JP2011049787A

JP2011049787A - Radio communication system

Info

Publication number: JP2011049787A
Application number: JP2009196046A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Mariko Okuyama; 真理子奥山
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2009-08-26
Filing date: 2009-08-26
Publication date: 2011-03-10

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption for a handover function of a radio communication system. <P>SOLUTION: This radio communication system 91 includes: a scan executing part 11 for detecting an attributable base station 92; a scan result storing part 12 for storing an identifier of the base station 92 detected by the scan executing part 11; a communicating part 13 belonging to the base station 92 to perform communication; an attribution processing part 14 for performing handover; a radio communication environment determining part 15 for determining whether the number of base stations 92 whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storing part 12 is singular or plural; and a handover switch part 16 for actuating the attribution processing part 14 when the radio communication environment determining part 15 determines that the number is plural, and stopping the operation of the attribution processing part 14 when the radio communication environment determining part 15 determines that the number is singular. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、無線通信装置、無線通信装置及び基地局を備える無線通信システム、無線通信方法、並びに、無線通信プログラムに関する。 The present invention relates to a radio communication device, a radio communication system including a radio communication device and a base station, a radio communication method, and a radio communication program.

無線通信装置は、基地局と通信を行なうため、帰属可能な基地局を検出する。スキャンの方法には２種類あり、パッシブ方式とアクティブ方式がある。パッシブ方式は、基地局が送信しているビーコン信号を監視することで、帰属可能な基地局を検出する。アクティブ方式は、無線通信装置からプローブ要求信号と呼ばれるネットワークの有無を問い合わせる信号を送信し、基地局からプローブ応答信号を受信することで、帰属可能な基地局を検出する。そして、無線通信装置は、帰属していた基地局との通信品質が低下すると、帰属する基地局を他の基地局に切り替えるハンドオーバー機能を備える。 Since the wireless communication apparatus communicates with the base station, it detects a base station to which the wireless communication apparatus can belong. There are two types of scanning methods, a passive method and an active method. In the passive method, a base station to which the base station can belong is detected by monitoring a beacon signal transmitted from the base station. In the active method, a signal that inquires about the presence or absence of a network called a probe request signal is transmitted from a wireless communication device, and a probe response signal is received from the base station, thereby detecting an affiliated base station. The wireless communication device includes a handover function for switching the belonging base station to another base station when the communication quality with the belonging base station is lowered.

無線通信システムの一例が特許文献１及び２に記載されている。特許文献１の無線通信システムでは、無線通信装置と、基地局を備え、以下のように動作する。無線通信装置は、無線通信装置の電源が投入された際、又は、無線通信装置が現在位置する基地局の通信エリアから別の通信エリアに移動した際、又は、無線通信装置が現在帰属している基地局との同期が外れた際、又は、ユーザが無線通信装置の設定を変更した際、又は、動作中のアプリケーションからの要求があった際、又は、その他の基地局検索要求が発生した際に、帰属可能な基地局の検索を行なう。そして、帰属可能な基地局が複数ある場合、無線通信装置は、最も受信品質のよい基地局を選択する。 An example of a wireless communication system is described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The wireless communication system of Patent Document 1 includes a wireless communication device and a base station, and operates as follows. The wireless communication device is assigned to the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is turned on, when the wireless communication device is moved from the communication area of the base station where the wireless communication device is currently located, or to another communication area. When the base station is out of sync, when the user changes the settings of the wireless communication device, when there is a request from an active application, or when another base station search request occurs At that time, a search is made for a base station to which the user can belong. If there are a plurality of base stations to which the wireless communication apparatus can belong, the wireless communication apparatus selects a base station with the best reception quality.

特許文献２の無線通信システムは、無線通信装置と、基地局を備え、以下のように動作する。無線通信装置は、基地局を予め設定しておくことで、設定した基地局を１回のスキャンで見つける。また、基地局が１つしかないような家庭内のアクセスポイントの識別子を登録しておき、予め登録した識別子が検索された場合は、家庭内の基地局の通信エリアに帰属していることを判定する。 The wireless communication system of Patent Document 2 includes a wireless communication device and a base station, and operates as follows. The wireless communication device finds the set base station in one scan by setting the base station in advance. In addition, if an identifier of a home access point that has only one base station is registered, and a pre-registered identifier is searched, the identifier belongs to the communication area of the home base station. judge.

特開２００４−３４３４５８号公報JP 2004-343458 A 特開２００７−１０４４３２号公報JP 2007-104432 A

無線通信装置の場合、できるだけ消費電力を抑える必要がある。ハンドオーバーを行なう場合、無線通信装置は、基地局と通信を行なわなければならないため、常にハンドオーバーのために電力を消費することとなる。このため、上述した特許文献１においては、常にハンドオーバーのために電力を消費することとなるという問題点があった。 In the case of a wireless communication device, it is necessary to suppress power consumption as much as possible. When performing a handover, the wireless communication device must communicate with the base station, and thus always consumes power for the handover. For this reason, the above-described Patent Document 1 has a problem that power is always consumed for handover.

無線通信装置のユーザの移動範囲は限られない。予め登録した識別子が検索された場合にハンドオーバーを行なわないとしても、ユーザが無線通信装置に設定しなければならない。このため、上述した特許文献２においては、ハンドオーバー機能の動作を省略できる通信エリアはごく限られ、ハンドオーバーのために電力を消費することとなるという問題点があった。 The moving range of the user of the wireless communication device is not limited. Even if a handover is not performed when an identifier registered in advance is retrieved, the user must set the wireless communication apparatus. For this reason, the above-described Patent Document 2 has a problem that the communication area in which the operation of the handover function can be omitted is very limited, and power is consumed for the handover.

本発明は、上述した無線通信システムのハンドオーバー機能のために電力の消費という課題を解決する無線通信システム及び無線通信装置及び無線通信方法及び無線通信プログラムを提供することにある。 The present invention provides a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication program that solve the problem of power consumption for the handover function of the wireless communication system described above.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る無線通信装置は、帰属可能な基地局を検出するスキャン実行部と、前記スキャン実行部の検出した基地局の識別子を格納するスキャン結果格納部と、前記スキャン結果格納部に識別子が格納されている基地局に帰属して通信を行なう通信部と、前記通信部の通信品質が劣化すると、前記スキャン結果格納部に識別子が格納されている他の基地局に帰属先を切り替える帰属処理部と、前記スキャン結果格納部に識別子が格納されている基地局の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する無線通信環境判定部と、前記無線通信環境判定部が複数であると判定した場合には前記帰属処理部を動作させ、前記無線通信環境判定部が単数であると判定した場合には前記帰属処理部の動作を停止させるハンドオーバースイッチ部と、を備える。 In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication device according to the present invention includes a scan execution unit that detects a base station to which the wireless communication apparatus can belong, a scan result storage unit that stores an identifier of the base station detected by the scan execution unit, A communication unit that performs communication by belonging to a base station whose identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit, and another base whose identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit when the communication quality of the communication unit deteriorates An attribution processing unit that switches an attribution destination to a station, a wireless communication environment determination unit that determines whether the number of base stations whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit is plural, or the wireless communication environment When it is determined that there are a plurality of determination units, the attribution processing unit is operated, and when it is determined that the wireless communication environment determination unit is singular, the handover unit is configured to stop the operation of the attribution processing unit. It includes an over switch unit.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る無線通信システムは、本発明に係る無線通信装置と、基地局と、を備える。 In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention and a base station.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る無線通信方法は、無線通信装置の帰属可能な基地局を検出するスキャン実行手順と、前記スキャン実行手順で検出した基地局の識別子を格納するスキャン結果格納手順と、前記スキャン結果格納手順で識別子が格納された基地局の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する無線通信環境判定手順と、前記無線通信環境判定手順で複数であると判定した場合には、基地局と前記無線通信装置と通信品質が劣化すると前記スキャン結果格納手順で識別子を格納した他の基地局に帰属先を切り替えるハンドオーバー機能を有効にし、前記無線通信環境判定手順で単数であると判定した場合には、前記ハンドオーバー機能を無効にするハンドオーバースイッチ手順と、を順に有する。 To achieve the above object, a radio communication method according to the present invention includes a scan execution procedure for detecting a base station to which a radio communication apparatus can belong, and a scan result for storing an identifier of the base station detected in the scan execution procedure. A storage procedure, a wireless communication environment determination procedure for determining whether the number of base stations storing identifiers in the scan result storage procedure is plural, or a single, and a plurality of base stations determined in the wireless communication environment determination procedure If the communication quality deteriorates between the base station and the wireless communication apparatus, the handover function is switched to another base station that stores the identifier in the scan result storage procedure, and the wireless communication environment determination procedure is enabled. If it is determined that the number is singular, a handover switch procedure for disabling the handover function is sequentially provided.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る無線通信プログラムは、スキャン実行部が基地局からの信号を受信して帰属可能な基地局を検出するスキャン実行ステップと、前記スキャン実行部の検出した基地局の識別子をスキャン結果格納部に格納するスキャン結果格納ステップと、前記スキャン結果格納部に識別子が格納されている基地局の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する無線通信環境判定ステップと、基地局と通信を行なう通信部の帰属する基地局を切り替える帰属処理部を、前記無線通信環境判定ステップで複数であると判定した場合には動作させ、前記無線通信環境判定ステップで単数であると判定した場合には動作停止させるハンドオーバースイッチステップと、を順にコンピュータに実行させる。 In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication program according to the present invention includes a scan execution step in which a scan execution unit receives a signal from a base station and detects a base station to which the scan execution unit can belong, and the scan execution unit detects Scan result storage step for storing the identifier of the base station in the scan result storage unit, and wireless communication environment determination for determining whether the number of base stations whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit is plural or singular And an attribution processing unit that switches a base station to which a communication unit that communicates with the base station belongs is operated when it is determined that there are plural in the wireless communication environment determination step, and a single unit in the wireless communication environment determination step. When it is determined that the operation is not performed, the computer sequentially executes a handover switch step for stopping the operation.

本発明によれば、無線通信システムのハンドオーバー機能のために電力の消費を低減することができる。 According to the present invention, power consumption can be reduced for the handover function of a wireless communication system.

実施形態１に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment. 実施形態１に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to the first embodiment. 実施形態１に係る無線通信プログラムの一例を示す流れ図である。3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication program according to the first embodiment. 実施形態２に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 実施形態４に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to a fourth embodiment. 実施形態４に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to a fourth embodiment. 実施形態４に係る無線通信プログラムの一例を示す流れ図である。10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication program according to a fourth embodiment. 実施形態５に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to a fifth embodiment.

添付の図面を参照して本発明の実施形態を説明する。以下に説明する実施形態は本発明の実施例であり、本発明は、以下の実施形態に制限されるものではない。なお、本明細書及び図面において符号が同じ構成要素は、相互に同一のものを示すものとする。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present specification and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

（実施形態１）
図１は、本実施形態に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信システムは、無線通信装置９１と、基地局９２と、を備える。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless communication device 91 and a base station 92.

無線通信装置９１は、無線通信機能を備える端末装置であり、例えば、携帯電話、ＰＨＳ（ＰｅｒｓｏｎａｌＨａｎｄｙｐｈｏｎｅＳｙｓｔｅｍ）、ＰＤＡ（ＰｅｒｓｏｎａｌＤｉｇｉｔａｌＡｓｓｉｓｔａｎｔｓ）である。基地局９２は、ネットワークに接続する装置であり、いわゆるアクセスポイントである。無線通信装置９１は、基地局９２と通信を行なうことで、ネットワークに接続される。 The wireless communication device 91 is a terminal device having a wireless communication function, and is, for example, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The base station 92 is a device connected to the network and is a so-called access point. The wireless communication device 91 is connected to the network by communicating with the base station 92.

無線通信装置９１は、スキャン実行部１１と、スキャン結果格納部１２と、通信部１３と、帰属処理部１４と、無線通信環境判定部１５と、ハンドオーバースイッチ部１６と、を備え、本実施形態に係る無線通信方法を実行する。 The wireless communication device 91 includes a scan execution unit 11, a scan result storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an attribution processing unit 14, a wireless communication environment determination unit 15, and a handover switch unit 16. The wireless communication method according to the embodiment is executed.

図２は、本実施形態に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信方法は、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１と、スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２と、無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３と、ハンドオーバースイッチ手順Ｓ１１４と、を順に有する。 FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication method according to the present embodiment includes a scan execution procedure S111, a scan result storage procedure S112, a wireless communication environment determination procedure S113, and a handover switch procedure S114 in this order.

スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１では、無線通信装置９１の帰属可能な基地局９２を検出する。スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２では、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１で検出した基地局９２の識別子を格納する。無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３では、スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２で識別子が格納された基地局９２の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する。これにより、無線通信装置９１は、ハンドオーバーの可能な無線通信環境か否かを判定することができる。 In the scan execution procedure S111, a base station 92 to which the wireless communication device 91 can belong is detected. In the scan result storage procedure S112, the identifier of the base station 92 detected in the scan execution procedure S111 is stored. In the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113, it is determined whether the number of base stations 92 in which the identifiers are stored in the scan result storage procedure S112 is plural or singular. Thereby, the wireless communication device 91 can determine whether or not the wireless communication environment allows handover.

ハンドオーバースイッチ手順Ｓ１１４では、無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３で複数であると判定した場合には無線通信装置９１のハンドオーバー機能を有効にし、無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３で単数であると判定した場合には無線通信装置９１のハンドオーバー機能を無効にする。ここで、ハンドオーバー機能は、基地局９２と無線通信装置９１と通信品質が劣化するとスキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２で識別子を格納した他の基地局９２に帰属先を切り替える機能をいう。これにより、無線通信装置９１は、ハンドオーバー機能を有効にするか否かを自動で切り替えることができる。 In the handover switch procedure S114, when it is determined in the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113 that there are a plurality, the handover function of the wireless communication device 91 is enabled, and in the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113, it is determined that the number is single. Disables the handover function of the wireless communication device 91. Here, the handover function refers to a function of switching the attribution destination to another base station 92 that stores an identifier in the scan result storage procedure S112 when communication quality between the base station 92 and the wireless communication device 91 deteriorates. Thereby, the wireless communication device 91 can automatically switch whether or not to enable the handover function.

例えば、図１に示す無線通信装置９１は以下のように動作する。スキャン実行部１１は、無線通信装置９１の帰属可能な基地局９２を検出する。スキャン結果格納部１２は、スキャン実行部１１の検出した基地局９２の識別子を格納する。基地局９２の識別子は、例えば、基地局９２のＭＡＣ（ＭｅｄｉａＡｃｃｅｓｓＣｏｎｔｒｏｌ）アドレスである。通信部１３は、スキャン結果格納部１２に識別子が格納されている基地局９２に帰属して通信を行なう。帰属処理部１４は、通信部１３の通信品質が劣化すると、スキャン結果格納部１２に識別子が格納されている他の基地局９２に帰属先を切り替え、ハンドオーバーを行なう。なお、無線通信装置９１は、例えば図示しないＲＦＩＣ（ＲａｄｉｏＦｒｅｑｕｅｎｃｙＩｎｔｅｇｒａｔｅｄＣｉｒｃｕｉｔ）を用いて、基地局９２との間で通信を行なう。 For example, the wireless communication device 91 shown in FIG. 1 operates as follows. The scan execution unit 11 detects a base station 92 to which the wireless communication device 91 can belong. The scan result storage unit 12 stores the identifier of the base station 92 detected by the scan execution unit 11. The identifier of the base station 92 is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the base station 92. The communication unit 13 performs communication by belonging to the base station 92 whose identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit 12. When the communication quality of the communication unit 13 deteriorates, the attribution processing unit 14 switches the attribution destination to another base station 92 whose identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit 12 and performs handover. Note that the wireless communication device 91 communicates with the base station 92 using, for example, an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) (not shown).

無線通信環境判定部１５は、スキャン結果格納部１２に識別子が格納されている基地局９２の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する。これにより、無線通信装置９１は、ハンドオーバーの可能な無線通信環境か否かを判定することができる。 The wireless communication environment determination unit 15 determines whether the number of base stations 92 whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit 12 is plural or singular. Thereby, the wireless communication device 91 can determine whether or not the wireless communication environment allows handover.

無線通信環境判定部１５が複数であると判定した場合には、ハンドオーバースイッチ部１６は、帰属処理部１４を動作させ、ハンドオーバー機能を有効にする。無線通信環境判定部１５が単数であると判定した場合には、ハンドオーバースイッチ部１６は帰属処理部１４の動作を停止させ、ハンドオーバー機能を無効にする。これにより、無線通信装置９１は、ハンドオーバー機能を有効にするか否かを自動で切り替えることができる。 When the wireless communication environment determination unit 15 determines that there are a plurality of wireless communication environment determination units 15, the handover switch unit 16 operates the attribution processing unit 14 to enable the handover function. When the wireless communication environment determination unit 15 determines that the number is single, the handover switch unit 16 stops the operation of the attribution processing unit 14 and disables the handover function. Thereby, the wireless communication device 91 can automatically switch whether or not to enable the handover function.

本実施形態では、無線通信装置９１に代えて、本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムをコンピュータに実行させてもよい。図３は、本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムの一例を示す流れ図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムは、スキャン実行ステップＳ２１１と、スキャン結果格納ステップＳ２１２と、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３と、ハンドオーバースイッチステップＳ２１４と、を順にコンピュータに実行させる。 In this embodiment, instead of the wireless communication device 91, a computer may execute a wireless communication program according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication program according to the present embodiment causes the computer to sequentially execute a scan execution step S211, a scan result storage step S212, a wireless communication environment determination step S213, and a handover switch step S214.

スキャン実行ステップＳ２１１では、スキャン実行部１１が基地局９２からの信号を受信して帰属可能な基地局９２を検出する。スキャン結果格納ステップＳ２１２では、スキャン実行部１１の検出した基地局９２の識別子をスキャン結果格納部１２に格納する。無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３では、スキャン結果格納部１２に識別子が格納されている基地局９２の数が複数であるか単数であるかを判定する。ハンドオーバースイッチステップＳ２１４では、基地局９２と通信を行なう通信部１３の帰属する基地局９２を切り替える帰属処理部１４を、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で複数であると判定した場合には動作させ、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で単数であると判定した場合には動作停止させる。これにより、コンピュータを無線通信装置９１として機能させることができる。 In the scan execution step S211, the scan execution unit 11 receives a signal from the base station 92 and detects a base station 92 to which it can belong. In the scan result storage step S212, the identifier of the base station 92 detected by the scan execution unit 11 is stored in the scan result storage unit 12. In the wireless communication environment determination step S213, it is determined whether the number of base stations 92 whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit 12 is plural or singular. In the handover switch step S214, if the wireless communication environment determination step S213 determines that there are a plurality of attribution processing units 14 that switch the base station 92 to which the communication unit 13 that communicates with the base station 92 belongs, When it is determined that the number is single in the wireless communication environment determination step S213, the operation is stopped. As a result, the computer can function as the wireless communication device 91.

本実施形態に係る無線通信システムは、ハンドオーバーの可能な無線通信環境か否かを判定し、ハンドオーバー機能を有効にするか否かを自動で切り替える。ハンドオ−バーが不可能な環境ではハンドオーバー機能の動作を自動的に停止させることができる。したがって、無線通信システムのハンドオーバー機能のために電力の消費を低減することができる。 The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the wireless communication environment allows handover, and automatically switches whether to enable the handover function. In an environment where hand over is not possible, the operation of the handover function can be automatically stopped. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced due to the handover function of the wireless communication system.

（実施形態２）
本実施形態では、実施形態１で説明した帰属可能な基地局９２の検出をアクティブ方式で行なう。以下、具体的に説明する。 (Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, the belonging base station 92 described in the first embodiment is detected by the active method. This will be specifically described below.

本実施形態に係る無線通信方法は、図２に示す実施形態１に係る無線通信方法と同様の手順を有する。本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１において、アクティブ方式でスキャンを行なう。 The radio communication method according to the present embodiment has the same procedure as the radio communication method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment, scanning is performed by the active method in the scan execution procedure S111.

スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１において、ネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤ（ＥｘｔｅｎｄｅｄＳｅｒｖｉｃｅＳｅｔＩｄｅｎｔｉｆｉｅｒ）を含むプローブ要求信号を無線通信装置９１から基地局９２に送信して、ＥＳＳＩＤを有する基地局９２から基地局９２固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤ（ＢａｓｉｃＳｅｒｖｉｃｅＳｅｔＩｄｅｎｔｉｆｉｅｒ）を含むプローブ応答信号を無線通信装置９１で受信する。スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２において、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１で受信したプローブ応答信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤを格納する。無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３において、スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２で格納したＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、ＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。 In the scan execution procedure S111, a probe request signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier), which is a network-specific identifier, is transmitted from the wireless communication device 91 to the base station 92, and the base station 92 having the ESSID is unique to the base station 92. The wireless communication device 91 receives a probe response signal including BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) which is an identifier. In the scan result storage procedure S112, the BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received in the scan execution procedure S111 is stored. In the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113, when there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage procedure S112, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations 92, and when the BSSID is singular, the number of base stations 92 is singular. It is determined that

図４は、本実施形態に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。本実施形態では、実施形態１で説明した無線通信装置９１の構成に加え、スキャン切替部１７を備える。 FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the wireless communication device 91 described in the first embodiment, a scan switching unit 17 is provided.

スキャン実行部１１は、帰属可能な基地局９２を、アクティブ方式又はパッシブ方式で検出する。スキャン切替部１７は、スキャン実行部１１の検出方式の設定を切り替える。スキャン切替部１７がスキャン実行部１１の検出方式をアクティブ方式に設定する。この場合、無線通信装置９１は以下のように動作する。 The scan execution unit 11 detects the base station 92 to which it can belong in an active method or a passive method. The scan switching unit 17 switches the detection method setting of the scan execution unit 11. The scan switching unit 17 sets the detection method of the scan execution unit 11 to the active method. In this case, the wireless communication device 91 operates as follows.

スキャン実行部１１は、ネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤを含むプローブ要求信号を送信して、ＥＳＳＩＤを有する基地局９２から基地局固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤを含むプローブ応答信号を受信する。スキャン結果格納部１２は、スキャン実行部１１の受信したプローブ応答信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤを格納する。無線通信環境判定部１５は、スキャン結果格納部１２が格納したＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、ＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。 The scan execution unit 11 transmits a probe request signal including an ESSID that is an identifier unique to the network, and receives a probe response signal including a BSSID that is an identifier unique to the base station from the base station 92 having the ESSID. The scan result storage unit 12 stores the BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received by the scan execution unit 11. When there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage unit 12, the wireless communication environment determination unit 15 determines that there are a plurality of base stations 92, and when the BSSID is a single number, the number of base stations 92 is a single number. It is determined that

本実施形態では、無線通信装置９１に代えて、本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムをコンピュータに実行させてもよい。本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムでは、図３に示す実施形態１で説明した無線通信プログラムに加え、以下のようにコンピュータに実行させる。 In this embodiment, instead of the wireless communication device 91, a computer may execute a wireless communication program according to this embodiment. In the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment, in addition to the wireless communication program described in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

スキャン実行ステップＳ２１１において、スキャン実行部１１がネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤを含むプローブ要求信号を送信して、ＥＳＳＩＤを有する基地局９２から基地局９２固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤを含むプローブ応答信号を受信する。スキャン結果格納ステップＳ２１２において、スキャン実行部１１の受信したプローブ応答信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤをスキャン結果格納部１２に格納する。無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３において、スキャン結果格納部１２に格納されているＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、ＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。ハンドオーバースイッチステップＳ２１４では、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で複数であると判定した場合には帰属処理部１４を動作させ、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で単数であると判定した場合には帰属処理部１４を動作停止させる。これにより、コンピュータを無線通信装置９１として機能させることができる。 In the scan execution step S211, the scan execution unit 11 transmits a probe request signal including an ESSID that is an identifier unique to the network, and transmits a probe response signal including an BSSID that is an identifier unique to the base station 92 from the base station 92 having the ESSID. Receive. In the scan result storage step S212, the BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received by the scan execution unit 11 is stored in the scan result storage unit 12. In the wireless communication environment determination step S213, when there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage unit 12, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations 92, and when there are a single BSSID, the number of base stations 92 is determined. Is determined to be singular. In the handover switch step S214, the attribution processing unit 14 is operated when it is determined that there are a plurality in the wireless communication environment determination step S213, and the attribution processing unit is determined when it is determined that the number is singular in the wireless communication environment determination step S213. 14 is stopped. As a result, the computer can function as the wireless communication device 91.

（実施形態３）
本実施形態では、実施形態１で説明した帰属可能な基地局９２の検出をパッシブ方式で行なう。以下、具体的に説明する。 (Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, the belonging base station 92 described in the first embodiment is detected in a passive manner. This will be specifically described below.

本実施形態に係る無線通信方法は、図２に示す実施形態１に係る無線通信方法と同様の手順を有する。本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１において、パッシブ方式でスキャンを行なう。 The radio communication method according to the present embodiment has the same procedure as the radio communication method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment, scanning is performed in a passive manner in the scan execution procedure S111.

スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１において、ネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤ及び基地局９２固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤを含むビーコン信号を無線通信装置９１で受信する。スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２において、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１で受信したビーコン信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤを格納する。無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３において、スキャン結果格納手順Ｓ１１２で格納したＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、ＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。 In the scan execution procedure S111, the wireless communication apparatus 91 receives a beacon signal including an ESSID that is an identifier unique to the network and a BSSID that is an identifier unique to the base station 92. In the scan result storage procedure S112, the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received in the scan execution procedure S111 is stored. In the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113, when there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage procedure S112, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations 92, and when the BSSID is singular, the number of base stations 92 is singular. It is determined that

本実施形態に係る無線通信システムは、図４に示す実施形態２に係る無線通信システムと同様の構成を備える。本実施形態では、実施形態１で説明した無線通信装置９１の構成に加え、スキャン切替部１７を備える。 The radio communication system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the radio communication system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the wireless communication device 91 described in the first embodiment, a scan switching unit 17 is provided.

スキャン実行部１１は、帰属可能な基地局９２を、パッシブ方式で検出する。スキャン切替部１７は、スキャン実行部１１の検出方式の設定を切り替える。スキャン切替部１７がスキャン実行部１１の検出方式をパッシブ方式に設定する。この場合、無線通信装置９１は以下のように動作する。 The scan execution unit 11 detects the base station 92 to which it can belong in a passive manner. The scan switching unit 17 switches the detection method setting of the scan execution unit 11. The scan switching unit 17 sets the detection method of the scan execution unit 11 to the passive method. In this case, the wireless communication device 91 operates as follows.

スキャン実行部１１は、ネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤ及び基地局９２固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤを含むビーコン信号を受信する。スキャン結果格納部１２は、スキャン実行部１１の受信したビーコン信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤを格納する。無線通信環境判定部１５は、スキャン結果格納部１２が格納したＢＳＳＩＤを抽出し、抽出したＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、抽出したＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。 The scan execution unit 11 receives a beacon signal including an ESSID that is an identifier unique to the network and a BSSID that is an identifier unique to the base station 92. The scan result storage unit 12 stores the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received by the scan execution unit 11. The wireless communication environment determination unit 15 extracts the BSSID stored in the scan result storage unit 12, determines that the number of base stations 92 is plural when the extracted BSSID is plural, and the extracted BSSID is single. In this case, it is determined that the number of base stations 92 is singular.

スキャン実行ステップＳ２１１において、スキャン実行部１１がネットワーク固有の識別子であるＥＳＳＩＤ及び基地局９２固有の識別子であるＢＳＳＩＤを含むビーコン信号を受信する。スキャン結果格納ステップＳ２１２において、スキャン実行部１１の受信したビーコン信号から抽出したＢＳＳＩＤをスキャン結果格納部１２に格納する。無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３において、スキャン結果格納部１２に格納されているＢＳＳＩＤが複数である場合は基地局９２の数が複数であると判定し、ＢＳＳＩＤが単数である場合は基地局９２の数が単数であると判定する。ハンドオーバースイッチステップＳ２１４では、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で複数であると判定した場合には帰属処理部１４を動作させ、無線通信環境判定ステップＳ２１３で単数であると判定した場合には帰属処理部１４を動作停止させる。これにより、コンピュータを無線通信装置９１として機能させることができる。 In the scan execution step S211, the scan execution unit 11 receives a beacon signal including an ESSID that is an identifier unique to the network and a BSSID that is an identifier unique to the base station 92. In the scan result storage step S212, the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received by the scan execution unit 11 is stored in the scan result storage unit 12. In the wireless communication environment determination step S213, when there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage unit 12, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations 92, and when there are a single BSSID, the number of base stations 92 is determined. Is determined to be singular. In the handover switch step S214, the attribution processing unit 14 is operated when it is determined that there are a plurality in the wireless communication environment determination step S213, and the attribution processing unit is determined when it is determined that the number is singular in the wireless communication environment determination step S213. 14 is stopped. As a result, the computer can function as the wireless communication device 91.

（実施形態４）
図５は、本実施形態に係る無線通信システムの一例を示す構成図である。本実施形態では、実施形態１で説明した無線通信装置９１の構成に加え、帰属可能な基地局９２をスキャン実行部１１に検出させるスキャン制御部１８を備え、本実施形態に係る無線通信方法を実行する。 (Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 91 described in the first embodiment, a scan control unit 18 that causes the scan execution unit 11 to detect an attachable base station 92 is provided, and the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment is provided. Execute.

図６は、本実施形態に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、図２に示すスキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１の前に、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５をさらに有する。スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５では、予め定めた条件を判定する。スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５で予め定めた条件と一致したと判定した場合に、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１を実行する。予め定めた条件は、例えば、基地局９２からの受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったとき、又は、一定時間経過したとき、又は、無線通信装置９１が起動したときがある。 FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication method according to the present embodiment further includes a scan control procedure S115 before the scan execution procedure S111 shown in FIG. In the scan control procedure S115, a predetermined condition is determined. If it is determined in the scan control procedure S115 that the predetermined condition is met, the scan execution procedure S111 is executed. The predetermined condition may be, for example, when the reception level from the base station 92 falls below a predetermined value, when a certain time has elapsed, or when the wireless communication device 91 is activated.

本実施形態では、無線通信装置９１に代えて、本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムをコンピュータに実行させてもよい。図７は、本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムの一例を示す流れ図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムでは、図３に示すスキャン実行ステップＳ２１１の前に、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５をさらに有する。これにより、コンピュータを無線通信装置９１として機能させることができる。 In this embodiment, instead of the wireless communication device 91, a computer may execute a wireless communication program according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication program according to the present embodiment further includes a scan control step S215 before the scan execution step S211 shown in FIG. As a result, the computer can function as the wireless communication device 91.

予め定めた条件が、基地局９２からの受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったときの場合について説明する。
図６に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において、基地局９２からの受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったことを判定する。この場合、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったときに、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１を実行する。これにより、通信品質が低下したときに、帰属可能な新たな基地局９２を検出することができる。 A case where the predetermined condition is when the reception level from the base station 92 falls below a predetermined value will be described.
In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, it is determined in the scan control procedure S115 that the reception level from the base station 92 has fallen below a predetermined value. In this case, when the reception level falls below a predetermined value in the scan control procedure S115, the scan execution procedure S111 is executed. Thereby, when communication quality falls, the new base station 92 which can belong can be detected.

図５に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信装置９１では、スキャン制御部１８は、通信部１３の受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったことを判定する。そして、通信部１３の受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったときに、スキャン制御部１８は、帰属可能な基地局９２をスキャン実行部１１に検出させる。これにより、通信品質が低下したときに、帰属可能な新たな基地局９２を検出することができる。 In the wireless communication device 91 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the scan control unit 18 determines that the reception level of the communication unit 13 has fallen below a predetermined value. Then, when the reception level of the communication unit 13 falls below a predetermined value, the scan control unit 18 causes the scan execution unit 11 to detect the base station 92 to which it can belong. Thereby, when communication quality falls, the new base station 92 which can belong can be detected.

図７に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムでは、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５において、通信部１３の受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったことを判定する。そして、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５において通信部１３の受信レベルが予め定められた値を下回ったと判定したときにスキャン実行ステップＳ２１１を実行する。これにより、通信品質が低下したときに、帰属可能な新たな基地局９２を検出することができる。 In the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is determined in scan control step S215 that the reception level of the communication unit 13 has fallen below a predetermined value. Then, when it is determined in the scan control step S215 that the reception level of the communication unit 13 is lower than a predetermined value, the scan execution step S211 is executed. Thereby, when communication quality falls, the new base station 92 which can belong can be detected.

帰属可能な基地局９２が複数ある場合であっても、無線通信装置９１の位置によっては基地局９２が検出できずにハンドオーバーが無効になっている可能性がある。また、無線通信装置９１の位置によって、帰属可能な基地局９２が検出できていない場合がある。このような場合に、帰属可能な基地局９２を新たに検出することができる。これにより、通信品質を向上することができる。 Even in the case where there are a plurality of base stations 92 that can be assigned, depending on the position of the wireless communication device 91, the base station 92 may not be detected and the handover may be invalidated. Further, there are cases where the base station 92 to which the wireless communication device 91 can belong cannot be detected depending on the position of the wireless communication device 91. In such a case, it is possible to newly detect a base station 92 to which it can belong. Thereby, communication quality can be improved.

予め定めた条件が、一定時間経過したときの場合について説明する。
図６に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において、一定時間経過したことを判定する。この場合、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において一定時間経過したときに、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１を実行する。これにより、帰属可能な基地局９２を一定時間ごとに確認することができる。 A case where a predetermined time has passed for a predetermined time will be described.
In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, it is determined in the scan control procedure S115 that a certain time has elapsed. In this case, the scan execution procedure S111 is executed when a predetermined time has elapsed in the scan control procedure S115. Thereby, the base station 92 to which it can belong can be confirmed for every fixed time.

図５に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信装置９１では、スキャン制御部１８は、一定時間経過したことを判定する。そして、スキャン制御部１８は、一定時間ごとに、帰属可能な基地局９２をスキャン実行部１１に検出させる。これにより、帰属可能な基地局９２を一定時間ごとに確認することができる。 In the wireless communication device 91 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the scan control unit 18 determines that a certain time has elapsed. Then, the scan control unit 18 causes the scan execution unit 11 to detect the base station 92 to which the scan control unit 18 can belong. Thereby, the base station 92 to which it can belong can be confirmed for every fixed time.

図７に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムでは、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５において、一定時間経過したことを判定する。そして、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５において一定時間経過したと判定したときにスキャン実行ステップＳ２１１を実行する。これにより、帰属可能な基地局９２を一定時間ごとに確認することができる。 In the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed in the scan control step S215. Then, when it is determined in the scan control step S215 that a certain time has elapsed, the scan execution step S211 is executed. Thereby, the base station 92 to which it can belong can be confirmed for every fixed time.

無線通信装置９１が移動すると、帰属可能な基地局９２が変化する。このような場合に、帰属可能な基地局９２の数を一定時間ごとに確認することで、帰属可能な基地局９２を新たに検出することができる。これにより、通信品質を向上することができる。 When the wireless communication device 91 moves, the base station 92 to which the wireless communication device 91 can belong changes. In such a case, it is possible to newly detect the base station 92 to which it can belong by confirming the number of base stations 92 to which it can belong at regular intervals. Thereby, communication quality can be improved.

予め定めた条件が、無線通信装置９１が起動したときの場合について説明する。
図６に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において、無線通信装置９１が起動したことを判定する。この場合、スキャン制御手順Ｓ１１５において一定時間経過したときに、スキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１を実行する。これにより、通信開始時点において帰属可能な基地局９２を検出することができる。 A case where the predetermined condition is when the wireless communication device 91 is activated will be described.
In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it is determined in step S115 that the wireless communication device 91 has been activated. In this case, the scan execution procedure S111 is executed when a predetermined time has elapsed in the scan control procedure S115. Thereby, it is possible to detect the base station 92 that can belong to at the start of communication.

図５に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信装置９１では、スキャン制御部１８は、無線通信装置９１の起動時に、帰属可能な基地局９２をスキャン実行部１１にスキャンさせる。これにより、通信開始時点において帰属可能な基地局９２を検出することができる。 In the wireless communication device 91 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the scan control unit 18 causes the scan execution unit 11 to scan the base station 92 to which the wireless communication device 91 can belong when the wireless communication device 91 is activated. Thereby, it is possible to detect the base station 92 that can belong to at the start of communication.

図７に示す本実施形態に係る無線通信プログラムでは、スキャン制御ステップＳ２１５において、無線通信装置９１が起動したことを判定してスキャン実行部１１を動作させる。これにより、通信開始時点において帰属可能な基地局９２を検出することができる。 In the wireless communication program according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that the wireless communication device 91 is activated in the scan control step S215, and the scan execution unit 11 is operated. Thereby, it is possible to detect the base station 92 that can belong to at the start of communication.

無線通信装置９１が起動した時点では、帰属可能な基地局９２は不明である。このような場合に、帰属可能な基地局９２を検出することができる。これにより、無線通信装置９１の通信開始に、ハンドオーバー機能の動作の有無を適切に判断することができる。 At the time when the wireless communication apparatus 91 is activated, the base station 92 to which it can belong is unknown. In such a case, the base station 92 to which it can belong can be detected. Thereby, the presence or absence of the operation of the handover function can be appropriately determined at the start of communication of the wireless communication device 91.

（実施形態５）
本実施形態に係る無線通信システムは、図４に示す実施形態２に係る無線通信システムと同様の構成を備える。無線通信システムは、一般に無線ＬＡＮ（ＬｏｃａｌＡｒｅａＮｅｔｗｏｒｋ）システムと呼ぶことができる。この場合、無線通信装置９１は、無線ＬＡＮ端末と呼ぶことができる。 (Embodiment 5)
The radio communication system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the radio communication system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. A wireless communication system can be generally referred to as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system. In this case, the wireless communication device 91 can be called a wireless LAN terminal.

無線通信環境において、無線通信装置９１を起動させた場合、スキャン実行部１１はスキャンを開始する。このとき、スキャン切替部１７はパッシブ方式で行なうかアクティブ方式で行なうかを設定する。スキャン実行部１１からスキャン結果格納部１２に問い合わせを行ない、設定された方式でスキャンを開始する。 When the wireless communication device 91 is activated in a wireless communication environment, the scan execution unit 11 starts scanning. At this time, the scan switching unit 17 sets whether to use the passive method or the active method. An inquiry is made from the scan execution unit 11 to the scan result storage unit 12, and scanning is started by the set method.

スキャン実行部１１は、スキャンを行ない周辺環境の基地局９２を検知したら、ＥＳＳＩＤと呼ばれる無線ＬＡＮを識別するためのＩＤとＢＳＳＩＤと呼ばれるＢＳＳ（ＢａｓｉｃＳｅｒｖｉｃｅＳｅｔ）の識別子である基地局９２のＭＡＣアドレスをスキャン結果格納部１２に保存する。帰属処理部１４は、スキャン結果格納部１２に保存されたＥＳＳＩＤが同一、かつ、ＢＳＳＩＤが複数かどうかを確認して、ハンドオーバー設定を有効に設定するか否かを判定する。 When the scan execution unit 11 scans and detects the base station 92 in the surrounding environment, the MAC address of the base station 92 which is an ID for identifying a wireless LAN called ESSID and an identifier of a BSS (Basic Service Set) called BSSID Is stored in the scan result storage unit 12. The attribution processing unit 14 checks whether the ESSID stored in the scan result storage unit 12 is the same and there are a plurality of BSSIDs, and determines whether or not the handover setting is set to be valid.

ハンドオーバースイッチ部１６は、ハンドオーバー設定の有効と無効を切り替える。ハンドオーバー設定が有効の場合、帰属処理部１４は、帰属可能な基地局９２のなかで最も受信レベルの高い基地局９２に帰属する処理を行なう。ハンドオーバー設定が無効の場合、帰属処理部１４は、帰属可能な基地局９２に帰属する処理を行なう。 The handover switch unit 16 switches between valid and invalid handover settings. When the handover setting is valid, the belonging processing unit 14 performs processing belonging to the base station 92 having the highest reception level among the base stations 92 to which it can belong. When the handover setting is invalid, the belonging processing unit 14 performs processing belonging to the base station 92 to which it can belong.

図８は、本実施形態に係る無線通信方法の一例を示す流れ図である。本実施形態に係る無線通信方法では、スキャン開始手順Ｓ１２１と、スキャン方式判定手順Ｓ１２２と、ビーコン受信手順Ｓ１２３と、プローブ要求信号送信手順Ｓ１２４と、プローブ応答信号受信手順Ｓ１２５と、ＢＳＳＩＤ数判定手順Ｓ１２６と、ハンドオーバー機能有効化手順Ｓ１２７と、ハンドオーバー機能無効化手順Ｓ１２８と、を有する。 FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication method according to the present embodiment. In the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment, a scan start procedure S121, a scan method determination procedure S122, a beacon reception procedure S123, a probe request signal transmission procedure S124, a probe response signal reception procedure S125, and a BSSID number determination procedure S126. And a handover function validation procedure S127 and a handover function invalidation procedure S128.

スキャン方式判定手順Ｓ１２２と、ビーコン受信手順Ｓ１２３と、プローブ要求信号送信手順Ｓ１２４と、プローブ応答信号受信手順Ｓ１２５と、は、図２に示すスキャン実行手順Ｓ１１１に含まれる。ＢＳＳＩＤ数判定手順Ｓ１２６は、図２に示す無線通信環境判定手順Ｓ１１３に含まれる。ハンドオーバー機能有効化手順Ｓ１２７と、ハンドオーバー機能無効化手順Ｓ１２８と、は、図２に示すハンドオーバースイッチ手順Ｓ１１４に含まれる。 The scan method determination procedure S122, the beacon reception procedure S123, the probe request signal transmission procedure S124, and the probe response signal reception procedure S125 are included in the scan execution procedure S111 shown in FIG. The BSSID number determination procedure S126 is included in the wireless communication environment determination procedure S113 shown in FIG. The handover function enabling procedure S127 and the handover function disabling procedure S128 are included in the handover switch procedure S114 shown in FIG.

無線通信環境において、無線通信装置９１を起動させた場合、スキャン開始手順Ｓ１２１を実行する。スキャンはある特定のＥＳＳＩＤに対して行ない、同一のＥＳＳＩＤをもつ基地局９２があるかどうかを検索する。スキャン方式判定手順Ｓ１２２を実行し、スキャン方式がアクティブ方式であるかパッシブ方式であるかを判定する。 When the wireless communication device 91 is activated in the wireless communication environment, the scan start procedure S121 is executed. The scan is performed for a specific ESSID, and it is searched whether there is a base station 92 having the same ESSID. A scan method determination procedure S122 is executed to determine whether the scan method is an active method or a passive method.

スキャン方式がパッシブ方式の場合、無線通信装置９１はパッシブスキャンを行なう。例えば、ビーコン信号受信手順Ｓ１２３を実行する。これにより、周辺に存在する基地局９２が送信するビーコン（報知情報）を検索する。ビーコンは、ＥＳＳＩＤに加えＢＳＳＩＤを含む。ＢＳＳＩＤは、基地局９２ごとのＭＡＣアドレスである。 When the scan method is a passive method, the wireless communication device 91 performs passive scan. For example, the beacon signal reception procedure S123 is executed. Thereby, a beacon (broadcast information) transmitted by a base station 92 existing in the vicinity is searched. The beacon includes a BSSID in addition to the ESSID. BSSID is a MAC address for each base station 92.

スキャン方式がアクティブ方式の場合、無線通信装置９１はアクティブスキャンを行なう。例えば、プローブ要求信号送信手順Ｓ１２４と、プローブ応答信号受信手順Ｓ１２５と、を順に実行する。プローブ要求信号送信手順Ｓ１２４では、プローブ要求信号に、検索したいＥＳＳＩＤ情報を付して、無線通信装置９１が使用したい周波数を使用して無線送信し、周辺の基地局９２に問い合わせをする。プローブ応答信号受信手順Ｓ１２５では、同一のＥＳＳＩＤが設定されている基地局９２がプローブ応答信号を無線通信装置９１に送信し、無線通信装置９１はプローブ応答信号を受信する。このとき、同一のＥＳＳＩＤが設定されている基地局９２が複数存在すれば、複数のプローブ応答信号を受信することになる。プローブ応答信号は、各基地局９２のＢＳＳＩＤ（ＭＡＣアドレス）情報を含む。 When the scan method is the active method, the wireless communication device 91 performs active scan. For example, the probe request signal transmission procedure S124 and the probe response signal reception procedure S125 are executed in order. In the probe request signal transmission procedure S124, the ESSID information to be searched is added to the probe request signal, the wireless communication device 91 wirelessly transmits using the frequency to be used, and the surrounding base station 92 is inquired. In the probe response signal reception procedure S125, the base station 92 in which the same ESSID is set transmits a probe response signal to the wireless communication device 91, and the wireless communication device 91 receives the probe response signal. At this time, if there are a plurality of base stations 92 to which the same ESSID is set, a plurality of probe response signals are received. The probe response signal includes BSSID (MAC address) information of each base station 92.

ＢＳＳＩＤ数判定手順Ｓ１２６では、検知したＢＳＳＩＤのうち、同一のＥＳＳＩＤであり、かつ、ＢＳＳＩＤが複数かどうかを確認する。ＢＳＳＩＤが複数であれば１つのＥＳＳＩＤに複数の基地局９２が存在する環境と判断できるため、ハンドオーバー機能を有効に設定する（Ｓ１２７）。ＢＳＳＩＤが１つであれば１つのＥＳＳＩＤに１つの基地局９２しか存在しない環境と判断できるため、ハンドオーバー機能を無効に設定する（Ｓ１２８）。 In the BSSID number determination procedure S126, it is confirmed whether the detected BSSID is the same ESSID and there are a plurality of BSSIDs. If there are a plurality of BSSIDs, it can be determined that there is a plurality of base stations 92 in one ESSID, so the handover function is set to be effective (S127). If there is only one BSSID, it can be determined that there is only one base station 92 in one ESSID, so the handover function is set to invalid (S128).

ＥＳＳＩＤに対するＢＳＳＩＤが１つしか検出できなかった場合でも、ＥＳＳ（ＥｘｔｅｎｄｅｄＳｅｒｖｉｃｅＳｅｔ）セル範囲内の端であるために、基地局９２が１つしか検出できない場合もある。この場合に、ハンドオーバー機能が無効に設定されたときは、帰属しているＥＳＳＩＤに対してのみ予め設定しておいた受信レベルを下回った、又は、一定時間経過したときにスキャン開始手順Ｓ１２１を実行してもよい。 Even when only one BSSID can be detected for the ESSID, there may be a case where only one base station 92 can be detected because it is an end in the ESS (Extended Service Set) cell range. In this case, when the handover function is set to be invalid, the scan start procedure S121 is performed when the reception level is lower than the preset reception level only for the assigned ESSID or when a certain time has elapsed. May be executed.

以上は無線通信装置９１を起動した場合について述べたが、これに限定しない。例えば、あるＥＳＳＩＤのセル外に移動した場合は、基地局からのビーコン信号やプローブ応答信号が受信できなくなるため、通信圏外となる。この場合に、スキャン開始手順Ｓ１２１を実行してもよい。 The case where the wireless communication apparatus 91 is activated has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when moving outside a cell of a certain ESSID, a beacon signal or a probe response signal from the base station cannot be received, and therefore, the cell is out of the communication range. In this case, the scan start procedure S121 may be executed.

このほか、通信圏外の状態が一定時間の間継続した場合、帰属していた基地局から十分離れていると判断して、無線通信装置９１の起動時と同様に、実施形態に係る無線通信方法を実行してもよい。 In addition, when the out-of-communication state continues for a certain time, the wireless communication method according to the embodiment is determined in the same manner as when the wireless communication device 91 is activated, judging that the wireless communication device 91 is sufficiently separated from the base station to which it belonged. May be executed.

本発明は情報通信産業に適用することができる。 The present invention can be applied to the information communication industry.

１１：スキャン実行部
１２：スキャン結果格納部
１３：通信部
１４：帰属処理部
１５：無線通信環境判定部
１６：ハンドオーバースイッチ部
１７：スキャン切替部
１８：スキャン制御部
９１：無線通信装置
９２：基地局 11: Scan execution unit 12: Scan result storage unit 13: Communication unit 14: Attribution processing unit 15: Wireless communication environment determination unit 16: Handover switch unit 17: Scan switching unit 18: Scan control unit 91: Wireless communication device 92: base station

Claims

A scan execution unit for detecting a base station to which it can belong;
A scan result storage unit for storing an identifier of the base station detected by the scan execution unit;
A communication unit that performs communication by belonging to a base station in which an identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit;
When the communication quality of the communication unit deteriorates, an attribution processing unit that switches an attribution destination to another base station in which an identifier is stored in the scan result storage unit,
A wireless communication environment determination unit that determines whether the number of base stations whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit is plural or singular;
The hand that operates the attribution processing unit when it is determined that there are a plurality of wireless communication environment determination units, and stops the operation of the attribution processing unit when it is determined that the number of wireless communication environment determination units is singular. An overswitch,
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

The scan execution unit transmits a probe request signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) that is a network-specific identifier, and a BSSID (Basic Service Set) that is an identifier unique to the base station from the base station having the ESSID. Receiving the probe response signal including the
The scan result storage unit stores BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received by the scan execution unit,
The wireless communication environment determination unit
When the BSSID stored by the scan result storage unit is plural, it is determined that the number of base stations is plural, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1.

The scan execution unit receives a beacon signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) that is a network-specific identifier and a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) that is a unique identifier of the base station,
The scan result storage unit stores the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received by the scan execution unit,
The wireless communication environment determination unit
When the BSSID stored by the scan result storage unit is plural, it is determined that the number of base stations is plural, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1.

The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to detect a base station to which the user can belong.

The scan control unit determines that the reception level of the communication unit is lower than a predetermined value, and can belong to the base station when the reception level of the communication unit is lower than a predetermined value The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the scan execution unit is detected.

The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the scan control unit causes the scan execution unit to detect a base station to which the scan control unit can belong every time a predetermined time elapses.

The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the scan control unit causes the scan execution unit to detect a base station to which the scan control unit can belong when the wireless communication apparatus is activated.

A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The base station;
A wireless communication system comprising:

A scan execution procedure for detecting a base station to which the wireless communication device can belong;
A scan result storage procedure for storing an identifier of the base station detected in the scan execution procedure;
A wireless communication environment determination procedure for determining whether the number of base stations storing identifiers in the scan result storage procedure is plural or singular;
When it is determined that there are a plurality of wireless communication environment determination procedures, if the communication quality between the base station and the wireless communication device deteriorates, the hand that switches the attribution destination to another base station that stores the identifier in the scan result storage procedure When the over function is enabled and the wireless communication environment determination procedure determines that the number is singular, the handover switch procedure disables the handover function;
The wireless communication method which has in order.

In the scan execution procedure, a probe request signal including an extended service set identifier (ESSID), which is a network-specific identifier, is transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus to the base station, and the base station having the ESSID has the base station-specific identifier. A probe response signal including BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) which is an identifier is received by the wireless communication device;
In the scan result storage procedure, the BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received in the scan execution procedure is stored,
In the wireless communication environment determination procedure,
When there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storing procedure, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication method according to claim 9.

In the scan execution procedure, the wireless communication device receives a beacon signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) that is a network-specific identifier and a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) that is an identifier unique to the base station,
In the scan result storage procedure, the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received in the scan execution procedure is stored,
In the wireless communication environment determination procedure,
When there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storing procedure, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication method according to claim 9.

A scan control procedure for determining that a reception level from the base station has fallen below a predetermined value before the scan execution procedure;
The wireless communication method according to claim 9, wherein the scan execution procedure is executed when it is determined in the scan control procedure that the reception level is lower than a predetermined value.

A scan control procedure for determining that a certain time has elapsed is further included before the scan execution procedure,
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the scan execution procedure is executed when it is determined in the scan control procedure that the predetermined time has elapsed.

A scan control procedure for determining that the wireless communication device has started is further included before the scan execution procedure,
The wireless communication method according to claim 9, wherein the scan execution procedure is executed when it is determined in the scan control procedure that a wireless communication device is activated.

A scan execution step in which a scan execution unit receives a signal from the base station and detects a base station to which the scan execution unit can belong,
A scan result storage step of storing an identifier of the base station detected by the scan execution unit in a scan result storage unit;
A wireless communication environment determination step of determining whether the number of base stations whose identifiers are stored in the scan result storage unit is plural or singular;
When the wireless communication environment determination step determines that there are a plurality of attribution processing units that switch the base station to which the communication unit that communicates with the base station belongs, the attribute processing unit is singular in the wireless communication environment determination step. A handover switch step for stopping the operation if determined;
A wireless communication program for causing a computer to execute the above in order.

In the scan execution step, the scan execution unit transmits a probe request signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) which is a network-specific identifier, and is an identifier unique to the base station from the base station having the ESSID Receiving a probe response signal including BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier);
In the scan result storage step, BSSID extracted from the probe response signal received by the scan execution unit is stored in the scan result storage unit,
In the wireless communication environment determination step,
When there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage unit, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication program according to claim 15.

In the scan execution step, the scan execution unit receives a beacon signal including an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier) that is an identifier unique to a network and a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) that is an identifier unique to the base station,
In the scan result storage step, the BSSID extracted from the beacon signal received by the scan execution unit is stored in the scan result storage unit,
In the wireless communication environment determination step,
When there are a plurality of BSSIDs stored in the scan result storage unit, it is determined that there are a plurality of base stations, and when the BSSID is singular, it is determined that the number of base stations is singular.
The wireless communication program according to claim 15.

A scan control procedure for determining that the reception level of the communication unit has fallen below a predetermined value before the scan execution step;
The wireless communication program according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the scan execution step is executed when it is determined in the scan control step that the reception level falls below a predetermined value.

A scan control procedure for determining that a certain period of time has passed is further provided before the scan execution step,
The wireless communication program according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the scan execution step is executed when it is determined in the scan control step that the predetermined time has elapsed.

A scan control procedure for determining that the wireless communication device has started is further included before the scan execution step,
The wireless communication program according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the scan execution step is executed when it is determined in the scan control step that the wireless communication device is activated.