JP4991338B2 - Wireless LAN system, wireless LAN terminal, wireless LAN system driving method, and wireless LAN system program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless LAN system, a wireless LAN terminal, a wireless LAN system driving method, and a wireless LAN system driving program, and more particularly, to a wireless LAN system, a wireless LAN terminal, a wireless LAN system driving method, and a wireless LAN system that can be automatically powered on. The present invention relates to a LAN system drive program.

  Conventionally, small computers with excellent portability such as notebook PCs (Personal Computers) and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) have been widely used.

  Such a computer is supplied with power by using an AC adapter when the computer is fixed at a predetermined position such as a company or home.

  However, it is necessary to secure electric power from a power supply unit built in the computer when used on a train or when traveling.

  This power supply unit is designed so that, for example, a commercial power supply of AC 100V or 200V can be converted into DC 12V, 5V, 3.3V, and power can be supplied to a mother board and various built-in devices inside the computer. .

  By the way, the computer having such portability is equipped with various extended functions. Recently, in order to enable data transmission / reception with the outside through a network, a wireless LAN terminal is used as a wireless communication module. Introduction has been made.

  When a wireless LAN terminal is installed, as long as data can be transmitted and received with a wireless base station, the computer can easily transmit and receive data to and from the outside even at the destination.

  The wireless LAN system having these wireless LAN terminals and wireless base stations has a technology for automatically turning on / off the power.

  The following technologies are the technologies.

  In Patent Document 1, it is possible to connect a wireless communication module that performs data transmission / reception with an access point, and it is determined whether the power source that supplies power to the computer is an AC power source. A computer including a drive mode control unit for controlling a drive mode in a communication module is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a wireless LAN miniPCI module connected to a computer transmits a broadcast frame and / or a multicast frame transmitted from a predetermined access point in a state where main power is not turned on to the system main body to an RF antenna. A technique for receiving a magic packet included in a broadcast frame and / or a multicast frame and outputting a signal for turning on the main power from the baseband processor to the system body is disclosed. Has been.

  Patent Document 3 discloses the following technique. The wireless LAN base station and the wireless LAN base station perform transmission / reception with the wireless LAN terminal in each wireless section. The wireless LAN terminal manages the received signal level of the neighboring base station by the wireless unit transmitting / receiving unit for performing communication in the wireless section, and determines the necessity of the handover process based on the received signal level. The wired terminal is connected to the wired LAN.

  In Patent Document 4, a fixed-length frame is used, and destinations of data transmitted in the frame are collectively displayed at the head of the frame, and the transmission / reception processing unit of the terminal's transmitter / receiver performs power control based on this information. A technique is disclosed in which the power of the receiving unit is disconnected when it is unnecessary by controlling the unit.

  Patent Document 5 discloses the following technique. All stations communicate via the access point of the base station and broadcast a synchronization message (TIM) that identifies the station receiving the data message at regular intervals.

  All stations communicate directly with each other, one of them assumes the role of the master station, broadcasts a synchronous message (PSYNC), and the station that wishes to transmit a data message directs traffic to the appropriate destination station. A message (PTIM) is transmitted within the synchronization operation period before the next synchronization message (PSYNC) arrives.

Patent Document 6 discloses an intermittent power-on type mobile station that automatically shifts to a power-on state in synchronization with the reception timing of a beacon signal and sets a certain period after receiving the beacon signal as a data receivable period, and an intermittent power-on type. A base station that periodically transmits a beacon signal to the mobile station to control the intermittent power-on type mobile station and performs wireless communication with the intermittent power-on type mobile station, and the base station performs intermittent power-on type movement When there is data to be transmitted to the intermittent power-on type mobile station during the data receivable period of the station, the data is configured to be transmitted with priority over the transmission data to the normal mobile station in the always-on state.
JP 2003-108271 A JP 2005-018377 A JP 2005-175932 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-311160 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-058688 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-162798

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless LAN terminal having a terminal body power-on function (for example, US Advanced Micro Devices Inc .: a function for turning on the terminal body by receiving a magic packet (registered trademark)) automatically powers on. In order to do so, it is necessary to receive a remote power-on packet from a wireless LAN access point connected before the wireless LAN terminal is powered off.

The remote power-on packet is for remotely turning on a power source such as a computer compatible with WaKe On LAN (WOL). In order to use WOL, it is necessary that both the computer to be activated (such as the host server) and the computer to be activated (wireless terminal) support the magic packet. here,
Wake On LAN is a function for starting a computer or the like connected to a network such as a LAN from another computer that is also connected to the network.

  For this reason, the wireless LAN terminal must be within a range where radio waves from the wireless LAN access point can be received, and after the wireless LAN terminal is turned off, the wireless LAN terminal is moved to the cover area of another wireless LAN access point. I could not.

  For this reason, when the automatic power-on function is used, the wireless LAN terminal needs to be used with a fixed installation location, and the wireless LAN feature of mobility that can be carried and carried is not fully utilized.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable automatic power-on even when the wireless LAN terminal is in a cover area of a different access point from the wireless LAN access point connected before the power is turned off.

  The present invention provides a wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal as means for solving the above problems, wherein the wireless LAN terminal includes an RF (Radio Frequency) unit for performing wireless communication, A switch for determining whether or not to supply power to the RF unit, and judges whether or not to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal, and the remote power-on When the packet is received, the RF unit is turned on, whether or not the beacon signal from the access point that has performed the wireless communication can be received, and if the beacon signal cannot be received, the wireless communication has been performed. The access point different from the access point is detected, and connection processing is performed.

  The present invention relates to an RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control in a wireless LAN terminal of a wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal, and a switch for determining whether or not to supply power to the RF And determining whether or not to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal, and upon receiving the remote power-on packet, turning on the RF unit, Check whether it is possible to receive a beacon signal from the access point that was communicating, and if the beacon signal cannot be received, detect the access point different from the access point that was performing the wireless communication, and connect It is characterized by performing processing.

  The present invention includes a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal, and the wireless LAN terminal includes an RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control and a switch for determining whether to supply power to the RF. A wireless LAN system driving method comprising: determining whether or not to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal; if receiving the remote power-on packet, turn on the RF unit And confirming whether or not the beacon signal from the access point that has performed the wireless communication can be received. If the beacon signal cannot be received, the access point that is different from the access point that has performed the wireless communication is selected. It detects and performs a connection process.

  The present invention includes a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal, and the wireless LAN terminal includes an RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control and a switch for determining whether to supply power to the RF. In the driving program of the wireless LAN system provided, a process for determining whether or not to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal; and upon receiving the remote power-on packet, the RF unit The process of turning on, the process of confirming whether or not the beacon signal from the access point that has performed the wireless communication can be received, and the access point that has performed the wireless communication when the beacon signal cannot be received And a process of detecting another access point and performing a connection process.

  According to the present invention, it has become possible to freely move a wireless LAN terminal having an automatic power-on function of a terminal body that has conventionally required a fixed installation location. As a result, the function application range can be expanded not only to wireless LAN terminals that are fixedly installed, but also to PDAs and other order terminals.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the wireless LAN terminal body is turned off, the RF unit can be turned on periodically to monitor the wireless LAN access point. As a result, the wireless LAN terminal can take a long power-off time and suppress power consumption. In particular, an effect on a battery-driven wireless LAN terminal can be expected.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the user can set the RF on interval timer value. The characteristics and usage patterns of wireless LAN terminals vary from terminal to terminal, and it is difficult to say what setting values are optimal. Since this timer value can be set, it is possible to provide optimum operation according to the wireless LAN terminal used.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the channel scan fails, the current consumption can be suppressed by entering the sleep mode. Normally, if channel scanning fails, the scanning is repeated thereafter, so that the power consumption increases from the normal wireless LAN connection state, but this can be avoided and the battery usage time can be extended.

  Further, according to the present invention, the user can set the scan interval timer value. The configuration of the wireless LAN system and the characteristics of the wireless LAN terminal vary depending on the usage pattern and operation method, and it is difficult to say what setting values are optimal. Since this timer value can be set, it is possible to provide an optimum operation according to the use environment.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram as an embodiment of the present invention.

  The wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless LAN terminal 103 (hereinafter referred to as CL-103) in which a wireless LAN function having a power-on function of the terminal body is incorporated or mounted, and CL-103 via wireless radio waves. It comprises a wireless LAN access point 101 (hereinafter referred to as AP-101) and a wireless LAN access point 102 (hereinafter referred to as AP-102) for transmitting and receiving information.

  As a power-on function of the wireless LAN terminal, for example, there is a function of receiving a magic packet, which is a registered trademark of AMD, Inc., and turning on the power of the terminal body.

  The wireless LAN system of the present embodiment is a higher-level network that can use the Wake On LAN function, and the wireless LAN terminal is a wireless LAN terminal that can use the Wake On LAN function.

  In FIG. 1, it is assumed that AP-101 and AP-102 are on the same network connected by a wired LAN and are set to be roamable.

  In addition, CL-103 has communication settings that can be connected to AP-101 and AP-102 via wireless radio waves.

  Each access point corresponds to the remote power-on function, and specifically, a remote power-on packet described later may be passed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless LAN terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless LAN terminal includes an external clock 2, a clock 3 inside the wireless LAN terminal, a switch 4, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 5, a BB (Baseband) 6, a CPU 7, and a Flash. ROM8.

  The external clock 2 and the clock 3 inside the wireless LAN terminal are for monitoring packets for remotely turning on the wireless LAN.

  As a packet for remotely turning on the wireless LAN, for example, there is US Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (a magic packet which is a registered trademark of US AMD).

  When the remote power-on packet is received, the switch 4 is turned on, power is supplied to the RF unit 5 and the BB 6, and wireless communication can be started.

  The RF unit 5 is a part responsible for wireless control. Further, BB6 is a part responsible for baseband control.

When the power of the wireless LAN terminal is turned off, the switch 4 is also turned off, and no power is supplied to the RF unit 5 and the BB 6, but the value of the timer 1 (RF on interval timer) shown in FIG. The clock 2 is monitored, and the switch 4 is turned on at every timer interval to turn on the power of the RF unit 5 and the BB 6. (Here, the wireless LAN terminal scans the AP connected before the power is turned off. Receives a beacon signal.)
The timer value shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the flash ROM 8 in the wireless LAN device.

  If the AP connected before the power is turned off cannot be detected, the terminal enters the power saving mode for the time set by the timer 2 (scan interval timer) in FIG. 3, and the AP is scanned again after the timer time elapses.

[Description of operation]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless LAN terminal as an embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, the operation of CL-103 in the power-off state will be described.

  The CL-103 in the power-off state determines whether or not a remote power-on packet has been received (step S401). When the remote power-on packet is received (step S401 / Yes), the RF unit is turned on (step S402). .

  For example, if the terminal is not carried or used, or if the moving range stays within the coverage area of one wireless LAN access point, the terminal is set longer, and the terminal that is frequently used is set shorter.

  Next, the CL-103 confirms beacon information from the wireless LAN access point (step S403).

  Confirming the beacon information here means confirming the information element of the beacon signal, and in the present embodiment, confirming the MAC address of the access point.

  Here, the case where it is determined whether or not the beacon from the AP-101 can be received will be described (step S404).

  Note that the field strength of the wireless LAN access point or the like can be used as a matter of determination.

  If the beacon from the AP-101 can be received (step S404 / Yes), the CL-103 determines that the remote power-on packet can be received from the AP-101 if the state continues, and ends the interrupt process.

  On the other hand, when the beacon cannot be received from the AP-101 (step S404 / No), the CL-103 performs a channel scan to determine whether there is a connectable wireless LAN access point (step S405).

  The channel scan here is preferably an active scan based on CL-103 wireless profile settings (SSID, WEP, etc.).

  This is because, when the SSIDs of AP-101 and AP-102 are concealed, there is no SSID information in the beacon, and therefore, it cannot be determined whether the wireless LAN access point can be connected unless it is an active scan.

In channel scan step S40 5, determines matters is whether it detects a connectable wireless LAN access point (step S406).

  When a probe response is received from the AP-102 in response to the probe request from the CL 103 (step S406 / Yes), the CL-103 performs a connection process to the AP-102 (step S409).

  On the other hand, when the channel scan fails and the probe response from the AP-102 cannot be received (step S406 / No), the sleep mode is temporarily entered (step S407), and the RF unit is temporarily turned off (step S408).

  This sleep mode is based on the power save mode of the CL-103 main body, and the power save state is maintained based on a preset interval by the timer 2: scan interval timer value shown in FIG.

  When the time corresponding to the scan interval timer has elapsed after entering the sleep mode, the CL-103 returns to step S401 to turn on the RF unit and perform a series of processing (steps S401 to S409).

  CL-103 terminates the interrupt process after associating with AP-102, returns to the power-off state, and waits for a remote power-on packet to be transmitted from AP-102.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms.

  For example, the wireless LAN terminal CL-103 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is replaced with a wireless LAN compatible IP telephone terminal.

  In this case, a base station referred to as a conventional mobile phone serves as a wireless LAN access point.

  The IP telephone terminal has a problem of suppressing current consumption. However, by adopting the present invention, it becomes possible to significantly reduce current consumption and extend battery usage time.

  For example, even when the power of the IP telephone terminal is always turned off, when a call is received, a remote power-on packet is transmitted from the target wireless LAN access point to the IP telephone terminal, and the IP telephone terminal is turned on and returns to the calling state. Can be made.

  Further, turning off the power of an IP telephone terminal that is not in use leads to effective utilization of radio waves.

  The scan interval timer when the channel scan fails according to the present invention can be applied not only to a wireless LAN terminal having a remote power-on function but also to a channel scan operation of any wireless LAN terminal.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an apparatus equipped with a wireless LAN communication function, and can also be used for a mobile phone equipped with a wireless LAN.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless LAN system as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless LAN terminal as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows a mode that a timer value is stored. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless LAN system as one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 External clock 3 Clock inside wireless LAN terminal 4 Switch 5 RF (Radio Frequency) part 6 BB (Baseband)
7 CPU
8 Flash ROM

Claims (8)

In a wireless LAN system including a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal,
The wireless LAN terminal includes an RF (Radio Frequency) unit that performs wireless communication, and a switch that determines whether to supply power to the RF unit,
Determining whether to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal;
When receiving the remote power-on packet, turn on the RF unit,
Check whether it is possible to receive a beacon signal from the access point that has performed the wireless communication, and if the beacon signal cannot be received, detect the access point different from the access point that has performed the wireless communication. A wireless LAN system that performs connection processing. The access point turns off the RF unit to the case could not be detected, and after a predetermined time from the turning off the RF unit, again, characterized in that the return to the state of waiting the remote power-on packets The wireless LAN system according to claim 1. In a wireless LAN terminal of a wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal,
RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control, and a switch for determining whether to supply power to the RF,
Determining whether to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal;
When receiving the remote power-on packet, turn on the RF unit,
Check whether it is possible to receive a beacon signal from the access point that has performed the wireless communication, and if the beacon signal cannot be received, detect the access point different from the access point that has performed the wireless communication. A wireless LAN terminal that performs connection processing. The access point turns off the RF unit to the case could not be detected, and after a predetermined time from the turning off the RF unit, again, characterized in that the return to the state of waiting the remote power-on packets The wireless LAN terminal according to claim 3. A wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal, the wireless LAN terminal comprising an RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control and a switch for determining whether to supply power to the RF In the driving method of
Determining whether to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the power of the wireless LAN terminal;
When receiving the remote power-on packet, turn on the RF unit,
Check whether it can receive a beacon signal from the access point that was performing the wireless communication,
When the beacon signal cannot be received, a method for driving a wireless LAN system, comprising: detecting an access point different from the access point performing the wireless communication and performing a connection process. The access point turns off the RF unit to the case could not be detected, and after a predetermined time from the turning off the RF unit, again, characterized in that the return to the state of waiting the remote power-on packets The method for driving a wireless LAN system according to claim 5. A wireless LAN system comprising a plurality of access points and a wireless LAN terminal, the wireless LAN terminal comprising an RF (Radio Frequency) responsible for wireless control and a switch for determining whether to supply power to the RF In the drive program of
Determining whether to receive a remote power-on packet for remotely turning on the wireless LAN terminal;
When receiving the remote power-on packet, processing to turn on the RF unit;
A process of confirming whether or not a beacon signal from an access point that has performed the wireless communication can be received;
A program for driving a wireless LAN system, comprising: a process of detecting an access point different from the access point that is performing the wireless communication and performing a connection process when the beacon signal cannot be received. The access point turns off the RF unit to the case could not be detected, and after a predetermined time from the turning off the RF unit, again, characterized in that the return to the state of waiting the remote power-on packets A driving program for a wireless LAN system according to claim 7.

Images