JP2023106100A - Access point control system, access point and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an access point control system, an access point, and a program capable of improving the convenience of access points.SOLUTION: An access point control system 100 includes a reservation generation device 1 that generates reservation data including identification data of a wireless terminal 3, and multiple access points (APs) 2 located at different locations, and the AP2 includes a connection control unit that limits the number of connected wireless terminals other than a reserved wireless terminals in the AP2 to a predetermined number less than the maximum number of connected wireless terminals on the basis of the reservation data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an access point control system, an access point, and a program.

In Patent Document 1, during wireless communication by a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an access point using a wireless LAN communication method, when it is determined from the detection result of a detection unit that detects movement that the user is moving at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, A technique is disclosed for controlling a communication unit to reconnect to an access point for wireless communication.

JP 2019-62371 A

By the way, when a user with a wireless terminal moves into the communication area of an access point, it is difficult to connect to the access point because the access point is congested, or even if the user can connect to the access point, communication cannot be performed at a sufficient speed. Sometimes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to provide an access point control system, an access point, and a program capable of improving the convenience of access points. .

In order to solve the above problems, an access point control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reservation generation unit that generates reservation data including identification data of a wireless terminal; a connection control unit for limiting the number of connected wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal to a predetermined number less than the maximum number of connected wireless terminals. According to this, it is possible to improve the convenience of the access point.

In the above aspect, when the access point receives a connection request from a wireless terminal, the connection control unit determines whether or not the access point is the wireless terminal related to the reservation data. In some cases, connection to the access point may be allowed. According to this, it becomes possible to provide a connection to the access point to the wireless terminal related to the reservation.

The above aspect further comprises a transmission control unit that enables a stealth function of the ESSID of the access point, and the connection control unit responds to a connection request from the wireless terminal including the ESSID of the access point. may allow the wireless terminal to connect to. According to this, it is possible to suppress congestion of access points.

In the above aspect, the transmission control unit may change at least one of the ESSID and password of the access point when enabling the stealth function. According to this, it is possible to suppress congestion of access points.

In the above aspect, the transmission control unit may enable the stealth function of the ESSID of the access point according to the number of connected access points. According to this, it is possible to suppress congestion of access points.

In the above aspect, the plurality of access points are arranged at different positions, and the reservation generation unit acquires the location data of the wireless terminal, and based on the location data of the wireless terminal, selects one of the plurality of access points. may select an access point to transmit the reservation data from. This makes it possible to reserve an access point based on the location of the wireless terminal.

In the above aspect, the reservation generation unit may select the access point corresponding to the arrival position predicted from the position data of the wireless terminal that is sequentially acquired. According to this, it becomes possible to reserve an access point corresponding to the arrival position of the wireless terminal.

In the above aspect, the reservation generation unit further acquires route data representing a route along which the wireless terminal moves, and selects the access point corresponding to the arrival position predicted from the position data of the wireless terminal and the route data. may According to this, it becomes possible to reserve an access point corresponding to the arrival position of the wireless terminal.

In the above aspect, the reservation generator generates the reservation data further including time data representing a scheduled time for the wireless terminal to use the access point, and the connection controller controls the wireless terminal at the scheduled time. The number of connected wireless terminals other than the above may be limited to the predetermined number or less. According to this, it is possible to limit the scheduled time.

In the above aspect, the connection control unit may start limiting the number of connected devices before the scheduled time. According to this, it is possible to limit the number of connected devices in advance.

In the above aspect, the reservation generation unit may obtain the location data of the wireless terminal and determine the scheduled time based on the arrival time to the arrival location predicted from the location data of the wireless terminal. According to this, it becomes possible to reserve an access point according to the arrival time of the wireless terminal.

In the above aspect, the connection control unit may stop limiting the number of connected devices when no connection request is received from the wireless terminal at the scheduled time. According to this, when the wireless terminal related to the reservation does not appear, it becomes possible to release the connection to the access point to other wireless terminals.

In the above aspect, the plurality of access points are arranged at different positions, and the reservation generation unit obtains location data of the wireless terminal, and schedules the plurality of access points based on the location data of the wireless terminal. A plurality of the reservation data having different times may be generated. According to this, it becomes possible to sequentially use a plurality of access points according to the position of the wireless terminal.

In the above aspect, a plurality of the access points are arranged in the same area, the reservation generation unit acquires data representing the number of connected access points of the plurality of access points having overlapping wireless communication ranges, You may transmit the said reservation data to. According to this, it becomes possible to provide a connection to a more available access point.

Further, an access point according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a reservation acquisition unit that acquires reservation data including identification data of a wireless terminal; a connection control unit that limits the number of devices to a predetermined number that is less than the number of devices. According to this, it is possible to improve the convenience of the access point.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention obtains identification data of a wireless terminal, and causes an access point to limit the number of wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal to be connected to a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number of wireless terminals that can be connected. causing a computer to generate reservation data including identification data of the wireless terminal for the purpose. According to this, it is possible to improve the convenience of the access point.

In the above aspect, a plurality of the access points are arranged at different positions from each other, the location data of the wireless terminal is acquired, and the reservation is made from the plurality of the access points based on the location data of the wireless terminal. selecting an access point to transmit data to. This makes it possible to reserve an access point based on the location of the wireless terminal.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of an access point control system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an access point; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless terminal; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a reservation production|generation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of AP database. It is a figure which shows the operation example of a reservation production|generation apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating reservation data; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating reservation data; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating reservation data; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a MAC address list; It is a figure which shows the example of the content of a reservation list. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example of an access point; It is a figure for demonstrating a modification.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Access point control system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an access point control system 100 (hereinafter referred to as AP control system 100). The AP control system 100 includes a reservation generation device (reservation generation unit) 1 and a plurality of access points 2 (hereinafter referred to as APs 2) arranged at mutually different positions.

The reservation generation device 1 and AP 2 are connected to a network N including the Internet, a wired LAN, etc., and are capable of network communication with each other. The reservation generation device 1 is, for example, a computer such as a server computer.

AP2 is a wireless LAN access point that performs wireless communication using a wireless LAN communication method. AP 2 provides connectivity to network N for wireless terminal 3 .

The wireless terminal 3 can communicate with the AP 2 using a wireless LAN communication method. Also, the wireless terminal 3 can communicate with the reservation generation device 1 via the base station B using the communication method of mobile communication.

The wireless terminal 3 is, for example, a portable wireless terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer. The wireless terminal 3 is carried by the user U.

In this embodiment, the AP control system 100 is a system that provides public wireless LAN services, for example. AP2 is installed in, for example, a station, a bus stop, an airport, a tourist spot, a restaurant, a commercial facility, or the like. A user U of the wireless terminal 3 moves, for example, by train, bus, or on foot. When the wireless terminal 3 enters the communication area of AP2, wireless communication is performed between the wireless terminal 3 and AP2.

[access point]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of AP2. AP 2 includes control unit 20 , memory 21 , wireless communication unit 22 and wired communication unit 23 .

The control unit 20 is a computer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, an input/output interface, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 20 executes information processing according to a program loaded from the ROM or nonvolatile memory to the RAM. The program may be supplied via an information storage medium or via a communication network.

The wireless communication unit 22 performs wireless communication using a wireless LAN communication method. Wired communication unit 23 is connected to network N. FIG. The control unit 20 bridges the wireless terminal 3 connected to the wireless communication unit 22 and the network N connected to the wired communication unit 23 .

The control unit 20 includes a reservation acquisition unit 201 , a connection control unit 202 and a transmission control unit 203 . These functional units are realized by the CPU of the control unit 20 executing information processing according to programs. Details of these functional units will be described later.

Memory 21 comprises MAC address list 212 and reservation list 213 . The MAC address list 212 is a list in which MAC addresses of clients connected to AP2 are registered. Details of the MAC address list 212 and the reservation list 213 will be described later.

[Wireless terminal]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless terminal 3. As shown in FIG. The wireless terminal 3 includes a control section 30 , a wireless communication section 31 , a wireless communication section 32 , a GNSS receiver 33 and a touch panel 34 .

The control unit 30 is a computer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, an input/output interface, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 30 executes information processing according to a program loaded from the ROM or nonvolatile memory to the RAM. The program may be supplied via an information storage medium or via a communication network.

The wireless communication unit 31 performs wireless communication using a wireless LAN communication method. The radio communication unit 32 performs radio communication via the base station B according to the communication method of mobile communication.

The GNSS receiver 33 detects the position of the wireless terminal 3 based on radio waves received from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

The touch panel 34 is a display device with a touch sensor. Not limited to the touch panel 34, a display unit and an operation unit may be separately provided.

The control unit 30 transmits the identification data of the wireless terminal 3 to the reservation creation device 1 through the wireless communication unit 32 . Identification data is, for example, a MAC address.

The control unit 30 sequentially transmits the position data of the wireless terminal 3 to the reservation generation device 1 by using the wireless communication unit 32 . The control unit 30 may transmit route data representing a route along which the wireless terminal 3 moves to the reservation generating device 1 by using the wireless communication unit 32 .

The control unit 30 stores setting data such as the ESSID (service set identifier), MAC address, channel, encryption mode, and encryption key of each AP 2 in the memory, and when the wireless communication unit 31 connects to the AP 2, use.

[Reservation generation device]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the reservation generation device 1. As shown in FIG. A reservation generating device 1 is a device for reserving the use of AP2. The reservation generation device 1 includes a control section 10 .

The control unit 10 is a computer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, an input/output interface, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 10 executes information processing according to a program loaded from the ROM or nonvolatile memory to the RAM. The program may be supplied via an information storage medium or via a communication network.

The control unit 10 includes a data acquisition unit 11 , a position/time prediction unit 12 , an AP selection unit 13 , a time determination unit 14 and a reservation generation unit 15 . These functional units are realized by the CPU of the control unit 10 executing information processing according to programs.

Control unit 10 further includes AP database 19 . The AP database 19 is provided in the memory of the controller 10 . Various data of AP 2 are registered in the AP database 19 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of contents of the AP database 19. As shown in FIG. The AP database 19 includes fields such as "ID", "model", "position", "IP address", and "number of connected devices". Also, the AP database 19 may further include, for example, an "ESSID" field.

"ID" is the identifier of AP2. "Model" represents the model name or model number of the AP2. "Position" represents the position where AP2 is installed. The position is represented by, for example, latitude and longitude coordinates. The position is not limited to this, and may be represented by a character string representing the name of the place, such as a station name or facility name.

"IP address" represents an address for identifying AP2 on network N; The IP address is used when sending reservation data to AP2. “Number of connected clients” represents the number of clients connected to AP2. Data representing the number of connected devices is sequentially transmitted from AP2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example of the reservation generation device 1. As shown in FIG. The control unit 10 of the reservation generation device 1 executes the information processing shown in FIG. 14.

First, the control unit 10 acquires identification data and location data of the wireless terminal 3 (S11, processing as the data acquisition unit 11). Identification data is, for example, a MAC address. The control unit 10 sequentially acquires position data of the wireless terminal 3 . The control unit 10 may further acquire route data representing a route along which the wireless terminal 3 moves.

Next, the control unit 10 predicts the arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 based on the acquired position data (S12, processing as the position/time prediction unit 12). Furthermore, the control unit 10 also predicts the arrival time (arrival time) to the arrival position.

Specifically, the control unit 10 predicts the arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 from the position data of the wireless terminal 3 that are sequentially acquired. As shown in FIG. 7, when the position of the wireless terminal 3 is sequentially detected along the route traveled by the user U, the arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 is predicted on the extension of the route. Also, the arrival time to the arrival position is predicted from the position of the wireless terminal 3 and its change over time.

Also, the control unit 10 may predict the arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 from the position data and route data of the wireless terminal 3 . As shown in FIG. 8, for example, when route guidance is performed by a map application or a transfer guidance application in the wireless terminal 3, the arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 is predicted on the route being guided. Also, the arrival time to the arrival position is predicted from the position of the wireless terminal 3 and its change over time.

In addition, the position/time prediction unit 12 of the control unit 10 predicts a plurality of arrival positions with different arrival times. . As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of arrival positions are predicted on the predicted route predicted from the position of the wireless terminal 3. FIG. In other words, the predicted route of the wireless terminal 3 is the route connecting the plurality of arrival positions. When route guidance is being performed, a plurality of arrival positions are predicted on the route being guided.

Next, the control unit 10 selects the AP 2 that transmits the reservation data from among the plurality of APs 2 based on the predicted arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 (S13, processing as the AP selection unit 13). The control unit 10 selects the AP 2 corresponding to the predicted arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 by referring to the "positions" of the plurality of APs 2 registered in the AP database 19 (see FIG. 5).

Specifically, the control unit 10 selects the AP 2 whose communication area includes the predicted arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 . The communication area of AP2 is identified by the position and communication distance of AP2. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may select the AP 2 closest to the predicted reaching position of the wireless terminal 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the AP 2 corresponding to the predicted arrival position of the wireless terminal 3 is selected as the transmission destination of the reservation data. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of APs 2a to 2c corresponding to a plurality of predicted reaching positions of the wireless terminal 3 may be selected. That is, multiple APs 2a to 2c existing on the predicted route of the wireless terminal 3 may be selected.

Next, the control unit 10 determines the scheduled time for using the selected AP 2 based on the predicted arrival time of the wireless terminal 3 (S14, processing as the time determination unit 14). The scheduled time represents at least the start time to start using AP2. The scheduled time may further include not only the start time but also the end time or usage period.

The scheduled time may be the same as the predicted arrival time of the wireless terminal 3, or may be earlier than the arrival time (for example, several minutes before). By setting the scheduled time before the arrival time, it is possible to keep the AP 2 in a connectable state when the wireless terminal 3 arrives. It should be noted that this may be realized by advancing the timing of limiting the number of APs connected, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of APs 2a-2c are selected, a plurality of different scheduled times ta-tc are determined for the plurality of APs 2a-2c. That is, the plurality of scheduled times ta to tc are determined so that the wireless terminal 3 moving with the user U can use the plurality of APs 2a to 2c in order.

Next, the control unit 10 generates reservation data for reserving use of the selected AP 2, and transmits the generated reservation data to the selected AP 2 (S15, processing as the reservation generation unit 15). The reservation data includes identification data of the wireless terminal 3 . The reservation data further includes time data representing the scheduled time at which the wireless terminal 3 will use the AP2.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reservation data is transmitted to the AP 2 corresponding to the arrival position predicted from the position data of the wireless terminal 3. FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of APs 2a to 2c are selected, a plurality of reservation data including mutually different scheduled times ta to tc are transmitted to the selected plurality of APs 2a to 2c.

[Access point operation]
The operation of the AP 2 that has acquired reservation data from the reservation generation device 1 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2 above, the control unit 20 of the AP 2 includes a reservation acquisition unit 201 , a connection control unit 202 and a connection control unit 203 . Memory 21 comprises MAC address list 212 and reservation list 213 .

The reservation acquisition unit 201 acquires reservation data from the reservation generation device 1 and registers the acquired reservation data in the reservation list 213 . The connection control unit 202 controls the number of connected APs 2 based on the reservation data registered in the reservation list 213 .

The connection control unit 203 enables or disables the stealth function of the ESSID of AP2. The stealth function of ESSID is, for example, a function of stopping AP2's beacon, or hiding or encrypting ESSID and transmitting a beacon.

Note that the connection control unit 202 or the connection control unit 203 is not limited to the inside of the AP2, and may be provided outside the AP2, such as inside the reservation generation device 1, and control the AP2 via the network N.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contents of the MAC address list 212. As shown in FIG. MAC addresses of clients currently connected to AP2 are registered in the MAC address list 212 .

The MAC address list 212 can register N MAC addresses. N is the maximum number of connections. That is, AP2 can connect up to N clients.

When the number of AP2 connections reaches the maximum number N of connections, new clients cannot be connected. Also, when the number of AP2 connections approaches the maximum number N of connections, even if a new client can be connected, communication cannot be performed at a sufficient speed, and the user cannot comfortably use the AP2.

Therefore, when reservation data is registered in the reservation list 213, the connection control unit 202 limits the number of connected wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation to a predetermined number n or less. It enables the terminal 3 to communicate at a sufficient speed. Hereinafter, a wireless terminal other than the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation will be referred to as a "wireless terminal 3X".

The predetermined number n is not particularly limited and is determined as appropriate. The predetermined number n is N−1 at maximum, but is smaller than N−1 from the viewpoint of enabling communication at a sufficient speed to the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation and from the viewpoint of accepting multiple reservations. is preferred. For example, it is preferable that the number of vacant units (Nn) is about 10 to 20 units. Note that the maximum number of connected devices N may also be variable depending on the situation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of contents of the reservation list 213. As shown in FIG. The reservation data obtained from the reservation generation device 1 is registered in the reservation list 213 . The reservation list 213 includes fields such as "reservation ID", "MAC address", and "scheduled time".

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation example of AP2. The figure mainly shows the processing related to the control of the number of connected devices among the processing executed by the control unit 20 of the AP2. The control unit 20 of the AP 2 functions as the connection control unit 202 shown in FIG. 2 by executing the information processing shown in FIG. 2 according to the program.

First, the control unit 20 determines whether or not there is a connection request (S21). A connection request is a so-called association request. The connection request contains the ESSID of AP2. If there is a connection request (S21: YES), the control unit 20 determines whether reservation data is registered in the reservation list 213 (S22).

If the reservation data is registered in the reservation list 213 (S22: YES), the control unit 20 determines whether or not α minutes before the scheduled time included in the reservation data has passed (S23). α is an appropriately determined positive number.

If α minutes before the scheduled time has passed (S23: YES), the control unit 20 determines whether β minutes after the scheduled time included in the reservation data have passed (S24). β is an appropriately determined positive number.

If β minutes after the scheduled time has not passed (S24: NO), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the source of the connection request is the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation (S25). That is, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a connection request has been received from the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation.

The wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation is a wireless terminal whose reservation data is registered in the reservation list 213 . That is, it is a wireless terminal having the MAC address included in the reservation data. Whether or not the wireless terminal 3 is related to the reservation is determined by whether or not the MAC address included in the connection request matches the MAC address included in the reservation data.

When the connection request source is the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation, that is, when the connection request is received from the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation (S25: YES), the control unit 20 sends the wireless communication unit 22 to the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation. is permitted (S26).

After permitting the connection, the control unit 20 returns an association response to the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation, goes through an authentication process, and starts transmitting/receiving data frames. Also, the control unit 20 includes the MAC address of the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation in the MAC address list 212 .

On the other hand, if the connection request source is not the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation, that is, if the connection request is received from the wireless terminal 3X other than the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation (S25: NO), the control unit 20 sends the wireless terminal 3X to the wireless terminal 3X. The connection to the communication unit 22 is restricted (S27, S28).

Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the number of connected wireless communication units 22 is less than a predetermined number (S27). The number of connected wireless communication units 22 is the number of MAC addresses registered in the MAC address list 212 .

If the number of connected devices is less than the predetermined number (S27: YES), the control unit 20 permits the wireless terminal 3X to connect to the wireless communication unit 22 (S26).

On the other hand, if the number of connected devices is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S27: NO), the control unit 20 rejects the connection of the wireless terminal 3X (S28). As a result, the number of connected wireless terminals 3X other than the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation is limited to a predetermined number, which is less than the maximum number of connected wireless terminals.

According to this, after restricting the connection of the wireless terminals 3X other than the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation to suppress the congestion of the AP2, the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation is provided with the connection to the AP2. It is possible to improve the performance.

In the above procedure, if the reservation data is not registered in the reservation list 213 (S22: NO), the control unit 20 does not limit the connection and permits the connection to the wireless terminal 3X (S26).

Further, if the time has passed α minutes before the scheduled time (S23: YES), the control unit 20 starts limiting the number of connected devices (S27, S28). Thus, by starting to limit the number of connected terminals before the scheduled time, it is possible to keep the AP 2 in a connectable state when the wireless terminal 3 arrives.

If β minutes after the scheduled time has passed (S24: YES), the control unit 20 does not limit the connection and permits the wireless terminal 3X to connect (S26). In this way, if no connection request is received from the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation at the scheduled time, it is preferable to stop limiting the number of connected terminals.

As described above, the processing related to the control of the number of connected devices by the control unit 20 of the AP 2 ends.

Note that even when the stealth function of AP2 is enabled, connection to AP2 is possible because the ESSID of AP2 is included in the connection request from the wireless terminal 3 related to the reservation.

The control unit 20 of AP2 can reduce the load on AP2 by enabling the stealth function of ESSID (processing as connection control unit 203). For example, when a train arrives at a station, the wireless terminals of the passengers all at once automatically confirm the connection with the AP2 installed at the station. It is necessary to allocate resources to reject connection confirmation from unauthorized wireless terminals, but enabling the stealth function of AP2 makes it possible to reduce such a load.

Also, the control unit 20 of AP2 can adaptively reduce the load by enabling the stealth function of ESSID according to the number of connected AP2s. That is, when the number of connected AP2s approaches a predetermined number, by enabling the ESSID stealth function, it is possible to reduce the load on AP2 and maintain the number of connected AP2s below the predetermined number. .

Furthermore, the control unit 20 of AP2 may change at least one of the ESSID and password of AP2 when enabling the ESSID stealth function (processing by the connection control unit 203). Even if the stealth function is enabled, clients that have stored their ESSID and password in advance can continue to attempt connection, but changing at least one of the ESSID and password will further reduce the load. .

Specifically, in the mode where the password is changed, a client that has stored the ESSID in advance can continue to attempt connection, so AP2 will use resources to block the client (in this case, the password is different). authentication fails), and it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of connected devices after the change.

On the other hand, in the aspect of changing the ESSID, AP2 can save more resources because the client will not be able to attempt a connection. However, if the ESSID is changed, it is necessary to reconnect with the already connected client, so it is preferable to separately notify the already connected client of the new ESSID before changing the ESSID.

[Modification]
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modification. The figure shows an example in which a plurality of APs 2a to 2c are arranged in the same area. These APs 2a to 2c use different channels to enable overlapping wireless communication ranges.

These APs 2a to 2c transmit data indicating the number of connected devices to the reservation generating device 1. FIG. The data representing the number of connected devices may be the number of connected devices themselves, or the number of available devices (maximum number of connected devices - number of connected devices). When receiving the data representing the number of connected devices, the reservation generation device 1 registers the data in the AP database 19 (see FIG. 5).

When there are a plurality of APs 2a to 2c corresponding to the reachable position of the wireless terminal 3, the reservation generation device 1 refers to the AP database 19 and selects the AP 2 with the largest number of available terminals as the transmission destination of the reservation data. This makes it possible to further improve convenience.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art.

In the above embodiment, the reservation generation device 1 is an independent device, but the functions of the reservation generation device 1 may be implemented in the wireless terminal 3 without being limited to this. That is, a program for realizing the functions of the reservation generation device 1 may be executed in the wireless terminal 3 .

Also, the function of the reservation generation device 1 may be implemented in any one of the plurality of APs 2 .

In the above embodiment, the AP 2, which is the transmission destination of the reservation data, is selected based on the location data of the wireless terminal 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. AP2 may be selected, or the scheduled time to be used may be determined.

1 reservation generation device 2 access point 3 wireless terminal 20 control unit 201 reservation acquisition unit 202 connection control unit 203 transmission control unit 21 memory 212 MAC address list 213 reservation list 22 wireless communication unit 23 Wired communication unit 30 control unit 31 wireless communication unit 32 wireless communication unit 33 GNSS receiver 34 touch panel 11 data acquisition unit 12 position/time prediction unit 13 AP selection unit 14 time determination unit 15 reservation generation unit 19 AP database 100 access point control system N network B base station

Claims (17)

a reservation generator that generates reservation data including wireless terminal identification data;
a connection control unit that limits the number of connected wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal at the access point to a predetermined number less than the maximum number of connected wireless terminals based on the reservation data;
an access point control system. The connection control unit
determining whether or not the access point is the wireless terminal related to the reservation data when the access point receives a connection request from the wireless terminal;
permitting connection to the access point if the wireless terminal pertaining to the reservation data;
The access point control system according to claim 1. further comprising a transmission control unit that enables a stealth function of the ESSID of the access point;
The connection control unit permits connection of the wireless terminal to the access point in response to a connection request from the wireless terminal including the ESSID of the access point.
3. The access point control system according to claim 1 or 2. The transmission control unit enables the stealth function of the ESSID of the access point according to the number of connected access points.
The access point control system according to claim 3. wherein the transmission control unit changes at least one of the ESSID and password of the access point when enabling the stealth function;
The access point control system according to claim 4. The plurality of access points are arranged at different positions,
The reservation generation unit acquires location data of the wireless terminal, and selects an access point to transmit the reservation data from among the plurality of access points based on the location data of the wireless terminal.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The reservation generation unit selects the access point corresponding to the arrival position predicted from the location data of the wireless terminal sequentially acquired.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The reservation generation unit further acquires route data representing a route along which the wireless terminal moves, and selects the access point corresponding to the arrival position predicted from the position data of the wireless terminal and the route data.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The reservation generation unit generates the reservation data further including time data representing a scheduled time for the wireless terminal to use the access point,
The connection control unit limits the number of connected wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal to the predetermined number or less at the scheduled time.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The connection control unit starts limiting the number of connected devices before the scheduled time.
The access point control system according to claim 9. The reservation generation unit acquires the location data of the wireless terminal and determines the scheduled time based on the arrival time to the arrival location predicted from the location data of the wireless terminal.
The access point control system according to claim 9 or 10. When the connection control unit does not receive a connection request from the wireless terminal at the scheduled time, the connection control unit stops limiting the number of connected wireless terminals.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 9-11. The plurality of access points are arranged at different positions,
The reservation generation unit obtains location data of the wireless terminal, and generates a plurality of reservation data with different scheduled times for the plurality of access points based on the location data of the wireless terminal.
The access point control system according to any one of claims 9-12. The reservation generation unit acquires data representing the number of connected access points with overlapping wireless communication ranges, and transmits the reservation data to an access point with a larger number of free access points.
14. The access point control system according to any one of claims 1-13. a reservation acquisition unit that acquires reservation data including identification data of a wireless terminal;
a connection control unit that limits the number of connected wireless terminals other than the wireless terminal to a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number of connected wireless terminals, based on the reservation data;
access point. obtaining wireless terminal identification data; and
Generating reservation data including identification data of the wireless terminal for causing the access point to limit the number of wireless terminals to be connected other than the wireless terminal to a predetermined number less than the maximum number of wireless terminals to be connected;
A program that causes a computer to run The plurality of access points are arranged at different positions,
obtaining location data for the wireless terminal; and
selecting an access point to transmit the reservation data from among the plurality of access points based on the location data of the wireless terminal;
further causes the computer to execute
17. A program according to claim 16.

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