JP5994893B2 - Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a program.

  In recent years, wireless networks typified by IEEE 802.11, which is a wireless LAN standard, are becoming popular in place of wired networks because of the advantages such as high degree of freedom of devices, and a variety of applications are used.

JP 2008-283590 A Special table 2008-523697 JP 2007-74561 A

  In the infrastructure mode of IEEE 802.11, the operation of the access point (AP) is started first, and broadcast information (beacon) is periodically transmitted from the access point at a preset frequency. A station (STA) discovers an access point as a communication partner by receiving a beacon transmitted from the access point.

  On the other hand, there is assumed a method of determining an access point and a station by negotiation after connection is completed without distinguishing between an access point and a station in advance for communication. In this method, since it is not known at which frequency the other party is operating, notification information such as a beacon is sent while switching the frequency, and the notification information is received for the first time when the frequencies of the devices match at a certain timing. Can be completed.

  However, in this case, whether it becomes an access point or a station is determined depending on which role each device plays at the time of connection. For this reason, which device is the parent device and which device is the child device is randomly determined regardless of the user's intention, the application, and the current connection status with other devices.

  Therefore, when searching for a communication partner while transmitting notification information, it has been required to reliably determine which device plays a role as a parent device.

  According to the present disclosure, a notification information transmission unit that transmits notification information of its own device via a wireless communication network and a response of the other device to the notification information of the own device from the other device that has received the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit for receiving information, a notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information of another device, a response information transmitting unit for transmitting response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device, and a notification of the other device An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as either a parent device or a child device based on operation mode determination information included in the information or response information of the other device, and the operation mode Judgment information includes functions of other devices, status regarding power supply of other devices, priority index of other devices, functions of slave units attached to other devices, presence / absence of simultaneous operation function of master unit and slave units of other devices, other devices Accompanying Communication application status of the slave unit is at least one of the wireless communication device is provided.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, a notification information transmitting unit that transmits notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, and another device for the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit that receives the response information of the other device, a notification information receiving unit that receives the notification information of the other device, a response information transmitting unit that transmits response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device, and the other device An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information or the response information of the other device, and The operation mode judgment information is the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device, For other devices The notification information of the own device is at least one of the communication application states of the associated child devices, and the own device is a child of the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network. A wireless communication device is provided that includes a command for operating a second other device that is already connected to the device as a slave device as a slave device of the first other device when operating as a slave device. .

  A frequency setting unit that sets the operating frequency of the own apparatus may be provided based on the notification information of the other apparatus or the response information of the other apparatus.

  In addition, a frequency switching unit that switches a frequency when transmitting the notification information of the own device and a frequency when waiting for the notification information of another device may be provided.

  In addition, a comparison unit that compares the operation mode determination information received from another device and the corresponding information of the own device is provided, and the operation mode determination unit is configured to recognize the own device based on a comparison result by the comparison unit. It may be determined to operate as either one of the machine or the child machine.

  The operation mode determination unit operates the own device so that the operation of the parent device and the child device is switched according to a connection partner when connected to a plurality of other devices connected via a wireless communication network. It may be made to do.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the notification of the own device from the notification information transmitting unit that transmits the notification information of the own device through the wireless communication network and the second wireless communication device that has received the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit for receiving response information of the second wireless communication device for the information, a notification information receiving unit for receiving the notification information of the second wireless communication device, and the notification information for the notification information of the second wireless communication device. Based on the response information transmission unit that transmits the response information of the device and the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the second wireless communication device or the response information of the second wireless communication device, Or a first wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate as either one of the slave units, a notification information transmission unit that transmits notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, and A response information receiving unit that receives response information of the first wireless communication device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the first wireless communication device, and notification information that receives the notification information of the first wireless communication device. A reception unit, a response information transmission unit that transmits response information of the device itself to the notification information of the first wireless communication device, and notification information of the first wireless communication device or response information of the first wireless communication device A second wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as one of the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in The operation mode determination information includes the function of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the situation regarding the power supply of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device. Wireless communication The priority index of the device, the function of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the simultaneous operation function of the master unit and the slave unit of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device A wireless communication system is provided that is at least one of presence / absence and state of a communication application of a slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the notification of the own device from the notification information transmitting unit that transmits the notification information of the own device through the wireless communication network and the second wireless communication device that has received the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit for receiving response information of the second wireless communication device for the information, a notification information receiving unit for receiving the notification information of the second wireless communication device, and the notification information for the notification information of the second wireless communication device. Based on the response information transmission unit that transmits the response information of the device and the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the second wireless communication device or the response information of the second wireless communication device, Or a first wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate as either one of the slave units, a notification information transmission unit that transmits notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, and A response information receiving unit that receives response information of the first wireless communication device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the first wireless communication device, and notification information that receives the notification information of the first wireless communication device. A reception unit, a response information transmission unit that transmits response information of the device itself to the notification information of the first wireless communication device, and notification information of the first wireless communication device or response information of the first wireless communication device A second wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as one of the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in The operation mode determination information includes the function of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the situation regarding the power supply of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device. Wireless communication The priority index of the device, the function of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the simultaneous operation function of the master unit and the slave unit of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device Presence / absence, state of communication application of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, and the notification information of the own device via the wireless communication network When the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device operates as a slave with respect to the first other device to be newly connected, the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device has a child A wireless communication system is provided, which includes a command for operating a second other device already connected as a device as a slave device of the first other device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the step of transmitting the notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, and the response information of the other device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the other device that has received the notification information of the own device , Receiving the notification information of the other device, transmitting the response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device, and the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device Determining that the device operates as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information to be operated, and the operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device and the power of the other device. Status related to supply, priority index of other devices, functions of slave units attached to other devices, presence / absence of master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of other devices, communication application of slave units attached to other devices State, at least the wireless communication method is either is provided of.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the step of transmitting the notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, and the response information of the other device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the other device that has received the notification information of the own device , Receiving the notification information of the other device, transmitting the response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device, and the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device Determining that the device operates as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information to be operated, and the operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device and the power of the other device. Status related to supply, priority index of other devices, functions of slave units attached to other devices, presence / absence of master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of other devices, communication application of slave units attached to other devices In the notification information of the own device, when the own device operates as a slave with respect to the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network There is provided a wireless communication method including a command for operating a second other device already connected to the device as a slave device as a slave device of the first other device.

  Further, according to the present disclosure, means for transmitting notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, response information of the other device with respect to the notification information of the own device is received from the other device that has received the notification information of the own device. Means for receiving, means for receiving notification information of other device, means for transmitting response information of own device to notification information of other device, judgment of operation mode included in notification information of said other device or response information of said other device A program for causing a computer to function as a means for determining that the device is to be operated as either a parent device or a child device based on information, wherein the operation mode determination information is a function of another device, Status regarding power supply of other devices, priority index of other devices, functions of slave units attached to other devices, presence / absence of simultaneous operation of master unit / slave unit of other devices, slave units attached to other devices Shin application state, at least the program is one of are provided.

  Further, according to the present disclosure, means for transmitting notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network, response information of the other device with respect to the notification information of the own device is received from the other device that has received the notification information of the own device. Means for receiving, means for receiving notification information of other device, means for transmitting response information of own device to notification information of other device, judgment of operation mode included in notification information of said other device or response information of said other device A program for causing a computer to function as a means for determining that the device is to be operated as either a parent device or a child device based on information, wherein the operation mode determination information is a function of another device, Status regarding power supply of other devices, priority index of other devices, functions of slave units attached to other devices, presence / absence of simultaneous operation of master unit / slave unit of other devices, slave units attached to other devices Of the communication application, and the notification information of the own device operates as a slave unit for the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network. In this case, a program is provided that includes a command for operating a second other device that is already connected to the device as a child device as a child device of the first other device.

According to the present disclosure, when searching for a communication partner while transmitting notification information, it is possible to reliably determine which device plays a role as a parent device.
Note that the above effects are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects shown in the present specification, or other effects that can be grasped from the present specification, together with or in place of the above effects. May be played.

It is a schematic diagram showing an infrastructure mode in which one parent device (AP) is connected to a plurality of child devices (STA-i, STA-j) to form a network topology. It is a schematic diagram showing a system in which each device can be either a parent device or a child device depending on the situation and can be connected by P2P (Peer to Peer). 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by each device in order to reduce the connection time in a wireless system capable of operating on a plurality of frequencies in the P2P connection system shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state seen on the time-axis of each radio | wireless machine i and j about the process of FIG. FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram illustrating an operation of the wireless device i when the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected in the P2P connection system described in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating an operation of the wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the system configuration example which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the two networks illustrated in FIG. 8 are integrated as a parent device for all other devices. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which the radio | wireless machine j operate | moves as a subunit | mobile_unit of the radio | wireless machine i, and the radio | wireless machine j operates as a main | base station with respect to the radio | wireless machine n. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the wireless device j performs time division at the same frequency in the case of FIG. 10. In the case of FIG. 10, it is a schematic diagram which shows the case where the radio | wireless machine j performed time division by another frequency. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating an operation of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

The description will be made in the following order.
<1. First Embodiment>
(1) Premise technology (2) State transition of radio communication apparatus according to first embodiment (3) Configuration of radio communication apparatus according to first embodiment <2. Second Embodiment>
(1) System configuration example according to second embodiment (2) State transition of radio communication device according to second embodiment (3) Configuration of radio communication device according to second embodiment

<1. First Embodiment>
(1) Premise Technology Device connection based on IEEE 802.11 WLAN has become common. In IEEE 802.11, as shown in FIG. 1, there is an infrastructure mode in which a single parent device (AP) is connected to a plurality of child devices (STA-i, STA-j) to form a network topology. Further, in IEEE 802.11, there is an ad hoc mode in which devices can be directly connected without requiring a parent device. In this specification, the master unit may be referred to as an access point (AP) and the slave unit may be referred to as a station (STA).

  Infrastructure mode is widely used both inside and outside the home, and plays a central role as one of the Internet connection means of mobile devices. Since the infrastructure mode is configured to require an access point (AP), the slave units cannot be directly connected to each other. In the ad hoc mode, the connection between devices is possible due to specifications, but the convenience in terms of compatibility, power consumption, and usability is relatively low, and it has not been widely spread at the present time.

  On the other hand, with the recent advancement of device technology, a wireless device having both a function of a parent device (AP) and a function of a child device (STA) as shown in FIG. 2 is assumed. In the system shown in FIG. 2, each device can be either a parent device or a child device depending on the situation, and P2P (Peer to Peer) connection is possible. For this reason, devices can be connected even in an environment where there is no special wireless device corresponding to an access point in the infrastructure mode. In FIG. 2A, the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected in a state where the wireless device i is a parent device and the wireless device j is a child device. In FIG. 2B, the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected in a state where the wireless device i is a slave device and the wireless device j is a master device. The system shown in FIG. 2 is an infrastructure mode operation that is widely used and ensures compatibility by having one wireless device as a parent device (AP) and the other wireless device as a child device (STA). Can be connected.

  In order to realize wireless connection in a configuration in which the device determines the roles of the parent device (AP) and the child device (STA) according to the situation as shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to judge the situation, that is, where to connect to. It is necessary to determine which device is present (at which frequency) and which device acts as the parent device. On the other hand, in order to improve user convenience, it is necessary to minimize the time required for connection.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by each device in order to reduce the connection time in a wireless system capable of operating on a plurality of frequencies in the P2P connection system shown in FIG. Here, processing performed by the wireless device i when the wireless device i and the wireless device j illustrated in FIG. 2 are connected will be described as an example.

  First, in step S10, the wireless device i transmits a beacon that is a periodic message at the operating frequency [fi (0)] of the local station. Next, in step S12, a response message from another station (radio device j) to the beacon transmitted by the wireless device i is awaited on the operating frequency [fi (0)] of the local station. Next, in step S14, the frequency is switched and a beacon transmitted by the other station on the frequency of the other station is searched. After step S14, the process returns to step S10.

  As described above, the wireless device i operates as a parent device that transmits a beacon and waits for a response in steps S10 and S12, operates as a child device that searches for a beacon in step S14, and performs operations of the parent device and the child device. Repeat. The process of FIG. 3 is performed in the same manner in the wireless device j.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the processing of FIG. 3 as seen on the time axis of each of the radio devices i and j. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wireless device i transmits a beacon at the frequency fi (0), and then waits for a response to the beacon at the frequency fi (0). After that, a beacon transmitted from another device (radio device j) at the frequency fi (n ⁺⁺ ) is searched (searched). This operation is performed at an interval i, and thereafter, the wireless device i repeats this operation.

Similarly, after transmitting a beacon at the frequency fj (0), the wireless device j waits for a response to the beacon at the frequency fj (0). Thereafter, a search is made for a beacon transmitted from another device (radio device i) at the frequency fj (n ⁺⁺ ). This operation is performed at an interval j, and thereafter, the radio device j repeats this operation. FIG. 4 shows a case where the beacon transmission timing of the wireless device i is different from the beacon transmission timing of the wireless device j. In FIG. 4, when the beacon transmitted by the wireless device i as the parent device and the frequency searched by the wireless device j as the child device match, the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected. In this case, the wireless device j transmits a response to the beacon to the wireless device i. When the beacon transmitted by the wireless device j as the parent device matches the frequency searched by the wireless device i as the child device, the wireless device j and the wireless device i are connected. In this case, the wireless device i transmits a response to the beacon to the wireless device j.

  FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing the operation of the wireless device i when the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected in the P2P connection system described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The wireless device j operates in the same manner as the wireless device i. First, in state 1, since wireless device i operates as a parent device, it is set to a predetermined wireless operation frequency fi (0) (Select Operation Freq. Fi (0)). Next, the state transits to State 2, and a periodic message (beacon) is transmitted at frequency fi (0) (Beacon Tx Proc). Information related to the P2P connection is added to the beacon. Examples of the information related to the P2P connection include information such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and an operating frequency. In IEEE 802.11, this information can be added by adding an element of IEEE Std 802.11-2007 7.2.3.1 Beacon frame format. The P2P connection information includes a flag indicating connection validity.

  Next, the state transits to the state 3 and waits for a response message to the beacon from another station (in this case, the wireless device j) (Wait for Request). In IEEE 802.11, this is a state corresponding to waiting for a probe request message and an association request message. The probe request and the association request include information related to the P2P connection. Information regarding the P2P connection can be realized by adding an element of IEEE Std 802.11-2007 7.2.3.4/8.

  When a probe request is received from the wireless device j in the state 3, the state moves to the state 4. In state 4, based on the information (P2P element) regarding the P2P connection included in the received probe request, it is determined whether or not the device to which the probe request is transmitted is a partner capable of P2P connection (Decision for P2P). Here, the information related to the P2P connection, for example, allows connection only within a specific time when connecting the devices that have pushed the push buttons in a push button type automatic connection performed in WPS or the like. Information on the mechanism for the purpose is included. In this case, information notifying that the connection is valid only within a predetermined time is included. After state 4, the state transitions to state 5, and a probe response message is transmitted based on the result determined in state 4 (Send Response).

  In the state 3, when an association request is received from the wireless device j, the state transits to the state 6. In state 6, it is determined from the information (Information Element) about the P2P connection included in the association request whether the destination device of the association request is a desired connection partner (Decision FOR P2P). As in the case of the probe request, the information related to the P2P connection is permitted to be connected only within a specific time when connecting the devices that have pushed the push buttons in, for example, the push button type automatic connection performed in WPS or the like. Contains information on how to do this.

  After the state 6, the state transits to the state 7 and an association response is transmitted (Send Response). When it is determined that the destination of the association request is the desired connection partner based on the information element, the process proceeds to state 8. In state 8, connection processing is performed at the beacon transmission frequency fi (0) (Connect f = fi (0)). The state 8 is an Association / Authentication / Security setting sequence, and the wireless device i operates as an AP. On the other hand, if it is determined in state 7 that the other party is not the desired connection partner based on the information element, the connection is rejected (Not P2P Peer) and the process returns to state 3.

  In the state 3, when a probe request and an association request are not received for a predetermined time Tdwell, the process moves to the state 9.

  In state 9 or later, the operation is switched to the slave unit. In state 9, when the frequency is set to fi (n) and the presence of the parent device is actively confirmed (at the time of Active Search), a probe request (Probe Req) is transmitted. After the state 9, the state transits to the state 10, and at the frequency fi (n), a beacon is detected from the parent device (in this case, the wireless device j) and a probe response is detected (Passive Search).

  When a beacon or a probe response is detected in the state 10, the state transits to the state 11 and an association request is sent (Send Association Request). Thereafter, the state transits to the state 12 and waits for an association response that is a response to the association request (Wait for Response). If there is a response, the state transitions to state 13. Here, assuming that the wireless device j is operating as the parent device at the operation frequency fj (0), in state 13, connection processing is performed at the frequency fi (n) = fj (0) of the wireless device j ( Connect fi (n) = fj (0)). The state 13 is an Authentication / Security setting sequence, and the wireless device i operates as a slave device. On the other hand, if there is no association response in state 12, the state transitions to state 9.

  In the state 10, when a beacon or a probe response is not detected for a predetermined time Tdwell2, the process proceeds to the state 1. From state 1 onwards, it operates again as an access point.

  As described above, according to the operation shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless device i operates as a parent device, if the response of the probe request and the association request is not received within a predetermined time after the beacon transmission, Transition to operation (state 3 → state 9). Also, when operating as a slave unit, if a beacon or probe response is not received for a predetermined time, a transition is made to the operation as a master unit (state 10 → state 1). Thereby, in each of the wireless devices i and j, an operation of alternately repeating the functions of the parent device and the child device described in FIGS. 3 and 4 is realized.

  When both the wireless device i and the wireless device j perform such an operation, the wireless device i is connected to the wireless device j in the state of the parent device (state 8), or the wireless device i is connected to the child device. Whether the wireless device j is connected in the state (state 13) can be any case as a probability. In such a configuration, the roles of the parent device and the child device are determined randomly in the P2P connection. Since the roles of the main unit and the sub unit are determined in accordance with certain rules, the division of roles between the main unit and the sub unit is determined more flexibly according to the function of each radio unit (Capability), network operation status, etc. It is desirable to be able to change the operating frequency of each device.

(2) State Transition of Radio Communication Device According to First Embodiment FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating an operation of the radio communication device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, after the connection partner is discovered, a sequence for determining the operation mode of the parent device and the child device is added without adding a protocol, thereby realizing an appropriate connection system.

  6, the basic operation in the state indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 5 is the same as that in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, in addition to FIG. 5, a state 14 and a state 15 are added. First, in state 1, since the wireless device i operates as a parent device, the wireless operation frequency fi (0) is set (Select Operation Freq. Fi (0)). The operating frequency can be determined based on the availability (interference amount) of the frequency band in which the periodic message (beacon) is transmitted. In addition, the operation frequency can be determined based on the number of communication partners on the frequency at which beacon transmission is performed. Next, the state transits to State 2, and a beacon is transmitted at frequency fi (0) (Beacon Tx Proc). Similar to FIG. 5, information related to the P2P connection is added to the beacon. Examples of the information related to the P2P connection include information such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and an operating frequency. In IEEE 802.11, the addition of information can be realized by adding an element of IEEE Std 802.11-2007 7.2.3.1 Beacon frame format. The P2P connection information includes a flag indicating connection validity. In addition, information for determining the operation mode of the parent device and the child device is added to the beacon. Elements of this information, which will be described in detail later, are information such as the function of the wireless device, the power limit status, and the parent device operation priority index.

  Next, the state transits to the state 3 and waits for a response message to the beacon from another station (in this case, the wireless device j) (Wait for Request). In IEEE 802.11, this is a state corresponding to waiting for a probe request message and an association request message. The probe request and the association request include information related to the P2P connection. Information regarding the P2P connection can be realized by adding an element of IEEE Std 802.11-2007 7.2.3.4/8.

  When a probe request is received from the wireless device j in the state 3, the state moves to the state 4. In state 4, based on the information (P2P element) regarding the P2P connection included in the received probe request, it is determined whether or not the device to which the probe request is transmitted is a partner capable of P2P connection (Decision for P2P). Here, the information related to the P2P connection, for example, allows connection only within a specific time when connecting the devices that have pushed the push buttons in a push button type automatic connection performed in WPS or the like. It also includes information on the mechanism for doing so. The probe request message includes information elements necessary for determining the operation mode of the parent device and the child device.

If it is determined in state 4 that the other party is a desired connection partner capable of P2P connection, then in state 4, the wireless device i operates as a parent device rather than the partner wireless device j. Judge whether or not it is better. More specifically, the information element necessary for determining the operation mode of the master / slave device included in the probe request message is extracted and compared with the information element of the own device, and then the own device becomes the parent device. , Judge whether the other party becomes the parent machine. Which is the base unit is determined by the function of the radio (transmission function (transmission capability (Rate, format)), security function (Security).
(Capability), routing function, etc.). In addition, the determination as to which parent device is to be performed is made based on information elements such as the power restriction status and the parent device operation priority index. Based on these pieces of information, it is determined that a device having a higher function (capability), a lower power limit, and a higher priority index is used as the parent device. On the other hand, if it is determined that the partner is not the desired connection partner, the state transitions to state 3.

  When determining the operation mode of the master unit / slave unit according to the function (Capability), it is easier to accept the slave unit when the capability is larger, so that it is determined to operate as the master unit. For example, as a result of comparing the transmission capabilities, if the wireless device i can cope with a larger transmission rate and transmission format than the wireless device j, the wireless device i is the parent device and the wireless device i has more devices. Since the wireless device i can be connected, the wireless device i is determined to be the parent device. As an example, when the wireless device i corresponds to IEEE 802.11b, g, a, and the wireless device j supports only IEEE 802.11b, the wireless device i becomes the parent device. Further, when the wireless device i is superior in security function to the wireless device j, the wireless device i becomes the parent device.

  In addition, a device having a routing function can send information received by itself to another device or network associated with the device. Therefore, when determining the operation mode of the master unit / slave unit according to the presence / absence of the routing function, the device having the routing function is set as the master unit, and the device having no routing function is set as the slave unit.

  In addition, when determining the operation mode of the main unit / slave unit according to the power limit status, one device can be connected to an AC power source, and when the other is battery-powered, the device that can be connected to the AC power source Since the power can be supplied more stably, a device that can be connected to an AC power source becomes the parent device. Further, for example, when both of the wireless devices i and j are battery-driven, it is determined that the one with a larger remaining battery capacity operates as the parent device.

  The priority index is an index determined by the type of device. For example, when the wireless device i is included in a television receiver and the wireless device j is included in a recording device that records video, the types of these devices are used. The priority index is determined in advance. When the priority index of the television receiver is higher than that of the recording device, when the wireless device i and the wireless device j are connected, the wireless device i included in the television receiver becomes the parent device and is included in the recording device. The wireless device j to be used becomes a slave device. Also, for example, when the wireless device i is a notebook personal computer and the wireless device j is a mobile device, which device becomes the parent device is determined according to the priority index of each device. In this case, the notebook personal computer serves as the parent device, and the mobile device serves as the child device. Each wireless device has a preset priority index.

  After state 4, the state transitions to state 5, and a probe response message is transmitted based on the result determined in state 4 (Send Response). In the probe response, when changing the role of the master unit and the slave unit based on the result of determining whether the radio unit i should be the master unit or the slave unit, a request (Master Switch) to that effect is given. included.

  If it is determined from the P2P connection information that the other party is the desired connection partner, and it is determined that the wireless device i should be the parent device or the child device, the wireless device i is determined to be the child device. The probe response transmitted by the machine i includes a role change request (Master Switch). In this case, the state transits to state 14. The probe request includes information on the operating frequency of the counterpart device (radio device j). Based on this, in state 14, the wireless device i sets its own frequency to the operating frequency (beacon transmission frequency fj (0)) at which the partner station (wireless device j) is transmitting a periodic message (Set fi (N) = fj (0)). Also, in this case, since it is clear that there is a wireless device j that operates as a parent device by receiving a probe request from the wireless device j, a beacon or a probe response is transmitted from the wireless device j in the subsequent state 10. It is expected that it can be acquired with certainty. Accordingly, in the state 14, the wireless device i sets the predetermined time-out time (master device search time-out value Tdwell2) in the state 10 to a time longer than the default value (Set new Tdwell2). As a result, the wireless device i can reliably receive a beacon or a probe response from the wireless device j in the state 10. After state 14, the state transitions to state 9.

  In the state 3, when an association request is received from the wireless device j, the state transits to the state 6. In state 6, it is determined from the information (Information Element) related to the P2P connection included in the association request whether the destination device of the association request is a desired connection partner (Decision for P2P). As in the case of the probe request, the information related to the P2P connection is permitted to be connected only within a specific time when connecting the devices that have pushed the push buttons in, for example, the push button type automatic connection performed in WPS or the like. Contains information on how to do this. The association request message includes information elements necessary for determining the operation mode of the parent device and the child device.

In state 6, the wireless device i determines whether or not the own device should operate as the parent device rather than the partner wireless device j. In more detail, the information element necessary for determining the operation mode of the master / slave unit included in the message of the association request is extracted and compared with the information element of the own device. , Judge whether the other party becomes the parent machine. Which is the base unit is determined by the function of the radio (transmission function (transmission capability (Rate, format)), security function (Security).
Capability), routing function, etc.). Also, the determination as to which parent device is to be made is made based on information elements such as the power restriction status and the parent device operation priority index. Based on these pieces of information, it is determined that a device having a higher function (capability), a lower power limit, and a higher priority index is used as the parent device.

  After state 6, the state transits to state 7, and an association response is transmitted based on the result in state 6 (Send Response). In the association response, when changing the roles of the master unit and the slave unit based on the result of determining whether the radio unit i should be the master unit or the slave unit, a request (Master Switch) to that effect is given. included.

  If it is determined from the P2P connection information that the other party is a desired connection partner and it is determined that the wireless device i is the parent device, the process proceeds to state 8 and connection processing is performed at the beacon transmission frequency fi (0) ( Connect f = fi (0)). The state 8 is an Association / Authentication / Security setting sequence, and the wireless device i operates as a parent device (AP). On the other hand, if it is determined that the partner is not the desired connection partner based on the result in state 6, the connection is rejected in state 7 (Not P2P Peer) and the process returns to state 3.

  Further, based on the result in the state 6, when it is determined that the other party is a desired connection partner and the wireless device i is determined to be a child device, the roles of the parent device and the child device are changed in the state 7. An association response including a request (Master Switch) is transmitted. And after transmitting an association response, it moves to the state 14. The association request also includes information on the operating frequency of the counterpart device (radio device j). Based on this, in state 14, the wireless device i sets its own frequency to the operating frequency (beacon transmission frequency fj (0)) at which the partner station (wireless device j) is transmitting a periodic message (Set fi ( n) = fj (0)). Also, the wireless device i sets a predetermined time-out time (master device search time-out value Tdwell2) in the state 10 to a time longer than the default value (Set new Tdwell2). After state 14, the state transitions to state 9.

  In the state 3, when a probe request and an association request are not received for a predetermined time Tdwell1 (at the time of timeout of the slave unit search), the Tdwell1 is returned to the default value and the state 9 is shifted to.

  In state 9 or later, the operation is switched to the slave unit. In state 9, when the presence of an access point is actively confirmed (at the time of Active Search), a probe request (Probe Req) is transmitted at the frequency fi (n). After the state 9, the state transits to the state 10, and at the frequency fi (n), a beacon is detected from the parent device (in this case, the wireless device j) and a probe response is detected (Passive Search).

  If a beacon or probe response is detected in state 10 and no information indicating that the counterpart device (wireless device j) operates as a slave device is included (no master switch), state 11 is entered. Transition. On the other hand, if a beacon or probe response is detected in state 10 and information indicating that the counterpart device (wireless device j) operates as a slave device is included (master switch), state 15 is entered. Transition.

  In state 11, an association request is sent (Send Association Request). The association request includes information that determines whether the wireless device i should be the parent device or the child device based on the beacon or probe response received in the state 10. Thereafter, the state transits to the state 12 and waits for an association response that is a response to the association request (Wait for Response). If there is a response, analyze the message element. As a result of the analysis, when the message indicating that the counterpart device (wireless device j) operates as a parent device is included in the association response, the state transitions to state 13. In state 13, connection processing is performed at the frequency fi (n) = fj (0) of the parent device (wireless device j) (Connect fi (n) = fj (0)). The state 13 is an Authentication / Security setting sequence, and the wireless device i operates as a slave device. On the other hand, if there is no association response in state 12, the state transitions to state 9.

  As a result of the association response analysis in state 12, if there is a response indicating that the counterpart device (wireless device j) operates as a slave device, the state transitions to state 15. In this case, it is clear that there is a wireless device j that operates as a slave device by receiving an association response including information indicating that it operates as a slave device, from the wireless device j. It is expected that a response to i's beacon transmission can be reliably obtained. Therefore, in the state 15, the predetermined time-out time in the state 3 (child device search timeout value Tdwell1) is set to a time longer than the default value, and the state transitions to the state 1 (Set new Tdwell1). Thereby, the response to the beacon can be reliably received in the state 3.

  In state 10, if a beacon or probe response is not detected for a predetermined time Tdwell2, the process proceeds to state 1. From state 1 onwards, it operates again as a base unit.

  As described above, according to the operation of FIG. 6, when the wireless device i operates as a parent device, the wireless device i itself or the parent device is based on the information element included in the probe request and the association request sent from the counterpart device. It is determined whether or not it functions as a slave (state 4 and state 6). When operating as a slave unit, it is determined whether it functions as a master unit or a slave unit based on information elements included in the beacon, probe response, and association response sent from the other device. (State 10, state 12). Therefore, based on information such as the radio function, power limit status, and master unit operation priority index included in the information sent from the partner device, it is determined which device will operate as the master unit or slave unit. It becomes possible to do.

  6 shows the state transition of the wireless device i, the state transition of the wireless device j is the same as that of FIG. In this case, the beacon transmitted by the wireless device i in the state 1 corresponds to the beacon that the wireless device j waits in the state 10. The probe request received by the wireless device i in the state 3 corresponds to the probe request transmitted by the wireless device j in the state 9, and the association request received by the wireless device i in the state 3 is the wireless device j in the state 11. Corresponds to the association request to be sent. The probe response transmitted by the wireless device i in the state 5 corresponds to the probe response received by the wireless device j in the state 10, and the association response transmitted by the wireless device i in the state 7 is the wireless device j in the state 12. Corresponds to the association response received.

  Also, the state 8 of the wireless device i corresponds to the state 13 of the wireless device j, and when the wireless device i transitions to the state 8 and becomes the parent device, the wireless device j transitions to the state 13 and the child device. It becomes. When the wireless device j transitions to the state 8 and becomes the parent device, the wireless device i transitions to the state 13 and becomes the child device.

(3) Configuration of Radio Communication Device According to First Embodiment FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the radio communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. The wireless communication device 100 is configured to be able to communicate with other wireless communication devices through a wireless communication network based on wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, and IEEE802.11n. As illustrated in FIG. 7, each wireless communication device 100 includes a data processing unit 102, a transmission processing unit 104, a wireless interface unit 106, a control unit 108, a memory 110, and an antenna 112.

  At the time of transmission, the data processing unit 102 creates various data frames and data packets in response to a request from an upper layer, for example, and supplies them to the transmission processing unit 104. The transmission processing unit 104 performs processing such as addition of error detection codes such as various data headers and FCS (Frame Check Sequence) on the packet generated by the data processing unit 102 at the time of transmission, and transmits the processed data to the wireless interface Part 106. The wireless interface unit 106 generates a modulated signal in a carrier frequency band from the data received by the transmission processing unit 104 and transmits the modulated signal from the antenna 112 as a wireless signal.

  Further, when performing the reception operation, the wireless interface unit 106 down-converts the wireless signal received by the antenna 112 and converts it into a bit string, thereby decoding various data frames. That is, the wireless interface unit 106 can function as a transmission unit and a reception unit in cooperation with the antenna 112. The transmission processing unit 104 analyzes the header added to the various data frames supplied from the wireless interface unit 106 and confirms that the data frame has no error based on the error detection code. To the unit 102. The data processing unit 102 processes and analyzes various data frames and data packets supplied from the transmission processing unit 104.

  The control unit 108 is a block that controls the operations of the data processing unit 102, the transmission processing unit 104, and the wireless interface unit 106. The control unit 108 determines a transmission / reception frequency (operation frequency). Further, the control unit 108 performs operations such as creation of a control message, a transmission command, and interpretation of the control message. The control message includes broadcast information such as a beacon, a probe request, and an association request, and response information such as a beacon reception response, a probe response, and an association response. In addition, the control unit 108 controls various operations such as a reception operation and a transmission operation of the wireless communication apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 108 includes, as main functional configurations, a control message generation / transmission command unit 108a, a reception / interpretation processing unit 108b, a comparison unit 108c, an operation mode determination unit 108d, an operating frequency setting / switching unit. 108e. The control message generation / transmission command unit 108a generates the control message and issues a transmission command. The reception / interpretation processing unit 108b performs reception processing and interpretation processing of the control message sent from the communication partner side. Based on the interpretation of the control message by the reception / interpretation processing unit 108b, the comparison unit 108c compares the information element of its own device with the information element sent from the communication partner side. The operation mode determination unit 108d performs an operation of determining which of the own device and the communication partner bears the function of the parent device or the child device based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 108c. The determination result by the operation mode determination unit 108d is included in the control message and sent to the communication partner apparatus. The operation frequency setting / switching unit 108e performs operation frequency setting / switching processing in the state 2 and the state 14.

  The memory 110 has a role as a work area for data processing by the control unit 108 and a function as a storage medium for holding various data. As the memory 110, various recording media such as a volatile memory such as a DRAM, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, a hard disk, and an optical disk can be used. Each block shown in FIG. 7 can be configured by hardware (circuit). Each block can also be constituted by an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) and software (program) for causing it to function. In this case, the program can be stored in a recording medium such as the memory 110 included in the wireless communication device 100.

  In the state transition of FIG. 6, as described above, the beacon, probe request, probe response, association request, and association response messages include information such as the radio function, power limit status, and parent device operation priority index. Contains elements. The control message generation / transmission command unit 108a generates a control message including these pieces of information and performs transmission processing. The reception / interpretation processing unit 108b performs reception processing and interpretation processing of a control message including these pieces of information.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when two wireless devices are connected, it is possible to reliably determine which device becomes a parent device and a child device. Therefore, it becomes possible to operate a device having a function more suitable for the parent device as the parent device. Thereby, the freedom degree in P2P connection can be improved and the opportunity of apparatus connection can be increased. In addition, the connection is not affected by the timing of the state transition between the parent device and the child device in each device, and the time required for the connection can be shortened. This makes it possible to construct a more appropriate network topology. In addition, an existing wireless LAN mechanism defined in IEEE 802.11 or the like can be used as it is, and a device can be connected using the existing infrastructure. Furthermore, compatibility with existing devices can be maintained by using existing infrastructure.

<2. Second Embodiment>
(1) System configuration example according to second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, a mechanism is provided in which a parent device that is already connected to a child device and has an associated child device establishes a connection with another wireless device. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, two slave units (radio unit k and radio unit 1) are connected to a radio unit i which is a master unit, and one slave unit ( It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the radio | wireless machine n) is connected. The wireless device i transmits a beacon at the operating frequency fi (0), and the wireless device k and the wireless device l are connected to the wireless device i at the frequency fi (0). The wireless device j transmits a beacon at the operating frequency fj (0), and the wireless device n is connected to the wireless device i at the frequency fj (0). In the following, an example is shown in which a wireless device i operating as a parent device and a wireless device j operating as another parent device are connected.

  When the wireless device i and the wireless device j shown in FIG. 8 are connected, the two methods shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be assumed. FIG. 9 is an example in which the two networks shown in FIG. 8 are integrated as a base unit for the wireless device i for all other devices, and the wireless device j that was originally the base unit becomes a slave unit of the wireless device i. . In addition, the wireless device n that was a child device of the wireless device j is also newly a child device of the wireless device i. As a result, the wireless devices k, i, j, and n are connected to the wireless device i at the operating frequency fi (0) of the wireless device i. The wireless device j notifies the wireless device n of new connection destination information (SSID, operating frequency, etc.) about the wireless device i that is the parent device, and then establishes a connection with the wireless device i. Thereby, the wireless device n can be connected to the wireless device i as a slave device.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the wireless device j operates as a slave device of the wireless device i and the wireless device j operates as a parent device for the wireless device n. The wireless device j operates at the operating frequency fi (0) of the wireless device i in communication with the wireless device i. In addition, in the communication with the wireless device n, the wireless device j transmits a beacon at the operating frequency fj2 (0). The wireless device n is connected to the wireless device j at the operating frequency fj2 (0) of the wireless device j.

  In the case of FIG. 10, the wireless device j operates as a parent device for the wireless device n and operates as a child device for the wireless device i. The wireless device j has the functions of the parent device and the child device: (1) simultaneous operation of each wireless device by providing a plurality of wireless devices, (2) operation by time division (random access) at the same frequency, (3 ) Realization by operation by time division (time slot division) at different frequencies.

  In the case of the method (1), for example, if the wireless device j includes two wireless devices having a frequency of 2.4 [GHz] and a frequency of 2.5 [GHz], the wireless device having a frequency of 2.4 [GHz] A connection is made with the wireless device i, and a wireless device with a frequency of 2.5 [GHz] is connected with the wireless device j. In this case, the wireless device j can communicate with both wireless devices i and n simultaneously.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the wireless device j performs time division at the same frequency by the method (2). In this case, the wireless device i transmits a beacon having the same frequency fi (0) at a beacon interval i (beacon interval i). The wireless device j transmits a beacon having the same frequency fi (0) at a beacon interval j (beacon interval j), and functions as a parent device for the wireless device n while transmitting the beacon. The wireless device j waits for a beacon from the wireless device i and waits for a response from the wireless device n during a period other than the beacon transmission, and functions as a slave device for the wireless device i. The beacon intervals i and j can be set to random times.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the wireless device j performs time division at a different frequency by the method (3). In this case, the wireless device i transmits a beacon having the same frequency fi (0) at the beacon interval i as in FIG. On the other hand, the wireless device j transmits a beacon having the frequency fj2 (0) at the beacon interval j, and receives a response from the wireless device n at the frequency fj2 (0) in the first half of the beacon interval j. Operates as the parent machine. Further, the wireless device j operates at the operating frequency fi (0) of the wireless device i during a predetermined period in the latter half of the beacon interval j, and operates as a slave device of the wireless device i. In this case, beacon transmission and frequency switching by the wireless device j are performed at regular intervals by time slot division.

(2) State Transition of Radio Communication Device According to Second Embodiment FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram illustrating an operation of the radio communication device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after the connection partner is discovered, a sequence for determining the operation mode (parent device / slave device) is added without adding a protocol, and an appropriate connection system is realized. The parent device / child device is determined according to the connection status such as the number of child devices attached to the device.

  In FIG. 13, the basic operation in the state indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6 is the same as in FIG. In FIG. 13, in addition to FIG. 6, a state 16 for determining the network configuration is added. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As described in the first embodiment, each control message of a beacon, a probe request, a probe response, an association request, and an association response includes information necessary for determining the operation mode of the parent device and the child device. In the second embodiment, as information for determining the operation mode of the parent device / child device, (i) the number of associated child devices, (ii) presence / absence of the simultaneous operation function of the parent device / child device, and the like are shown. Information has been added. In the second embodiment, as information for determining the operation mode of the master unit / slave unit, (iii) the associated slave unit function (Capability), (iv) the associated slave unit communication application Information indicating the status of the event has been added. Here, the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function refers to a function that can perform operations of both the master unit and the slave unit, like the wireless device j described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  In the second embodiment, in the determination of the state 4, the network configuration is determined based on the determination information (i) to (iv) included in the probe request, information corresponding to the own device, and the like. For example, the wireless device j determines that the wireless device i is a child device since the wireless device i has more child devices. The wireless device j changes the network configuration based on the following conditions. The conditions here are: (a) the slave device n connected to the wireless device j has a function (Capability) for connecting to the wireless device i, and (b) the slave device j and the slave device. n communication applications are not delay critical, and (c) the communication applications of the slave unit j and the slave unit n do not consume a large amount of bandwidth. These conditions are determined by the control unit 108 according to the functions of the wireless devices j and n, the state of the communication application, and the like. When the above three conditions are satisfied, the wireless device j transits to the state 16 and changes the network configuration to the state shown in FIG. The condition (c) can be determined based on a predetermined threshold value.

  In the case of the network configuration shown in FIG. 9, the wireless device j operates as a slave device of the wireless device i. Accordingly, the state of the wireless device j transitions from the state 16 to the state 14.

  In the case of the network configuration shown in FIG. 9, communication between the wireless device j and the wireless device n is performed via the wireless device i that is a parent device. At this time, if any of the three conditions (a) to (c) is not satisfied, desired communication cannot be realized between the wireless device j and the wireless device n. Therefore, if any of the three conditions (a) to (c) is not satisfied, the wireless device j changes the network configuration to the state shown in FIG. In this case, as described above, the wireless device j operates as a slave device for the wireless device i and operates as a parent device for the wireless device n. As a result, communication can be performed between the wireless devices ij and between the wireless devices j-n without causing a delay and without consuming a large amount of bandwidth.

  Also in state 6, the same determination as in state 4 is made based on the information included in the association request. For example, the wireless device j determines that the wireless device i is a child device since the wireless device i has more child devices. Then, when the above three conditions are satisfied, the wireless device j transitions from the state 7 to the state 16 and changes the network configuration to the state illustrated in FIG.

  If any of the three conditions (a) to (c) is not satisfied, the wireless device j transits from the state 7 to the state 16 and changes the network configuration to the state shown in FIG. . In this case, as described above, the wireless device j operates as a slave device for the wireless device i and operates as a parent device for the wireless device n.

  Further, in order to change the network configuration to the state shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the wireless device i sends a network configuration change notification to the associated slave unit in the state 16. For example, when the connection shown in FIG. 9 is performed, the wireless device j transmits to the wireless device n information on the wireless device i (the ESSID of the wireless device i, the operating frequency, etc.) that is the parent device of the wireless device n. n is urged to reconnect so that the wireless device n connects to the wireless device i. If there is no need to change the connection destination, there is no need to send a network configuration change notification.

(3) Configuration of Radio Communication Device According to Second Embodiment The configuration of the radio communication device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. As described above, in the second embodiment, the information of (i) to (iv) is added to the information of the first embodiment as information for determining the operation mode of the parent device / child device. Has been. The control message generation / transmission command unit 108a generates a control message including the determination information (i) to (iv) in addition to the information for determining the operation mode according to the first embodiment, and performs transmission processing. Do.

  Further, when changing to the network configuration shown in FIG. 9, the control message generation / transmission instruction unit 108a generates a control message including a connection instruction including information (ESSID, operating frequency, etc.) of a radio as a connection destination. , Send processing.

  The reception / interpretation processing unit 108b receives the control message including the determination information (i) to (iv) and interprets the message. Based on the interpretation of the control message by the reception / interpretation processing unit 108b, the comparison unit 108c compares the information element of its own device with the information element sent from the communication partner side. The operation mode determination unit 108d performs an operation of determining which of the own device and the communication partner bears the function of the parent device or the child device based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 108c. In addition, when changing to the network configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation mode determination unit 108 d changes the operation mode so that the operations of the parent device and the child device are switched according to the connection partner. When changing to the network configuration shown in FIG. 10, the operating frequency setting / switching unit 108e sets / switches the operating frequency when switching the frequency by the time slot division described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, a device having a function more suitable as a parent device is used as a parent device depending on the network conditions, such as when a child device is already attached to the connected device. It becomes possible to operate. This also makes it possible to integrate a plurality of networks in the most efficient state.

  The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

  Further, the effects described in the present specification are merely illustrative or exemplary and are not limited. That is, the technology according to the present disclosure can exhibit other effects that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the present specification in addition to or instead of the above effects.

The following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1) a notification information transmitting unit that transmits notification information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
A response information receiving unit that receives response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
A notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information of another device;
A response information transmission unit for transmitting response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device;
An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the own device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device; Prepared,
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device , At least one of the communication application states of the slave units attached to the other device,
Wireless communication device.
(2) a notification information transmitting unit that transmits notification information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
A response information receiving unit that receives response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
A notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information of another device;
A response information transmission unit for transmitting response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device;
An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the own device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device; Prepared,
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device , The status of the communication application of the slave unit attached to the other device, and the notification information of the own device is for the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network A wireless communication device including a command for operating a second other device already connected to the own device as a child device as a child device of the first other device when the own device operates as a child device .
(3) The wireless communication device according to (1) or (2), further including a frequency setting unit that sets an operation frequency of the own device based on notification information of the other device or response information of the other device.
(4) The radio communication device according to (1) or (2), further including a frequency switching unit that switches a frequency when transmitting the notification information of the own device and a frequency when waiting for the notification information of another device.
(5) a comparison unit that compares the operation mode determination information received from another device with the corresponding information of the own device;
The radio according to (1) or (2), wherein the operation mode determination unit determines to operate the device as either a parent device or a child device based on a result of comparison by the comparison unit. Communication device.
(6) When the operation mode determination unit is connected to a plurality of other devices connected via a wireless communication network, the operation mode determination unit switches the own device so that the operation of the parent device and the child device is switched according to the connection partner. The wireless communication device according to (1) or (2), which is operated.
(7) A notification information transmitting unit that transmits notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network and a second wireless communication device that has received the notification information of the own device, and a second information for the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit for receiving response information of the wireless communication device, a notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information of the second wireless communication device, and response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the second wireless communication device. Based on the response information transmission unit to be transmitted and the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the second wireless communication device or the response information of the second wireless communication device, the device is determined as either the parent device or the child device. An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate as one of the first wireless communication device,
A broadcast information transmitter that transmits broadcast information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
A response information receiving unit that receives response information of the first wireless communication device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the first wireless communication device, and notification information that receives the notification information of the first wireless communication device. A reception unit, a response information transmission unit that transmits response information of the device itself to the notification information of the first wireless communication device, and notification information of the first wireless communication device or response information of the first wireless communication device A second wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the situation regarding the power supply of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device or the first wireless communication device. 2 is a priority index of the wireless communication device, a function of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, and a parent device / slave device of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device. A wireless communication system that is at least one of presence / absence of a simultaneous operation function and a state of a communication application of a slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device.
(8) A notification information transmission unit that transmits notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network and a second wireless communication device that has received the notification information of the own device, and a second information for the notification information of the own device. A response information receiving unit for receiving response information of the wireless communication device, a notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information of the second wireless communication device, and response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the second wireless communication device. Based on the response information transmission unit to be transmitted and the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the second wireless communication device or the response information of the second wireless communication device, the device is determined as either the parent device or the child device. An operation mode determination unit that determines to operate as one of the first wireless communication device,
A broadcast information transmitter that transmits broadcast information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
A response information receiving unit that receives response information of the first wireless communication device with respect to the notification information of the own device from the first wireless communication device, and notification information that receives the notification information of the first wireless communication device. A reception unit, a response information transmission unit that transmits response information of the device itself to the notification information of the first wireless communication device, and notification information of the first wireless communication device or response information of the first wireless communication device A second wireless communication device having an operation mode determination unit that determines to operate the device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the situation regarding the power supply of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device or the first wireless communication device. 2 is a priority index of the wireless communication device, a function of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device, and a parent device / slave device of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device. At least one of the presence / absence of a simultaneous operation function, the state of the communication application of the slave unit attached to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device,
In the notification information of the own device, when the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device operates as a slave unit with respect to the first other device newly connected through the wireless communication network, A wireless communication system including a command for operating a second other device already connected as a slave to the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device as a slave of the first other device .
(9) transmitting the notification information of the device itself via the wireless communication network;
Receiving response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
Receiving notification information of another device;
Transmitting the response information of the own device to the notification information of the other device;
Determining to operate the device as either the parent device or the child device based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device;
With
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device A wireless communication method that is at least one of the states of communication applications of slave units attached to other devices.
(10) transmitting notification information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
Receiving response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
Receiving notification information of another device;
Transmitting the response information of the own device to the notification information of the other device;
Determining based on operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device, and determining to operate the device as one of the parent device or the child device, and
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device , At least one of the communication application states of the slave units attached to the other device, and the notification information of the own device is sent to the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network Wireless communication including a command for operating the second other device already connected to the own device as a child device as the child device of the first other device when the own device operates as a child device. Method.
(11) Means for transmitting notification information of the own device via a wireless communication network;
Means for receiving response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
Means for receiving notification information of another device;
Means for transmitting response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device;
Means for determining to operate the own apparatus as either one of the master unit or the slave unit based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device;
As a program for causing a computer to function as
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device , A program that is at least one of the communication application states of the slave units attached to the other device.
(12) Means for transmitting notification information of the device itself via a wireless communication network;
Means for receiving response information of another device with respect to the notification information of the own device from another device that has received the notification information of the own device;
Means for receiving notification information of another device;
Means for transmitting response information of the own device with respect to the notification information of the other device;
Means for determining to operate the own apparatus as either one of the master unit or the slave unit based on the operation mode determination information included in the notification information of the other device or the response information of the other device;
As a program for causing a computer to function as
The operation mode determination information includes the function of the other device, the status regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, the function of the slave unit attached to the other device, the presence / absence of the master unit / slave unit simultaneous operation function of the other device , At least one of the communication application states of the slave units attached to the other device, and the notification information of the own device is sent to the first other device newly connected via the wireless communication network A program that includes a command for operating a second other device that is already connected to the device as a child device as a child device of the first other device when the device operates as a child device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Wireless communication apparatus 108 Control part 108a Control message production | generation transmission command part 108b Reception / interpretation processing part 108c Comparison part 108d Operation mode determination part 108e Operation frequency setting and switching part

Claims (15)

A wireless communication device used in a system based on IEEE 802.11,
A setting unit that can set both the functions of the parent device that transmits the beacon and the child device that receives the beacon;
A transmitter that transmits information about the P2P connection including the SSID on the first frequency;
A reception unit that waits for information about a P2P connection including an SSID at a second frequency different from the first frequency when a response to the information is not received at the first frequency within a predetermined time;
The information about the P2P connection including SSID, when received by the second frequency, the own device or whether the slave unit and the master unit is determined by the setting unit, the wireless communication device. Wherein the information transmitting unit transmits is a message own apparatus is transmitted repeatedly in periodic messages or certain amount of time to be transmitted when operating as the master unit, the radio communication apparatus according to claim 1. Determining if the response to the first of said information transmitted at a frequency in the case of receiving from another device, the own device and whether the child device to the parent device based on said response, according to claim 1 Wireless communication device.   The wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the device is a parent device based on the response, the wireless communication device performs communication connection with the other device at the first frequency.   The wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein the information is awaited at the second frequency when it is determined that the device is a child device based on the response. When the information about the P2P connection including the SSID is received from the other device at the second frequency, the function of the other device, the situation regarding the power supply of the other device, the priority index of the other device, and the other device function of the handset associated with the presence or absence of the master unit-slave unit simultaneously operational function of the other device, the other device of communication applications of the mobile device associated with the state, the own device based on at least one of wherein either whether the child device to the parent device is determined, the wireless communications apparatus of claim 1. When information related to P2P connection including the SSID is received from another device at the second frequency, if the information includes information indicating that the other device operates as a base unit, and the slave unit decides that said master unit to said another device, the radio communication apparatus according to claim 1.   The radio communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a frequency switching unit that switches a frequency at which the transmission unit transmits the information and a frequency at which the reception unit receives the information. A comparison unit that compares operation mode determination information included in the information received at the second frequency with information corresponding to the device;
The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein whether the device is the parent device or the child device is determined based on a result of comparison by the comparison unit.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein when connecting to a plurality of other devices, the wireless communication device is connected at a different frequency depending on a connection partner.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein when connected to a plurality of other devices, the connection to the plurality of other devices is performed by time division at the same frequency. When connected to a plurality of other devices, the operation of the master unit and the slave unit to operate the self-device to switch in accordance with the connection partner, the wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1. Wherein the information transmitting unit transmits, when operating as self apparatus handset to a first other device that is newly connected to the own device already the connected second as the slave unit The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a command for operating another device as the slave device of the first other device. A wireless communication method in a wireless communication device used in a system based on IEEE 802.11,
Sending information on the P2P connection including the SSID on the first frequency;
Waiting for information on a P2P connection including an SSID at a second frequency different from the first frequency when a response to the information is not received at the first frequency within a predetermined time;
Information about P2P connection including the SSID, the when receiving at a second frequency, or a slave unit for receiving either a beacon to the master unit to transmit a beacon to its own device, the parent device and the child That the setting part that can set all the functions of the machine is decided,
A wireless communication method comprising: A program in a wireless communication device used in a system based on IEEE 802.11,
Means for transmitting information on the P2P connection including the SSID on the first frequency;
Means for waiting for information on a P2P connection including an SSID at a second frequency different from the first frequency when a response to the information is not received at the first frequency within a predetermined time;
Information about P2P connection including the SSID, the when receiving at a second frequency, or a slave unit for receiving either a beacon to the master unit to transmit a beacon to its own device, the parent device and the child Means to determine the setting unit that can set all the functions of the machine ,
As a program to make the computer function as.

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