JP6898651B2 - Wireless access points, communication control methods, their programs, and wireless communication systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to communication between a wireless access point and a wireless communication terminal in a wireless LAN communication system.

In recent years, with the spread of wireless LAN, an infrastructure mode in which wireless communication is performed via a wireless access point when a wireless communication terminal uses the wireless LAN is well known. In this mode, it is possible to communicate with all wireless communication terminals within the range that the wireless access point can communicate with, and by connecting to a wired network using the wireless access point, wireless communication on the network beyond that is possible. It can also communicate with terminals (Internet communication).

Here, one wireless access point (hereinafter, also referred to as AP) and a plurality of wireless communication terminals (hereinafter, also referred to as STA) are connected to perform wireless communication. In the wireless communication between the AP and each STA, when the same band is set and wireless communication is performed at the same time, the AP allocates the band to each of the plurality of STAs when performing wireless communication with a plurality of STAs. The throughput of communication between STAs is reduced.

JP-A-2010-178046 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-1493947

Here, in Patent Document 1, the wireless communication system stores the permission information for each wireless terminal in the database of the terminal management device, and when the wireless terminal receives the connection authentication of the terminal management device, the permission information is wirelessly stored. The base station is notified, and the wireless base station enables the use of admission control of the wireless terminal whose connection is authenticated based on this permission information. As a result, a technique is disclosed in which an available access category and an allowable band are set for each wireless terminal, and permission or non-permission control for a band request is performed within the range.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when a wireless access point performs wireless communication at the same time as a plurality of wireless terminal devices, an authentication device (RADIUS Server) that manages authentication information and band adjustment information (maximum communication rate) of each wireless communication terminal. ), The wireless access point automatically adjusts the band used between the wireless access point and a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices connected to the wireless access point, and a technique for efficient communication is disclosed. ..

However, in the technique described in the above document, although the authentication and allowable band of each wireless communication terminal associated with the user can be defined in advance by the authentication device, when the wireless communication terminal of the authenticated user is changed. Each time, it becomes necessary to reset the authentication information in the authentication device, which imposes a burden on the administrator.

For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the wireless communication terminal used by the user is changed to a wireless communication terminal having a different communication capability (communication performance), it is necessary to change the authentication information in the authentication device. However, when operated without changing the authentication information, even if the communication performance of the changed wireless communication terminal (for example, maximum throughput 866 Mbps) is better than that of the wireless communication terminal before change (for example, maximum throughput 130 Mbps). If the authentication information is set assuming the wireless communication terminal before the change, communication that maximizes the communication performance of the wireless communication terminal after the change cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is used by a wireless access point or a user in a wireless communication system that uses a wireless access point based on a permissible limit of a wireless communication terminal for each user determined by an authentication device. Even if the wireless communication terminal is changed, the burden on the administrator is reduced without changing the authentication information of the authentication device as much as possible, and the performance of the wireless access point and wireless communication terminal is maximized based on the allowable limit. The purpose is to pull out.

In order to solve the above problems, the wireless access point according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless access point capable of wirelessly communicating data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals. From the authentication device that is connected to the wireless access point and determines whether the wireless communication terminal can be connected, (a) the result of the connection availability and (b) the transmission right allocation information set in association with the user who uses the wireless terminal. It includes a transmission right allocation information table that stores a receiving unit to receive, a transmission right allocation information and a transmission buffer allocation rate in association with each other, and a transmission buffer adjustment means, and the transmission buffer adjustment means stores information in the transmission right allocation information table. Based on this, (1) the wireless access point is (a) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b) each data required by each wireless communication terminal is simultaneously directed to the wireless communication terminal via the network. The capacity of the transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal is determined based on the transmission buffer allocation rate when communicating with each other.

According to this, when at least two or more wireless communication terminals simultaneously perform wireless communication of data via a network, the wireless access points are individually set in advance for communication with each wireless communication terminal. Based on the transmission right allocation information table that stores the transmission right allocation information and the transmission buffer allocation rate in association with each other, the wireless access point connects to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and each wireless communication terminal requires each. When the data of the above is simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminal via the network, the capacity of the transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal is determined based on the transmission buffer allocation rate, so that the wireless access point and wireless communication can be performed. The maximum communication performance can be brought out based on the permissible limit of the terminal performance.

Further, the transmission buffer adjusting means further includes (2) when the wireless access point is connected to (a) one wireless communication terminal, or (b) is connected to two or more wireless communication terminals. When the data required by each wireless communication terminal is not simultaneously communicated with other wireless communication terminals via the network, the transmission buffer provided in the wireless access point is allocated to the maximum and the data is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal.

According to this, when the wireless access point is connected to one wireless communication terminal or is connected to two or more wireless communication terminals, the data required by each wireless communication terminal is transmitted via the network. When not communicating with other wireless communication terminals at the same time, the performance of the wireless access point or wireless communication terminal is achieved by allocating the maximum transmission buffer provided by the wireless access point and transmitting data to the wireless communication terminal. It is possible to bring out the maximum communication performance based on the permissible limit.

The communication control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a communication control method in a system capable of wirelessly communicating data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and is connected to an access point. Then, from the authentication device that determines whether or not the wireless communication terminal can be connected, (a) the result of whether or not the connection is possible, and (b) the transmission right allocation information set in association with the user who uses the wireless terminal are received. , The step of storing the transmission right allocation information and the transmission buffer allocation rate in association with each other, and the wireless access point is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and the respective data required by each wireless communication terminal is simultaneously stored. A step of determining whether or not to communicate with each wireless communication terminal via the network, a wireless access point connecting to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and each required by each wireless communication terminal. Including the step of determining the capacity of the transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal based on the transmission buffer allocation rate when it is determined that the data of the above is simultaneously communicated to other wireless communication terminals via the network. ..

According to this, the same effect as that of the wireless access point is obtained.

The program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the above communication control method.

According to this, the same effect as that of the wireless access point is obtained.

The wireless communication system according to another aspect of the present invention determines whether or not a wireless communication terminal can be connected to a wireless access point capable of communicating data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals. A wireless communication system including an authentication device, the authentication device is associated with (x) connection authentication information for connecting a wireless access point and a wireless communication terminal, and (y) a user who uses the wireless communication terminal. When the authentication information table that stores the set transmission right allocation information in association with each other and the connection authentication information for connecting the wireless access point and the wireless communication terminal are transmitted from the wireless access point, the connection authentication information and authentication are performed. The wireless access point is provided with an authentication unit that collates the information in the information table and a transmission unit that transmits the collation result and the transmission right allocation information to the wireless access point. A transmission right allocation information table and a transmission buffer that store the transmission right allocation information and the transmission buffer allocation rate that are individually set in advance for communication with the receiving unit that receives the allocation information and each wireless communication terminal. The transmission buffer adjusting means is provided with adjusting means, based on the information in the transmission right allocation information table, (1) the wireless access point is (a) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b). When each data required by the wireless communication terminal is simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminal via the network, the capacity of the transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal is determined based on the respective transmission buffer allocation rate. To do.

According to this, the same effect as that of the wireless access point is obtained.

Further, the transmission buffer adjusting means further includes (2) even if the wireless access point is (a) connected to one wireless communication terminal, or (b) is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals. When the required data is not simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminal via the network, the transmission buffer provided in the wireless communication terminal is allocated to the maximum and the data is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal.

According to this, when the wireless communication system is connected to one wireless communication terminal or is connected to two or more wireless communication terminals, the data required by each wireless communication terminal is transmitted via the network. When not communicating with other wireless communication terminals at the same time, the performance of the wireless access point or wireless communication terminal is achieved by allocating the maximum transmission buffer provided by the wireless access point and transmitting data to the wireless communication terminal. It is possible to bring out the maximum communication performance based on the permissible limit.

The present invention reduces the burden on the administrator in a wireless communication system that uses a wireless access point based on whether or not the connection of the authentication device can be authenticated, and maximizes the performance of the wireless access point and the wireless communication terminal based on the allowable limit. Can be done.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the wireless access point, the wireless communication terminal, and the authentication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wireless access point according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the authentication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an operation flow of the wireless access point according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation flow of the authentication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an example of the authentication information table according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of the transmission right allocation information table according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary components constituting the more preferable form. The same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire communication system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a wireless access point 1, an authentication device 2, a wireless communication terminal 10, a wireless communication terminal 11, and a LAN 15.

The communication system 100 is a communication system that performs wireless communication between the wireless communication terminal 10, the wireless communication terminal 11, and the wireless access point 1. The communication system 100 is, for example, a communication system in which the wireless communication terminal 10 uses the wireless access point 1 to perform wireless communication. The wireless communication terminal 10 is a communication system that obtains the authentication of the authentication device 2 connected to the wireless access point 1 via the LAN 15 and performs wireless communication based on the usage restriction of the wireless access point 1 permitted by the authentication. is there.

The wireless access point 1 may include a wireless communication interface and a wired communication interface, or two or more different wireless communication interfaces. The wireless access point 1 performs wireless communication (infrastructure mode) with a plurality of wireless communication terminals at the same time. Then, the wireless access point 1 appropriately allocates the transmission capability of its own device to each wireless communication terminal that performs wireless communication at the same time for each user of the wireless communication terminal set by the authentication device 2.

Further, the wireless access point 1 is a communication device that relays wireless communication between the wireless communication terminal 10 and the wireless communication terminal 11 or connects the communication between the wireless communication terminal 10 and the wireless communication terminal 11 to a network on the LAN 15. Relay communication with and from. Wireless communication is performed using, for example, a wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE802.11a, b, g, n, ac standards and the like. Wired communication is performed using, for example, a wired LAN conforming to the IEEE802.3 standard or the like. The wireless access point 1 will also be referred to as AP1 hereafter.

The authentication device 2 has an authentication function , and is, for example, a RADIUS (Remote Analysis Dial In User Service) server for the purpose of centrally managing the determination of the availability of network resources.

The wireless communication terminal 10 is provided with at least a wireless communication interface, and is, for example, a notebook PC, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. Wireless communication is realized by, for example, a wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard. Hereinafter, the wireless communication terminal 10 will also be referred to as a STA 10.

The wireless communication terminal 11 is a device having the same function as the wireless communication terminal 10, and is a new wireless communication terminal that requires the wireless access point 1 to make a wireless connection. Hereinafter, the wireless communication terminal 11 will also be referred to as a STA 11.

The LAN 15 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The LAN 15 is more preferably a wired LAN from the viewpoint of security. Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, it will be described as a wired LAN, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, two wireless communication terminals will be described, but a plurality of wireless communication terminals may be connected to one wireless access point.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a wireless access point 1, an authentication device 2, a wireless communication terminal 10, and a wireless communication terminal 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. These devices have the same other hardware configurations, except that they have different communication interface configurations. For example, the AP1 has both a wired communication and a wireless communication interface, but the authentication device 2 has only a wired interface.

As shown in FIG. 2, these devices include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage device 23, and a WNIC (Wireless Network Interface Card). It includes a Network Interface Card) 25 and an internal bus 26 that electrically connects each component.

The CPU 20 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the ROM 21.

The ROM 21 is a read-only storage area for holding a control program or the like.

The RAM 22 is a storage area used as a work area used by the CPU 20 when executing a control program.

The storage device 23 is a storage area for storing a control program, control information, device information, authentication information, and the like.

The WNIC 24 includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication. For example, it is a wireless LAN communication interface that conforms to the IEEE802.11a, b, g, n, ac standards, and the like.

The NIC 25 is provided with a wired communication interface for performing wired communication. For example, it is a wired LAN communication interface that conforms to the IEEE802.3 standard and the like.

The internal bus 26 is a bus that electrically connects the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, WNIC 24, and NIC 25, and exchanges signals.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wireless access point 1 according to the embodiment. The wireless access point 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes a receiving unit 31, a transmitting unit 32, a transmission buffer adjusting means 33, a transmission right allocation information table 34, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the authentication device 2 according to the embodiment. The authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes a receiving unit 41, a transmitting unit 42, an authentication unit 43, an authentication information table 44, and the like.

Each function will be described below with reference to a part of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The receiving unit 31 receives the predetermined information necessary for the connection together with the connection request from each of the STA 10 and the STA 11. Predetermined information includes, for example, a MAC address, a user name required for using STA, a password for authentication thereof, and the like (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as connection authentication information). The connection authentication information received from the STAs 10 and 11 is transmitted from the transmission unit 32 to the reception unit 41 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 via the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 (details will be described later).

Further, the receiving unit 31 receives the authentication result information obtained by the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 and the transmission right allocation information registered in advance for the user of the STA for the STA for which the connection request has been made. It is received from the transmission unit 42 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 and notified to the transmission right allocation information table 34 (details will be described later). Further, the receiving unit 31 also receives various control information, wireless frames, and other information necessary for communication in the communication performed with the authentication device 2, the STA 10, and the STA 11.

The receiving unit 31 is realized by a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, a WNIC 24, a NIC 25, and the like.

The transmission unit 32 transmits a wireless frame to each connected STA at the transmission buffer allocation rate determined for each STA by the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 based on the transmission right allocation information table 34. Further, when the transmission unit 32 receives a connection request from a new STA (for example, STA 11) in its own device, the transmission unit 32 receives the connection authentication information of the STA via the transmission buffer adjusting means 33, and the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. (Details will be described later). Further, the transmission unit 32 also transmits various control information, wireless frames, and other information necessary for communication in the communication performed with the authentication device 2, the STA 10, and the STA 11.

The transmission unit 32 is realized by a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, a WNIC 24, a NIC 25, and the like.

The transmission buffer adjusting means 33 performs the following determination and execution based on the connection authentication information from the STA that received the connection request received by the receiving unit 31 and the information in the transmission right allocation information table 34.

(1) When there are at least two or more STAs connected to the AP1 and at least two or more STAs connected to the AP1 simultaneously communicate the required data from the LAN 15 via the AP1, the transmission right allocation information table. The required data is transmitted to each STA via the transmission unit 32, up to the transmission right allocation set in each STA based on the information of 34. That is, under the condition of (1), in order to avoid a decrease in throughput in communication between AP1 and each STA caused by a plurality of STAs occupying a band by communicating with AP1 at the same time, AP1 is used as an authentication device 2. Communicates with each STA up to the transmission right allocation value set in advance by the administrator for communication with each user. As a result, for example, it is possible to preferentially allocate the transmission buffer to a specific user. In such wireless communication, even if the STA used by the user is changed, the user maximizes the transmission capability of each device in the combination of the STA and AP1 used under the conditions allowed by the authentication device 2. Can be pulled out to.

Here, the transmission buffer is a memory area (for example, realized by RAM 22 or the like) that receives a wireless frame from the STA when the AP1 relays wireless communication and temporarily buffers the wireless frame before transmitting the wireless frame to the destination STA. Is. Normally, in wireless communication, communication efficiency is improved by temporarily buffering the transmission buffer to transmit and receive wireless frames in a fixed size.

Since the transmission buffer can secure only a limited capacity of the memory area provided in AP1, it is different from each STA depending on how the memory area is allocated to a plurality of STAs under the control connected to AP1. It affects the performance of wireless communication between them (for example, transfer speed). For example, if a specific user is authenticated by the authentication device 2 and the given transmission buffer allocation (transmission right allocation information) is the highest ratio (for example, 80%) among the subordinate STAs, it is limited. Since a large amount of the memory area can be secured, the size that can be buffered at the time of transmission also increases, and the AP1 can perform relatively efficient communication at the time of transmission to the STA as compared with other STAs under its control. As a result, in the combination of the STA and AP1 used, the user can maximize the transmission capability of each device under the conditions allowed by the authentication device 2.

(2) There is only one STA connected to AP1, or at least two STAs connected to AP1 exist and are connected, but at least two or more STAs are connected from LAN15 via AP1. When the required data is not communicated at the same time, the required data is transmitted to each STA via the transmission unit 32 with the maximum communicable transmission right allocation value (for example, 100%) provided by each STA. That is, under the condition of (2), since a plurality of STAs do not occupy the bandwidth in the communication with the AP1 at the same time, the AP1 achieves the maximum performance in the communication with each STA without being aware of the decrease in throughput. Can be demonstrated.

Under the conditions (1) and (2) described above, the situation where a plurality of STAs communicate with the AP1 "simultaneously" means that the AP1 starts and ends communication with two or more STAs. It means that the respective communication time zones are overlapped, and in this overlapped time zone, one or a plurality of packets destined for each STA are mixedly transmitted from the AP. Specifically, the situation where "simultaneous" communication is performed is a situation where two or more STAs communicate with AP1 during the same communication time zone, or a situation where one of two or more STAs is communicating (same channel). It is conceivable that AP1 starts communication with other STAs other than the STA before the communication is completed. Further, when the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 receives the authentication result from the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 that the authentication is not permitted for the STA for which the connection request has been made, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 connects with the STA for which the connection request has been made. Do not do. The transmission buffer adjusting means 33 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

The transmission right allocation information table 34 shows the authentication result information obtained by the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 and the authenticated STA based on the connection authentication information of the STA for which the connection request has been made. This is an information table in which the transmission right allocation information registered in advance is received from the receiving unit 31 and stored, and is referred to by the transmission buffer adjusting means 33. The information stored in the transmission right allocation information table 34 includes at least the allocation value of the transmission buffer set based on the transmission right allocation information preset in the administrator or the like in association with the user recognized by the authentication device 2. .. The information in the transmission right allocation information table 34 will be described in detail in FIG. 8, which will be described later. The transmission right allocation information table 34 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the authentication device 2 according to the embodiment.

Each function will be described below with reference to a portion of FIG. 4, FIG.

The receiving unit 41 receives the connection authentication information required for the connection received from each of the STA 10 and the STA 11 by the AP1 from the transmitting unit 32 of the AP1 shown in FIG. 3 and transmits the information to the authentication unit 43.

In addition, the receiving unit 41 also receives various control information, wireless frames, and other information necessary for communication in the communication performed between the AP1 and the authentication device 2. The receiving unit 41 is realized by a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, a NIC 25, and the like.

The transmission unit 42 transmits the authentication result information, which is the result of the authentication performed by the authentication unit 43 based on the information in the authentication information table 44, and the transmission registered in the authentication information table 44 in advance for each STA that has been authenticated. The right allocation information is transmitted to the receiving unit 31 of AP1 shown in FIG. In addition, the transmission unit 42 also transmits various control information, wireless frames, and other information necessary for communication in the communication performed between the AP1 and the authentication device 2. The transmission unit 42 is realized by a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, a NIC 25, and the like.

The authentication unit 43 determines whether or not the administrator who manages the authentication device 2 allows wireless communication between the AP1 and the STA requesting the connection based on the information in the authentication information table 44, and determines the authentication result. It transmits to the transmission unit 42. The determination of whether or not to allow wireless communication between the AP1 and the STA requesting the wireless connection, which is performed by the authentication unit 43, is determined by the connection authentication information and the authentication information table of the STA transmitted via the transmission unit 32 of the AP1. This is performed by collating each information registered in advance in 44 (FIG. 7 described later). The contents to be collated are, for example, a user name and a password corresponding to the user name. Here, the content to be collated is not limited to the information for collation shown in the embodiment of the present invention. For example, it may be unique information provided in each wireless communication terminal that can identify each other. In addition, the authentication unit 43 also determines whether or not the administrator of the authentication device 2 has newly set the connection authentication information of each STA to be used in the authentication device 2 by using an input device (not shown) or the like. .. The authentication unit 43 is realized by the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, and the like.

The authentication information table 44 is an information table in which connection authentication information of a user to be used, transmission right allocation information set in association with each user, and the like are registered in advance in the authentication device 2.

Further, the information registered in the authentication information table 44 can be updated at any time by the administrator of the authentication device 2 using an input device (not shown) or the like. The information in the authentication information table 44 will be described in detail in FIG. 7, which will be described later. The authentication information table 44 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

Next, the operation flow of the wireless access point 1 (AP1) according to the embodiment will be described below in order with reference to FIG.

In step S501, the receiving unit 31 determines whether or not the AP1 has received a wireless connection request from a STA (STA11) other than the STA being connected. If received, the process proceeds to step S502 (Yes in step S501). If not received, step S501 is repeated (No in step S501).

In step S502, the transmission unit 32 transmits the connection authentication information acquired from the STA 11 via the reception unit 31 to the reception unit 41 of the authentication device 2 via the transmission buffer adjusting means 33.

In step S503, the authentication result of whether or not the receiving unit 31 is allowed to perform wireless communication between the AP1 and the STA 11 requesting the wireless connection from the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 via the transmitting unit 42. And, it is determined whether or not the transmission right allocation information registered in advance in the authentication information table 44 is received for the authenticated STA. When the receiving unit 31 has received the information, the receiving unit 31 notifies the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 of the transmission right allocation information and proceeds to step S504 (Yes in step S503). On the other hand, if the information is not received, step S503 is repeated (No in step S503).

In step S504, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 determines whether or not the STA authentication is approved based on the authentication result performed by the authentication device 2. When the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 determines that the STA authentication is approved, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 proceeds to step S505 (Yes in step S504). On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S501 (No in step S504). That is, in the authentication device 2, the STA that is not permitted to perform wireless communication between the AP1 and the STA that has made the wireless connection request in advance can perform the wireless communication with the authentication device 2 even if the wireless connection request is made to the AP1. Wireless communication cannot be performed between AP1 and STA unless the permission to be performed is set by the administrator. In this way, it is effective in improving security.

In step S505, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 is connected to the AP1 based on the connection authentication information from the STA that received the connection request received by the receiving unit 31 and the information in the transmission right allocation information table 34. Judge whether or not the number of units is two or more. If there are two or more units, the process proceeds to step S506 (Yes in step S505). If there is one, step S505 is repeated (No in step S505). In this case (No in step S505), since there is only one STA connected to the AP1, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 allocates the transmission buffer to the STA to the maximum extent and has sufficient transmission capacity of the AP1. Can be demonstrated.

In step S506, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 simultaneously connects with AP1 from two or more STAs connected to AP1 based on the connection authentication information from the receiving unit 31 and the information in the transmission right allocation information table 34. Determine if there is a wireless communication request. If this is done, the transition to step S507 (Yes in step S506). If not, step S506 is repeated (No in step S506). Here, if there is one STA wirelessly connected to the AP1 or two or more STAs are not communicating at the same time, the AP1 exchanges data up to the maximum communication capacity of the STA. Can be performed with the transmission capability of AP1, and the performance of AP and STA can be fully utilized.

In step S507, the transmission buffer adjusting means 33 determines the capacity of the transmission buffer for each of the two or more STAs based on the value of the transmission buffer allocation rate specified in the transmission right allocation information table 34. , Perform wireless communication. For the capacity of the transmission buffer, the value of the transmission buffer allocation rate may be used as it is, but based on the value of the transmission buffer allocation rate according to the number of STAs that actually perform simultaneous communication, it is considered to be proportionally distributed. The capacity of the transmission buffer may be appropriately determined for each STA. For example, the capacity of the transmission buffer can be 50:50 when two STAs with "high" transmission right allocation communicate at the same time, and 100% is 60 for two "high" and "low" units. It can be proportionally distributed to: 10 to make 86:14. In the case of one "high" and two "medium", 100% can be proportionally distributed to 60:30 and 50:25:25.

The operation flow of the authentication device 2 according to the embodiment will be described below in order with reference to FIG.

In step S601, the authentication unit 43 receives the wireless connection request to the AP1 from the STA used by the user, and determines whether the AP1 has made a new setting request for the connection authentication information of the user and the STA. .. If a setting request has been made, the process proceeds to step S602 (Yes in step S601). If the setting request has not been made, step S601 is repeated (No in step S601).

In step S602, the authentication information table 44 is updated based on a new setting request, that is, connection authentication information of the new STA to be used.

In step S603, the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 transmits the authentication result of the STA 11 requesting wireless connection with the AP1 transmitted from the AP1 connected via the LAN 15 and the transmission set in association with each user. The right allocation information is transmitted to AP1.

Next, the authentication information table 44 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is an example of the authentication information table 44 included in the authentication device 2 according to the embodiment.

The authentication information table 44 includes authentication information (for example, a user name and a password corresponding to the user name) 71, as well as transmission right allocation information 72 set by the administrator of the authentication device 2 in association with the user.

The authentication information 71 stores authentication information (connection authentication information) regarding a user who allows the AP1 to wirelessly connect by the administrator of the communication system 100.

The transmission right allocation information 72 is transmission right allocation information set in association with the user registered in the authentication information 71. Here, the transmission right allocation information is information indicating how much priority the transmission buffer provided in the AP1 can be used when the user uses the STA to wirelessly communicate with the AP1. For example, when the AP1 receives the transmission right allocation information of FIGS. 7 (1) and 7 (2) from the authentication device 2, the STA used by the user AAA uses the transmission buffer of the AP1 rather than the STA used by the user BBB. It will be assigned preferentially. By doing so, in the communication system 100, the administrator does not have to change the authentication information each time even if the AP or the STA used by the user is changed. In other words, how much of the total communication capacity of the wireless access point is allocated to each user is fixed, and in the combination of AP and STA, wireless communication is performed with maximum communication performance under the conditions allowed by the authentication device. Contribute to doing.

The transmission right allocation information table 34 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is an example of the authentication information table 44 included in the authentication device 2 according to the embodiment.

The information stored in the transmission right allocation information table 34 is composed of at least the transmission right allocation 81 and the transmission buffer allocation rate 82 associated therewith.

The transmission right allocation 81 is information indicating the priority of transmission right allocation corresponding to the transmission right allocation information in the authentication information table 44 of the authentication device 2.

The transmission buffer allocation rate 82 is information indicating the priority of the transmission right allocation 81 and information indicating which ratio (for example, 60%) of the transmission buffer included in AP1 is applied to the total transmission buffer. For example, when the transmission right allocation 81 in FIG. 8 is “high”, the transmission buffer allocation applies 60% of the memory area of all transmission buffers. Here, the value of the transmission buffer allocation rate 82 may be changed by the wireless access point. Specifically, the wireless access point may be freely set by a setting tool (not shown) that performs initial settings for wireless communication. In this way, the allocation of the transmission buffer can be flexibly changed according to the operation of the communication system, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

(Summary)
As described above, the wireless access point in the present embodiment is an authentication device connected to the own device via a network when the own device (wireless access point) wirelessly communicates with the wireless communication terminal requested to be connected. Based on the authentication information and the transmission right allocation information of the above, it is determined how much the transmission buffer provided in the own device is allocated to the wireless communication terminal with respect to the capacity of the total transmission buffer. By doing so, even if the wireless communication terminal used by the user is changed to a wireless communication terminal having a different communication capability (communication performance), the wireless access point can contact the user requesting connection to the own device. It is possible to perform wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal under conditions where the communication performance of the wireless access point is allowed by the authentication device. As a result, under the conditions allowed by the authentication device, the user can always perform wireless communication with the maximum performance in the combination of the wireless communication terminal to be used and the wireless access point.

The present invention can be used in a wireless communication system in which a wireless access point connects to an authentication device that determines whether or not a wireless communication terminal can be connected, and simultaneously performs wireless communication of data via a network at least two or more wireless communication terminals. Is.

1 Wireless access point (AP)
2 Authentication device 10, 11 Wireless communication terminal (STA)
15 LAN
20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 Storage device 24 WNIC
25 NIC
26 Internal bus 31, 41 Receiving unit 32, 42 Transmitting unit 33 Transmission buffer adjusting means 34 Transmission right allocation information table 43 Authentication unit 44 Authentication information table 71 Authentication information 72 Transmission right allocation information 81 Transmission right allocation 82 Transmission buffer allocation rate

Claims (6)

A wireless access point capable of wirelessly communicating data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals.
From the authentication device that is connected to the wireless access point and determines whether the wireless communication terminal can be connected, (a) the result of the connection availability, and (b) the transmission right allocation set in association with the user who uses the wireless terminal. The receiver that receives the information, and
A transmission right assignment information table for storing in association with the transmission right assignment information and transmit buffer allocation rate,
Equipped with a transmission buffer adjustment means
The transmission buffer adjusting means is based on the information in the transmission right allocation information table.
(1) The wireless access point is (a) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b) each data required by each wireless communication terminal is simultaneously directed to the wireless communication terminal via the network. A wireless access point that determines the capacity of the transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal based on the transmission buffer allocation rate when communicating with the wireless communication terminal. The transmission buffer adjusting means further
(2) The wireless access point is (c) connected to one wireless communication terminal, or (d) is connected to two or more wireless communication terminals, but each wireless communication terminal is required. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the transmission buffer included in the wireless access point is allocated to the maximum and the data is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal when the data to be generated is not simultaneously communicated to another wireless communication terminal via the network. Wireless access point. A communication control method in a system in which a wireless access point can wirelessly communicate data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals.
From the authentication device that is connected to the access point and determines whether the wireless communication terminal can be connected, (a) the result of the connection availability, and (b) the transmission right allocation information set in association with the user who uses the wireless terminal. , To receive the receiving step and
And storing in association with the transmission right assignment information and transmit buffer allocation rate,
Whether or not the wireless access point connects to at least two or more wireless communication terminals and simultaneously communicates each data required by each wireless communication terminal to each wireless communication terminal via the network. Steps to judge and
The wireless access point (a) connects to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b) simultaneously directs each data required by each wireless communication terminal to another wireless communication terminal via the network. A communication control method including a step of determining the capacity of a transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal based on the transmission buffer allocation rate when it is determined that communication is performed. A program for causing a computer to execute the communication control method according to claim 3. A wireless communication system including a wireless access point capable of communicating data via a network at the same time as at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and an authentication device for determining whether or not the wireless communication terminals can be connected.
The authentication device is
(X) the wireless access point and said wireless communication terminal and the connection authentication information to connect, in association with a transmission right assignment information set with cord to users of (y) the wireless communication terminal The authentication information table to be stored and
When the the connection authentication information from the wireless access point is transmitted, an authentication unit for collating the said connection the authentication information table information authentication information,
A transmission unit that transmits the collated result and the transmission right allocation information to the wireless access point is provided.
The wireless access point is
A receiving section that receives a verification result and the transmission right allocation information access authorization from the authentication device,
A transmission right assignment information table for storing in association with the transmission right assignment information and transmit buffer allocation rate,
Equipped with a transmission buffer adjustment means
The transmission buffer adjusting means is based on the information in the transmission right allocation information table.
(1) The wireless access point is (a) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b) simultaneously directs each data required by the wireless communication terminal to the wireless communication terminal via the network. A wireless communication system that determines the capacity of a transmission buffer to be allocated to each wireless communication terminal based on the respective transmission buffer allocation rates. The transmission buffer adjusting means further
(2) Even if the wireless access point is (c) connected to one of the wireless communication terminals, or (d) is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, the required data can be simultaneously input. The wireless communication system according to claim 5 , wherein when communication is not performed with the wireless communication terminal via the network, the transmission buffer included in the wireless access point is allocated to the maximum and data is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal.

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