JP2018198443A - Host device, communication method, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wireless LAN relay device, a host device, and the like, which allow even a repeater in a power-saving mode to autonomously return into a connectable state if an opportunity for a wireless connection with a terminal occurs.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a host device 20 includes: a communication section 21 which performs wireless communication with a terminal 30 connected to the device itself; a communication section 22 which communicates with a wireless LAN relay device 10; and a control section 24 which controls the communication sections 21, 22. When the control section 24 receives a connection request signal from the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the request signal includes detection results of a sensor representing the presence of persons in the vicinity, the control section controls the communication section 21 to disconnect wireless communication with the terminal 30 if a reception level of a predetermined signal received from the terminal 30 in the device itself is less than a predetermined threshold, the terminal being connected when the wireless LAN relay device and the device itself are communicatively connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention reduces power consumption of a wireless LAN (Local_Area_Network) relay device that relays wireless communication between a host device and a terminal, for example, and allows a terminal connected to the host device to be connected to an optimal connection destination. The present invention relates to a wireless LAN relay device or the like to be controlled.

  A communication system having a wireless relay device capable of relaying communication between a host device (wireless master) and a terminal (wireless terminal) is known. In such a communication system, when communication with the wireless terminal is not established, the communication system itself is put into a power saving state in order to reduce power consumption. Further, in such a communication system, for example, when the communication quality between a wireless terminal and, for example, a wireless master device deteriorates due to the movement of the user who owns the wireless terminal or the wireless relay device, the wireless terminal is as good as possible. It is controlled so that communication can be continued with a good communication quality.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a non-communication time with a wireless LAN terminal is a fixed period during relay processing in a normal mode between an interface (IF) unit connected to a wireless LAN terminal and an IF unit connected to a network. A technique of a wireless relay device that shifts to a power saving mode when it continues is described. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for shifting to a normal mode by access from a wireless LAN terminal while operating in a power saving mode.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that reception between a wireless relay device and a wireless slave device is performed when the wireless relay device or the wireless master device detects a decrease in received electric field strength between the wireless relay device and the wireless master device. A technique is disclosed in which a wireless slave device is activated in a wireless slave device by notifying the wireless slave device that a wireless relay device has detected a decrease in electric field strength.

  The wireless relay device described above may be turned off manually or by a schedule function when a wireless terminal is not connected (for example, at night or when a user goes out). However, when the user wants to use the wireless terminal via the wireless relay device, the user needs to manually turn on the power of the wireless relay device, which is troublesome for the user. Furthermore, after the user turns on the power of the wireless relay device, the wireless relay device performs various kinds of settings such as setting of the wireless unit of the own device and settings related to authentication, for example, before the wireless relay device can be used. During the setting, for example, it is necessary to wait for about 5 seconds, which is inconvenient for the user.

  On the other hand, when the wireless relay device is always turned on, the wireless relay device waits for a connection request signal from the wireless terminal even when no wireless terminal is connected, In order to radiate a signal or the like, power is wasted during that time.

JP 2013-021652 A JP 2001-128208 A

  However, the wireless relay device described in Patent Document 1 only discloses that the wireless LAN device shifts to the normal mode by the access from the wireless LAN terminal while operating in the power saving mode.

  Further, Patent Document 2 only discloses that a wireless base station changing procedure included in a wireless handset is activated by notifying the wireless relay apparatus that the wireless relay apparatus has detected a decrease in received electric field strength. .

  As described above, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 detects an opportunity to establish a wireless connection with a wireless LAN terminal (or a wireless slave device) in the power saving state of the wireless relay device, and saves based on the detection result. There is no description of canceling the power state and notifying the interface unit (or wireless master unit) connected to the network side to that effect.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide a wireless LAN relay device that spontaneously returns to a connectable state when an opportunity to make a wireless connection with a terminal occurs even when the relay device is in a power saving mode. It is to provide a host device or the like.

In one aspect of the present invention, the wireless LAN relay device
A first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a terminal, a second communication unit that communicates with a host device, and a power-saving state of the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on a detection result of a sensor And a first control means for returning to the normal mode in which the power saving state is canceled, and when the first control means returns to the normal mode, the first control means sends the mode to the host device. Notify about changes.

In another aspect of the present invention, the host device
A third communication means for wirelessly communicating with a terminal connected to the own apparatus; a fourth communication means for communicating with a wireless LAN relay apparatus; a second for controlling the third communication means and the fourth communication means; And the second control unit is configured to transmit a predetermined signal received from the terminal connected to the own device by wireless communication when the second control unit is connected to the wireless LAN relay device. If the reception level is less than a predetermined threshold, the third communication means is disconnected from the terminal by wireless communication.

In another aspect of the present invention, a communication method includes:
A communication method using a wireless LAN relay device capable of relaying information transmitted and received between a terminal and a host device, the first communication means for wirelessly communicating with the terminal based on a detection result of a sensor, When the second communication means that communicates with the host device is brought into the power saving state, the host is returned to the normal mode in which the power saving state is released, and when the communication connection with the wireless LAN relay device is established, the host If the reception level at the host device of a predetermined signal received from the terminal connected to the device by wireless communication is less than a predetermined threshold, the third communication means disconnects the connection by wireless communication with the terminal Let

In still another aspect of the present invention, the communication system includes:
A communication system comprising a terminal, a host device, and a wireless LAN relay device capable of relaying information transmitted and received between the terminal and the host device, wherein the wireless LAN relay device wirelessly communicates with the terminal Power saving that sets the first communication means and the second communication means to a power saving state based on the first communication means, the second communication means that communicates with the host device, and the detection result of the sensor First control means for returning from the mode to the normal mode in which the power-saving state is canceled, and the host device wirelessly communicates with the terminal connected to the host device, and the wireless A fourth communication means for communicating with the LAN relay device, and a predetermined signal received from the terminal connected by wireless communication with the own device when connected to the wireless LAN relay device in the own device. If signal level is below a predetermined threshold value, and a second control means for cutting the connection by wireless communication with the said terminal to said third communication means.

  The present invention relates to a wireless LAN relay device and a host that can recover according to the movement status of a terminal and provide an optimal wireless LAN communication environment for the terminal even when the relay is in a power saving state. There exists an effect that an apparatus etc. can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless LAN relay device 10 in a communication system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of the wireless LAN relay apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host device 20 in the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows control of the host apparatus 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control of the wireless LAN relay device 10 according to first and second modifications of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of the host apparatus 20 which concerns on the 2nd and 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of communications system 80 concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating hardware configurations of a wireless LAN relay device 10 and a host device 20 according to each embodiment. FIG.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless LAN relay device 10 in the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the host device 20 in the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the communication system 1 includes a wireless LAN relay device 10, a host device (wireless master) 20, and a terminal (wireless terminal) 30.

  The wireless LAN relay device 10 can relay information transmitted and received between the host device 20 and the terminal 30. The terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet that can be moved by the user. The host device 20 can communicate with the outside via a communication network (hereinafter simply referred to as “network”), for example, wired or wireless not shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 or a combination thereof. Communication between the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 may be wired, wireless, or a communication path configured by combining them. In the present embodiment, a case where wireless communication is used as an example for communication between the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 will be described. The wireless LAN relay device 10, the host device 20, and the terminal 30 described above are connected in advance to each other by communication, and various information necessary for connection by subsequent communication (for example, profile information such as wireless communication). And authentication information).

  First, the configuration (FIG. 1) and operation (FIG. 2) of the wireless LAN relay device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless LAN relay device 10 includes a first communication unit (first communication unit) 11 that wirelessly communicates with the terminal 30 and a second communication unit (second communication unit) that communicates with the host device 20. Communication means) 12. Further, the wireless LAN relay device 10 cancels the power saving state from the power saving mode in which the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 are set in the power saving state based on the detection result of the sensor 15 to be described later. The first control unit (first control means) 14 for returning to the normal mode is provided.

  In other words, the first control unit 14 includes a switching function for switching the own apparatus from the power saving mode that is the power saving state described above to the normal mode that is the operation state described above based on the determination result of the first control unit 14. The power saving mode described above may include an operation stop state in which the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 stop operating.

  That is, in the power saving mode, the first control unit 14 switches the operation mode of its own device from the power saving mode to the normal mode when the detection result of the sensor 15 indicates that a person is present, If it represents that no person is present, the operation mode of the own apparatus is maintained in the power saving mode. However, it is assumed that the first control unit 14 can periodically detect the detection result of the sensor 15 at a predetermined time period even in the power saving mode.

  Here, the sensor 15 may be connected to the first control unit 14 by wire or wirelessly, and may be mounted (built in) the wireless LAN relay device 10.

  The power consumption in the communication method when connecting the sensor 15 and the first control unit 14 is, for example, less power consumption than when connecting the sensor 15 and the first control unit 14 by wireless LAN communication. It is.

  As long as the sensor 15 can detect a person who approaches at least the vicinity of the sensor 15, stops near the sensor 15, or leaves the vicinity of the sensor 15, for example, any environment such as heat, sound, vibration generated by the person, etc. Information may be detected. The distance between the sensor 15 and the person who can generate the detection result by the sensor 15 is about 3 m, for example. However, the distance between the sensor 15 and the person that can be detected by the sensor 15 is determined by the first control unit 14 based on the sensitivity of the sensor 15, the detection result of the sensor 15, or the sensor 15 and the first control. The distance can be adjusted by a communication method or the like for connecting the unit 14 by communication, and is not limited to the distance described above.

  Further, the distance of connection between the sensor 15 and the wireless LAN relay device 10 by wire or wireless or a combination thereof is, for example, about 2 m. However, the distance between the sensor 15 and the wireless LAN relay device 10 can be adjusted and is not limited to the numerical values described above.

  In the case where the sensor 15 is a sensor that detects heat, for example, the following known sensors can be employed. That is, the sensor 15 may be, for example, a pyroelectric human sensor that can detect a change in heat generated by a moving person using dielectric elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner, for example, a MEMS (Micro_Electro_Mechanical_Systems) technology. It is also possible to use a human sensor that can detect even a stationary person.

  Next, the operation of the wireless LAN relay device 10 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of the wireless LAN relay device 10 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, it is assumed that the wireless LAN relay device 10 is initially in the power saving mode (step S11).

  The first control unit 14 determines whether there is a person based on the detection result of the sensor 15 (step S13). In step S13, when it is determined that there is a person (YES in step S13), the first control unit 14 returns the operation mode of the own apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode (step S15).

  Accordingly, the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 can be used. Then, the first control unit 14 converts a data set representing a connection request for establishing communication with the host device 20 via the second communication unit 12 that has become usable into a signal (connection request signal). The first communication unit 11 is instructed to transmit to the host device 20 (step S16). Thereby, the wireless LAN relay device 10 is connected to the host device 20 by communication.

  In step S <b> 13, the first control unit 14 determines the probability that a person exists based on the detection result from the sensor 15. For example, if the sensor 15 is a pyroelectric human sensor, the probability that a person is present is determined when the voltage generated in the dielectric element changes beyond a predetermined voltage within a predetermined time. It is possible to adopt a method for determining that there is.

  In the first control unit 14, the above-described predetermined period and threshold values such as a predetermined voltage can be adjusted. Note that when the sensor 15 can generate even a determination result indicating the certainty that a person exists, the above-described function of determining the presence or absence of a person in the first control unit 14 is unnecessary. In that case, the 1st control part 14 should just perform the operation | movement shown in FIG. 2 mentioned above using (referring) the detection result itself of the sensor 15. FIG.

  The first control unit 14 instructs the first communication unit 11 to check whether or not the device itself is connected to at least one of the terminals 30 by wireless communication (step S19).

  As a result of the confirmation by the first communication unit 11, the first control unit 14 determines that the own device is connected to the own device by wireless communication (YES in step S19). The mode is maintained as the normal mode (step S27).

  The first control unit 14 switches the operation mode of the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode if the terminal device 30 is not connected to any terminal 30 by wireless communication (NO in step S19) (step S25). ).

  If the first control unit 14 determines in step S13 that there is no person (NO in step S13), the first control unit 14 maintains the operation mode of its own apparatus in the power saving mode (step S11). That is, the first control unit 14 does not switch the operation mode of the device itself to the power saving mode.

  The first control unit 14 executes the process of step S19 described above after executing the process of step S27.

  Next, the configuration (FIG. 3) and operation (FIG. 4) of the host device 20 will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the host device 20 includes a third communication unit (third communication unit) 21 that wirelessly communicates with at least one or more terminals 30 connected to the host device 20, the wireless LAN relay device 10, and the like. A fourth communication unit (fourth communication unit) 22 that communicates, and a second control unit (second control unit) 24 that controls the third communication unit 21 and the fourth communication unit 22 are provided.

  When the wireless LAN relay device 10 and its own device are connected by communication in response to the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 returning to the operating state, the second control unit 24 The following operations are performed. That is, when the reception level of the predetermined signal received from the terminal 30 connected to the own device by wireless communication with the own device is lower than the predetermined threshold, the second control unit 24 sends the third communication unit 21 to the third communication unit 21. The connection by wireless communication with the terminal 30 is disconnected.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined signal is transmitted, for example, from the host device 20 including an instruction for returning a predetermined signal to all the terminals 30 connected to the own device in a broadcast signal such as a beacon signal. The terminal 30 responding to the beacon signal returns a signal. However, the method by which the host device 20 receives a predetermined signal from the terminal 30 is not limited to the method described above.

  Next, the operation of the host device 20 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control of the host device 20 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, it is assumed that one terminal 30 is connected to the host device 20 from the beginning by wireless communication.

  As a result of receiving the connection request signal from the wireless LAN relay device 10, the second control unit 24 performs the fourth communication so as to confirm whether or not the connection between the host device 20 and the wireless LAN relay device 10 has been established. The unit 22 is instructed (step S31).

  As a result of confirmation by the fourth communication unit 22, the second control unit 24 executes the following control when it is determined that the own device is connected to the wireless LAN relay device 10 by communication (YES in step S <b> 31).

  That is, the second control unit 24 requests the terminal 30 currently connected to its own device to transmit a predetermined signal, for example, instructs the fourth communication unit 22 to transmit a beacon signal (step S33). .

  The second control unit 24 receives a predetermined signal from the terminal 30 in response to the beacon signal that requests to transmit the predetermined signal described above, and acquires a reception level indicating the strength of the received predetermined signal. In this manner, the fourth communication unit 22 is instructed (step S35).

  The second control unit 24 checks whether or not there is a terminal 30 whose received level of the acquired predetermined signal is less than the predetermined threshold (step S37).

  As a result of checking whether or not there is a terminal 30 having a reception level less than a predetermined threshold, the second control unit 24 determines that the terminal 30 has a reception level less than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S37). The connection with the wireless communication with 30 is disconnected (step S44).

  On the other hand, as a result of checking whether or not there is a terminal 30 having a reception level less than a predetermined threshold, the second control unit 24 determines that there is no terminal 30 having a reception level less than the predetermined threshold (that is, a predetermined threshold or more). If the terminal 30 is present; NO in step S37), the wireless communication with the terminal 30 is maintained (step S46).

  The second control unit 24 executes the process of step S31 in the case of NO in the above-described step S31 and after performing the processes of steps 44 and 46, and performs normal processing (not shown) in the host device 20. Process.

  It is assumed that the predetermined threshold described above can be adjusted in the host device 20, for example.

  As an example of the present embodiment described above, a case where the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 are provided in a home is considered. It is assumed that the sensor 15 is connected to the wireless LAN relay device 10 wirelessly through a distance of about 2 m, for example. Here, when the user who owns the terminal 30 approaches, for example, about 3 m before the place where the sensor 15 is installed, the wireless LAN relay device 10 confirms that there is a person in the vicinity of the sensor 15. recognize.

  As a result, the wireless LAN relay device 10 returns the operation mode of the own device from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and the wireless functions and authentication functions of the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 of the own device are restored. For example, it is made available for about 5 seconds.

  The user moves, for example, to the place where the sensor 15 is installed or the vicinity of the place where the wireless LAN relay device 10 to which the sensor 15 is connected by communication is installed in about 5 seconds.

  For example, when the user who owns the terminal 30 has moved to the vicinity of the place where the wireless LAN relay device 10 is installed, the host device 20 of the predetermined signal acquired by the second control unit 24 in step S35. It is assumed that the reception level at − is − (minus) 80 dBm, for example.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the predetermined threshold is, for example, −60 dBm. In step S37, the second control unit 24 confirms that the reception level of the predetermined signal from the terminal 30 possessed by the user who has moved is less than the predetermined threshold in step S44. The third communication unit 21 is instructed to disconnect the wireless communication with the terminal 30.

  As a result, the terminal 30 that has been disconnected from the host device 20 through wireless communication can reconnect to the nearby wireless LAN relay device 10 that can receive a signal with a higher reception level through wireless communication. Try to.

  Thus, by providing the sensor 15, the wireless LAN relay device 10 can sufficiently reduce the power consumption in the power saving mode as compared with the wireless LAN communication connection unit and the connection request signal detection unit. Further, when the first and second communication units become usable within about 5 seconds after the wireless LAN relay device 10 returns to the normal mode, the user who owns the terminal 30 It has moved to the vicinity of 10. Therefore, the connection destination of the terminal 30 is connected from the host device 20 to the wireless LAN relay device 10. That is, the terminal 30 can be connected to the wireless LAN relay device 10 having a higher reception level than the host device 20. Further, by adjusting the positions of the sensor 15 and the wireless LAN relay device 10, it is possible to adjust the connection timing between the terminal 30 and the wireless LAN relay device 10.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the relay device is in the power saving state, the wireless LAN relay device 10 notifies the host device 20 of the state change by returning according to the movement status of the terminal 30. As a result, in the present embodiment, the host device 20 can provide an optimal wireless LAN communication environment to the terminal 30 using the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 and the wireless LAN relay device 10. Etc. can be provided.

  The reason is that the wireless LAN relay device 10 is configured to return the operation mode of the wireless LAN relay device 10 from the power saving mode to the normal mode when it is determined that there is a person based on the detection result of the sensor 15. is there. In addition, since the wireless LAN relay device 10 is configured so that the terminal 30 connected to the host device 20 by wireless communication is connected to the optimum connection destination when the wireless LAN relay device 10 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode. is there.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the determination of disconnecting or maintaining the wireless communication connection of the terminal 30 based on the reception level of the predetermined signal from the terminal 30 in the host device 20 has been described. However, the information used for determination when disconnecting or maintaining the connection by wireless communication of the terminal 30 is not limited to the reception level of the predetermined signal in the host device 20 described above.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where there is one wireless LAN relay device 10 has been described as an example for easy understanding of the description. However, there may be a plurality of wireless LAN relay devices 10. In that case, each wireless LAN relay device 10 may be connected in parallel to the host device 20 or may be connected in series.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
Next, a first modification of the first embodiment based on the first embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of this modification is the same as the configuration of the wireless LAN relay device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  An operation of the wireless LAN relay device 10 according to the first modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of the wireless LAN relay device 10 according to the first and second modifications of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the flowchart according to the first and second modified examples of the present embodiment is the same as the flowchart according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, except for steps S <b> 25 and S <b> 27. Different from processing. Therefore, the description will be focused on the processing after step S19 in FIG. 5 different from that in FIG. 2 in the above-described modification, and the redundant description of the steps in FIG.

  The first control unit 14 resets the timer value of the first timer (step S19).

  The first control unit 14 confirms whether any terminal 30 is not connected by wireless communication and the result determined based on the detection result of the sensor 15 is a state in which no person exists. (Step S20).

  The first control unit 14 is not connected to any terminal 30 by wireless communication, and the result determined based on the detection result of the sensor 15 is a state where no person exists (in step S20). YES), the timer value of the first timer is counted up (step S21). The unit of the timer value to be counted up is, for example, “second”.

  The first control unit 14 checks whether or not the first timer has expired (step S23). When it is confirmed in step S23 that the first timer has not expired (NO in step S23), the first control unit 14 executes the process of step S20.

  If the first control unit 14 confirms that the first timer has expired in step S23 (YES in step S23), the first control unit 14 stops counting the timer value of the first timer (step S26). The operation mode of the apparatus is switched from the normal mode to the power saving mode (step S25).

  In step S20, the first control unit 14 is in a state where there is a person as a result of determination based on the detection result of the sensor 15 and when at least one of the terminals 30 is connected by wireless communication. In at least one of the cases (NO in step S20), the following processing is executed. That is, the first control unit 14 maintains the operation mode of its own device in the normal mode (step S27). The expiration timer value in the first timer described above is, for example, 20 seconds, and this timer value can be changed.

  The first control unit 14 performs the process of step S19 after performing the process of step S27.

  In the first embodiment, when no wireless communication is connected to any terminal 30 in step S19, the wireless LAN relay device 10 determines that a person exists even based on the detection result from the sensor 15. However, the own device is switched to the power saving mode. That is, even if a user who may use the terminal 30 is in the vicinity that can be detected by the sensor 15, the wireless LAN relay device 10 shifts to the power saving mode.

  However, in this modification, for example, the wireless LAN relay device 10 installed in the vicinity of the entrance of the house is in a state where there is no connection by wireless communication with the terminal 30 and there is no person in the vicinity of the sensor 15 ( That is, the self apparatus can be switched to the power saving mode only when the user goes out, for example, for 20 seconds.

  In addition, the wireless LAN relay device 10 is a user who may use the terminal 30 moved to the entrance, for example, when the terminal 30 in the room next to the entrance is connected to the own device by wireless communication, for example. However, in at least one of the cases in the vicinity of the sensor 15, the operation mode of the device itself can be maintained in the normal mode.

  As described above, in the first modification of the first embodiment, even when there is no connection by wireless communication with any terminal 30, the normal mode is maintained when the user exists, and the user can always connect the terminal 30. There is an effect to make it possible to use.

  The reason is that the wireless LAN relay device 10 is not connected to any terminal 30 by wireless communication over a predetermined first period, and there is no person based on the detection result of the sensor 15. This is because it is configured to switch the operation mode of the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

(Second modification of the first field embodiment)
Next, a second modification of the first embodiment based on the first embodiment will be described. The configuration of this modification is the same as the configuration of the wireless LAN relay device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the host device 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. .

  Operations of the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 according to the second modification of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control of the wireless LAN relay device 10 according to the first and second modifications of the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the flowchart according to the first and second modified examples of the present embodiment is the same as the flowchart according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, except for steps S <b> 25 and S <b> 27. Different from processing. Among these, the process of step S18 is related in this modification. Therefore, the description will focus on the steps having the contents different from FIG. 2 in FIG. 5 described above in the present modification, and the duplicate description of the steps having the same contents as FIG. 2 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the first control unit 14 of the wireless LAN relay device 10 includes a determination result (determination result information) determined to be present based on the detection result of the sensor 15 in the connection request signal and transmits the connection request signal to the host device 20. The first communication unit 11 is instructed to do so (step S18).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control of the host device 20 according to the second and third modifications of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, in the flowcharts according to the second and third modifications of the present embodiment, step S32 and the processing after step S38 excluding step S44 and step S46 are the first implementation shown in FIG. This is different from the processing of the flowchart according to the embodiment. Among these, the process of step S32 is related in this modification.

  Therefore, the description will focus on the steps having contents different from FIG. 4 in FIG. 6 described above in the present modification, and the description of the steps having the same contents as FIG. 4 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when receiving a connection request signal from the wireless LAN relay device 10, the host device 20 connects to the wireless LAN relay device 10 by communication. At that time, the second control unit 24 of the host device 20 checks whether or not the determination result information is included in the received connection request signal (step S32).

  When the second control unit 24 confirms that the determination result information is included in the connection request signal in step S32 (that is, the connection request by communication from the wireless LAN relay device 10 is due to the factor of the sensor 15) ( In step S32, YES), the processing after step S33 is executed.

  The second control unit 24 confirms that the determination result information is not included in the connection request signal in step S32 described above (that is, the connection request by communication from the wireless LAN relay device 10 is due to a factor other than the sensor 15). If so (NO in step S32), the following processing is executed. That is, the second control unit 24 performs the process of step S32 and performs a normal process (not shown) in the host device 20.

  In the first embodiment, even when the user manually turns on the power of the wireless LAN relay device 10 or when the user turns on the power of the own device by the schedule function of the wireless LAN relay device 10, the wireless LAN relay is performed. The device 10 transmits a connection request signal to the host device 20. In the first embodiment, even in such a case, the host device 20 disconnects the wireless communication connection with the terminal 30 each time if the predetermined condition is satisfied in step S37 shown in FIG.

  However, in this modification, the host device 20 does not perform the processing after step S33 unless the determination result information is included in the connection request signal in step S32 of FIG. Do not disconnect.

  As described above, in the second modification of the first embodiment, when the power of the wireless LAN relay device 10 is turned on manually or by a schedule function, and the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 are connected by communication. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the terminal 30 connected to the host device 20 by wireless communication from being disconnected from the wireless communication.

  The reason is that the connection request signal received from the wireless LAN relay device 10 is wireless with the terminal 30 only when the detection result of the sensor 15 includes information (determination result information) indicating that a person exists. This is because the communication connection is cut off.

  In addition, the 2nd control part 24 determines the determination result determined that the person exists based on the detection result of the sensor 15 in the location which can be visually recognized from the exterior of the housing | casing of the host apparatus 20, when YES in step S32. For example, the image may be displayed for a predetermined period by blinking with a blue LED or the like (Light_Emitting_Diode).

  Thereby, the user in the vicinity of the host device 20 can know that there is a person in the vicinity of the sensor 15 connected to the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the wireless LAN relay device 10 can be used. . The wireless LAN relay device 10 may be provided with an LED as described above. Thus, a user who owns the terminal 30 and moves in the vicinity of the wireless LAN relay device 10 is detected by the sensor 15 so that the terminal 30 can be used by connecting the wireless LAN relay device 10 to the host device 20. You can know that

(Third Modification of First Embodiment)
Next, a third modification of the first embodiment based on the first embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of this modification is the same as the configuration of the host device 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

  An operation of the host device 20 according to the third modification of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control of the host device 20 according to the second and third modifications of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, in the flowcharts according to the second and third modifications of the present embodiment, step S32 and the processing after step S38 excluding step S44 and step S46 are the first implementation shown in FIG. This is different from the processing of the flowchart according to the embodiment.

  Among these, the process after step S38 is related in this modification. Therefore, the description will focus on the steps having contents different from FIG. 4 in FIG. 6 described above in the present modification, and the description of the steps having the same contents as FIG. 4 in FIG.

  The second control unit 24 resets the timer value of the second timer (step S38).

  The second control unit 24 instructs the third communication unit 21 to confirm whether or not data communication is being performed with the terminal 30 connected to the own device by wireless communication (step S39).

  As a result of the confirmation by the third communication unit 21, the second control unit 24 performs data communication with the terminal 30 connected to the own device by wireless communication (in step S39). YES), the timer value of the second timer is counted up (step S40). The unit of the timer value to be counted up is, for example, “second”.

  The second control unit 24 checks whether or not the timer value of the second timer has expired (step S41).

  As a result of the confirmation in step S41, if the timer value of the second timer has not expired (NO in step S41), the second control unit 24 executes the process of step S39.

  As a result of the confirmation in step S41, if the timer value of the second timer has expired (YES in step S41), the second control unit 24 stops counting the timer value of the second timer (step S43). The wireless communication connection with the terminal 30 is maintained as it is (step S46).

  If the second control unit 24 is not performing data communication with the terminal 30 connected to its own device by wireless communication in step S39 (NO in step S39), the second control unit 24 disconnects the connection by wireless communication with the terminal 30. (Step S44).

  The expiration timer value in the second timer described above is, for example, 20 seconds, and this timer value can be changed.

  As an example, it is assumed that the reception level of the predetermined signal from the terminal 30 in the host device 20 is −70 dBm, for example. The predetermined threshold is assumed to be −60 dBm in the present modification as in the first embodiment.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, since the above-described reception level is less than the above-described predetermined threshold, the terminal 30 indicating the above-described reception level is transmitted by wireless communication with the host device 20 by the host device 20. Disconnected. However, in this modification, even if the above-described reception level is less than the above-described predetermined threshold, if the data communication with the terminal 30 is continued for at least 20 seconds, for example, the host device 20 The wireless communication connection is maintained as it is. Thus, the host device 20 can prevent the data communication from being disconnected when performing data communication with the terminal 30.

  As described above, in the second modification of the first embodiment, when the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 are connected by communication, the terminal 30 that is wirelessly connected to the host device 20 The data communication can be prevented from being disconnected in the middle.

  The reason is that the strength of the reception level in the host device 20 of the predetermined signal received from the terminal 30 connected to the host device 20 by wireless communication is obtained, and even if the obtained strength is less than the predetermined threshold, This is because it is configured to operate as follows. That is, if the host device 20 continues data communication with the terminal 30 for a time equal to or greater than the timer value of the second timer, the host device 20 maintains the connection with the terminal 30 by wireless communication.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention that is the basis of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication system 80 according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the communication system 80 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless LAN relay device 10, a host device 20, and a terminal 30.

  The wireless LAN relay device 10 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, and a first control unit 14. The first communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with the terminal 30. The second communication unit 12 communicates with the host device 20. Based on the detection result of the sensor 15, the first control unit 14 releases the power saving state from the power saving mode in which the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 are in the power saving state. Return to. When the first control unit 14 returns to the normal mode, the first control unit 14 notifies the host device 20 described later of the mode change.

  The host device 20 includes a third communication unit 21, a fourth communication unit 22, and a second control unit 24. The third communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with the terminal 30 connected to the own device. The fourth communication unit 22 communicates with the wireless LAN relay device 10. The second control unit 24 controls the third communication unit 21 and the fourth communication unit 22.

  When the second control unit 24 is connected to the wireless LAN relay device 10 by communication, the second control unit 24 receives a predetermined signal from the terminal 30 connected to the own device (host device 20) by wireless communication at the own device. Is less than the predetermined threshold, the wireless communication connection with the terminal 30 is disconnected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the relay device is in the power saving state, the wireless LAN relay device 10 notifies the host device 20 of the state change by returning according to the movement status of the terminal 30. As a result, in the present embodiment, the host device 20 can provide an optimal wireless LAN communication environment to the terminal 30 using the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 and the wireless LAN relay device 10. Etc. can be provided.

  The reason is that the wireless LAN relay device 10 is configured to return the operation mode of the wireless LAN relay device 10 from the power saving mode to the normal mode when it is determined that there is a person based on the detection result of the sensor 15. is there. This is because the terminal 30 connected to the host device 20 by wireless communication when the wireless LAN relay device 10 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode is connected to the optimum connection destination. .

(Hardware configuration example)
Next, a configuration example of hardware resources for realizing the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 according to each embodiment of the present invention described above using one computer will be described. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the wireless LAN relay device 10 and the host device 20 are collectively referred to as a communication device 90.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of a computer capable of realizing the communication device 90 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention. The communication device 90 may be realized as a dedicated device.

  The communication device 90 includes a CPU (Central_Processing_Unit) 91, a memory 92, a disk 93, a nonvolatile recording medium reader 94, an interface 97, and a communication line 98. The non-volatile recording medium reader 94 is a computer-readable reader capable of reading a medium (not shown) such as a compact disk (Compact_Disc (registered trademark)) or a universal serial bus memory (USB memory). It is. The communication device 90 can read the above-described medium by the non-volatile recording medium reading device 94 and store the read information in the disk 93 of the own device.

  The various media described above retain such information without being supplied with power, and can be carried. The nonvolatile recording medium is not limited to the above-described medium. Further, the communication device 90 may store the information on the disk 93 via the interface 97 or the communication line 98 instead of the reading device 94 of the nonvolatile recording medium. The communication device 90 may be provided with an output device that displays the determination result determined that a person is present based on the detection result of the sensor 15 by blinking with an LED such as blue.

  That is, the CPU 91 copies a software program (computer program: hereinafter simply referred to as “program”) stored in the disk 93 to the memory 92 and executes arithmetic processing. The CPU 91 reads data necessary for program execution from the memory 92. When inputting a program from the outside, the CPU 91 reads the program via the interface 97 or the communication line 98. The CPU 91 interprets and executes the operation mode switching program (FIGS. 2 and 5) or the terminal connection switching program (FIGS. 4 and 6) in the memory 92. The CPU 91 sequentially performs the processes described in the above-described embodiments of the present invention.

  That is, in such a case, the wireless LAN relay device according to the present invention can be understood as being able to be achieved by executing the operation mode switching program on the hardware resources illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, it can be understood that the host device according to the present invention can also be realized by executing the terminal connection switching program on the hardware resources illustrated in FIG. Furthermore, it can be understood that the present invention can also be realized by a computer-readable recording medium in which the operation mode switching program and the terminal connection switching program are recorded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 80 Communication system 10 Wireless LAN relay apparatus 11 1st communication part (1st communication means)
12 2nd communication part (2nd communication means)
14 1st control part (1st control means)
15 sensor 20 host device 21 3rd communication part (3rd communication means)
22 4th communication part (4th communication means)
24 2nd control part (2nd control means)
30 terminals 91 CPU (Central_Processing_Unit)
92 Memory 93 Disc 94 Recording medium reader 97 Interface 98 Communication line

Claims (4)

First communication means for wirelessly communicating with a terminal connected to the device;
A second communication means for communicating with the wireless LAN relay device;
Control means for controlling the first communication means and the second communication means,
The control means includes
When communication connection is established between the wireless LAN relay device and the second communication means in response to receiving a connection request signal from the wireless LAN relay device, The terminal connected by wireless communication with its own device when information indicating that a person is present is included in the detection result of the sensor that detects whether or not it is present and connected to the wireless LAN relay device A host device that causes the first communication means to disconnect the wireless communication with the terminal when the reception level of the predetermined signal received from the device is less than a predetermined threshold. The control means includes
When the strength of the reception level of the predetermined signal in the own device is obtained based on a predetermined signal received from the terminal connected to the own device by wireless communication, and the obtained strength is less than the predetermined threshold Even so, when data communication with the terminal is performed over a predetermined period, the first communication unit causes the wireless communication with the terminal to be maintained. A communication method using a wireless LAN relay device capable of relaying information transmitted and received between a terminal and a host device,
By the host device
Detects whether there is a person in the received request for connection request when connecting to the wireless LAN relay device in response to receiving a request for connection request from the wireless LAN relay device Information indicating the presence of a person is included in the detection result of the sensor to perform communication connection with the wireless LAN relay device, and a predetermined signal received from the terminal connected to the host device by wireless communication A communication method for disconnecting wireless connection with the terminal when the reception level in the host device is less than a predetermined threshold. A communication system comprising a terminal, a host device, and a wireless LAN relay device capable of relaying information transmitted and received between the terminal and the host device,
The host device is
First communication means for wirelessly communicating with the terminal connected to the device;
Second communication means for communicating with the wireless LAN relay device;
Detects whether there is a person in the received request for connection request when connecting to the wireless LAN relay device in response to receiving a request for connection request from the wireless LAN relay device When the sensor detection result includes information indicating that a person exists and is connected to the wireless LAN relay device,
If the reception level of the predetermined signal received from the terminal connected to the own apparatus by wireless communication is less than a predetermined threshold, the first communication means is disconnected by wireless communication with the terminal. First control means for causing
The wireless LAN relay device
Third communication means for wirelessly communicating with the terminal;
A fourth communication means for communicating with the host device;
Based on the detection result of the sensor that detects whether or not a person is present, a determination result that is determined to be present is included in the connection request and transmitted to the host device via the fourth communication unit. A communication system comprising two control means.

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