JP2024051920A - Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] A communication unit that functions as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication can be detected by a terminal device that performs the setting when the setting is required, and cannot be detected by the terminal device that performs the setting when the setting of the communication unit is not required. [Solution] A wireless communication system has a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point for wireless LAN communication, and a control unit, in which the control unit causes the communication unit to function as a station for wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point, and as a second access point for wireless LAN communication, and stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point. [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

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

There are wireless communication devices that can operate in a mode in which they operate as an access point for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication (hereafter referred to as AP mode), and in a mode in which they operate as a station for wireless LAN communication (hereafter referred to as STA mode).

For example, there is known an information processing device that starts a wireless network I/F (Interface) in AP mode to receive setting information for wireless LAN communication, and then switches the wireless network I/F to STA mode when the setting information for wireless LAN communication is received (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2021-119725 A

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that, if you want to change the settings of a communication unit (network I/F) that performs wireless LAN communication after switching the communication unit to STA mode, for example, you must reset the communication unit and restart it in AP mode.

To address this issue, for example, a communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication can be operated simultaneously in STA mode and AP mode, making it possible to connect to other access points in STA mode while accepting settings from a configuration terminal device in AP mode.

However, this method alone can have problems, such as the network identifier of the AP of the communication unit being displayed on the terminal device that performed the settings even after the communication unit has been configured, or the terminal device that performed the settings mistakenly connecting to the AP of the communication unit.

This disclosure makes it possible for a communication unit that functions as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication to be detected by a terminal device that performs the settings when configuration is required, and makes it impossible for the communication unit to be detected by the terminal device that performs the settings when configuration is not required.

The wireless communication system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point for wireless LAN communication, and a control unit, in which the control unit causes the communication unit to function as a station for the wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point, and as a second access point for the wireless LAN communication, and stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication unit that functions as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication can be made detectable from a terminal device that performs the settings when configuration is required, and can be made undetectable from a terminal device that performs the settings when configuration of the communication unit is not required.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, in which the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier after the station disconnects from the first access point. This makes it possible to detect the AP of the communication unit from the terminal device that performs the settings, for example, by simply stopping the access point to which the communication unit is connected, when it is desired to change the access point to which the communication unit is connected.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to the first or second aspect, in which the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier when the station's connection to the first access point is cut off for a predetermined first time period or longer. This makes it possible to reduce the resumption of broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point due to a malfunction caused by, for example, a change in radio wave conditions.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the control unit stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point when the state in which the station is connected to the first access point continues for a second predetermined time or more. This makes it easier for the terminal device that performs the settings to change the settings of the terminal device for a predetermined period of time after the communication unit connects to another access point.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the control unit stops broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by enabling a stealth function of the second access point of the communication unit.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the control unit stops the broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by stopping the function of the second access point of the communication unit.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to the sixth aspect, in which, when the control unit stops the function of the second access point of the communication unit, if the second access point is in communication, the control unit postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second access point. As a result, if the terminal device that performs the setting is communicating with the communication unit (if the user is performing the setting using the terminal device), the communication unit can maintain communication with the terminal device.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which after the station connects to the first access point, it is possible to set from the terminal device whether or not to stop broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the network identifier includes an SSID of the second access point.

A wireless communication method according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point for wireless LAN communication and a control unit, in which the control unit causes the communication unit to function as a station for the wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point and as a second access point for the wireless LAN communication, and stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point.

The program according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point for wireless LAN communication and a control unit, causes the control unit to execute a process of causing the communication unit to function as a station for the wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point and as a second access point for the wireless LAN communication, and a process of causing the second access point to stop broadcast transmission of a network identifier after the station connects to the first access point.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a wireless communication system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the fourth embodiment;

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes an air conditioner 100 and a communication device 110 connected to the air conditioner 100.

The air conditioner 100 is an example of an IoT (Internet of Things) device. The air conditioner 100 is, for example, an indoor unit of an air conditioning system. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the air conditioner 100 may be, for example, various IoT devices such as a surveillance camera, a sensor, a water heater, a lighting device, an industrial device, or a home appliance. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the air conditioner 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioning system.

The communication device 110 is a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter for adding a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication function to an IoT device such as the air conditioner 100. The communication device 110 has a communication unit 111 having a function of a station (hereinafter referred to as an STA) for wireless LAN communication and a function of an access point (hereinafter referred to as an AP) for wireless LAN communication, and a control unit 112 for controlling the communication unit 111.

The control unit 112 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the communication unit 111 by executing a predetermined program. The control unit 112 may also be, for example, a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

For example, when the communication device 110 is started up or when the communication device 110 is not connected to the first AP of the router 20, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a STA for wireless LAN communication and as a second AP for wireless LAN communication. This allows the control unit 112 to receive settings for the first AP of the router 20 to which the communication device 110 should be connected from the terminal device 120 that is connected to the second AP of the communication unit 111 via wireless LAN communication.

Furthermore, after the STA of the communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of the router 20, the control unit 112 stops the broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second AP of the communication unit 111. For example, when the STA of the communication unit 111 is connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the control unit 112 stops the broadcast transmission of the SSID (Service Set Identifier) by the second AP of the communication unit 111. Note that the SSID is an example of a network identifier. The network identifier may be another network identifier, such as an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier).

By the above process, the user can install an application (hereinafter referred to as the app) corresponding to the wireless communication system 1 on the terminal device 120, and configure the communication unit 111 using the app by connecting to the second AP of the communication unit 111. For example, when the user starts the communication device 110, the user can use the app installed on the terminal device 120 to configure the communication unit 111 to connect to the first AP of the router 20.

In addition, when the communication device 110 is connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined period of time or more, the second AP of the communication unit 111 stops broadcasting the SSID. This prevents the SSID of the second AP of the communication unit 111 from being displayed on the terminal device 120 that configured the communication device 110, and prevents the terminal device 120 that configured the communication device 110 from erroneously connecting to the second AP of the communication unit 111.

Furthermore, if the user wishes to change the router 20 to which the communication device 110 is connected, the user, for example, turns off the power to the router 20. This causes the communication device 110 to resume broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111. Therefore, the user can use an app installed on the terminal device 120 to configure the communication device 110 to connect to the first AP of the new router 20.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA for wireless LAN communication and an AP can be made detectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can be made undetectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration of the communication unit 111 is not required.

Note that the system configuration of the wireless communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 110 has a control unit 112 that controls the communication unit 111, but the control unit 112 that controls the communication unit 111 may be included in the air conditioner 100. In addition, the air conditioner 100 may have the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing another example of the system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. In the example of Figure 2, the air conditioning device 100 has the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 described in Figure 1. Note that the processing performed by the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 in Figure 2 may be similar to the processing performed by the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 described in Figure 1.

<Hardware Configuration>
The communication device 110 and the air conditioning device 100 have, for example, the hardware configuration of a computer 300 as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. The computer 300 has, for example, a control unit 112, a memory 301, a storage device 302, a communication device 303, an output device 304, an input device 305, a drive device 306, and a bus 308.

The control unit 112 is a processor such as a CPU that realizes various functions by executing a predetermined program stored in a storage medium such as the storage device 302 or the memory 301. Note that the control unit 112 may include a processor other than a CPU, such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

The memory 301 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory used as a work area for the control unit 112, and a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a non-volatile memory that stores programs for starting up the control unit 112. The storage device 302 is a non-volatile large-capacity storage device that stores an OS (Operating System), programs such as applications, and various data, and is realized, for example, by an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a flash ROM.

The communication device 303 includes various communication interfaces for communicating with other devices. For example, if the computer 300 is the communication device 110 in FIG. 1, the communication device 303 includes the communication unit 111 for performing wireless LAN communication, and an interface for communicating with the air conditioner 100. Also, if the computer 300 is the air conditioner 100 in FIG. 2, the communication device 303 includes the communication unit 111 for performing wireless LAN communication.

The output device 304 is an output device that outputs to the outside, such as a display, a speaker, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The input device 305 is an input device that accepts input from the outside, such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a pointing device. Note that the output device 304 and the input device 305 may be a display input device in which the output device 304 and the input device 305 are integrated, such as a touch panel display.

The drive unit 306 is a device for connecting a storage medium (recording medium) 307 to the computer 300. The storage medium 307 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The storage medium 307 may also include semiconductor memory that records information electrically, such as a ROM or a flash memory. The bus 308 is commonly connected to each of the above components, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

<Processing flow>
Next, the process flow of the wireless communication method according to this embodiment will be described.

[First embodiment]
Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

In step S401, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a station (STA) for wireless LAN communication that connects to a first access point (AP), and as a second access point (AP) of the wireless LAN. In this embodiment, this state is called a STA+AP state. In the STA+AP state, the second AP of the communication unit 111 broadcasts the SSID (an example of a network identifier) of the second AP.

In step S402, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has connected to the first AP of the router 20. For example, if information about the first AP is not set in the communication unit 111, or if the first AP set in the communication unit 111 is not operating, the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot connect to the first AP of the router 20.

If the STA of the communication unit 111 is not connected to the first AP, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S403. On the other hand, if the STA of the communication unit 111 is connected to the first AP, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S406.

The process proceeds to step S403, and when the terminal device 120 connects to the second AP of the communication unit 111, in step S404 the control unit 112 accepts settings of information about the first AP from the terminal device 120.

For example, in step S403, the user selects the SSID transmitted by the second AP of the communication unit 111 from the wireless LAN setting screen of the terminal device 120 and connects the terminal device 120 to the second AP of the communication unit 111 by entering a password, etc.

In addition, in step S404, the user sets information (e.g., SSID, password, etc.) for the first AP of the router 20, for example, from a setting screen of the app.

In step S405, the control unit 112 uses the information of the set first AP to determine whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has successfully connected to the first AP. For example, if there is an error in the information of the first AP received from the terminal device 120, the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot connect to the first AP.

If the STA of communication unit 111 succeeds in connecting to the first AP, control unit 112 transitions the process to step S406. On the other hand, if the STA of communication unit 111 does not succeed in connecting to the first AP, for example, control unit 112 returns the process to step S404.

When the process proceeds to step S406, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 (second time) or more. The predetermined time T2 is, for example, a time that is set in advance and is sufficient for the user to configure the communication unit 111.

If the STA of communication unit 111 is connected to the first AP for a predetermined time T2 or more, control unit 112 transitions the process to step S407. On the other hand, if the STA of communication unit 111 is not connected to the first AP for a predetermined time T2 or more, control unit 112 repeatedly executes the process of step S406.

When the process proceeds to step S407, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a STA for wireless LAN communication connected to the first AP. At this time, the control unit 112 stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111. This state is called the STA state in this embodiment. This allows the control unit 112 to stop the broadcast transmission of the SSID (an example of a network identifier) by the second AP of the communication unit 111.

In step S408, the control unit 112 determines whether the disconnection between the STA of the communication unit 111 and the first AP of the router 20 has continued for a predetermined time T1 (first time) or more. For example, if the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot receive radio waves for wireless LAN communication from the configured first AP for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 determines that the disconnection with the first AP has continued for the predetermined time T1 or more. Here, the predetermined time T1 is, for example, a time that is set in advance to determine that there is no configured first AP in the vicinity of the communication device 110.

If the disconnection with the first AP has not continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 returns the process to step S407 and keeps the communication unit 111 in the STA state. On the other hand, if the disconnection with the first AP has continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 returns the process to step S401 and puts the communication unit 111 in the STA+AP state. This causes the second AP of the communication unit 111 to resume broadcast transmission of the SSID of the second AP.

By the processing of FIG. 4, the wireless communication system 1 can make the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication detectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can make it undetectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

Note that, among the processes shown in FIG. 5, the processes of steps S401 to S406 and S408 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be provided here.

When the process moves from step S406 to step S501 in FIG. 5, the control unit 112 sets the second AP of the communication unit 111 to stealth mode (sets the stealth function to enabled). Stealth mode is a mode in which the second AP stops a beacon signal broadcasting the SSID, so that the SSID cannot be referenced by STAs such as the terminal device 120. Note that stealth mode may also be called, for example, a stealth function, SSID stealth, stealth SSID, or SSID concealment function. In this embodiment, this state is called a STA + stealth AP state.

By this process, in step S501, the control unit 112 can stop the broadcast transmission of the SSID (an example of a network identifier) by the second AP of the communication unit 111.

By the processing of FIG. 5, the wireless communication system 1 can make the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication detectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can make it undetectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

[Third embodiment]
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

Note that, among the processes shown in FIG. 6, the processes of steps S401 to S405 and S408 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be provided here.

When the process proceeds to step S601, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 or more. If the STA has been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if the STA has not been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 repeats the process of step S601.

When the process proceeds to step S602, the control unit 112 determines whether the second AP of the communication unit 111 is communicating.

In this embodiment, the second AP of the communication unit 111 is used to perform initial settings of the communication unit 111 from the terminal device 120. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 is configured from the terminal device 120, the terminal device 120 is connected to the router 20 by wireless LAN communication, and the air conditioner 100 is configured via the router 20. Alternatively, the terminal device 120 can be connected to the communication network 2 by wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G (5th Generation), and the air conditioner 100 can be configured via the server device 10. Therefore, when the second AP of the communication unit 111 is in communication, the control unit 112 can determine that the communication unit 111 is being initially configured from the terminal device 120.

If the second AP is not communicating, the control unit 112 transitions the process to step S603. On the other hand, if the second AP is communicating, the control unit 112 postpones the transition to step S603, for example, by repeatedly executing the process of step S602 until the second AP is no longer communicating. As another example, if the second AP is communicating, the control unit 112 may cancel the transition to step S603 and return the process to step S601.

When the process proceeds to step S603, the control unit 112 places the communication unit 111 in the STA state and stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111.

In this way, in the third embodiment, when the control unit 112 stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111, if the second AP is in communication, the control unit 112 postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second AP.

In this way, according to the third embodiment, when a user is using the terminal device 120 to perform initial settings of the communication unit 111, the process of stopping the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111 can be postponed or canceled, thereby improving user convenience.

[Fourth embodiment]
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

Note that among the processes shown in FIG. 7, the processes of steps S401 and S402 to S405 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be provided here.

In step S701, the control unit 112 determines whether the "always output SSID" function is enabled. In the fourth embodiment, for example, the "always output SSID" function can be enabled or disabled from a setting screen of an app installed on the terminal device 120.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the fourth embodiment. For example, a user can display a setting screen 800 as shown in FIG. 8 by starting an app corresponding to the wireless communication system 1 on the terminal device 120. In the example of FIG. 8, a setting switch 801 for the "constant SSID output" function is displayed on the setting screen 800. The user can enable or disable the "constant SSID output" function by setting this setting switch 801.

If the SSID constant output function is enabled, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S702. On the other hand, if the SSID constant output function is disabled, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S402.

When the process proceeds to step S702, the control unit 112 does not execute the processes from step S402 onwards, and keeps the communication unit 111 in the STA+AP state.

On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S402, and when the communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of the router 20 in the processing of steps S402 to S405, the control unit 112 executes the processing of step S711 and onwards.

When the process proceeds to step S711, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 (second time) or more. If the STA has been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 proceeds to step S712. On the other hand, if the STA has not been connected to one AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 repeats the process of step S711.

When the process proceeds to step S712, the control unit 112 sets the communication unit 111 to the STA state or STA stealth AP state described above. This causes the second AP of the communication unit 111 to stop broadcasting the SSID.

In step S713, the control unit 112 determines whether the disconnection between the STA of the communication unit 111 and the first AP of the router 20 has continued for a predetermined time T1 (first time) or more. If the disconnection with the first AP has not continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 repeats the process of step S712. On the other hand, if the disconnection with the first AP has continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 transitions the process to step S714.

In step S714, the control unit 112 places the communication unit 111 in a STA+AP state, resumes broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111, and then returns the process to step 402.

By the process of FIG. 7, the wireless communication system 1 allows the terminal device 120 to set whether or not to stop the broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111 after the STA of the communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of the router 20.

As described above, according to each embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA for wireless LAN communication and an AP can be made detectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and made undetectable from the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the air conditioner 100, but can be applied to various IoT devices that communicate with a server device 10, etc., using a communication unit 111 that functions as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication.

Although the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

1 Wireless communication system 10 Server device 20 Router 100 Air conditioner (an example of IoT equipment)
110 Communication device 120 Terminal device 111 Communication unit 112 Control unit 120 Terminal device

Claims (11)

A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit,
The control unit is
causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication;
stopping broadcasting of a network identifier by the second access point after the station has connected to the first access point;
Wireless communication system. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier after the station disconnects from the first access point. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier when the station's connection to the first access point is cut off for a predetermined first time period or longer. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops broadcasting of the network identifier by the second access point when the station remains connected to the first access point for a second predetermined time or longer. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the control unit stops the broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by enabling a stealth function of the second access point of the communication unit. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the control unit stops the broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by stopping the function of the second access point of the communication unit. The wireless communication system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second access point if the second access point is in communication when the control unit stops the function of the second access point of the communication unit. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is capable of setting, from a terminal device, whether or not to stop broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the network identifier includes an SSID of the second access point. A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit,
The control unit:
causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication;
stopping broadcasting of a network identifier by the second access point after the station has connected to the first access point;
A wireless communication method. A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit,
The control unit,
A process of causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication;
stopping broadcasting of a network identifier by the second access point after the station has connected to the first access point;
A program to execute.

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