unit is provided at each of the one or more positions.
By displaying the length of the level corresponding to the lowest radio wave intensity among the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit on the bar display which is an indicator in which LEDs are arranged in a row, the lowest radio wave intensity is displayed. To notify,
The wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The notification unit
The one radio field intensity at each of the one or more positions is displayed on the display by notifying the display of one of the radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions. Let
The wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The indicator is
Configured in the wireless device,
The wireless device according to claim 7. A holding unit that holds the radio wave intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions;
An imaging unit that captures an image related to each of the one or more positions at each of the one or more positions;
The notifying unit notifies the display device of the one or more images with respect to each of the one or more positions photographed by the photographing unit together with the radio wave intensity held in the holding unit. Displaying the radio field intensity at each position and an image relating to one of the one or more positions;
The wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The indicator is
As information for determining the arrangement position of the wireless device, an image relating to the position corresponding to the radio field intensity showing the maximum value among the minimum radio field intensities detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions. Display,
The wireless device according to claim 9. Furthermore, with an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor,
A position estimation unit that estimates each of the one or more positions using the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor;
A holding unit that holds the radio field intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions,
The notification unit notifies the display unit of the one or more positions by notifying the display unit of each of the one or more positions estimated by the position estimation unit together with the radio wave intensity held in the holding unit. Displaying the radio field intensity at each and the trajectory including the one or more positions,
The wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The indicator is
As information for deciding the arrangement position of the wireless device, the maximum value together with the radio field intensity indicating the maximum value among the minimum radio field intensity detected by the detection unit at each of the one or more positions. Indicates the position of the trajectory corresponding to the indicated radio field intensity,
The wireless device according to claim 11.

Images