JP4847085B2 - Wireless communication method and wireless communication terminal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal apparatus that enable direct communication between a plurality of wireless communication terminal apparatuses existing in the same wireless network.

  As a conventional wireless communication method, there is a method of switching from an infrastructure mode to an ad hoc mode when direct communication is performed between wireless communication terminal devices existing in the same wireless network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the infrastructure mode and the ad hoc mode are those standardized by IEEE 802.11 (ANSI / IEEE Std 802.11. 1999 Edition).

  In the infrastructure mode, an access point device for accessing an external network exists in the wireless network, and the wireless communication terminal device existing in the wireless network communicates in the external network via the access point device. Communicate with the terminal device. Further, even when communicating with other wireless communication terminal devices in the same wireless network, communication is performed via an access point. In the ad hoc mode, communication between wireless communication terminal devices can be performed in a wireless network in which no access point device exists, but communication with an external network cannot be performed.

  Normally, in a wireless network in which an access point device exists, the wireless communication terminal device operates in an infrastructure mode, but when communicating with other wireless communication terminal devices in the same wireless network, the access point device is used. As compared with the ad hoc mode, there is a problem that the wireless band is used twice. As a means for solving this problem, in Patent Document 1, a wireless communication terminal device normally operates in an infrastructure mode. When a wide bandwidth is required, after switching to a frequency different from that of an access point device, the wireless communication terminal device operates in an ad hoc mode. There has been a method of starting direct communication with another wireless communication terminal device.

  In addition, there is a method that enables direct communication between wireless communication terminal devices in the infrastructure mode (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In this method, direct communication between the wireless communication terminal apparatuses is started after setting for performing direct communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus and the access point apparatus.

JP 2004-254254 A (page 6-9, FIG. 2). P802.11e / D13.0, January 2005.

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since it takes time to switch the frequency and operation mode to be used, communication with a communication terminal device existing in an external network is another wireless communication terminal in the same wireless network. When the communication with the apparatus is performed simultaneously, it is necessary to frequently switch the frequency and the operation mode, which is difficult to use.

  In the method described in Non-Patent Document 1, the access point device needs to have a special function. In order to enable direct communication between the wireless communication terminal devices, a special access point device is used. It had the subject that it was necessary to replace | exchange for the new access point apparatus which has a function.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal device that can solve the above problems and enable direct communication between wireless communication terminal devices even when the access point device does not have a special function. It is to provide.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication method comprising: a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices including first and second wireless communication terminal devices connected to a wireless network; and an access point device connected to the wireless network. In the wireless communication method of the provided wireless communication system,
When the first wireless communication terminal device starts communication with the second wireless communication terminal device, the first wireless communication terminal device sends a direct communication setting request message defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e via the access point device. Wirelessly transmitting to the second wireless communication terminal device;
The first wireless communication terminal device transmits a direct communication setting response message defined as a management frame in IEEE802.11e even when a predetermined first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication setting request message. When it is not possible to receive from the access point device, a direct communication request message including information for requesting to start direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device in the data area is sent via the access point device. Wirelessly transmitting to a second wireless communication terminal device;
When the second wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the direct communication request message, the direct communication response includes information indicating that the second wireless communication terminal apparatus has a direct communication function in a data area. Wirelessly transmitting a message to the first wireless communication terminal device via the access point device;
When the first wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the direct communication response message including information indicating that it has a direct communication function in a data area from the second wireless communication terminal apparatus, the second wireless communication terminal apparatus And a step of starting direct wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal device.

In the above wireless communication method, the first wireless communication terminal device is configured so that even if only a predetermined first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication setting request message, the direct wireless communication device defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e is used. When a communication setting response message cannot be received from the access point device, the device address of the access point device and that the access point device does not have a direct communication setting function defined in IEEE 802.11e Storing information in the first storage unit;
When the first wireless communication terminal device stores in the first storage unit that the access point device does not have a direct communication setting function defined by IEEE 802.11e, the direct communication setting device And transmitting the direct communication request message to the second wireless communication terminal device via the access point device without transmitting a request message.

In the wireless communication method, the first wireless communication terminal device transmits the direct communication response message to the access point device even when a predetermined second time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication request message. When the second wireless communication terminal device cannot be received, the device address of the second wireless communication terminal device and information indicating that the second wireless communication terminal device does not have a direct communication function are stored in the second storage unit And steps to
When the first wireless communication terminal device stores in the second storage unit that the second wireless communication terminal device does not have a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the first wireless communication terminal device The method further includes a step of starting wireless communication via the second wireless communication terminal device and the access point device without transmitting a direct communication request message.

Further, in the wireless communication method, when the second wireless communication terminal device receives the direct communication request message from the first wireless communication terminal device, the device address of the first wireless communication terminal device; Storing information indicating that the first wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function in a third storage unit;
When the second wireless communication terminal device stores in the third storage unit that the first wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the second wireless communication terminal device The method further includes a step of starting direct wireless communication with the first wireless communication terminal device without transmitting a direct communication request message.

Still further, in the above wireless communication method, the direct communication response message including information indicating that the first wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function from the second wireless communication terminal device in a data area. Storing the device address of the second wireless communication terminal device and the information indicating that the second wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function in the second storage unit When,
When the first wireless communication terminal device stores in the second storage unit that the second wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the first wireless communication terminal device The method further includes the step of starting direct wireless communication with the second wireless communication terminal device without transmitting the direct communication request message.

  Still further, in the wireless communication method, the second wireless communication terminal device further includes a step of canceling the power saving mode when operating in the power saving mode when receiving the direct communication request message. It is characterized by that.

Still further, in the wireless communication method, before the first wireless communication terminal apparatus starts direct wireless communication with the second wireless communication terminal apparatus, the first wireless communication terminal apparatus Transmitting a communication quality measurement request message requesting the second wireless communication terminal device to measure communication quality;
When the second wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the communication quality measurement request message from the first wireless communication terminal apparatus, the second wireless communication terminal apparatus sets the communication quality of the direct wireless communication path with the first wireless communication terminal apparatus. A step to obtain,
The second wireless communication terminal device compares the acquired communication quality with a preset threshold value, and performs direct wireless communication when the communication quality is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Is less than the threshold value, it is determined that wireless communication is performed via the access point device, and information indicating the determination result is inserted into a communication quality measurement response message and wirelessly transmitted to the first wireless communication terminal device. And steps to
When the first wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the communication quality measurement response message, the first wireless communication terminal apparatus directly communicates with the second wireless communication terminal apparatus based on a determination result included in the communication quality measurement response message. And a step of determining whether or not to perform communication.

Still further, in the wireless communication method, before the first wireless communication terminal device starts direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device, the first wireless communication terminal device Transmitting a communication quality measurement request message requesting the wireless communication terminal device to measure communication quality;
When the second wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the communication quality measurement request message from the first wireless communication terminal apparatus, the communication quality of the direct wireless communication path with the first wireless communication terminal apparatus And transmitting the acquired communication quality into the communication quality measurement response message and transmitting it to the first wireless communication terminal device;
When the first wireless communication terminal apparatus receives the communication quality measurement response message, the first wireless communication terminal apparatus compares the communication quality included in the communication quality measurement response message with a preset threshold value, and the communication quality is A direct wireless communication is performed when the threshold is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and a wireless communication via the access point device is performed when the communication quality is less than the threshold value.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication terminal device includes a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices including first and second wireless communication terminal devices connected to a wireless network, and an access point device connected to the wireless network. In the first wireless communication terminal device of the wireless communication system comprising:
When communication with the second wireless communication terminal device is started, a direct communication setting request message defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e is sent to the second wireless communication terminal device via the access point device. Means for wireless transmission;
When a direct communication setting response message defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e cannot be received from the access point device even after a predetermined first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication setting request message. And wirelessly transmitting a direct communication request message including information requesting to start direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device in the data area to the second wireless communication terminal device via the access point device. Means to
When the direct communication response message including information indicating that it has a direct communication function in the data area is received from the second wireless communication terminal device, the direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device is performed. And means for initiating wireless communication.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication terminal device includes a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices including first and second wireless communication terminal devices connected to a wireless network, and an access point device connected to the wireless network. In the second wireless communication terminal device of the wireless communication system comprising:
When receiving a direct communication request message including in the data area information requesting to start direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device, the second wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function. Means for wirelessly transmitting a direct communication response message including information indicating that the data is in the data area to the first wireless communication terminal device via the access point device.

In the wireless communication terminal apparatus, even when a predetermined first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication setting request message, the access point apparatus transmits a direct communication setting response message defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e. When the access point device cannot be received from the first storage unit, a device address of the access point device and information indicating that the access point device does not have a direct communication setting function defined by IEEE 802.11e are stored in the first storage unit. Means for storing;
When the first storage unit stores that the access point device does not have a direct communication setting function defined in IEEE 802.11e, the direct communication setting request message is not transmitted, and the direct communication setting request message is not transmitted. Means for wirelessly transmitting a communication request message to the second wireless communication terminal device via the access point device.

In the wireless communication terminal device, when the direct communication setting response message cannot be received from the access point device even after a predetermined second time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the direct communication request message, A second storage unit that stores a device address of the second wireless communication terminal device and information indicating that the second wireless communication terminal device does not have a direct communication function;
If the second storage unit stores the fact that the second wireless communication terminal device does not have a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the direct communication request message are not transmitted, The wireless communication terminal device further includes means for starting wireless communication via the second wireless communication terminal device and the access point device.

Further, in the wireless communication terminal device, when the direct communication request message is received from the first wireless communication terminal device, the device address of the first wireless communication terminal device and the first wireless communication terminal device are A third storage unit that stores information indicating that it has a direct communication function;
When the third storage unit stores that the first wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the direct communication request message are not transmitted, And a means for starting direct wireless communication with the first wireless communication terminal device.

Still further, in the wireless communication terminal apparatus, the second storage unit receives the direct communication response message including information indicating that it has a direct communication function from the second wireless communication terminal apparatus in a data area. When received, store the device address of the second wireless communication terminal device and information indicating that the second wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function,
If the second storage unit stores the fact that the second wireless communication terminal device has a direct communication function, the direct communication setting request message and the direct communication request message are not transmitted, The apparatus further comprises means for starting direct wireless communication with the second wireless communication terminal apparatus.

  Furthermore, the wireless communication terminal device further includes means for canceling the power saving mode when operating in the power saving mode when the direct communication request message is received.

Still further, in the wireless communication terminal apparatus, a communication requesting the second wireless communication terminal apparatus to measure communication quality before starting direct wireless communication with the second wireless communication terminal apparatus. Means for sending a quality measurement request message;
When receiving a communication quality measurement response message including a communication quality measurement result from the second wireless communication terminal device, based on the determination result included in the communication quality measurement response message, the second wireless communication terminal device And means for determining whether to perform direct wireless communication.

Still further, in the wireless communication terminal device, when a communication quality measurement request message for requesting measurement of communication quality is received from the first wireless communication terminal device, direct communication with the first wireless communication terminal device is performed. Means for acquiring communication quality of a simple wireless communication path;
The acquired communication quality is compared with a preset threshold value. When the communication quality is equal to or higher than the threshold value, direct wireless communication is performed. When the communication quality is lower than the threshold value, And a means for determining that wireless communication is to be performed via the access point device, and inserting the information indicating the determination result into a communication quality measurement response message and wirelessly transmitting to the first wireless communication terminal device. To do.

Still further, in the wireless communication terminal device, a communication quality measurement request for requesting the second wireless communication terminal device to measure communication quality before starting direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device. A means of sending a message;
When the communication quality measurement response message including the communication quality measurement result is received, the communication quality included in the communication quality measurement response message is compared with a preset threshold value, and the communication quality is equal to or higher than the threshold value. In this case, the wireless communication apparatus further includes means for performing direct wireless communication, and performing wireless communication via the access point device when the communication quality is lower than the threshold value.

  Still further, when the wireless communication terminal device receives a communication quality measurement request message requesting measurement of communication quality from the first wireless communication terminal device, the wireless communication terminal device directly communicates with the first wireless communication terminal device. The wireless communication apparatus further comprises means for acquiring communication quality of a typical wireless communication channel, inserting the acquired communication quality into a communication quality measurement response message, and transmitting the communication quality measurement response message to the first wireless communication terminal apparatus.

  Still further, in the wireless communication terminal device, when a no-communication time without wireless communication with each of the wireless communication terminal devices is counted, and when the measured no-communication time has exceeded a predetermined threshold, the second The information processing apparatus further includes a first time deletion unit that deletes information stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the wireless communication terminal device, when no communication time without wireless communication with each of the wireless communication terminal devices is counted, and when the measured no communication time has exceeded a predetermined threshold, And a second time deletion unit for deleting the information stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the wireless communication terminal device, the communication quality acquired with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner is further stored in the second storage unit, and there is no wireless communication time when there is no wireless communication with each wireless communication terminal device. When the measured no-communication time is less than a predetermined threshold and the stored communication quality is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, direct wireless communication is not performed without directly transmitting a communication setting message. The apparatus further includes means for starting communication.

  Furthermore, in the wireless communication terminal device, the communication quality acquired with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner is further stored in the third storage unit, and there is no wireless communication time when there is no wireless communication with each wireless communication terminal device. When the measured no-communication time is less than a predetermined threshold and the stored communication quality is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, direct wireless communication is not performed without directly transmitting a communication setting message. The apparatus further includes means for starting communication.

  Furthermore, in the wireless communication terminal device, the communication quality acquired with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner is further stored in the second storage unit, and there is no wireless communication time when there is no wireless communication with each wireless communication terminal device. When the measured no-communication time is less than a predetermined threshold and the stored communication quality is less than the predetermined threshold, the access point device does not directly transmit a communication setting message. The wireless communication apparatus further includes means for starting wireless communication via the network.

  Furthermore, in the wireless communication terminal device, the communication quality acquired with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner is further stored in the third storage unit, and there is no wireless communication time when there is no wireless communication with each wireless communication terminal device. When the measured no-communication time is less than a predetermined threshold and the stored communication quality is less than the predetermined threshold, the access point device does not directly transmit a communication setting message. The wireless communication apparatus further includes means for starting wireless communication via the network.

  According to the wireless communication method and the wireless communication terminal device according to the present invention, even when the access point device does not have a special function, the wireless communication terminal device is an access point with a communication terminal device existing in an external network. It is possible to provide a wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal apparatus that can simultaneously perform communication via the apparatus and direct communication with other wireless communication terminal apparatuses existing in the same wireless network. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal device that can improve frequency utilization efficiency and reduce communication delay.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an internal network 104 is a network such as a wireless LAN. The access point device 100 includes a wired interface for communicating with the communication terminal device 105 connected to the external network 103 and a wireless interface for communicating with the wireless communication terminal device connected to the internal network 104. Access point device. The wireless communication terminal devices 101 and 102 are wireless communication terminal devices each having a wireless interface for communicating with the access point device 100 and other wireless communication terminal devices connected to the internal network 104.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the wireless communication terminal apparatuses 101 and 102 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a physical layer processing unit 201 is a block that performs processing in the physical layer such as transmission / reception of radio waves and modulation / demodulation, and a data link processing unit 202 is a block that performs processing in a data link such as access control. The unit 203 is a block that performs processing in an upper layer such as TCP / IP processing and application processing, and the communication quality acquisition unit 204 is a block that acquires communication quality such as received power and communication path load from the physical layer processing unit. The direct communication setting unit 205 is a block for setting direct communication between wireless communication terminal devices, and the communication partner information storage unit 206 stores information such as a MAC address of a wireless communication terminal device that is a communication partner that performs direct communication. The access point information storage unit 207 stores the MAC address of the access point device, A block for storage of information such as the presence or absence of contact communication function.

  The processing in the first embodiment according to the present invention is executed by the sequence diagram between the access point device 100 and the wireless communication terminal devices 101 and 102 in FIG. 3 and the wireless communication terminal devices 101 and 102 in FIGS. This will be described with reference to a flowchart showing the processing. In the first embodiment, a case where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 will be described. In this case, FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 are flowcharts showing processing executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5 and 7 are wireless communication terminal apparatuses of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a direct communication setting process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. In FIG. 4, first, when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 in step S401, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 accesses a direct communication setting request message (DLS.Request) defined as a management frame in IEEE 802.11e. It transmits to the radio | wireless communication terminal device 102 via the point apparatus 100 (S301 of FIG. 3). In this message transmission process, the direct communication setting unit 205 instructs the data link processing unit 202 to transmit a direct communication setting request message, and the direct communication setting request message is wirelessly transmitted by the physical layer processing unit 201. Sent by. Since the above message transmission process is a general process, it is omitted in the following description.

  In step S402, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts a timer when transmission of the direct communication setting request message is completed. In steps S403 and 404, wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 waits until a direct communication setting response message (DLS. Response) is received from access point apparatus 100 within a predetermined time. When the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 receives a direct communication setting response message from the access point apparatus 100 within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S406, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 determines that the information included in the direct communication setting response message indicates that direct communication is permitted. Whether or not is indicated. If direct communication permission is indicated, the process proceeds to step S407, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts direct communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102. On the other hand, if the rejection of direct communication is indicated, the process proceeds to step S408, and normal communication (communication via the access point device 100) is started.

  That is, when the access point device 100 has a direct communication setting function (hereinafter referred to as DLS (Direct Link Setup) function) defined by IEEE802.11e, the wireless communication terminal device is defined by IEEE802.11e. Process. Here, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 stores the MAC address of the access point apparatus 100 and a value indicating that the access point apparatus 100 has a direct communication function in the access point information storage unit 207.

  When the timer expires in step 404 (that is, when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 cannot receive the direct communication setting response message from the access point apparatus 100 within a predetermined time (S302 in FIG. 3)) Communication terminal apparatus 101 determines that access point apparatus 100 or wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 does not have a DLS function. Here, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 stores the MAC address of the access point apparatus 100 and a value indicating that the access point apparatus 100 does not have a DLS function in the access point information storage unit 207. The access point information stored in the access point information storage unit 207 is referred to the next time when direct communication is started, and the access point information storage unit 207 indicates that the access point information storage unit 207 does not have a DLS function. Thus, the steps from S401 to S404 can be omitted and the procedure can be started from step S405. In step S405, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 transmits a direct communication request message newly defined in the present invention to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 via the access point apparatus 100 (S303 in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table format of the access point information storage unit 207 of FIG. The MAC address field 1701 is a field for storing the MAC address of the access point apparatus, and the DLS function field 1702 is a field for storing a value indicating the presence or absence of the DLS function of the access point apparatus. In FIG. 17, the value of the DLS function field 1702 is 1 when the DLS function is provided, and 0 when the DLS function field 1702 is not provided. However, other values may be used. Moreover, you may provide the value which shows having a DLS function, but rejecting direct communication.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the direct communication request message in FIG. The MAC header 1201 is a normal header defined by IEEE 802.11, and includes a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The type field 1202 is a field indicating the message type, and sets a value indicating that it is a direct communication request message. In FIG. 12, the value of the type field 1202 is a value 0 indicating a direct communication request message, but other values can be used as long as they can be distinguished from other messages. The code field 1203 is a field indicating a message code, and an arbitrary value is set.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a direct communication response process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of FIG. In FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 501, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 receives a direct communication request message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 via the access point apparatus 100. In step 502, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 determines whether to permit or reject direct communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101. Here, as a criterion for permitting direct communication, direct communication may be permitted only when the transmission source MAC address of the direct communication request message matches a specific MAC address registered in advance. Alternatively, direct communication requests from all wireless communication terminal devices may be rejected or permitted.

  If the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 does not permit direct communication, the process proceeds to step S503, and a direct communication response message in which a code indicating that permission is not permitted is set in the code field 1302 (detailed in FIG. 13) is transmitted via the access point apparatus 100. To the wireless communication terminal device 101 (S304 in FIG. 3). When the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 permits direct communication to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101, the process proceeds to step S504, where it is determined whether the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 is operating in the power saving mode. When operating in the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S505 to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and the process proceeds to step S506. When operating in the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S506, and the access point apparatus 100 transmits a direct communication response message in which the code indicating permission is set in the code field 1302 (detailed in FIG. 13). Is transmitted directly to the wireless communication terminal device 101 that is the transmission source of the communication request message (S304 in FIG. 3). The wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 simultaneously stores the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 and a value indicating that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 has a direct communication function in the communication partner information storage unit 206.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the direct communication response message in FIG. The MAC header 1301 is a normal header defined by IEEE 802.11, and includes a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The type field 1302 is a field indicating the type of message, and sets a value indicating that it is a direct communication response message. In FIG. 13, the value of the type field 1302 is set to a value 1 indicating a direct communication response message, but other values can be used as long as they can be distinguished from other messages. A code field 1303 is a field indicating a message code, and sets a value indicating permission or rejection of direct communication. In FIG. 13, the value of the code field 1303 is a value 1 indicating permission and a value 0 indicating rejection, but other values may be used.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table format of the communication partner information storage unit 206 in FIG. The MAC address field 901 is a field that describes the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner, and the communication quality field 902 is a field that describes the received power of communication with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner. The communication function field 903 is a field that describes a value indicating whether or not the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner has a direct communication function, and the non-communication time field 904 is the last communication with the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner. This is a field for measuring and recording the time since then, and a retransmission number field 905 is a field for storing the number of message retransmissions. When the value of the no-communication time field 904 becomes larger than a preset threshold value, the storage area can be effectively used by deleting the corresponding information.

  The information stored in the communication partner information storage unit 206 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 is referred to when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 next time. When the value set in the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal device 101 indicates that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 does not have a direct communication function, the steps of S401 to S405 and S409 to S411 are omitted, The procedure can also be started from step S413. The information stored in the communication partner information storage unit 206 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 is referred to when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 next time. When the value set in the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 indicates that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 does not have a direct communication function, the steps of S401 to S405 and S409 to S411 are omitted, The procedure can also be started from step S413. When the value set in the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 indicates that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 has a direct communication function, steps S401 to S405, S409, S410, and S412 are omitted. In addition, the procedure can be started from step S414.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a direct communication request process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. In FIG. 6, first, in step S405, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 transmits a direct communication request message. In step S409, a timer is started when transmission of the direct communication request message is completed. In steps S410 and S411, wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 waits until a direct communication response message is received from access point apparatus 100 within a predetermined time. When the timer expires (that is, when the wireless communication terminal device 101 cannot receive a communication response message directly from the access point device 100 within a predetermined time), the process proceeds to step S411, where the wireless communication terminal device 101 performs wireless communication. It is determined that the terminal apparatus 102 does not have a direct communication function, and normal communication (communication via the access point apparatus 100) with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 is started in step 413. The wireless communication terminal device 101 simultaneously stores the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal device 101 and a value indicating that the wireless communication terminal device 102 does not have a direct communication function in the communication partner information storage unit 206.

  On the other hand, when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 receives a direct communication response message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 via the access point apparatus 100 within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S412 and refers to the code field 1303 in the message. When the value of the code field 1303 indicates rejection of direct communication, the process proceeds to step S413, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts normal communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102. On the other hand, if the value of the code field 1303 indicates permission of direct communication, the process proceeds to step 414, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 directly transmits a communication quality measurement request message to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 (S305 in FIG. 3). . The wireless communication terminal device 101 simultaneously stores the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal device 102 and a value indicating that the wireless communication terminal device 102 has a direct communication function in the communication partner information storage unit 206.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the communication quality measurement request message of FIG. The MAC header 1401 is a normal header defined by IEEE 802.11, and includes a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The type field 1402 is a field indicating the message type, and sets a value indicating that it is a communication quality measurement request message. In FIG. 14, the value of the type field 1402 is a value 2 indicating the communication quality measurement request message, but other values can be used as long as they can be distinguished from other messages. The code field 1403 is a field indicating a message code, and an arbitrary value is set.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing communication quality measurement response processing executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, first, in step 701, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 receives a communication quality measurement request message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101. In step S702, the direct communication processing unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 instructs the communication quality acquisition unit 204 to acquire the received power when the communication quality measurement request message is received, and acquires the received power. . The reception power acquisition unit 204 acquires reception power (for example, RSSI value) from the physical layer processing unit 201 and outputs it directly to the communication setting unit 205.

  In step S703, the direct communication setting unit 205 compares the acquired received power with a preset threshold value. If the received power is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S705, where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 transmits a communication quality measurement response message in which a value allowing direct communication is set in the code field 1503 to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 (FIG. 3 S306). On the other hand, if the received power is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S704, where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 sends a communication quality measurement response message in which a value for refusing direct communication is set in the code field 1503 (detailed in FIG. 15). It transmits to the radio | wireless communication terminal device 101 (S306 of FIG. 3). The wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 simultaneously sets a value indicating permission or rejection of direct communication in the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of the communication partner information storage unit 206.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of the communication quality measurement response message in FIG. The MAC header 1501 is a normal header defined by IEEE 802.11, and includes a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The type field 1502 is a field indicating the message type, and sets a value indicating that it is a communication quality measurement response message. In FIG. 15, the value of the type field 1502 is set to a value 3 indicating a communication quality measurement response message, but other values can be used as long as they can be distinguished from other messages. A code field 1503 is a field indicating a message code, and sets a value indicating whether direct communication is permitted or denied. In FIG. 15, the value of the code field 1503 is a value 1 indicating permission and a value 0 indicating rejection, but other values may be used.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing communication quality measurement request processing executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, first, in step S414, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 transmits a communication quality measurement request message. In step S801, a timer is started upon completion of transmission of the communication quality measurement request message. In steps S802 and 803, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 stands by until a communication quality measurement response message is received from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 within a predetermined time. When the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 receives the communication quality measurement response message within a predetermined time, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 proceeds to step S804 and refers to the code field 1503 included in the message. When the value set in the code field 1503 in the communication quality measurement response message indicates rejection of direct communication, the process proceeds to step S805, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication via the access point apparatus 100. At that time, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 sets a value indicating that the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of the communication partner in the communication partner information storage unit 206 does not have a direct communication function. set. The stored communication partner information is referred to when the next direct communication is started, and a value indicating that direct communication is rejected in the direct communication function field 903 is set in the communication partner information storage unit 207. In contrast, communication via the access point device 100 can be started from the beginning.

  On the other hand, if the value set in the code field 1503 indicates permission of direct communication, the process proceeds to step S806, where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 acquires the received power of the received communication quality measurement response message, and acquires the received received power. Are compared with a preset threshold value. If the received power is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S807, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts direct communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102. On the other hand, if the received power is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S805, where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication via the access point apparatus 100. At that time, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 sets a value indicating that the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of the communication partner in the communication partner information storage unit 206 does not have a direct communication function. set.

  When the timer expires in step S803 (that is, when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 cannot receive the communication quality measurement response message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 within a predetermined time), the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 The wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 determines that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 does not exist in a range where direct communication is possible, and proceeds to step S805 to start communication via the access point apparatus 100. At that time, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 sets a value indicating that the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of the communication partner in the communication partner information storage unit 206 does not have a direct communication function. set.

  In the above first embodiment, even when the access point device does not have a special function, the wireless communication terminal device communicates with the communication terminal device existing in the external network via the access point device; There is a specific effect that direct communication with other wireless communication terminal devices existing in the same wireless network can be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, there are specific effects that it is possible to improve frequency utilization efficiency and reduce communication delay.

  In the first embodiment described above, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 is transmitted from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 is communicating with other wireless communication terminal apparatuses in the same wireless network. The received power and the MAC address are stored in the received power field 902 and the MAC address field 901 of the communication partner information storage unit 206, and the value of the no-communication time field 904 can be updated. The information stored in the communication partner information storage unit 206 is such that the value of the no-communication time field 904 for the wireless communication terminal device of the communication partner is less than a preset threshold value, and the reception power is set in advance. If the value exceeds the value, direct communication is started without performing direct communication setting processing (processing from transmission of a direct communication setting request message to reception of a communication quality measurement response message), or the value of the no communication time field 904 is set in advance. In order to determine that communication via the access point device 100 is started without performing direct communication setting processing when the received power is less than a preset threshold value and less than a preset threshold value. It can also be used.

  In the above first embodiment, the received power is measured once and the value is compared with the threshold value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the received power is measured a plurality of times, and the average is obtained. It may be determined whether or not direct communication is performed by comparing the value with a threshold value.

  In the first embodiment described above, a timer is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of retransmissions can also be used. When the number of retransmissions is used, a threshold for the number of retransmissions is determined, and when the number of retransmissions exceeds the threshold, the same operation as when the timer has expired may be performed.

Second embodiment.
In the second embodiment according to the present invention, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 includes the received power acquired when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 receives the communication quality measurement request message in the communication quality measurement response message. It is characterized by transmitting. Since other than this part is the same as that of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. Processing in the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts showing processing executed by the wireless communication terminal devices 101 and 102 in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing communication quality measurement response processing executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, first, in step S1001, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 receives a communication quality measurement request message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101. In step S1002, the direct communication processing unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 instructs the communication quality acquisition unit 204 to acquire the received power when the communication quality measurement request message is received, and acquires the received power. . The reception power acquisition unit 204 acquires reception power (for example, RSSI value) from the physical layer processing unit 201 and outputs it directly to the communication setting unit 205. In step S1003, the direct communication setting unit 205 instructs the data link processing unit 202 to transmit a communication quality measurement response message including the acquired received power value to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101. As a result, a communication quality measurement response message including the acquired received power value is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of the communication quality measurement response message in FIG. The MAC header 1601 is a normal header defined by IEEE 802.11, and includes a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The type field 1602 is a field indicating the type of message, and sets a value indicating that it is a communication quality measurement response message. In FIG. 16, the value of the type field 1602 is set to a value 3 indicating the communication quality measurement response message, but other values can be used as long as they can be distinguished from other messages. The code field 1603 is a field indicating a message code, and an arbitrary value is set. The received power field 1604 is a field indicating received power, and sets the acquired received power. The unit of the reception power set in the reception power field 1604 may be any unit as long as it is a unit common to the communication quality measurement response message reception side and transmission side.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a communication quality measurement request process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, first, in step S411, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 transmits a communication quality measurement request message. In step S801, a timer is started upon completion of transmission of the communication quality measurement request message. In steps S1102 and S1103, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 stands by until a communication quality measurement response message is received from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 within a predetermined time. When the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 receives a communication quality measurement response message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S1104, and the reception power value included in the reception power field 1604 in the message is preset. Compare with threshold. If the value set in the received power field 1604 is less than the threshold value, the process advances to step S1105, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 via the access point 100.

  On the other hand, if the value set in the received power field 1604 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S1106, where the received power of the communication quality measurement response message is acquired, and the acquired received power and the preset threshold are set. Compare. Here, the reception power is acquired by the reception power acquisition unit 204 in the same manner as when the communication quality measurement request message is received. If the acquired received power is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S1107, and the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts direct communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102. On the other hand, if the acquired received power is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S1105, where the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 starts communication with the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 via the access point 100.

  When the timer expires in step S1103 (that is, when the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 cannot receive a communication quality measurement request message from the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 within a predetermined time), the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 The wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 determines that the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 does not exist in a range where direct communication is possible, and proceeds to step S1105 to start communication via the access point apparatus 100. At that time, the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 sets a value indicating that the direct communication function field 903 corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of the communication partner in the communication partner information storage unit 206 does not have a direct communication function. set.

  In the above second embodiment, even when the access point device does not have a special function, the wireless communication terminal device communicates with the communication terminal device existing in the external network via the access point device; There is a specific effect that direct communication with other wireless communication terminal devices existing in the same wireless network can be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, there are specific effects that it is possible to improve frequency utilization efficiency and reduce communication delay.

  In the above second embodiment, a timer is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of retransmissions can also be used. When the number of retransmissions is used, a threshold for the number of retransmissions is determined, and when the number of retransmissions exceeds the threshold, the same operation as when the timer has expired may be performed.

  A wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention have effects such as improvement of frequency utilization efficiency and reduction of delay, and wireless communication terminals that transmit high-quality moving images and the like that require many bands It is useful as a device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network which is 1st, 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication terminal apparatuses 101 and 102 which are 1st, 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram between an access point device 100 and wireless communication terminal devices 101 and 102 in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a direct communication setting process executed by a direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a direct communication response process executed by a direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a direct communication request process executed by a direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication quality measurement response process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 102 of FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a communication quality measurement request process executed by the direct communication setting unit 205 of the wireless communication terminal apparatus 101 of FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table format of the communicating party information storage part 206 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the communication quality measurement response process performed by the direct communication setting part 205 of the wireless communication terminal device 102 of FIG. 2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication quality measurement request | requirement process performed by the direct communication setting part 205 of the wireless communication terminal device 101 of FIG. 2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the direct communication request message of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the direct communication response message of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the communication quality measurement request message of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the communication quality measurement response message of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the communication quality measurement response message of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the table format of the access point information storage part 207 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... access point device,
101, 102 ... wireless communication terminal device,
103 ... external network,
104 ... internal network,
105 ... Communication terminal device 201 ... Physical layer processing unit,
202 ... Data link processing unit,
203 ... upper layer processing unit,
204 ... Communication quality measurement unit,
205 ... Direct communication setting unit,
206 ... Communication partner information storage unit,
207 ... access point information storage unit,
901 ... MAC address field,
902 ... Received power field,
903 ... Direct communication function field,
904 ... No communication time field,
905 ... Number of retransmissions field,
1201, 1301, 1401, 1501, 1601 ... MAC header,
1202, 1302, 1402, 1502, 1602 ... type field,
1203, 1303, 1403, 1503, 1603 ... code field,
1604: Received power field.

Claims (10)

In a wireless communication method of a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices including first and second wireless communication terminal devices connected to a wireless network,
The first wireless communication terminal apparatus acquires a packet transmitted from the second wireless communication terminal apparatus when the second wireless communication terminal apparatus is communicating with another wireless communication terminal in the same network. Storing the communication quality at the time of acquisition and the device address of the second wireless communication terminal device in a storage unit;
Before starting the direct communication process with the second wireless communication terminal device, the direct communication process is started when the communication quality stored in the storage unit is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value. A wireless communication method. The first wireless communication terminal device measures a non-communication time during which the second wireless communication terminal device is not performing wireless communication, and stores it in the storage unit;
Before starting the direct communication process with the second wireless communication terminal device, the no-communication time stored in the storage unit is less than a preset threshold value and stored in the storage unit The wireless communication method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of starting the direct communication processing when the communication quality being set is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value. The first wireless communication terminal device measures a non-communication time during which the second wireless communication terminal device is not performing wireless communication, and stores it in the storage unit;
Before starting the direct communication process with the second wireless communication terminal device, the no-communication time stored in the storage unit is less than a preset threshold value and stored in the storage unit The first wireless communication terminal device does not perform direct communication processing with the second wireless communication terminal device when the communication quality being less than a preset threshold value ;
The wireless communication method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The packet transmitted from the second wireless communication terminal apparatus is acquired a plurality of times, and an average value of the acquired plurality of communication qualities is used as the communication quality of the second wireless communication terminal apparatus. 4. The wireless communication method according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication quality is received power, and the device address is a MAC address. In a first wireless communication terminal device of a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices including first and second wireless communication terminal devices respectively connected to a wireless network,
The first wireless communication terminal apparatus receives a packet transmitted from the second wireless communication terminal apparatus when the second wireless communication terminal apparatus is communicating with another wireless communication terminal in the same network. An acquisition unit for acquiring communication quality;
A storage unit for storing the communication quality acquired by the acquisition unit and the device address of the second wireless communication terminal device;
Directly start the direct communication process when the communication quality stored in the storage unit is equal to or higher than a preset threshold before starting the direct communication process with the second wireless communication terminal device A wireless communication terminal apparatus comprising: a communication setting unit. The direct communication setting unit counts the non-communication time during which the second wireless communication terminal device is not performing wireless communication and stores the time in the storage unit,
Before starting the direct communication process with the second wireless communication terminal device, the no-communication time stored in the storage unit is less than a preset threshold value and stored in the storage unit 7. The wireless communication terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the direct communication processing is started when the communication quality being set is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value. The direct communication setting unit counts a non-communication time during which the second wireless communication terminal device is not performing wireless communication and stores the time in the storage unit,
Before starting the direct communication with the second wireless communication terminal device, the no-communication time stored in the storage unit is less than a preset threshold value and stored in the storage unit. The first wireless communication terminal device does not perform direct communication processing with the second wireless communication terminal device when the communication quality is lower than a preset threshold value. Item 7. The wireless communication terminal device according to Item 6.   The acquisition unit acquires the packet transmitted from the second wireless communication terminal device a plurality of times, and sets the average value of the acquired plurality of communication qualities as the communication quality of the second wireless communication terminal device. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the wireless communication device is a wireless communication device.   10. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the communication quality is received power, and the apparatus address is a MAC address.

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