JP4830486B2 - Wireless LAN system and wireless LAN terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless LAN terminal that performs wireless communication based on a wireless LAN standard and a wireless LAN system including the wireless LAN terminal.

  Conventionally, wireless LAN systems that perform communication based on standards such as IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11b are known. A wireless LAN terminal in a wireless LAN system belongs to a relay station called an access point, and communicates with other communication devices via the access point. In addition, when a plurality of access points are provided in different places, the wireless LAN terminal performs a handover to switch the communication through one access point to the communication through the other access point as it moves. It is possible to continue moving while changing the access point of the route.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing high-speed handover performed by a wireless LAN terminal and a corresponding access point in a wireless LAN system that realizes handover as described above.

JP 2004-48250 A

  By the way, in a wireless LAN system, when a plurality of wireless LAN terminals communicate via one access point, if the number of wireless LAN terminals communicating via one access point increases, each wireless LAN terminal The communication bandwidth used may be reduced. Such a situation is particularly problematic for voice communications such as VoIP and communications that require relatively real-time properties such as streaming delivery of video and the like, where voice and video are interrupted.

  On the other hand, when the wireless LAN terminal belonging to the access point starts communication at the access point, the communication of the wireless LAN terminal according to the communication load currently generated by the wireless LAN terminal communicating with the access point. It is also conceivable to maintain the communication band of the wireless LAN terminal currently communicating at a certain value or higher by permitting or rejecting the start of.

  However, when a wireless LAN terminal starts communication, there is a margin in the communication load of the access point to which it belongs, and even if communication can be started via the access point, there is a margin in the communication load of other access points. If there is not, audio and video are interrupted at the stage of handover to the other access point. Furthermore, when the access point is performing a process of rejecting a handover from another access point according to the communication load currently generated by the wireless LAN terminal that is communicating with itself, the wireless LAN terminal Will be disconnected without being handed over.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to allow wireless LAN terminal communication to be continued while maintaining high communication quality in wireless LAN terminal communication currently being performed. Is to make it.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the wireless LAN terminal of the present invention determines whether or not the communication load is less than a predetermined value to the access points around the access point to which it belongs through the access point to which it belongs. When a load status including that the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is received via the belonging access point, this is notified to the user.

For example, a first aspect of the present invention is a wireless LAN system including a plurality of access points and a plurality of wireless LAN terminals,
Each of the plurality of wireless LAN terminals is
Channel search means for detecting peripheral access points by performing channel search; and
A terminal side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing by wireless communication with the access point detected by the channel search means;
When one or more access points other than the belonging access point are detected by the channel search means, a load indicating whether or not the communication load of each of the other access points is less than a predetermined value A load status request means for transmitting a load status request for requesting status to the other access point via the belonging access point by wireless communication;
When a load status response indicating the load status of the other access point is received by wireless communication from each of the other access points via the belonging access point , at least one of the load status responses, If a load situation indicating that the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is stored, the terminal side notification means for notifying the user of the own wireless LAN terminal,
Each access point
AP side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal;
A communication load calculating means for calculating a communication load of the own access point based on wireless communication by the wireless LAN terminal currently belonging to the own access point;
When the load status request to another access point by the wireless LAN terminal belonging to the own access point is received by wireless communication, the load status request is transferred to the corresponding other access point by wired communication. Load status request transfer means;
When the load status request is received from another access point by wired communication, it is determined whether the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is less than a predetermined value, and a load status response including the determination result A load status response means for transmitting by wire communication to the access point that has transmitted the load status request,
A wireless LAN system comprising: an AP-side notification unit that transmits the load status response received from another access point by wired communication to the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the corresponding load status request by wireless communication I will provide a.

In addition, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an AP-side attribution processing unit that performs attribution processing with a wireless LAN terminal;
A communication load calculating means for calculating a communication load of the own access point based on wireless communication by the wireless LAN terminal currently belonging to the own access point;
When a load status request for requesting a load status indicating whether the communication load of another access point is less than a predetermined value is received by wireless communication, the load status request is transmitted to the corresponding other access point. Load status request transfer means for transferring by wired communication;
When the load status request is received from another access point by wired communication, it is determined whether the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is less than a predetermined value, and a load status response including the determination result A load status response means for transmitting by wire communication to the access point that has transmitted the load status request,
A wireless LAN system including an access point having an AP-side notification unit that transmits the load status response received from another access point by wired communication to the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the corresponding load status request by wireless communication A wireless LAN terminal used,
Channel search means for detecting peripheral access points by performing channel search; and
A terminal side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing by wireless communication with the access point detected by the channel search means;
When one or more other access points other than the belonging access point are detected by the channel search means, the load status request is sent to each of the other access points via the belonging access point, Load status request means for transmitting by wireless communication;
When a load status response indicating the load status of the other access point is received by wireless communication from each of the other access points via the belonging access point , at least one of the load status responses, If a load status indicating that the current communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is stored, terminal-side notification means for notifying the user of the own wireless LAN terminal to that effect A wireless LAN terminal is provided.

  According to the wireless LAN system of the present invention, it is possible to continue the communication of the wireless LAN terminal while maintaining high communication quality in the currently performed communication of the wireless LAN terminal.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration of a wireless LAN system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless LAN system 10 includes a plurality of wireless LAN terminals 20 and a plurality of access points 30. Communication areas 13-1 and 13-2 indicate ranges where radio waves transmitted from access points 30-1 and 30-2 reach with quality that can decode the identification information.

  For example, the wireless LAN terminal 20 belongs to the access point 30 having the best received signal quality. The received signal quality is, for example, received electric field strength, SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio), BER (Bit Error Rate) or the like. The wireless LAN terminal 20 performs wireless communication based on a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11b with the access point 30 to which the wireless LAN terminal 20 belongs. It communicates with other wireless LAN terminals 20 belonging to, other wireless LAN terminals 20 belonging to other access points 30, communication devices 12 connected to the wired network 11, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, each wireless LAN terminal 20 is a voice communication terminal that transmits and receives voice data. As another example, the wireless LAN terminal 20 may be a data communication terminal that handles data other than voice data.

  The access point 30 is connected to the wired network 11, performs wireless communication with each wireless LAN terminal 20, and communicates with other communication devices 12 connected to the wired network 11 via the wired network 11, for example. Wired communication is performed based on a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The access point 30 manages its communication load based on the communication performed by the wireless LAN terminal 20 to which it belongs. Then, the access point 30 rejects the new wireless LAN terminal 20 when the communication load of the access point 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As a result, the access point 30 can maintain the communication band allocated to each of the belonging wireless LAN terminals 20 at a certain value or higher, and can improve the quality of communication performed by each of the belonging wireless LAN terminals 20. Can keep.

  By the way, the wireless LAN terminal 20 has a function of continuing communication while moving by performing handover between a plurality of access points 30. However, if the communication load of the access point 30 that is the handover destination is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the wireless LAN terminal 20 cannot belong to the access point even if the handover is performed, and as a result, the handover fails. Communication will be cut off.

  In order to prevent this, in the present invention, identification information is discriminated from access points 30-2 other than the access point 30-1 currently belonging to, such as the wireless LAN terminal 20-2 shown in FIG. The wireless LAN terminal 20 receiving radio waves of a quality higher than possible inquires the other access point 30-2 about the current communication load via the belonging access point 30-1. Then, the wireless LAN terminal 20 acquires the current communication load status of the other access point 30-2 via the access point 30-1 to which it belongs, and the communication load of the other access point 30 is determined in advance. If the value is greater than or equal to the given value, the user is notified accordingly. As a result, when the user of the wireless LAN terminal 20 moves from the current location, the user can know that the handover is likely to fail and the communication is likely to be disconnected, and the communication is reliably continued by refraining from moving. Can be made.

  Further, if the wireless LAN terminal 20 is belonging, the wireless LAN terminal 20 inquires the peripheral access point 30 about the current communication load at a predetermined timing regardless of whether or not the communication is in progress. When the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the wireless LAN terminal 20 notifies the user to that effect. As a result, the user of the wireless LAN terminal 20 can maintain communication by refraining from movement during communication, and to a place where communication can be started while moving when communication is not in progress. Communication can be started after moving in advance. Thereby, the wireless LAN system 10 of the present invention can provide a more convenient communication environment.

  Hereinafter, a specific functional configuration for realizing the above functions will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a detailed functional configuration of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the first embodiment. The wireless LAN terminal 20 includes a channel search unit 200, an attribution processing unit 201, a load status request unit 202, a notification unit 203, and a wireless communication unit 204.

  The wireless communication unit 204 performs wireless communication with the access point 30 based on the wireless LAN. The channel search unit 200, the attribution processing unit 201, the load status request unit 202, and the notification unit 203 perform wireless communication with the access point 30 via the wireless communication unit 204.

  The channel search unit 200 detects a radio wave transmitted from the access point 30 around the wireless LAN terminal 20 by performing a channel search. When the channel search unit 200 detects an access point 30 that transmits radio waves of a quality that can decode the identification information, the channel search unit 200 uses the received signal quality, the detected channel, and the channel. The identification information of the access point 30 is notified to the attribution processing unit 201 and the load status request unit 202.

  The attribution processing unit 201 transmits an attribution request to the access point 30 using any one of the channels based on the channel notified from the channel search unit 200, thereby performing attribution processing with the access point 30. Execute. In this case, the attribution processing unit 201 transmits, for example, an attribution request to the access point 30 that is transmitting a radio wave with the best received signal quality.

  Then, when the attribution permission is received from the access point 30 that transmitted the attribution request, the attribution processing unit 201 completes the attribution processing to the access point 30, and the identification information of the belonging access point 30 or the access point 30. The load status requesting unit 202 is notified of the channel used by. Thereafter, the attribution processing unit 201 attempts to belong to the access point 30 with better received signal quality based on the channel notified from the channel search unit 200 at a predetermined timing, thereby moving the own wireless LAN terminal 20. Accordingly, the access point 30 to which the user belongs is switched.

  In addition, when an attribution refusal is received from the access point 30 that transmitted the attribution request, the attribution processing unit 201 transmits the attribution request to the access point 30 that is next transmitting a radio wave with good reception signal quality, for example, Attempt to belong to another access point 30.

  Whether the load status requesting unit 202 includes identification information of an access point 30 other than the belonging access point 30 in the identification information notified from the channel search unit 200 at a predetermined timing. Determine whether. Then, when the identification information notified from the channel search unit 200 includes the identification information of another access point 30, the load status request unit 202 determines the communication load of the other access point 30 in advance. A load status request for requesting a load status indicating whether or not the value is less than a predetermined value is transmitted to the belonging access point 30 together with the identification information of the other access point 30.

  The notification unit 203 receives a load status response indicating the load status of the other access point 30 from the other access point 30 that has transmitted the load status request via the access point 30 that belongs. Then, the notification unit 203 belongs to the user of the own wireless LAN terminal 20 when the received load status response stores a load status indicating that the current communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is notified that there is an access point 30 that is likely to fail in handover around the access point 30 in the middle.

  The notification unit 203 fails when a handover is made to the user of the own wireless LAN terminal 20 by, for example, displaying a notification on the display unit, turning on or blinking a specific LED for notification, or generating vibration using a vibrator or the like. You may notify that the possible access point 30 exists in the periphery of the access point 30 to which it belongs. Further, the notification unit 203 may output the notification sound superimposed on the sound from the speaker during the voice communication.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a detailed functional configuration of the access point 30 in the first embodiment. The access point 30 includes a wired communication unit 300, a wireless communication unit 301, an attribution processing unit 302, a load status request transfer unit 303, a load status notification unit 304, a load status response unit 305, a communication load calculation unit 306, and reserved terminal information storage. Part 307 is provided.

  The wireless communication unit 301 performs wireless communication based on the wireless LAN with the wireless LAN terminal 20, sends communication data received from the wireless LAN terminal 20 to the wired communication unit 300, and wirelessly communicates communication data received from the wired communication unit 300. To the wireless LAN terminal 20. The wired communication unit 300, the attribution processing unit 302, the load status request transfer unit 303, and the load status notification unit 304 perform transmission / reception of communication data with the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 301. The wired communication unit 300 performs wired communication with other communication devices 12 and the like via the wired network 11 based on, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The load status request transfer unit 303 sends a load status request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 belonging to the own access point 30 through the radio communication unit 301 together with the identification information of the access point 30 that is the destination of the load status request. Receive. Then, the load status request transfer unit 303 transfers the received load status request to the corresponding access point 30 through the wired communication unit 300 together with the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the load status request.

  The reserved terminal information storage unit 307 stores the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has notified the load status response including that the communication load of the own access point 30 is less than a predetermined value in association with the notified time. To do. Then, the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 deletes the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has passed a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes).

  The communication load calculation unit 306 identifies the terminal load generated in the own access point 30 by the wireless LAN terminal 20 currently performing radio communication via the own access point 30 and the identification stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. The communication load is calculated based on the reservation load generated in the own access point 30 when the wireless LAN terminal 20 corresponding to the information performs wireless communication via the own access point 30.

  In the present embodiment, the communication load calculation unit 306 calculates the number of wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging to the own access point 30 as the terminal load, and also stores the wireless LAN terminals stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. The number of 20 pieces of identification information is calculated as a reservation load. Then, the communication load calculation unit 306 simply calculates a value obtained by summing the terminal load and the reservation load as the communication load.

  As another example, the communication load calculation unit 306 calculates the amount of data per unit time currently being transmitted / received to / from the belonging wireless LAN terminal 20 as the terminal load, and stores it in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. A value obtained by multiplying the number of pieces of identification information stored by a data amount per unit time predetermined per wireless LAN terminal 20 may be calculated as a reservation load.

  When the load status response unit 305 receives the load status request and the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 from the other access point 30 via the wired communication unit 300, the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is stored in advance. It is determined whether or not the value is less than a predetermined value (for example, 6 units). When the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the load status response unit 305 receives the load status response including the load status request together with the load status request and the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 At the same time, the response is made to another access point 30.

  On the other hand, when the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value, the load status response unit 305 receives the load status response including that fact together with the load status request of the wireless LAN terminal 20. It returns to other access point 30 with identification information. Then, the load status response unit 305 sends the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 returned together with the load status response including that the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value. The reservation terminal information storage unit 307 stores the response in association with the time when the response is returned.

  When the load status notification unit 304 receives the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 from the other access point 30 together with the load status response via the wired communication unit 300, the load status notification unit 304 receives the received identification information to the wireless LAN terminal 20 corresponding to the received identification information. The received load status response is transmitted via the wireless communication unit 301.

  When the attribution processing unit 302 receives an attribution request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 301, the attribution processing unit 302 refers to the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 to identify the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request. It is determined whether or not the information is stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. When the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request is stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the wireless communication unit to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request. In addition to transmitting the attribution permission via 301, the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution permission is deleted from the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. In addition, the attribution process at this time can omit the authentication and the like that have been processed at the time of reservation, and can realize a quick handover.

  On the other hand, when the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request is not stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307, the attribution processing unit 302 determines the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 in advance. It is determined whether it is less than the given value. When the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the attribution request to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request without executing the attribution process. An attribution rejection is transmitted via 301.

  On the other hand, when the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value, the attribution processing unit 302 executes attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution processing. When the attribution processing unit 302 permits the attribution in accordance with the attribution process, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the attribution permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request via the wireless communication unit 301 and the currently belonging wireless unit. The communication load calculation unit 306 is instructed to increase the number of LAN terminals 20 by one.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the first embodiment. For example, the wireless LAN terminal 20 starts the operation shown in this flowchart at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on.

  First, the channel search unit 200 detects a radio wave transmitted from the access point 30 around the wireless LAN terminal 20 by performing a channel search (S100). Then, the channel search unit 200 determines whether or not an access point 30 having a received signal quality equal to or higher than a predetermined value is detected (S101). When the access point 30 with the received signal quality of the predetermined value or higher is not detected (S101: No), the channel search unit 200 executes Step 100 again.

  When the access point 30 having a received signal quality of a predetermined value or higher is detected (S101: Yes), the channel search unit 200 detects the detected channel, received signal quality, identification information of the access point 30 using the channel, and the like. Is notified to the attribution processing unit 201. For example, the attribution processing unit 201 performs attribution processing with the access point 30 by transmitting an attribution request to the access point 30 with the best received signal quality (S102).

  Next, the attribution processing unit 201 determines whether or not the attribution is successful (S103). If the attribution is not successful (S103: No), the channel search unit 200 executes the process shown in step 100 again. When the attribution succeeds (S103: Yes), the load status request unit 202 determines whether it is the transmission timing of the load status request (S104). The load status request unit 202 transmits a load status request to the access point 30 every minute, for example.

  When it is not the transmission timing of the load status request (S104: No), the attribution processing unit 201 determines whether or not to change the belonging access point 30 based on the received signal quality notified from the channel search unit 200. (S105). When the attribution destination is not changed (S105: No), the load status request unit 202 executes the process shown in step 104 again. When changing the attribution destination (S105: Yes), the attribution processing unit 201 transmits an attribution cancellation request to the access point 30, thereby executing an attribution cancellation process with the access point 30 currently belonging (S106). ) The process shown in step 102 is executed again.

  When it is the transmission timing of the load status request (S104: Yes), the load status request unit 202 causes the channel search unit 200 to perform a channel search (S107), and the signal quality is a predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging to. It is determined whether or not the above access point 30 exists (S108). When there is no access point 30 with a signal quality equal to or higher than the predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging (S108: No), the load status request unit 202 executes the process shown in step 104 again.

  When there is an access point 30 with a signal quality equal to or higher than a predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging (S108: Yes), the load status request unit 202 transmits a load status request to the access point 30 (S109). The notification unit 203 is notified that the load status is requested. In Step 109, when there are a plurality of access points 30 with signal quality equal to or higher than a predetermined value other than the currently belonging access point 30, the load status request unit 202 sends a load status request to each of the plurality of access points 30. Send.

  Next, the notification unit 203 determines whether a load status response has been received (S110). When the load status response is not received (S110: No), the notification unit 203 repeats Step 110 until the load status response is received. When the load status response is received (S110: Yes), the notification unit 203 determines whether or not the fact that the communication load indicates less than a predetermined value is stored in the received load status response (S111). ).

  When it is stored that the communication load indicates less than a predetermined value (S111: Yes), the load status request unit 202 executes the process shown in step 104 again. When it is stored that the communication load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S111: No), the notification unit 203 notifies the user that there is an access point 30 with no communication load margin in the vicinity ( (S112), the load status request unit 202 executes the process shown in step 104 again.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the access point 30 in the first embodiment. For example, the access point 30 starts the operation shown in this flowchart at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on.

  First, the attribution processing unit 302 determines whether an attribution request has been received from the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 301 (S200). When the attribution request is received (S200: Yes), the attribution processing unit 302 refers to the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 and determines whether or not the communication load is less than a predetermined value ( S201). When the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S201: No), the attribution processing unit 302 transmits attribution rejection to the wireless LAN terminal 20 (S206), and executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  When the communication load is less than a predetermined value (S201: Yes), the attribution processing unit 302 executes attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request (S202), and permits attribution. It is determined whether or not (S203). When the attribution is rejected (S203: No), the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 206. When the attribution is permitted (S203: Yes), the attribution processing unit 302 instructs the communication load calculating unit 306 to increase the number of wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging by 1 to update the communication load (S204). . Then, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the attribution permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request (S205), and executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  If no attribution request has been received in step 200 (S200: No), the load status request transfer unit 303 obtains the load status request and identification information of the destination access point 30 in the load status via the wireless communication unit 301. It is determined whether or not it has been received (S207). When a load status request or the like is received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S207: Yes), the load status request transfer unit 303 transmits the received load status request to the access point corresponding to the identification information received together with the load status request. Then, the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  When the load status request or the like has not been received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S207: No), the load status response unit 305 transmits the load status request and the load status request via the wired communication unit 300. It is determined whether or not the identification information of the terminal 20 has been received (S209). When a load status request or the like is received via the wired communication unit 300 (S209: Yes), the load status response unit 305 refers to the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306, and the communication load is determined in advance. It is determined whether it is less than the specified value (S210).

  When the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S210: No), the load status response unit 305 transmits a load status response including the fact that the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a wireless that has transmitted the load status request. It returns with the identification information of the LAN terminal 20 to the other access point 30 via the wired communication unit 300 (S213), and the attribution processing unit 302 executes the processing shown in step 200 again.

  When the communication load is less than a predetermined value (S210: Yes), the load status response unit 305 sends a load status response including that the communication load is less than a predetermined value to the wireless that has transmitted the load status request. It returns with the identification information of the LAN terminal 20 to the other access point 30 via the wired communication part 300 (S211). Then, the load status response unit 305 stores the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that is the transmission destination of the load status response in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 in association with the time when the load status response is transmitted (S212). The attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  In step 209, when the load status request or the like has not been received via the wired communication unit 300 (S209: No), the load status notification unit 304 transmits the load status response and the load status response via the wired communication unit 300. It is determined whether or not the identification information of the destination wireless LAN terminal 20 has been received (S214). When a load status response or the like is received (S214: Yes), the load status notification unit 304 sends the received load status response to the wireless LAN terminal 20 corresponding to the identification information received together with the load status response. (S215), the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  When a load status response or the like has not been received via the wired communication unit 300 (S214: No), the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 displays the time information stored in association with the identification information and the built-in clock. With reference to this, it is determined whether there is identification information for which a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes) has passed (S216). If there is identification information for which the predetermined period has passed (S216: Yes), the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 deletes the corresponding identification information (S217), and the attribution processing unit 302 performs the process shown in step 200 again. Execute.

  When there is no identification information for which the predetermined period has elapsed (S216: No), the attribution processing unit 302 determines whether or not an attribution cancellation request has been received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S218). When the attribution cancellation request has not been received (S218: No), the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again. When the attribution cancellation request is received (S218: Yes), the attribution processing unit 302 executes attribution cancellation processing with the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution cancellation request (S219), and the wireless LAN currently belonging to By instructing the communication load calculation unit 306 to reduce the number of terminals 20 by 1, the communication load is updated (S220), and the process shown in step 200 is executed again.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the wireless LAN system 10 in the first embodiment. In this sequence diagram, the wireless LAN terminal 20 detects that there is an access point 30 having a communication load equal to or higher than a predetermined value around the access point 30 to which the wireless LAN terminal 20 belongs, and notifies the user accordingly. The operation of the wireless LAN system 10 is shown.

  First, for example, the wireless LAN terminal 20 transmits an attribution request to the access point 30-1 having the best received signal quality (S300), thereby executing attribution processing with the access point 30-1. The access point 30-1 calculates the communication load based on the number of wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging to itself and the number of identification information of the wireless LAN terminals 20 stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. It is determined whether or not the communication load is less than a predetermined value (S301).

  Then, the access point 30-1 detects that the communication load is less than a predetermined value, continues the attribution process with the wireless LAN terminal 20, and transmits the attribution permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20. (S302).

  Next, the wireless LAN terminal 20 transmits a load status request to the access point 30-2 around the access point 30-1 to which it belongs, to the access point 30-1 (S303). The access point 30-1 transfers the received load status request to the access point 30-2 (S304).

  The access point 30-2 receives the load status request from the access point 30-1 via the wired network 11, and is stored in the number of wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging to itself and the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. The communication load is calculated based on the number of identification information of the wireless LAN terminals 20 that are present, and it is determined whether or not the calculated communication load is less than a predetermined value (S305).

  Then, the access point 30-1 detects that the communication load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and returns a load status response including that the communication load is greater than or equal to the predetermined value to the access point 30-1. (S306). The access point 30-1 transfers the received load status response to the wireless LAN terminal 20 (S307). The wireless LAN terminal 20 detects that the received load status response includes the fact that the communication load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and notifies the user by voice, vibration, display, or the like ( S308).

  The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the wireless LAN system 10 of the present embodiment, communication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 can be continued while maintaining high communication quality in the communication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 currently being performed. it can.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the system configuration of the wireless LAN system 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The wireless LAN system 10 includes a plurality of wireless LAN terminals 20, a plurality of access points 30, and an authentication device 14. Except for the points described below, in FIG. 7, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same or similar functions as those in FIG.

  The authentication device 14 is, for example, a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) server, and a part of the authentication processing when the wireless LAN terminal 20 belongs to the access point 30 or the access point 30 to which the wireless LAN terminal 20 belongs. A part of the pre-authentication process executed with the other access point 30 is executed. Here, the pre-authentication process is defined in, for example, IEEE 802.11i, and performs a high-speed handover by performing authentication in advance with the access points 30 around the access point 30 to which the user belongs. It is a technology that makes it possible.

  In the present embodiment, like the wireless LAN terminal 20-2 shown in FIG. 7, the radio wave having quality or higher that allows identification information to be discriminated from other access points 30-2 other than the currently belonging access point 30-1. , The wireless LAN terminal 20 transmits a pre-authentication request to the other access point 30-2 via the access point 30-1 to which it belongs.

  When the communication load of the access point 30-2 is less than a predetermined value, the access point 30-2 continues the pre-authentication process with the authentication device 14 based on the received pre-authentication request, and permits pre-authentication or An authentication rejection message is returned to the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the access point 30-1. On the other hand, when its own communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the access point 30-2 performs pre-authentication without executing pre-authentication processing with the authentication device 14 based on the received pre-authentication request. The rejection is returned to the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the access point 30-1.

  When the wireless LAN terminal 20 receives a pre-authentication rejection from another access point 30-2 via the access point 30-1 to which it belongs, the wireless LAN terminal 20 notifies the user accordingly. As a result, when the user of the wireless LAN terminal 20 moves from the current location, the user can know that the handover is likely to fail and the communication is likely to be disconnected, and the communication is reliably continued by refraining from moving. Can be made.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a detailed functional configuration of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the second embodiment. The wireless LAN terminal 20 includes a channel search unit 200, an attribution processing unit 201, a notification unit 203, a wireless communication unit 204, and a pre-authentication unit 210. Except for the points described below, in FIG. 8, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 have the same or similar functions as those in FIG.

  Whether the pre-authentication unit 210 includes identification information of an access point 30 other than the access point 30 belonging to the identification information notified from the channel search unit 200 at a predetermined timing. Determine. Then, when the identification information notified from the channel search unit 200 includes the identification information of another access point 30, the pre-authentication unit 210 issues a pre-authentication request addressed to the other access point 30. And transmitted to the belonging access point 30.

  When the notification unit 203 receives a pre-authentication rejection from another access point 30 that has requested pre-authentication via the access point 30 that belongs, the notifying unit 203 notifies the user of the own wireless LAN terminal 20 to the access point that belongs. The fact that there is an access point 30 that is likely to fail handover is notified by voice, vibration, display, or the like.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a detailed functional configuration of the access point 30 in the second embodiment. The access point 30 includes a wired communication unit 300, a wireless communication unit 301, an attribution processing unit 302, a communication load calculation unit 306, a reserved terminal information storage unit 307, a pre-authentication request transfer unit 310, an authentication result notification unit 311, and a pre-authentication process A unit 312. Except for the points described below, in FIG. 9, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 have the same or similar functions as those in FIG.

  The pre-authentication request transfer unit 310 receives a pre-authentication request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 belonging to the own access point 30 via the wireless communication unit 301, and sends the received pre-authentication request to the corresponding access point 30. The data is transferred via the wired communication unit 300.

  The reserved terminal information storage unit 307 stores the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 notified of the pre-authentication permission by the pre-authentication processing unit 312 in association with the time when the pre-authentication permission is notified. Then, the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 deletes the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has passed a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes).

  When the pre-authentication processing unit 312 receives a pre-authentication request from another access point 30 via the wired communication unit 300, the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value. Determine. When the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the pre-authentication processing unit 312 wirelessly rejects the pre-authentication via the other access point 30 without starting the pre-authentication process. A reply is sent to the LAN terminal 20.

  On the other hand, when the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value, the pre-authentication processing unit 312 and the authentication device 14 via the wired communication unit 300 according to the received pre-authentication request. Pre-authentication process is executed between When the pre-authentication processing unit 312 rejects the pre-authentication, the pre-authentication processing unit 312 returns a pre-authentication rejection to the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the other access point 30. On the other hand, when the pre-authentication is permitted, the pre-authentication processing unit 312 returns the pre-authentication permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the other access point 30, and the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has permitted the pre-authentication. The pre-authentication is stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 in association with the time of transmission.

  When the authentication result notification unit 311 receives pre-authentication permission or pre-authentication rejection from another access point 30, the authentication result notification unit 311 sends the received pre-authentication permission or pre-authentication rejection to the corresponding wireless LAN terminal 20. Send through.

  When the attribution processing unit 302 receives an attribution request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 301, the attribution processing unit 302 refers to the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 to identify the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request. It is determined whether or not the information is stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. When the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request is stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the wireless communication unit to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request. In addition to transmitting the attribution permission via 301, the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution permission is deleted from the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. In addition, the attribution process at this time can omit the authentication and the like that have been processed at the time of reservation, and can realize a quick handover.

  On the other hand, when the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request is not stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307, the attribution processing unit 302 determines the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 in advance. It is determined whether it is less than the given value. When the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the attribution request to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request without executing the attribution process. An attribution rejection is transmitted via 301.

  On the other hand, when the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 is less than a predetermined value, the attribution processing unit 302 executes attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution processing. At this time, the attribution processing unit 302 executes part of the authentication processing in the attribution processing with the authentication device 14 via the wired communication unit 300. When the attribution processing unit 302 permits the attribution in accordance with the attribution process, the attribution processing unit 302 transmits the attribution permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has transmitted the attribution request via the wireless communication unit 301 and the currently belonging wireless unit. The communication load calculation unit 306 is instructed to increase the number of LAN terminals 20 by one.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the second embodiment. Except for the points described below, the processes in FIG. 10 denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 are the same as or similar to the processes in FIG.

  When the attribution to the nearest access point 30 is successful (S103: Yes), the pre-authentication unit 210 determines whether it is the pre-authentication request timing (S120). The pre-authentication unit 210 transmits a pre-authentication request to the access point 30 every minute, for example. If it is not the pre-authentication request timing (S120: No), the attribution processing unit 201 executes the processing shown in step 105.

  When it is the pre-authentication request timing (S120: Yes), the pre-authentication unit 210 causes the channel search unit 200 to perform a channel search (S107), and the signal quality is not less than a predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging to. It is determined whether or not the access point 30 exists (S108). When there is no access point 30 with a signal quality equal to or higher than the predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging (S108: No), the pre-authentication unit 210 executes the process shown in step 120 again.

  When there is an access point 30 having a signal quality equal to or higher than a predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging (S108: Yes), the pre-authentication unit 210 sends a pre-authentication request to the access point 30 to the access that belongs It transmits via the point 30 (S121), and notifies the notification unit 203 that the pre-authentication is requested. In step 121, when there are a plurality of access points 30 having signal quality equal to or higher than a predetermined value other than the access point 30 currently belonging, the pre-authentication unit 210 transmits a pre-authentication request to each of the plurality of access points 30. To do.

  Next, the notification unit 203 determines whether pre-authentication permission or pre-authentication rejection has been received (S122). When the pre-authentication permission or the pre-authentication rejection is not received (S122: No), the notification unit 203 repeats Step 122 until the pre-authentication permission or the pre-authentication rejection is received. When the pre-authentication permission or the pre-authentication rejection is received (S122: Yes), the notification unit 203 determines whether the pre-authentication rejection is received (S123).

  When the pre-authentication permission is received (S123: Yes), the pre-authentication unit 210 executes the process shown in step 120 again. When the pre-authentication rejection is received (S123: No), the notification unit 203 notifies the user by voice, vibration, display, or the like that there is an access point 30 that is likely to fail handover (S124). ), The pre-authentication unit 210 executes the process shown in step 120 again.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the access point 30 in the second embodiment. Except for the points described below, in FIG. 11, the processes denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 are the same as or similar to the processes in FIG.

  In step 200, when the attribution request has not been received (S200: No), the pre-authentication request transfer unit 310 determines whether or not the pre-authentication request has been received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S230). When the pre-authentication request is received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S230: Yes), the pre-authentication request transfer unit 310 transfers the received pre-authentication request to the corresponding access point 30 via the wired communication unit 300. Then (S231), the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  When the pre-authentication request has not been received via the wireless communication unit 301 (S230: No), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 determines whether the pre-authentication request has been received via the wired communication unit 300 (S232). ). When the pre-authentication request is received via the wired communication unit 300 (S232: Yes), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 refers to the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation unit 306 and the communication load is determined in advance. It is determined whether it is less than the value (S233).

  When the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S233: No), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 returns a pre-authentication rejection to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has requested the pre-authentication via the other access point 30. (S238) The attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  When the communication load is less than a predetermined value (S233: Yes), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 executes pre-authentication processing with the authentication device 14 via the wired communication unit 300 (S234), and pre-authentication is performed. It is determined whether or not (S235). If the pre-authentication has failed (S235: No), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 executes the process shown in step 238.

  If the pre-authentication is successful (S235: Yes), the pre-authentication processing unit 312 returns a pre-authentication permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 that has requested the pre-authentication via the other access point 30 (S236). Then, the pre-authentication processing unit 312 stores the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal 20 to which the pre-authentication permission is transmitted in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307 in association with the time when the pre-authentication permission is transmitted (S237). The attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  In step 232, when the pre-authentication request has not been received via the wired communication unit 300 (S232: No), the authentication result notification unit 311 has received pre-authentication permission or pre-authentication rejection via the wired communication unit 300. It is determined whether or not (S239). When the pre-authentication permission or the pre-authentication rejection is received (S239: Yes), the authentication result notifying unit 311 sends the received pre-authentication permission or pre-authentication rejection to the corresponding wireless LAN terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 301. In step S240, the attribution processing unit 302 executes the process shown in step 200 again.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the wireless LAN system 10 according to the second embodiment. This sequence diagram shows an operation in which the wireless LAN terminal 20 detects that there is an access point 30 that has failed pre-authentication in the vicinity of the access point 30 to which it belongs, and notifies the user accordingly.

  First, the wireless LAN terminal 20 transmits an attribution request to, for example, the access point 30-1 with the best received signal quality (S310). The access point 30-1 calculates the communication load based on the number of wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging to itself and the number of identification information of the wireless LAN terminals 20 stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. It is determined whether or not the communication load is less than a predetermined value (S311).

  Then, the access point 30-1 detects that the communication load is less than a predetermined value, and performs the attribution process with the wireless LAN terminal 20 based on the attribution request received from the wireless LAN terminal 20. Continue (S312). At this time, the access point 30-1 performs the attribution process by requesting the authentication device 14 for a part of the authentication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 as necessary. Then, the authentication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 is successful, and the access point 30 transmits attribution permission to the wireless LAN terminal 20 (S313).

  Next, the wireless LAN terminal 20 transmits a pre-authentication request to the access point 30-2 around the access point 30-1 to which it belongs, to the access point 30-1 (S314). The access point 30-1 transfers the received pre-authentication request to the access point 30-2 via the wired network 11 (S315). The access point 30-2 receives the pre-authentication request from the access point 30-1, and the number of the wireless LAN terminals 20 currently belonging to the access point 30-1 and the wireless LAN terminal 20 stored in the reserved terminal information storage unit 307. A communication load is calculated based on the number of identification information, and it is determined whether or not the calculated communication load is less than a predetermined value (S316).

  When the access point 30-2 detects that the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the access point 30-2 returns a pre-authentication rejection to the access point 30-1 without starting the pre-authentication process (S317). . The access point 30-1 transfers the received pre-authentication rejection to the wireless LAN terminal 20 (S318). The wireless LAN terminal 20 receives the pre-authentication rejection and notifies the user by voice, vibration, display, etc. (S319).

  The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  Also in the present embodiment, the wireless LAN system 10 can continue communication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 while maintaining high communication quality in the communication of the wireless LAN terminal 20 currently being performed.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in embodiment mentioned above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a wireless LAN system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a detailed functional structure of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a detailed functional structure of the access point 30 in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the access point 30 in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the wireless LAN system 10 in 1st Embodiment. It is a system configuration figure showing an example of a system configuration of wireless LAN system 10 in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a detailed functional structure of the wireless LAN terminal 20 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a detailed functional structure of the access point 30 in 2nd Embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a wireless LAN terminal 20 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the access point 30 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the wireless LAN system 10 in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless LAN system, 11 ... Wired network, 12 ... Communication equipment, 13 ... Communication area, 14 ... Authentication apparatus, 20 ... Wireless LAN terminal, 200 ... Channel search , 201, 302 ... attribution processing unit, 202 ... load status request unit, 203 ... notification unit, 204, 301 ... wireless communication unit, 210 ... pre-authentication unit, 30 ... Access point, 300... Wired communication unit, 303... Load status request transfer unit, 304... Load status notification unit, 305... Load status response unit, 306. ..Reserved terminal information storage unit, 310 ... Pre-authentication request transfer unit, 311 ... Authentication result notification unit, 312 ... Pre-authentication processing unit

Claims (5)

A wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a plurality of wireless LAN terminals,
Each of the plurality of wireless LAN terminals is
Channel search means for detecting peripheral access points by performing channel search; and
A terminal side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing by wireless communication with the access point detected by the channel search means;
When one or more access points other than the belonging access point are detected by the channel search means, a load indicating whether or not the communication load of each of the other access points is less than a predetermined value A load status request means for transmitting a load status request for requesting status to the other access point via the belonging access point by wireless communication;
When a load status response indicating the load status of the other access point is received by wireless communication from each of the other access points via the belonging access point , at least one of the load status responses, If a load situation indicating that the communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is stored, the terminal side notification means for notifying the user of the own wireless LAN terminal,
Each access point
AP side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal;
A communication load calculating means for calculating a communication load of the own access point based on wireless communication by the wireless LAN terminal currently belonging to the own access point;
When the load status request to another access point by the wireless LAN terminal belonging to the own access point is received by wireless communication, the load status request is transferred to the corresponding other access point by wired communication. Load status request transfer means;
When the load status request is received from another access point by wired communication, it is determined whether the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is less than a predetermined value, and a load status response including the determination result A load status response means for transmitting by wire communication to the access point that has transmitted the load status request,
A wireless LAN system comprising: an AP-side notification unit that transmits the load status response received from another access point by wired communication to the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the corresponding load status request by wireless communication . The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,
Each said access point is
Further comprising a reservation terminal information storage means for storing identification information of the wireless LAN terminal that has notified the load status response including that communication load of the own access point is smaller than the predetermined value,
The communication load calculation means includes
A wireless LAN terminal that is currently performing wireless communication via its own access point allows the wireless LAN terminal corresponding to the terminal load generated at its own access point and the identification information stored in the reserved terminal information storage means to access itself. Calculate the communication load based on the reservation load generated at the local access point when wireless communication is performed via the point,
The load status request transfer means includes:
Along with the load status request, the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the load status request is transferred to the access point corresponding to the load status request,
The load status response means includes
When the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is less than a predetermined value, the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the load status request is stored in the reservation terminal information storage means,
The AP side attribution processing means is:
When an attribution request is received from a wireless LAN terminal, referring to the reserved terminal information storage means,
If the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal that transmitted the attribution request is not stored in the reserved terminal information storage means, whether or not the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is a predetermined value If the value is less than a predetermined value, the attribution process is performed based on the attribution request. Send
If the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal that transmitted the attribution request is stored in the reservation terminal information storage means, the identification information is deleted from the reservation terminal information storage means, and based on the attribution request A wireless LAN system characterized by performing attribution processing. The wireless LAN system according to claim 2,
The reserved terminal information storage means includes:
A wireless LAN system, wherein the time when the identification information of the wireless LAN terminal is stored is further stored in association with the identification information, and the identification information after a predetermined period has been deleted. The wireless LAN system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The load status main Motomete stage of the wireless LAN terminal,
A wireless LAN system, wherein a load status request is repeatedly transmitted to an access point belonging to at a predetermined timing. AP side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing with the wireless LAN terminal;
A communication load calculating means for calculating a communication load of the own access point based on wireless communication by the wireless LAN terminal currently belonging to the own access point;
When a load status request for requesting a load status indicating whether the communication load of another access point is less than a predetermined value is received by wireless communication, the load status request is transmitted to the corresponding other access point. Load status request transfer means for transferring by wired communication;
When the load status request is received from another access point by wired communication, it is determined whether the communication load calculated by the communication load calculation means is less than a predetermined value, and a load status response including the determination result A load status response means for transmitting by wire communication to the access point that has transmitted the load status request,
A wireless LAN system including an access point having an AP-side notification unit that transmits the load status response received from another access point by wired communication to the wireless LAN terminal that has transmitted the corresponding load status request by wireless communication A wireless LAN terminal used,
Channel search means for detecting peripheral access points by performing channel search; and
A terminal side attribution processing means for performing attribution processing by wireless communication with the access point detected by the channel search means;
When one or more other access points other than the belonging access point are detected by the channel search means, the load status request is sent to each of the other access points via the belonging access point, Load status request means for transmitting by wireless communication;
When a load status response indicating the load status of the other access point is received by wireless communication from each of the other access points via the belonging access point , at least one of the load status responses, If a load status indicating that the current communication load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is stored, terminal-side notification means for notifying the user of the own wireless LAN terminal to that effect Wireless LAN terminal.

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