JP5353940B2 - Communication system, remote control, communication method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system that can avoid increase of a network load used in a network system and reduce delay of data communication to a remote control and occurence of reconnection with AP. <P>SOLUTION: Based on usage status information obtained by a navigation 2, a usage status of information about a determined accessible room is referred to. As a result of such a reference, if the utilization rate of the determined room is more than a predetermined rate, the navigation 2 determines such AP as having radio wave intensity one rank higher than that of a first access-candidate AP to be a second access-candidate AP. On the contrary, as a result of such reference, if the utilization rate of the determined room is not determined to be more than the predetermined rate, the navigation 2 is connected with the first access-candidate AP. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a remote control device that transmits an operation instruction to a commander constituting a karaoke system as a communication system.

  Conventionally, a karaoke system including a commander and a remote controller is known. The remote controller is operated to send an operation instruction to the commander. When receiving the operation instruction from the remote controller, the commander executes a predetermined operation in accordance with the received operation instruction. In general, a remote controller is connected to a network using a wireless LAN in order to transmit and receive data from the network. In a store where a karaoke system is installed, a plurality of APs (Access Points) for connecting via a wireless LAN are installed. In the karaoke system, if access concentrates on a specific AP, data communication to a terminal connected to the AP on which access is concentrated may be delayed. In general, when the number of terminals connected to a specific AP is biased, communication is delayed due to waiting for multiple terminals to communicate simultaneously or disconnection or retry due to interference. In order to avoid this, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transmitting and receiving the number of terminal devices connected to each AP among a plurality of installed APs. Specifically, a technique for evenly allocating a communication band to terminals connected to a plurality of installed APs is disclosed.

JP 2010-114562 A

  When the technology described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a communication system, particularly a karaoke system, a plurality of APs transmit and receive the number of terminal devices connected to each AP, and thus it is necessary to excessively transmit and receive messages between APs. is there. For this reason, when the said message is frequently transmitted / received between AP, the network load used with a karaoke system became large, and there existed a possibility of inhibiting karaoke communication.

The present invention has been made in view of the above. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of avoiding an increase in network load used in a communication system and reducing delays in data communication to a remote control and reconnection to an AP. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged is provided, and shows the radio wave intensity of the plurality of access points. First access means for acquiring intensity information; first identification information for identifying the access point; and second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, wherein the access point indicated by the first identification information is Second acquisition means for acquiring the second identification information of the communication device in charge in association with the first identification information of the access point in charge of the communication device indicated by the second identification information; and the plurality of rooms A third acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating a usage status of the first access point; a first access point in which the strength information acquired by the first acquisition unit is stronger than a predetermined strength; First determination means for determining the second access point with the strongest intensity information acquired by the first acquisition means as a candidate to be connected to the remote control, and the first identification acquired by the second acquisition means Whether the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value based on the information, the second identification information, and the status information acquired by the third acquisition means A determination unit that determines whether or not a usage status is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value by the determination unit; a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point The usage status of the second determination means to be determined and the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is not less than a predetermined value. If a connection means for connecting to said first access point or said second access point, a communication system comprising: a.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the third access point is determined by the second determination unit, the determination unit includes the first identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit, and the Based on the second identification information and the status information acquired by the third acquisition means, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the room handled by the third access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the second When the usage status of the room handled by the third access point determined by the determination unit is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the connection unit connects to the third access point.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the usage status of the room that the third access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control means includes the strength information next to the third access point. The fourth access point having a strong value is determined by the first determining means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first determining means determines the second access point with the strongest strength information acquired by the first acquiring means as a candidate to be connected to the remote control. Features.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the remote controller of the communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged is installed, the radio waves of the plurality of access points are First acquisition means for acquiring intensity information indicating intensity, first identification information for identifying the access point, second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, the first identification information, Second acquisition means for acquiring the second identification information of the room in charge of the access point indicated by the first identification information in association with each other, and third acquisition for acquiring the situation information indicating the use status of the plurality of rooms And the first access point in which the intensity information acquired by the first acquisition means is stronger than a predetermined intensity, or the intensity information acquired by the first acquisition means is the highest. A first determination unit that determines a strong second access point as a candidate to be connected to the remote controller; the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit; and the third acquisition unit. Based on the acquired status information, a determination unit that determines whether or not a usage status of a room that the first access point or the second access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a usage status by the determination unit Is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, second determining means for determining a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point, and the first access point or the If the usage status of the room handled by the second access point is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the first access point or the second access point is used. And connection means for connecting to a point, a remote control, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the third access point is determined by the second determination unit, the determination unit includes the first identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit, and the Based on the second identification information and the status information acquired by the third acquisition means, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the room handled by the third access point is a predetermined value or more, 2 When the usage status of the room assigned to the third access point determined by the determination unit is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the connection unit connects to the third access point.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the usage status of the room that the third access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control means includes the intensity information next to the third access point. The fourth access point having a strong value is determined by the first determining means.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the first determining means determines the second access point having the strongest intensity information acquired by the first acquiring means as a candidate to be connected by the remote controller. Features.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in a communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers for communicating with a plurality of access points are arranged, the radio waves of the plurality of access points being Strength information indicating strength is a first acquisition step that is acquired by the remote controller, first identification information that identifies the access point, and second identification information that identifies the plurality of rooms, the first identification A second acquisition step that the remote controller acquires by associating the information with the second identification information of the room handled by the access point indicated by the first identification information, and the usage status of the plurality of rooms the status information, the remote control and the third acquisition step that acquires, wherein the strength information acquired by the first acquisition step is stronger than the predetermined strength first access Into, or, the intensity information the strongest second access point acquired by the first acquisition step, as candidates for the remote control is connected, a first determining step of the remote control is determined by the second acquisition step Use of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point based on the acquired first identification information and the second identification information, and the status information acquired by the third acquisition step When the remote controller determines whether or not the situation is greater than or equal to a predetermined level, and when the usage status is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined level according to the determination step, the next to the first access point or the second access point. said intensity information strong third access point, and a second determination step of the remote control is determined, before If usage of the room first access point or said second access point is responsible is not more than the predetermined amount, the the first access point or said second access point, characterized in that it comprises a connection step of the remote control is connected Is a communication method.

  According to the invention of claim 10, there is provided a program to be executed by a computer of the remote controller in a communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged. A first acquisition step of acquiring intensity information indicating the radio field intensity of the access point, first identification information for identifying the access point, and second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, A second acquisition step of acquiring one identification information in association with the second identification information of the room handled by the access point indicated by the first identification information, and status information indicating the usage status of the plurality of rooms And a first access point in which the strength information acquired in the first acquisition step is stronger than a predetermined strength. The first determination step of determining the second access point with the strongest strength information acquired in the first acquisition step as a candidate to be connected to the remote control, and the first access point acquired in the second acquisition step Based on the identification information and the second identification information, and the status information acquired in the third acquisition step, the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. And a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point when the use state is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value by the determination step. A second determining step for determining the first access point or the second access point If room usage is not more than the predetermined amount, a program for executing a connection step of connecting to said first access point or said second access point.

  According to the invention described in claim 1 or claim 5, the determination means includes the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the situation information acquired by the third acquisition means. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The second determining unit determines a third access point having the next strongest strength information after the first access point or the second access point when the determining unit determines that the usage state is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Therefore, it is possible to determine an access point with strong radio field strength based on the use situation of the room, so that it is possible to avoid an increase in the network load used in the communication system, delay data communication to the remote control, The occurrence of reconnection to the network can be reduced.

  According to the second or sixth aspect of the invention, when the third access point is determined by the second determination unit, the determination unit includes the first identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit and the second identification information. Based on the identification information and the status information acquired by the third acquisition means, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the room handled by the third access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When the usage status of the room handled by the third access point determined by the second determination unit is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the connection unit connects to the third access point. Even when the third access point is determined, the usage status of the room that the third access point is responsible for may be crowded. Even in this case, since the connection to the third access point is made when the usage status of the room is equal to or less than a predetermined value, connection to a busy access point can be avoided.

According to the invention described in claim 3 or claim 7, when it is determined that the usage status of the room that the third access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the second determining means is next to the third access point. A fourth access point with strong strength information is determined. As a result, even if the usage status of the room assigned to the third access point determined again is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, avoid the connection of the crowded access point and recurse in order from the access point with the strong radio wave strength. Thus, the access point to be connected can be determined.

  According to the invention described in claim 4 or claim 8, the first determining means determines the second access point having the strongest intensity information acquired by the first acquiring means as a candidate to be connected by the remote control. Therefore, since the access point with the strongest radio wave intensity can be determined based on the use situation of the room, it is possible to avoid an increase in the network load used in the communication system, to delay data communication to the remote control, and to access The occurrence of reconnection to points can be reduced.

  According to the invention described in claim 9 or claim 10, the determination step includes the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition step, and the situation information acquired by the third acquisition step. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In the second determination step, when it is determined in the determination step that the usage status is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the third access point having the second highest strength information after the first access point or the second access point is determined. Therefore, it is possible to determine an access point with strong radio field strength based on the use situation of the room, so that it is possible to avoid an increase in the network load used in the communication system, delay data communication to the remote control, The occurrence of reconnection to the network can be reduced.

It is a conceptual block diagram which shows the schematic block diagram of the music reproduction system of this embodiment, and the electrical structure of the commander 1 navigation 2. FIG. It is an arrangement | positioning figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the commander 1 and the navigation 2 in the karaoke store of this embodiment. (A) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the memory | storage state which memorize | stored the field intensity information which shows the field intensity acquired from AP set around the navigation 2 in the field intensity information storage area 563. (B) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the memory | storage state where the use condition information of this embodiment was memorize | stored in the use condition information storage area 561. (A) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the memory | storage state where the charge room information which each AP of this embodiment takes charge of was memorize | stored in the charge room information storage area 562. (B) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the memory | storage state in which the charge room information which each AP in charge in the other example of this embodiment takes charge was memorize | stored in the charge room information storage area 562. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the navigation 2 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows AP reconnection process of the navigation 2 of this embodiment.

[Best Embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment to which the invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Outline configuration of music playback system]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a music playback system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the music playback system includes a commander 1 and a navigation 2. The navigation 2 is a karaoke device that sends commands to the commander 1 by infrared rays. The music reproduction system of this embodiment is an example of a communication system of the present invention. Moreover, the commander 1 of this embodiment is an example of the communication apparatus of this invention. The navigation 2 of the present embodiment is an example of the remote controller of the present invention.

[General configuration of Commander 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the commander 1 includes a control unit 12, a LAN interface unit 14, a storage unit 16, an operation processing unit 22, a synthesizer 24, a video RAM 32, a video playback unit 34, and a video control unit. 38.

  The control unit 12 is electrically connected to the LAN interface unit 14, the storage unit 16, the operation processing unit 22, the synthesizer 24, the video RAM 32, the video reproduction unit 34, and the video control unit 38. The control unit 12 controls various configurations of the commander 1. The control unit 12 is a controller composed of, for example, a CPU and a RAM.

  The LAN interface unit 14 connects the commander 1 and the LAN 100. The LAN interface unit 14 enables the commander 1 to communicate with the Internet and the navigation 2 via the router 120 or the access point 110.

  The operation processing unit 22 is electrically connected to the operation unit 18 and the infrared receiving unit 20. The operation unit 18 is operated by the user of the commander 1. An input signal operated by the operation unit 18 is output to the operation processing unit 22. The infrared receiving unit 20 receives infrared rays transmitted by the navigation 2. The received infrared signal is output to the operation processing unit 22. The operation processing unit 22 determines the operation content based on each output signal. Based on the determined operation content, the control unit 12 controls the commander 1.

  The storage unit 16 stores music data and video data output by the commander 1. The storage unit 16 is a high-capacity storage medium such as HardDisk (HD), for example. Based on the operation content determined by the operation processing unit 22, the music data or video data stored in the storage unit 16 is read by the control unit 12. Then, according to the video data stored in the storage unit 16, the control unit 12 transmits a command for outputting video to the video RAM 32, the video playback unit 34, or the video control unit 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 12 is electrically connected to a video RAM 32, a video reproduction unit 34, and a video control unit 38. In addition, the video control unit 38 is electrically connected to the display unit 36. The video RAM 32 temporarily stores the read video data. In accordance with a command output from the control unit 12, the video reproduction unit 34 converts the video data temporarily stored in the video RAM 32 into a signal to be output to the display unit. The converted signal is transmitted to the video control unit 38. In accordance with the command transmitted by the control unit 12, the video control unit 38 transmits a command for causing the display unit 36 to display a video. The video control unit 38 displays a predetermined video on the display unit 36 based on the signal transmitted by the video playback unit. The display unit 36 is a display, for example.

  Further, according to the music data stored in the storage unit 16, the control unit 12 transmits a command to output the music data to the synthesizer 24. Then, according to the command transmitted by the control unit 12, the synthesizer 24 generates a sound signal based on the music data. The sound signal is a signal for outputting sound from the speaker 28 via the mixing amplifier 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the synthesizer 24 is electrically connected to the mixing amplifier 30. Further, the mixing amplifier 30 is electrically connected to the microphone control unit 26 and the speaker 28.

  The microphone control unit 26 is connected to a microphone (not shown). Based on the information input by the microphone, the microphone control unit 26 generates an audio signal. The microphone control unit 26 outputs the generated audio signal to the mixing amplifier 30. Based on the audio signal transmitted by the microphone control unit 26 or the sound signal transmitted by the synthesizer 24, the mixing amplifier 30 causes the speaker 28 to output the sound input from the microphone or the sound of the music data. When both the audio signal transmitted by the microphone control unit 28 and the sound signal transmitted by the synthesizer 24 are transmitted to the mixing amplifier 30, the mixing amplifier 30 receives the sound input from the microphone and the sound of the music data. Are combined and output from the speaker 28.

[Outline configuration of Navi 2]
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation 2 includes a control unit 52, an infrared transmission unit 54, a memory 56, an operation processing unit 62, a video RAM, a video control unit 66, and a wireless LAN communication unit 68. . The control unit 52 is electrically connected to the infrared transmission unit 54, the memory 56, the operation processing unit 62, the video RAM, the video control unit 66, and the wireless LAN communication unit 68. The control unit 52 controls various configurations of the navigation 2. The control unit 52 is a controller composed of, for example, a CPU and a RAM.

  The operation processing unit 62 is electrically connected to the operation unit 60. The operation unit 60 is operated by a user of the navigation 2. The operation unit 60 is, for example, a touch panel. The position information input through the touch panel is output to the operation processing unit 22. The operation processing unit 62 determines the operation content based on the input position information. The determined operation content is output to the control unit 52.

  The infrared transmitter 54 transmits infrared rays toward the commander 1. Specifically, the operation content determined by the operation processing unit 22 is transmitted to the commander 1 by the infrared transmission unit 54. When the operation unit 60 of the navigation 2 is operated by the user, a predetermined operation signal is transmitted from the navigation 2 to the commander 1. For example, by operating the navigation 2, karaoke music is reserved. Therefore, an operation signal indicating the reserved karaoke music is transmitted from the navigation 2 to the commander 1. When receiving the operation signal, the commander 1 temporarily stores the music included in the operation signal as a reserved music in the RAM or the like of the control unit 12.

  The memory 56 stores search data and video data. In addition, the memory 56 includes a usage status information storage area 561, a room information storage area 562, a radio wave intensity information storage area 563, and a program storage area 564. The usage status information storage area 561 stores usage status information to be described later. The assigned room information storage area 562 stores assigned room information described later. The radio wave intensity information storage area 563 stores radio wave intensity information described later. The program storage area 564 stores a main operation processing program for the navigation 2. The main operation processing program is a program for causing the navigation 2 to execute main operation processing described later. The main operation processing program of the navigation 2 may be downloaded from a predetermined server on the network, for example, or recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and via a drive of the recording medium. It may be read.

  The memory 56 is, for example, a nonvolatile NAND type memory. The search data is information for searching for music data distributed by the music playback system. The search data is, for example, an electronic quick sample of karaoke. The video data stored in the memory 56 is information for displaying a video on the display unit 58. Based on the operation content determined by the operation processing unit 62, the video data stored in the memory 56 is read by the control unit 52. Then, according to the video data stored in the memory 56, the control unit 52 transmits a command for outputting video to the video RAM 64 or the video control unit 66. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 52 is electrically connected to a video RAM 64 and a video control unit 66. Further, the video control unit 66 is electrically connected to the display unit 58. The video RAM 64 temporarily stores the read video data. In accordance with a command output by the control unit 52, the video control unit 66 converts the video data temporarily stored in the video RAM 64 into a signal to be output to the display unit. The video control unit 66 transmits a command to display the converted signal on the display unit 58. The video control unit 66 displays a predetermined video on the display unit 58 based on the converted signal. The display unit 58 is, for example, a display.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 68 is connected to an access point 110 installed in each karaoke store or the like. The wireless LAN communication unit 68 is, for example, a known wireless chip. The access point 110 is a wireless LAN, for example. The access point 110 can be connected to the Internet such as a WAN via the router 120. The navigation 2 is connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store via the access point 110. As a result, the navigation 2 can transmit / receive information to / from the commander 1 connected to the LAN 100.

  FIG. 2 is an arrangement diagram showing an arrangement example of the commander 1 and the navigation 2 in the karaoke store 80 of the present embodiment. Generally, the commander 1 and the navigation 2 are set in each room (room 1 to room 8) provided in the karaoke store 80 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, eight rooms from room 1 to room 8 are installed in one karaoke store 80 as rooms for karaoke. In each of the rooms 1 to 8, a commander 1 and a navigation 2 are installed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, an access point 110a and an access point 110b are installed in the karaoke store 80. In particular, the example of FIG. 2 is an example in which the access point 110a and the access point 110b are installed at two locations.

  In the present embodiment, basically, the navigation 2 acquires the radio field intensity from a communicable access point when the power is turned on. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the navigation 2 installed in each room acquires the radio wave intensity from the access point 110 a and the access point 110 b installed in the karaoke store 80. In the present embodiment, each navigation 2 is basically connected to an AP having the highest radio field intensity. However, in the case of this method, even if the AP has the strongest radio field intensity, the number of navigations 2 connected to the AP having the strongest radio field intensity is large, or the navigation system connects to the AP having the strongest radio field intensity. If 2 is biased, there may be a problem of waiting until a predetermined navigation 2 becomes communicable due to a plurality of navigations 2 communicating simultaneously, or disconnection or retry due to interference. For these reasons, the communication of the navigation 2 is delayed. Also, a method of controlling the number of navigations 2 connected to the AP by transmitting and receiving the number of navigations 2 connected to each AP between a plurality of APs is conceivable. However, it is necessary to transmit and receive messages between APs excessively. For this reason, when messages are frequently transmitted and received between APs, the network load used in the karaoke system increases, which may hinder karaoke communication. For these reasons, in this embodiment, the AP to which the navigation 2 is connected is changed according to the usage status of each room (room 1 to room 8) of karaoke.

[AP decision method]
Hereinafter, the AP determination method of the navigation 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, when the power of the navigation 2 is turned on, the radio field intensity is acquired from APs installed around the navigation 2. FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram showing a storage state in which the radio wave intensity information indicating the radio wave intensity acquired from the AP set around the navigation 2 is stored in the radio wave intensity information storage area 563. FIG. 3A shows an example in which the navigation 2 acquires the radio field intensity from the access point 110a and the access point 110b. The radio wave intensity information storage area 563 stores the acquired access point and radio wave intensity in association with each other as radio wave intensity information. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the RSSI value of each access point is used as the radio wave intensity. In addition, any information indicating the radio wave intensity may be used. In the present embodiment, first, the navigation 2 is connected to the AP having the highest acquired radio wave intensity. Then, identification information for identifying the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. The radio wave intensity information storage area 563 of the present embodiment is an example of a first acquisition unit of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 3A, “110a” and “110b” that identify access points are examples of the first identification information of the present invention. Further, the radio wave intensity shown in FIG. 3A is an example of the intensity information of the present invention.

  Thereafter, usage status information indicating the usage status of each room of the karaoke store 80 is acquired from a management device connected to the network. In addition, the management apparatus of this embodiment is not illustrated. The management device is a device that manages the usage status of the karaoke store 80. For example, a person who accepts the karaoke store 80 inputs the usage status of the room of the karaoke store 80 as usage status information. The input usage status information is stored in the management device. The usage status information stored in the management device is acquired by the navigation 2. The acquired usage status information is stored in the usage status information storage area 561. Thereby, each navigation 2 can grasp | ascertain the usage condition of the room of the karaoke store 80 in which the navigation 2 was installed. FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram showing a storage state in which the usage status information of this embodiment is stored in the usage status information storage area 561. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), each room (room 1 to room 8) installed in the karaoke store 80 is associated with the usage status of the room, and the navigation 2 is sent from the management device as usage status information. get. The usage status information acquired by the navigation 2 is stored in the usage status information storage area 561. “In use” shown in FIG. 3B indicates that the room is being used by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, room 1, room 4, room 5, room 7, and room 8 are in use. Also, “vacant” shown in FIG. 3B indicates that the room is not used by the user and is vacant. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, it is indicated that the room 2, the room 3, and the room 6 are vacant. The usage status information storage area 561 of this embodiment is an example of a third acquisition unit of the present invention. Moreover, the usage status information of this embodiment is an example of status information of the present invention.

  Next, the navigation 2 acquires information on the room in charge assigned to each AP from the management device. The acquired assigned room information is stored in the assigned room information storage area 562. FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing a storage state in which the assigned room information handled by each AP according to the present embodiment is stored in the assigned room information storage area 562. The administrator of the karaoke store 80 sets a room for each AP 110 installed in the karaoke store 80. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, room 1, room 2, room 5, and room 6 are set as the rooms handled by the access point 110a. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, room 3, room 4, room 7, and room 8 are set as the rooms handled by the access point 110b. In FIG. 4A shown in the present embodiment, the manager of the karaoke store 80 determines a room physically close to the position of the AP installed in the karaoke store 80 as a room in charge of the AP. In the present embodiment, the room information is manually set by the administrator of the karaoke store 80, but may be determined automatically. In this case, each of the rooms (room 1 to room 8) shown in FIG. 2 has room position information indicating the positions installed in each karaoke store 80, and AP position information indicating the position of the AP installed in each karaoke store 80. And are used. Based on the room position information and the AP position information, the AP closest to each room is automatically determined as the AP in charge of the room.

  FIG. 4A shows an example in which a room assigned to each access point is set as assigned room information. As a modification of FIG. 4A, the commander in charge of each access point may be used instead of the room in charge. FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram showing a storage state in which the assigned room information handled by each AP in another example of this embodiment is stored in the assigned room information storage area 562. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, each access point is associated with commander identification information handled by each access point as the assigned room information. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, commander identification information for identifying a commander installed in a room is stored in association with each access point, instead of the room handled by each access point. Further, a room in which each commander is installed and commander identification information indicating a commander installed in the room are stored in association with each other. The usage rate of the AP may be determined based on the assigned room information and the usage status information shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the usage status of the commander installed in each room may be used as usage status information instead of the usage status information shown in FIG. In this case, information for identifying each room and the commander identification information of the commander set for the room are associated with each other and stored in the memory 56 of the navigation 2. The administrator of the karaoke store 80 sets information indicating whether or not the commander installed in each room is in use. And the navigation 2 will acquire the information set via the network. Thereby, based on the usage status of the commander, the navigation 2 can grasp the usage status of each room. The assigned room information storage area 562 of this embodiment is an example of the second acquisition unit of the present invention.

  Each navigation 2 determines the room information in charge of the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity with which the navigation 2 can communicate. Specifically, the navigation 2 determines a room corresponding to the AP having the strongest electric strength with which the navigation 2 can communicate from the acquired assigned room information. Then, based on the acquired usage status information, the navigation 2 refers to the determined usage status of the room. As a result of the reference, when the usage rate of the determined room is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the navigation 2 determines an AP having the highest radio wave intensity next to the AP having the highest radio wave intensity as a connection destination candidate. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the usage rate of the determined room is equal to or greater than the predetermined value as a result of the reference, the navigation 2 connects to the AP having the highest radio wave intensity.

  In this case, the determined usage rate of the room is a value obtained by dividing the number of rooms in use in the room-in-charge information by the number of room-in-charge information. In the present embodiment, the usage rate is used, but other than the usage rate may be used. For example, it may be determined whether or not the number of rooms that are “in use” in the assigned room information is greater than a predetermined number.

  Then, again, the room information assigned to the AP determined as the connection destination candidate is determined. Based on the acquired usage status information, the determined usage status of the assigned room information is referred to. As a result of the reference, when the usage rate of the determined room is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the navigation 2 determines an AP having the next highest radio wave intensity as the connection destination candidate after the AP determined as the connection destination candidate. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the usage rate of the determined room is equal to or greater than the predetermined value as a result of the reference, the navigation 2 connects to the connection destination candidate AP. By repeatedly executing this processing, it is possible to avoid an increase in the network load used in the music playback system, and to reduce delays in data communication to the navigation 2 and reconnection to the AP. .

[Main operation]
The operation and action of the navigation 2 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the main operation and action of the navigation 2 will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the main operation in the navigation 2. The main operation of the navigation 2 is performed by connecting an external power source such as a commercial power source and the navigation 2 via a power source or an outlet. The processing shown below is processed by the control unit 52.

  In step S101, the radio field intensity of the AP is acquired by the control unit 52 and the wireless LAN communication unit 68. By acquiring the radio field intensity by the process of step S101, the navigation 2 can grasp the number of connectable APs. The acquired radio wave intensity is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. Step S101 of this embodiment is an example of a first acquisition step of the present invention.

  In step S102, the control unit 52 determines whether or not one or more radio wave intensities have been acquired in step S101. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is one or more radio field strengths temporarily stored in the RAM in step S101. If it is determined in step S101 that one or more radio field intensities have been acquired (step S102: YES), step S103 is executed. If it is not determined in step S101 that one or more radio field intensities have been acquired (step S102: NO), step S101 is repeatedly executed.

  In step S103, the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity is determined from the radio wave intensity acquired in step S101. Then, the navigation 2 is connected to the determined AP.

  In step S104, the assigned room information is acquired from the management apparatus. The acquired assigned room information is stored in the assigned room information storage area 562. Step S104 of the present embodiment is an example of a second acquisition step of the present invention.

  In step S105, a usage status information acquisition request is transmitted to the management apparatus. In the present embodiment, time information indicating the time at which step S105 is executed is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. The time is determined by the timing operation being executed by the CPU provided in the control unit 52. Step S105 of the present embodiment is an example of a third acquisition step of the present invention.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the acquisition was requested in step S105. It is determined whether or not the difference between the current time measured by the CPU of the control unit 52 and the time temporarily stored in the RAM has exceeded a predetermined value. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S106: YES), step S107 is executed. If it is not determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S106: NO), step S108 is executed.

  In step S107, the AP with the highest radio field intensity is determined. The navigation 2 is connected to the determined AP. This is because the usage status information indicating the usage status of the room could not be acquired even after the predetermined time has elapsed in step S106, and thus the navigation 2 is connected to the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity.

  In step S108, it is determined whether usage status information has been received from the management apparatus. If it is determined that the usage status information has been received from the management apparatus (step S108: YES), step S109 is executed. If it is not determined that the usage status information has been received from the management apparatus (step S108: NO), step S106 is executed again.

  In step S109, AP reconnection processing is executed. In step S109, the AP to which the navigation system 2 is connected is determined based on the room usage status of the karaoke store 80 and the radio wave intensity of the AP. The navigation 2 is connected to the determined AP.

[AP reconnection processing]
Here, the AP reconnection processing operation and action of the navigation 2 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of AP reconnection processing in the navigation 2.

  In step S201, the AP having the strongest radio field intensity is determined as a connection destination candidate. The determined connection destination candidate is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. In step S201, instead of the AP having the highest radio field intensity, an AP having a radio field intensity of a predetermined value or more may be determined as a connection destination candidate. The step control unit 52 and S201 of this embodiment are an example of a first determination unit of the present invention. Moreover, step S201 of this embodiment is an example of a first determination step of the present invention.

  In step S202, the room in charge of the AP determined in step S201 is determined. A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the access point 110a is determined as the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity. In this case, based on the assigned room information stored in the assigned room information storage area 562, the room handled by the access point 110a is determined. As shown in FIG. 4, room 1, room 2, room 5, and room 6 are determined as rooms in charge of access point 110a.

  In step S203, the usage status of the room in charge determined in step S202 is determined. A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. In step S202, room 1, room 2, room 5, and room 6 are determined as rooms in charge of access point 110a. Next, in step S203, the usage status information stored in the usage status information storage area 561 is referred to. The usage status information of room 1, room 2, room 5, and room 6 determined in step S202 is referred to. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the room 1 and the room 5 are determined to be “in use” based on the usage status information. Further, it is determined that the room 2 and the room 6 are “vacant”. Based on the determined use situation of the room, the usage rate of the room is determined. In this example, among the four rooms, room 1, room 2, room 5, and room 6, which are the rooms in charge of the access point 110a, two rooms, room 1 and room 5, are “in use”. For this reason, the usage rate is determined to be “0.5”, which is a value obtained by dividing 2 by 4, that is, 50%.

  In step S204, it is determined whether or not the room usage rate determined in step S203 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Specifically, in the present embodiment, in step S204, it is determined whether or not the room usage rate determined in step S203 is 80% or more. This value of 80% is a value that can be arbitrarily set by an administrator of the karaoke store 80 or the like. When it is determined that the room usage rate determined in step S203 is 80% or more (step S204: YES), step S206 is executed. When it is not determined that the room usage rate determined in step S203 is 80% or more (step S204: NO), step S205 is executed. The control part 52 and step S204 of this embodiment are an example of the determination means of this invention. Further, step S204 of the present embodiment is an example of a determination step of the present invention.

  In step S205, the navigation 2 is connected to the connection destination candidate AP. Since the usage rate of the AP determined as the connection destination candidate is expected to be low, the navigation 2 is connected to the connection destination candidate AP. The control unit 52 and step S205 of this embodiment are an example of connection means of the present invention. Further, step S205 of the present embodiment is an example of a connection step of the present invention.

  In step S206, an AP having the next highest radio field strength after the AP determined as the connection destination candidate is searched. From the radio field intensity acquired in step 101, an AP having the next highest radio field intensity is searched for after the AP determined in step S201 or step S209.

  In step S207, as a result of the search in step S206, it is determined whether there is an AP having the strongest radio wave intensity next to the AP determined in step S201 or step S209. When it is determined that there is no AP having the strongest radio wave intensity next to the AP determined in step S201 or step S209 (step S207: YES), step S210 is executed. If it is not determined that there is no AP having the strongest radio wave intensity next to the AP determined in step S201 or step S209 (step S207: NO), step S208 is executed.

  In step S208, as a result of the search in step S206, it is determined whether or not the radio field intensity in the AP having the next highest radio field intensity after the AP determined in step S201 or step S209 is equal to or less than a threshold value. If it is determined in step S208 that the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S208: YES), step S210 is executed. If it is not determined in step S208 that the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S208: NO), step S209 is executed.

  In step S209, as a result of the search in step S206, an AP having the next highest radio field strength after the AP determined in step S201 or step S209 is determined as a connection destination candidate. The determined connection destination candidate AP is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. After step S209 is executed, step S202 is executed again. This is because the AP whose radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value in step S208 has low radio wave intensity in the first place even if the usage rate of the AP is low. Because it is good. The control unit 52 and step S209 of the present embodiment are an example of the second determination unit of the present invention. Moreover, step S209 of the present embodiment is an example of a second determination step of the present invention.

  In step S210, the navigation 2 is connected to the AP having the strongest radio wave intensity connected in step S103.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a karaoke communication system. The present invention may be applied in addition to a communication system for karaoke. The present invention is applicable to any communication system in an environment where a remote controller that functions as a navigation and a communication device that receives an operation command from the remote controller are installed. In the present embodiment, when it is determined in step S208 that the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S208: YES), step S209 is executed. As a modification of the present embodiment, step S209 may be executed after step S207 is executed without executing step S208.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commander 2 Navi 12 Control part 14 LAN interface part 16 Storage part 18 Operation part 20 Infrared receiving part 22 Operation processing part 24 Synthesizer 26 Microphone control part 28 Speaker 30 Mixing amplifier 32 Video RAM
34 video playback unit 36 display unit 38 video control unit 52 control unit 54 infrared transmission unit 56 memory 58 display unit 60 operation unit 62 operation processing unit 64 video RAM
66 Video control unit 68 Wireless LAN communication unit 80 Karaoke shop 100 LAN
110 access point 110a access point 110b access point 120 router 561 usage status information storage area 562 responsible room information storage area

Claims (10)

A communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged are installed,
First acquisition means for acquiring intensity information indicating the intensity of radio waves of the plurality of access points;
The first identification information for identifying the access point and the second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, wherein the second identification information of the room in charge of the access point indicated by the first identification information, Second acquisition means for acquiring in association with the first identification information of the access point in charge of the room indicated by the second identification information;
Third acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the usage status of the plurality of rooms;
The remote controller connects the first access point whose strength information acquired by the first acquisition means is stronger than a predetermined strength, or the second access point whose strength information acquired by the first acquisition means is the strongest. First determining means for determining as a candidate to perform,
The first access point or the second access point based on the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit and the status information acquired by the third acquisition unit Determining means for determining whether or not the usage status of the room in charge is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
Second determination means for determining a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point when the determination means determines that the usage state is a predetermined value or more;
A connection means for connecting to the first access point or the second access point when the usage status of the room in charge of the first access point or the second access point is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
A communication system comprising: When the third access point is determined by the second determination unit, the determination unit includes the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit, and the third acquisition unit. And determining whether or not the usage status of the room that the third access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the status information acquired by:
The connection unit connects to the third access point when the usage status of the room handled by the third access point determined by the second determination unit is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Communication system. When it is determined that the usage status of the room handled by the third access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the second determination unit determines a fourth access point having the second strength information next to the third access point. The communication system according to claim 2.   4. The first determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the first determination unit determines a second access point having the strongest strength information acquired by the first acquisition unit as a candidate to be connected to the remote controller. The communication system as described in any one. The remote controller of the communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged are installed,
First acquisition means for acquiring intensity information indicating the intensity of radio waves of the plurality of access points;
First identification information for identifying the access point, and second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, wherein the first identification information and a room assigned to the access point indicated by the first identification information Second acquisition means for acquiring the second identification information in association with each other;
Third acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the usage status of the plurality of rooms;
The remote controller connects the first access point whose strength information acquired by the first acquisition means is stronger than a predetermined strength, or the second access point whose strength information acquired by the first acquisition means is the strongest. First determining means for determining as a candidate to perform,
The first access point or the second access point based on the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit and the status information acquired by the third acquisition unit Determining means for determining whether or not the usage status of the room in charge is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
Second determination means for determining a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point when the determination means determines that the usage state is a predetermined value or more;
A connection means for connecting to the first access point or the second access point when the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is not a predetermined value or more;
A remote control comprising: When the third access point is determined by the second determination unit, the determination unit includes the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit, and the third acquisition unit. Determining whether or not the usage status of the room in charge of the third access point is a predetermined value or more based on the status information acquired by
The connection means connects to the third access point when the usage status of the room handled by the third access point determined by the second determination means is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The listed remote control. When it is determined that the usage status of the room that the third access point is in charge of is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the second determination means determines the fourth access point having the second strength information next to the third access point, The remote controller according to claim 6, wherein the first determining means determines.   The said 1st determination means determines the 2nd access point with the strongest said intensity | strength information acquired by the said 1st acquisition means as a candidate for the said remote control to connect. The remote control according to any one of the above. A communication method in a communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which remote controllers that communicate with a plurality of access points are arranged are installed,
A first acquisition step in which the remote controller acquires intensity information indicating the intensity of radio waves of the plurality of access points;
First identification information for identifying the access point, and second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, wherein the first identification information and a room assigned to the access point indicated by the first identification information A second acquisition step that the remote control acquires in association with the second identification information;
A third acquisition step in which the remote controller acquires status information indicating the usage status of the plurality of rooms;
The remote controller connects the first access point whose strength information acquired in the first acquisition step is stronger than a predetermined strength, or the second access point whose strength information acquired in the first acquisition step is strongest. A first determination step determined by the remote controller as a candidate to be performed;
The first access point or the second access point based on the first identification information and the second identification information acquired in the second acquisition step and the status information acquired in the third acquisition step Determining whether the remote controller determines whether or not the usage status of the room in charge is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
A second determination in which the remote controller determines a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point when the use state is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value by the determination step; Steps,
A connection step in which the remote control is connected to the first access point or the second access point when the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
A communication method comprising: A program to be executed by a computer of the remote control in a communication system in an environment in which a plurality of rooms in which a remote control for communicating with a plurality of access points is arranged,
A first acquisition step of acquiring strength information indicating the strength of radio waves of the plurality of access points;
First identification information for identifying the access point, and second identification information for identifying the plurality of rooms, wherein the first identification information and a room assigned to the access point indicated by the first identification information A second acquisition step of acquiring the second identification information in association with each other;
A third acquisition step of acquiring status information indicating the usage status of the plurality of rooms;
The remote controller connects the first access point whose strength information acquired in the first acquisition step is stronger than a predetermined strength, or the second access point whose strength information acquired in the first acquisition step is strongest. A first determination step for determining as a candidate to be performed;
The first access point or the second access point based on the first identification information and the second identification information acquired in the second acquisition step and the status information acquired in the third acquisition step A determination step of determining whether or not the usage status of the room in charge is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
A second determining step of determining a third access point having the second strength information next to the first access point or the second access point when the use state is determined to be a predetermined value or more by the determining step;
A connection step of connecting to the first access point or the second access point when the usage status of the room handled by the first access point or the second access point is not a predetermined value or more;
A program that executes