JP6042842B2 - Wireless communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method, and more particularly to establishment of communication of a wireless slave device such as a wireless communication device performing wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication to a parent device such as a wireless access point.

  Connection setting information indicating information necessary for establishing a connection with a parent device in order for a wireless child device such as a wireless communication device performing wireless LAN communication to connect to a parent device such as a wireless access point to establish communication Must be set as a wireless handset.

  The connection setting information is information including an identifier (SSID: Service Set IDentifier) of a wireless access point, an encryption key for decrypting encrypted data, and the like. Using the connection setting information, the wireless slave unit establishes communication with the master unit according to the wireless LAN standard defined by IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11.

  As a method of obtaining connection setting information of the master unit, for example, a method of reading connection setting information written on a sticker attached to the surface of the casing of a communication device by a human eye, or a two-dimensional attached to the surface of the casing For example, there is a method of acquiring information embedded in a barcode. In addition, a method is conceived in which a parent device is set to a special mode by pressing a switch of the parent device, and a parent device to which a wireless child device is connected is specified.

JP 2011-135325 A JP 2004-336669 A

  However, the communication establishment method described above has the following problems.

  In the communication establishment method of the background art described above, a person approaches the case of the parent device every time the number of wireless slave devices establishing connection to the parent device increases, and the attached information must be confirmed. In addition, it is necessary to perform information such as pressing a mechanical switch for setting the master unit in a special mode and to set information for each wireless slave unit in the same manner.

  A technique for confirming setting information using a standard or means different from the wireless LAN standard to be connected has been considered. The standard or means different from the wireless LAN standard to be connected is, for example, infrared communication or near field communication (NFC) near field communication. Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose such a technique.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a method for establishing a wireless communication connection when a device compatible with a specific communication protocol and a device not compatible with the wireless network coexist. In Patent Document 1, a service device acquires service information from an access point device, and before the wireless communication connection with the terminal device is established, the information acquired from the access point device and the identification information of the access point device are stored in the terminal device. Sending.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a method of framing between a wireless master device and a newly installed wireless slave device when a wireless slave device is additionally installed in an existing data communication system. In Patent Document 2, the newly established wireless slave unit performs communication with the existing wireless slave unit, transmits request data to send the ID of the wireless master unit to the existing wireless slave unit, and receives the request data. When the wireless slave device transmits the ID, the newly established wireless slave device directly obtains the ID of the wireless master device.

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, as in the background art described above, the connection setting information written on the sticker is read by the human eye to obtain connection setting information, or the mechanical switch of the parent device is pressed. Even without this, it is understood that a wireless connection with the parent device can be established. However, in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the device cost increases because it corresponds to a standard different from wireless LAN communication. For this reason, in establishing a wireless connection with the parent device, there is a problem that the security cannot be sufficiently improved while preventing an increase in device cost.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method capable of establishing a wireless connection with a parent device while improving security without increasing the device cost.

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention provides:
First receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the communication device;
Transmitting means for sending a connection request signal to the communication device when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;
Second receiving means for receiving connection setting information sent from the communication device in response to the connection request signal;
It has.

Another wireless communication device according to the present invention is:
Receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit;
When the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, transmission means for transmitting connection setting information of a communication device that is wirelessly connected to the wireless slave unit;
It has.

A communication system according to the present invention includes:
First receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to power of a predetermined signal received from a communication device, and transmitting means for transmitting a connection request signal to the communication device when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value And a wireless communication device having second receiving means for receiving connection setting information sent from the communication device in response to the connection request signal;
The communication device,
It has.

Other communication systems according to the present invention are:
Receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit, and when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the wireless slave unit is wirelessly connected to itself A wireless communication device having a transmission means for transmitting connection setting information of a communication device;
The communication device,
The above-mentioned wireless cordless handset,
It has.

A communication method according to the present invention includes:
With reference to the table information that compares the inter-device distance with the communication device connected to the communication network and the reception level, the distance between the communication device is estimated,
When it is determined that the device-to-device distance is sufficiently small, connection setting information with the communication device is received from the communication device to establish a wireless connection with the communication device.

Other communication methods according to the present invention include:
After the first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device that is connected to the communication network establishes a wireless connection with the second wireless slave device that is not yet wirelessly connected to the communication device,
Referring to the table information that compares the distance between the slave units and the reception level, estimate the distance between the second slave unit,
When it is determined that the distance between the slave units is sufficiently small, connection setting information with the communication device is notified to the second wireless slave unit.

  According to the wireless communication device, the communication system, and the communication method of the present invention, it is possible to establish a wireless connection with a communication device connected to a communication network while improving security without incurring an increase in device cost.

(A) And (b) is a block diagram which shows the radio | wireless communication apparatus and communication system of embodiment corresponding to the highest concept of this invention. 1 is a system diagram showing a wireless communication apparatus and a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system diagram showing an outline of operations of a wireless communication apparatus and a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a table | surface which shows a response | compatibility with the distance between subunit | mobile_units, and a reception level. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the beacon frame structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a system diagram which shows the radio | wireless communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data frame structure of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a system diagram which shows the radio | wireless communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data frame structure of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Before describing specific embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are block diagrams showing a wireless communication apparatus and a communication system of an embodiment corresponding to the highest concept of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1A, a wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment corresponding to one highest concept is a wireless communication apparatus wirelessly connected to a communication device 101 connected to a communication network. FIG. 1A shows a wireless slave device 102 as an example of a wireless communication device that is wirelessly connected to a communication device 101 connected to a communication network. The wireless slave device 102 includes receiving means 102 a that outputs a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from another wireless slave device 103. Furthermore, when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the wireless slave device 102 transmits to the other wireless slave device 103 the connection setting information of the communication device 101 to which the wireless slave device 102 is wirelessly connected. It has.

  Referring to FIG. 1A, the communication system according to the embodiment corresponding to one highest concept includes a first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to a communication device 101 that is connected to a communication network. FIG. 1A shows a wireless slave device 102 as an example of a first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device 101 connected to the communication network. Furthermore, the communication system of the embodiment corresponding to one top-level concept includes a second wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device 101. As an example of a second wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device 101, FIG.

  In the wireless communication apparatus and communication system according to the present embodiment, the receiving unit 102a outputs a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave device 103. Further, when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the transmission unit 102b transmits connection setting information of the communication device 101 to which the wireless slave unit 103 is wirelessly connected. In the present embodiment, when the connection setting information of the communication device 101 is shared with the wireless slave device 103, the reception level corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave device 103 is determined. Thereby, the range (distance in which communication is possible) where radio waves can reach is narrowed, and security is improved. Unlike Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard, and an increase in device cost can be suppressed.

  Referring to FIG. 1B, the wireless communication apparatus according to another embodiment corresponding to the highest concept is a wireless communication apparatus wirelessly connected to a communication device 101 connected to a communication network. FIG. 1B shows a wireless slave device 103 as an example of a wireless communication device wirelessly connected to the communication device 101 connected to the communication network. The wireless slave device 103 includes first receiving means 103 a that outputs a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the communication device 101. Further, the wireless slave device 103 includes transmission means 103b for transmitting a connection request signal to the communication device 101 when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Further, the wireless slave device 103 includes second receiving means 103c for receiving connection setting information sent from the communication device 101 in response to the connection request signal.

  Referring to FIG. 1B, the communication system according to another embodiment corresponding to the highest concept includes a communication device 101 connected to the communication network and a wireless slave device 103 connected wirelessly to the communication device 101.

  In the wireless communication apparatus and the communication system according to the present embodiment, the first receiving unit 103a outputs a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the communication device 101. Further, the transmission means 103b transmits a connection request signal to the communication device 101 when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Further, the second receiving means 103c receives the connection setting information sent from the communication device 101 in response to the connection request signal. In this embodiment, the reception level corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the communication device 101 is determined. Thereby, the range (distance in which communication is possible) where radio waves can reach is narrowed, and security is improved. Unlike Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard, and an increase in device cost can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, more specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A method for giving information from a wireless slave device that already has connection setting information (SSID, encryption key, etc.) of the wireless access point master device to a wireless slave device that does not own the information is described below in the first embodiment. The embodiment and the second embodiment will be described more specifically. As an example of a method for providing information, a description will be given of communication by communication between wireless slave units using a data frame in which a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard is expanded.

[First Embodiment]
A wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2A is a system diagram showing a wireless communication apparatus and a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a system diagram showing an outline of operations of the wireless communication apparatus and the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a table showing the correspondence between the distance between the slave units and the reception level. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a beacon frame configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is a wireless slave device 202 having a wireless connection function, and an example of an inter-device distance with a wireless slave device 203 as an example of another wireless slave device. Table information in which the distance between slave units 204 and the reception level are compared. Here, the wireless slave device 202 is in a state where the wireless connection to the wireless access point master device 201 as an example of the parent device has been established. In this state, when the wireless slave device 203 desires a wireless connection to the wireless access point master device 201, the wireless slave device 202 establishes a wireless connection with the wireless slave device 203 and then establishes a wireless connection with the wireless slave device 203. Estimate the distance. At the time of the estimation, when it is determined that the distance 204 between the slave units 203 is sufficiently small with reference to the table information, the connection setting information with the radio access point master unit 201 is sent to the radio slave unit 202. Notice.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless slave device 202 as an example of a first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to a wireless access point master device 201 as an example of a master device. Furthermore, the communication system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless slave device 203 as an example of a second wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to a wireless access point master device 201 as an example of a parent device. The wireless slave device 202 has table information in which the slave device distance 204 is compared with the reception level. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, after establishing a wireless connection between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203, the wireless slave device 202 determines the distance between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203. presume. When the wireless slave device 202 refers to the table information and determines that the distance between slave devices 204 is sufficiently small, the wireless slave device 202 notifies the wireless slave device 203 of connection setting information with the wireless access point master device 201.

  In the communication method according to the present embodiment, a first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to a parent device establishes a wireless connection with a second wireless slave device that desires wireless connection to the parent device. FIG. 2B shows a wireless access point master 201 as an example of the master. In FIG. 2B, a wireless slave unit 202 is shown as an example of the first wireless slave unit. In FIG. 2B, a wireless slave device 203 is shown as an example of a second wireless slave device. Thereafter, in the communication method according to the present embodiment, the wireless slave device 202 estimates the distance to the wireless slave device 203 with reference to table information in which the distance 204 between the slave devices is compared with the reception level. When the wireless slave device 202 determines that the distance 204 between the slave devices is sufficiently small, the wireless slave device 203 is notified of connection setting information with the wireless access point master device 201.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, a wireless access point base unit 201 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, and the wireless handset 202 and the wireless handset 203 are base units for establishing a wireless connection. The wireless slave device 202 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, holds connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201, and can establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201. The wireless slave device 203 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, does not hold connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201, and cannot establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201.

  The distance between slave units 204 is a spatial distance between the wireless slave unit 202 and the wireless slave unit 203. Referring to FIG. 3, the distance between slave units 204 with respect to the reception level is shown. The wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 have a table of estimated distances with respect to reception levels as shown in FIG. According to this table, the distance between slave units 204 can be estimated from the reception level of signals communicated between the wireless slave unit 202 and the wireless slave unit 203. Further, the spatial distance between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 can be estimated according to this table. In FIG. 3, as an example, the threshold is set under the condition that the distance between the slave units is 1 cm and the reception level is 10 dBm. This means that when the wireless slave device 202 detects a reception level higher than the set threshold value, the operation of this embodiment is executed.

  When the reception level of a signal communicated between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 is 10 dBm, it is estimated that the distance 204 between the slave devices is sufficiently small and effective for the communication between the slave devices of this embodiment. When the reception level of a signal communicated between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 is 0 dBm, −10 dBm, or −20 dBm, the distance between the slave devices 204 is large and is invalid for the communication between the slave devices of the present embodiment. It is estimated that. Note that the values in FIG. 3 are examples, and the values are not limited to these values.

  Referring to FIG. 2B, the wireless access point master device 201 is a master device for establishing communication between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 for communication. The wireless slave device 202 holds information such as an identifier (SSID: Service Set IDentifier) of the wireless access point master device 201 and an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted data in advance. Hereinafter, information such as an identifier and an encryption key is collectively referred to as connection setting information. The wireless slave device 202 is in a state where it can establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201. The wireless slave device 203 does not hold the connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201 and cannot establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201. In FIG. 2B, the beacon arrival area of the wireless access point base unit 201 is indicated by a dotted line.

  In this embodiment of the present invention, the wireless slave device 203 communicates with the wireless slave device 202 to share connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201 held by the wireless slave device 202. By this sharing, the wireless slave device 203 that has obtained the connection setting information can establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, a frame configuration of a wireless LAN beacon frame is shown. A wireless LAN beacon frame includes a physical header and a MAC (Media Access Control) frame. The physical header of this beacon frame includes a PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Protocol) preamble 401 and a PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Protocol) header 402. The MAC frame of this beacon frame includes an IEEE 802.11 header 403, Data 404, and FCS (Frame Check Sequence) 405.

  In this embodiment, a data unit 406 for requesting a change in transmission output is provided as extension data 1 in Data in the MAC frame. The wireless slave device that has received the beacon frame including this data performs a transmission output changing operation.

  Although the configuration of the present embodiment has been described in detail above, the wireless access point master device 201, the wireless slave device 202, and the wireless slave device 203 are devices having a wireless LAN function and are well known to those skilled in the art. Further, since it is not directly related to the present invention, its detailed configuration and description are omitted.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 shift to an ad hoc mode that is communication between the slave devices (step S1). The method for shifting to the ad hoc mode is arbitrary. It is also possible to set the ad hoc mode by inputting parameters to each wireless handset by hand. Also, a method of preparing a dedicated application for shifting to the ad hoc mode for the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 and executing the application on the wireless slave device is conceivable. After the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 establish a wireless connection in the ad hoc mode (step S2), the wireless slave device 202 receives a signal such as a beacon frame or a data packet transmitted from the wireless slave device 203. By acquiring the reception level, the distance 204 between the slave units is estimated (step S3). As an example, in this embodiment, the wireless slave unit 202 has table information in which the distance between slave units and the reception level as shown in FIG. 3 are compared in advance, and the distance 204 between slave units can be estimated using this information. Is possible. A threshold is set in advance for the reception level.

  Next, the wireless slave device 202 determines whether or not the acquired reception level exceeds a set threshold value (step S4). When the set threshold value is not exceeded (NO in step S4), the wireless slave device 202 does not proceed to the next operation, but again estimates the distance between slave devices 204 (step S3). If the set threshold is not exceeded, the connection information is not shared between the slave units. If the acquired reception level exceeds the set threshold value (YES in step S4), it is determined that the distance between slave units 204 is sufficiently small, and the process proceeds to the next operation. Next, the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 is changed. As a known operation, in wireless LAN data communication, rate adaptation is performed during communication, and an optimal transmission rate is dynamically selected according to the environment. In this embodiment, when acquiring a packet error, it is desirable to fix the transmission rate so that the transmission rate does not fluctuate dynamically. In this embodiment, as an example, the subsequent data communication is fixed to 1 Mbps, which is the lowest rate of the wireless LAN standard.

  As a change in the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202, for example, the processing of step S5 to step S7 is performed. Data communication is performed with the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 as the transmission output during normal communication at a transmission rate of 1 Mbps (step S5). First, the wireless slave device 202 performs data communication with the wireless slave device 203 and acquires an Ack signal from the wireless slave device 203 for the transmitted data packet. If the Ack signal can be acquired, the wireless slave device 202 determines that no packet error has occurred (NO in step S6), decreases its transmission output by 1 dB (step S7), and starts data communication again (step S5). . If it is determined that an Ack signal cannot be acquired and a packet error has occurred (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to the next operation. Thus, the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 is reduced to a value at which an error starts to occur in the data communication packets of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203. Next, the wireless slave device 202 requests the wireless slave device 203 to reduce the transmission output (step S8).

  As an example of a method for requesting a reduction in transmission output, the following can be considered. As shown in FIG. 4, a data unit 406 for requesting a change in transmission output as extension data 1 is provided in the beacon frame transmitted from the wireless slave unit 202, and transmitted to the wireless slave unit 203 to receive the data. The machine 203 executes transmission output change.

  Further, the transmission output of the wireless slave unit 203 is reduced to a transmission output at which an error starts to occur in the data communication packet between the wireless slave unit 202 and the wireless slave unit 203. The wireless slave device 203 performs data communication with the wireless slave device 202 (step S9), and acquires an Ack signal from the wireless slave device 202 for the transmitted data packet. If the Ack signal can be acquired, the wireless slave device 203 determines that no packet error has occurred (NO in step S11), decreases its transmission output by 1 dB (step S10), and starts data communication again (step S9). . If it is determined that Ack is not detected and a packet error has occurred (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to the next operation. Thus, the transmission output of the wireless slave device 203 is reduced to a value at which an error starts to occur in the data communication packets of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203. Here, the value at which an error starts to occur is called the lower limit value of the transmission output of the wireless slave device 203.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the lower limit value of the transmission output is the lower limit transmission output at which an error starts to occur in the data communication packets of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203. Specifically, the lower limit value of the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 may be the same value or may not be the same value. When the transmission outputs of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 are reduced to the lower limit in this way, the wireless slave device 202 notifies the wireless slave device 203 of connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201 (step). S12). The wireless slave device 203 can establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 201 using the notified connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201.

  If YES is obtained in step S6 or step S11, the transmission outputs of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 are reduced to a value at which an error starts to occur in the data communication packet. In this state, a very small amount of packet error can occur. However, in the connection setting information notification (step S12), even if a packet error occurs, there is a very small amount. Therefore, the wireless slave device 202 notifies the wireless slave device 203 by retransmitting the connection setting information. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, inter-slave unit communication in the ad hoc mode is used, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the wireless slave device 202 or the wireless slave device 203 is configured to have a function of operating as a wireless slave device mode or a wireless access point mode. If the wireless device can operate exclusively, one of the wireless slave devices 202 and 203 is set as the wireless access point mode, and communication between the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 is performed. The same effect can be obtained by operating in the infrastructure mode.

  In FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, as an example, a data unit 406 for requesting a change in transmission output is provided as the extension data 1 in the Data 404 in the MAC frame of the beacon frame. However, the location is not particularly specified. Further, the data stored in the extended data 1 may be encrypted. Also, for data frames other than beacon frames such as probe requests and probe responses, providing extended data 1 can be replaced with beacon frames, and similar effects can be obtained. In the present embodiment, as an example, when performing an operation of reducing the transmission output, the packet error is monitored, and the lower limit value is determined by dynamically changing the transmission output. The same effect can be obtained even when set to.

  In this embodiment, as an example, packet error acquisition and subsequent data communication are fixed to 1 Mbps, which is the minimum transmission rate of the wireless LAN standard, but this is not particularly specified. If the transmission rate to be fixed is the transmission rate of the wireless LAN standard, the operation of this embodiment is possible. In the present embodiment, as an example, when performing an operation of reducing the transmission output, the transmission output is changed with a resolution of 1 dB and a packet error is acquired, but the resolution of the transmission output is not specified. In this embodiment, the operation is described using two wireless slave units as an example. However, the number of wireless slave units is not limited, and the same operation is possible if there are two or more wireless slave units. .

  In this embodiment, when the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 and the wireless slave device 203 is reduced to the lower limit value, the wireless slave device 202 notifies the wireless slave device 203 of connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201. As described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, after YES in step S11, the wireless slave device 202 returns the transmission output of the wireless slave device 202 until it exceeds the lower limit value, and then the wireless slave device 202 sends the connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 201 to the wireless slave device 203. It is also conceivable to notify this.

  In 1st Embodiment of this invention, there exists an effect as described below.

  The first effect is that, when sharing the connection setting information of the wireless access point master unit between the wireless slave units, the table information that compares the distance between the slave units and the reception level is referred to. The range (distance where communication is possible) becomes narrow and security is improved. When it is determined that the distance between the slave units is sufficiently small with reference to the table information, the wireless slave unit is notified of the connection setting information with the wireless access point master unit. In addition to this, by reducing the transmission output of each wireless slave unit, the range in which radio waves can reach (distance that can be communicated) is narrowed, so that security can be improved. In the present embodiment, a threshold is set for the distance between the slave units and the radio wave intensity between the slave units, and is used as a trigger for passing data. In addition, since an operation for changing the radio wave intensity is provided, the reach of the radio wave at the time of data transfer is narrow, and security can be improved with respect to establishment of a new wireless connection without causing an increase in apparatus cost.

  The second effect is that the connection setting information of the wireless access point master unit is shared between the wireless slave units, so that the connection setting information is not transmitted to the wireless slave unit having no connection setting information without passing through the wireless access point base unit. It is possible to set.

  The third effect is that the present embodiment can be executed only by data communication in which the wireless LAN standard is expanded, so that it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard, and an increase in apparatus cost can be suppressed. It is to become. By notifying the connection setting information through the steps of the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is possible to improve security for establishing a new wireless connection without having to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a radio communication device, a communication system, and a communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing a wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a data frame configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the same configuration and operation as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, information on the wireless slave device that provides connection setting information is shared between the wireless access point master device and the wireless slave device that has established a wireless connection. Furthermore, in this embodiment, security is enhanced by restricting the wireless slave devices that can provide connection setting information of the wireless access point master device. The wireless slave unit requests the wireless access point master unit to obtain permission for wireless connection information so that connection setting information of the wireless access point master unit can be given only to the permitted wireless slave unit. Become.

  Referring to FIG. 6, a wireless access point base unit 601 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, and is a base unit for establishing a wireless connection between the wireless handset 602 and the wireless handset 603. The wireless slave device 602 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, holds connection setting information of the wireless access point parent device 601, and is in a state where wireless connection with the wireless access point parent device 601 is established. The wireless slave device 603 has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, does not hold connection setting information of the wireless access point parent device 601, and cannot establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point parent device 601. The probe request 604 is a probe request including simple connection request data. The simple connection request data is data specific to the second embodiment, and the wireless slave device 603 executes the above embodiment to the wireless access point master device 601. Data to request. The unique information 605 is unique information of the wireless slave device 603 including a MAC address and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a data frame configuration of a probe request and a beacon frame of a wireless LAN. The probe request and the beacon frame have the same data frame structure, and show an example as a general data frame of IEEE802.11. The probe request and the beacon frame are composed of a physical header and a MAC frame. This physical header includes a PLCP preamble 801 and a PLCP header 802. This MAC frame includes an IEEE 802.11 header 803, Data 804, and FCS 805.

  In the present embodiment, a data part 806 that requests a change in transmission output as extension data 1 is provided in Data 804 in the MAC frame, a simple connection request data part 807 is provided as extension data 2, and a unique information part 808 is provided as extension data 3.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the wireless access point parent device 601 and the wireless child device 602 are in a state where a wireless connection is established (sequence 701 in FIG. 7). As an example, the wireless slave device 603 sends a probe request 604 including simple connection request data to the wireless access point master device 601 (sequence 702 in FIG. 7). The simple connection request data is data for notifying the wireless access point parent device 601 that the wireless slave device 602 implements the above embodiment, and is data specific to the second embodiment. As an example, the simple connection request data is incorporated in the data 804 in the probe request as a simple connection request data portion 807 of the extension data 2 as shown in FIG. The wireless access point base unit 601 that has received the probe request 604 included in the simple connection request data transmitted by the wireless handset 603 acquires unique information 605 such as the MAC address of the wireless handset 603 (sequence 703 in FIG. 7). The wireless access point parent device 601 stores unique information 605 such as the MAC address of the wireless slave device 603 in the unique information portion 808 (extended data 3) of the Data 804 of the beacon frame, and the wireless slave device 602 with which wireless connection is established. (Sequence 704 in FIG. 7). The beacon frame is preferably transmitted as a unicast frame for the wireless slave device 602. Next, the wireless slave device 602 that has received the notified unique information 605 starts connection with the wireless slave device 603 in the ad hoc mode (sequence 706 in FIG. 7). The wireless slave device 602 acquires unique information such as the MAC address of the wireless slave device 603 in the connection sequence and compares it with the unique information 605 obtained from the wireless access point master device 601 (sequence 705 in FIG. 7). As a result, the wireless slave device 602 can execute the operation of the first embodiment on the wireless slave device 603 only when the unique information matches. The operation of the first embodiment refers to processing from the transition to the ad-hoc mode (step S1), which is communication between slave units in the flowchart of FIG. 5, to the determination of occurrence of a packet error (step S11). At this time, the wireless slave device 602 may be further restricted from not performing the operation of the first embodiment unless the wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 601 is established.

  When the transmission outputs of the wireless slave devices 602 and 603 are reduced to the lower limit value, the wireless slave device 602 communicates with the wireless slave device 603 with respect to the wireless access point parent similarly to step S12 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. The connection setting information of the machine 601 is notified. Then, the wireless slave device 603 that has obtained the connection setting information can establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 601 (sequence 707 in FIG. 7).

  In 2nd Embodiment of this invention, there exists an effect as described below.

  According to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when sharing the connection setting information of the wireless access point master unit between the wireless slave units, the radio output is reduced by reducing the transmission output of each wireless slave unit. The reachable range (distance where communication is possible) is narrowed, and security is improved. Also in this embodiment, a threshold is set for the distance between the slave units and the radio wave intensity between the slave units, and is used as a trigger for passing data. In addition, since an operation for changing the radio wave intensity is provided, the reach of the radio wave at the time of data transfer is narrow, and security can be improved with respect to establishment of a new wireless connection without causing an increase in apparatus cost.

  Furthermore, according to the embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, since it can be executed only by data communication with the extended wireless LAN standard, it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard, and the apparatus cost increases. Can be suppressed. By notifying the connection setting information through each sequence of FIG. 7, it is possible to improve the security for establishing a new wireless connection without having to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the wireless access point master 601 notifies the wireless slave device 602 of the unique information 605 of the wireless slave device 603, and the wireless slave device 602 notifies the wireless slave device that matches the acquired unique information. Only the wireless connection information of the wireless access point base unit 601 is notified. Thus, the wireless slave device 602 can notify the wireless connection information of the wireless access point master device 601 only to the wireless slave device that matches the acquired unique information. By limiting the wireless slave devices that can obtain wireless connection information, an effect of increasing security can be obtained. In addition, if the wireless slave device 602 is not in a state where the wireless connection with the wireless access point master device 601 is established, the notification side is also restricted by restricting the operation of the first embodiment. As a result, the effect of increasing security can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the extended data 1 to 3 are provided in the Data 804 in the MAC frame of the probe request and beacon frame of FIG. 8 is described. The arrangement is not limited to eight. A data portion 806 for requesting a change in transmission output as extension data 1 in Data 804 in the MAC frame of the probe request and beacon frame, a simple connection request data portion 807 as extension data 2, and a unique information portion 808 as extension data 3 Not limited to. The data stored in the extension data 1, the extension data 2, and the extension data 3 may be encrypted. The data frame used in the second embodiment is not limited to the probe request and beacon frame. Similar effects can be obtained by providing an extension frame for other data frames and replacing the probe request and beacon frame of the second embodiment. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the simple connection request data and the unique information 605 are stored in the Data 804 without performing the extension frame 1, the extension frame 2, and the extension frame 3, and communication is executed as normal data. In this embodiment, the operation is described using two wireless slave units. However, the number of wireless slave units is not limited, and one or more wireless access point master units and two or more wireless slave units exist. The same operation is possible.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method according to the third embodiment of the present invention are described. FIG. 9 is a system diagram showing a wireless communication device, a communication system, and a communication method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a data frame configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the same configurations and operations as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

  The present embodiment relates to connection establishment in the case where no wireless connection has been established with the wireless access point base unit in the past and connection setting information is not held. Hereinafter, a method by which the wireless slave device in such a state can easily obtain the connection setting information of the wireless access point master device will be described. Hereinafter, a method in which a wireless slave device that does not have connection setting information can easily obtain connection setting information of the wireless access point master device is referred to as a simple connection operation. When it is recognized that the spatial distance between the wireless slave device and the wireless access point master device has become sufficiently small, the wireless access point master device performs an operation of providing connection setting information to the slave device. A connection method realized by short-range wireless communication such as NFC is implemented only by the wireless LAN standard.

  The wireless communication apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus connected to a communication network. The wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment has table information in which a distance between devices with a communication device connected to a communication network is compared with a reception level. When a wireless connection to the communication network is desired, the inter-device distance with the communication device is estimated, and when it is determined that the inter-device distance with the communication device is sufficiently small with reference to the table information, Connection setting information with a communication device is received from the communication device.

  Referring to FIG. 9, a wireless access point base unit 901 is a communication device connected to a communication network, has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, and a wireless handset 902 establishes communication and wirelessly connects. is there. A beacon frame including data indicating that a simple connection operation is possible is a beacon frame transmitted as a broadcast frame from the wireless access point base unit 901, and is a beacon frame unique to the third embodiment. In FIG. 9, a beacon arrival area including data indicating that a simple connection operation is possible is indicated by a dotted line. The wireless slave device 902 is a wireless communication device connected to a communication network, has a wireless communication function of the wireless LAN standard, and does not hold connection setting information of the wireless access point master device 901.

  Referring to the data frame configuration of FIG. 11, the data frame configuration of a wireless LAN probe request, probe response, and beacon frame is shown. The probe request, the probe response, and the beacon frame have the same data frame configuration and show an example as a general data frame of IEEE802.11. The probe request and beacon frame are composed of a physical header and a MAC frame. This physical header includes a PLCP preamble B01 and a PLCP header B02. The MAC frame includes an IEEE 802.11 header B03, Data B04, and FCS B05.

  In the present embodiment, the following setting is performed on Data B04 in the MAC frame. That is, a data portion B06 that requests a change in transmission output as the extended data 1 and a simple connection request data portion B07 as the extended data 2 are provided. Furthermore, a unique information part B08 is provided as extension data 3, a data part B09 indicating that a simple connection operation is possible as extension data 4, and a connection setting information part B10 as extension data 5.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The wireless access point master device 901 notifies the wireless slave device 902 of a beacon frame including data indicating that a simple connection operation is possible (step S21). Hereinafter, a beacon frame including data indicating that a simple connection operation is possible is referred to as a simple connection beacon. Data indicating that the simple connection operation is possible is stored in the data portion B09 indicating that the simple connection operation of the extension data 4 shown in FIG. 11 is possible. The wireless slave device 902 receives the simple connection beacon and acquires the reception level (step S22). The wireless slave device 902 estimates the spatial distance from the wireless access point master device 901 from the acquired reception level (step S23). The distance estimation is the same as in the above embodiment, and the wireless slave device 902 has a table of estimated distances for reception levels as shown in FIG. 3, and a threshold is set for the reception levels.

  Next, it is determined whether the reception level of the simple connection beacon acquired by the wireless slave device 902 exceeds a threshold (step S24). When the reception level exceeds the set threshold value (YES in step S24), the wireless slave device 902 sends a probe request 903 including data requesting to change the transmission output to the wireless access point master device 901 (step S24). S25).

  Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the wireless slave device 902 performs data communication at a transmission rate of 1 Mbps (step S26). The wireless slave device 902 performs data communication with the wireless access point master device 901 and acquires an Ack signal from the wireless access point master device 901 for the transmitted data packet. If the Ack signal can be acquired, the wireless slave device 902 determines that no packet error has occurred (NO in step S27), decreases its transmission output by 1 dB (step S28), and starts data communication again (step S26). . If it is determined that an Ack signal cannot be acquired and a packet error has occurred (YES in step S27), the process proceeds to the next operation. The algorithm for changing the transmission output is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As a response to the probe request, the wireless access point base unit 901 sends a probe response 904 including a data part B06 for requesting a change in transmission output to the wireless slave unit 902 (step S29). The data for requesting the change of the transmission output is stored in the data part B06 for requesting the change of the transmission output of the extension data 1 shown in FIG.

  Further, the wireless access point base unit 901 performs data communication at a transmission rate of 1 Mbps (step S30). The wireless access point parent device 901 performs data communication with the wireless child device 902 and acquires an Ack signal from the wireless child device 902. If the Ack signal can be acquired, the wireless access point base unit 901 determines that no packet error has occurred (NO in step S32), decreases its transmission output by 1 dB (step S31), and starts data communication again (step S31). S30). If it is determined that an Ack signal cannot be acquired and a packet error has occurred (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to the next operation.

  At this time, the wireless connection between the wireless access point master 901 and the wireless slave 902 is not established. For this reason, data communication for detecting a packet error is performed using a probe request and a probe response (steps S26 and S30).

  When the transmission outputs of the wireless access point master device 901 and the wireless slave device 902 are reduced to the lower limit value, the wireless access point master device 901 includes connection setting information in the probe response and notifies the wireless slave device 902 (step S33). . The lower limit value of the transmission output of the wireless access point parent device 901 and the wireless slave device 902 may be specifically the same value or not the same value. The connection setting information is stored in the connection setting information part B10 of the extension data 5 shown in FIG. The wireless slave device 902 can acquire the notified connection setting information of the wireless access point parent device 901 and establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point parent device 901.

  In 3rd Embodiment of this invention, there exists an effect as described below.

  When the wireless slave device 902 desires a wireless connection to the wireless access point master device 901, a table that compares the distance between devices with the wireless access point master device 901 and the reception level is referred to. Thereby, the range (distance in which communication is possible) where radio waves can reach is narrowed, and security is improved. Unlike Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to mount a wireless communication device other than the wireless LAN standard, and an increase in device cost can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when establishing a wireless connection between the wireless access point parent device 901 and the wireless child device 902, the wireless child device 902 receives the simple connection beacon from the wireless access point parent device 901, and It is determined whether the reception level exceeds a threshold value. When the reception level exceeds the set threshold value, the wireless slave device 902 sends a probe request 903 including data requesting to change the transmission output to the wireless access point master device 901. Further, according to the present embodiment, by reducing the transmission output of the wireless access point master device 901 and the wireless slave device 902, the range in which radio waves can reach (distance that can be communicated) is narrowed. This improves security when establishing a wireless connection between the wireless access point master 901 and the wireless slave 902.

  According to the present embodiment, the wireless connection with the wireless access point parent device 901 has never been established in the past, and the wireless connection device 902 having no connection setting information can establish the wireless connection.

  As an example in FIG. 11, extension data is provided in DataB04 in the MAC frame of the probe request and beacon frame, but the location is not particularly specified. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the data B04 in the MAC frame of the beacon frame is not limited to the data part B06 that requests the change of the transmission output as the extension data 1 and the simple connection request data part B07 as the extension data 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the data B04 in the MAC frame of the beacon frame is not limited to providing the data part B09 indicating that the unique information part B08 as the extension data 3 and the simple connection operation as the extension data 4 are possible. . Moreover, it is not restricted to what provides the connection setting information part B10 as the extended data 5 in DataB04 in the MAC frame of a beacon frame like FIG.

  Further, the data stored in the extension data 1, the extension data 2, the extension data 3, the extension data 4, and the extension data 5 may be encrypted. The data frame used in the third embodiment is not limited to the probe request, probe response, and beacon frame. That is, the same effect can be obtained by providing an extension frame for other data frames and replacing the probe request, probe response, and beacon frame of the third embodiment. Further, the same effect can be obtained by performing communication as normal data without providing the expansion frame 1, the expansion frame 2, the expansion frame 3, the expansion frame 4, and the expansion frame 5.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.
(Appendix 1) First receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from a communication device;
A transmission means for transmitting a connection request signal to the communication device when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;
Second receiving means for receiving connection setting information sent from the communication device in response to the connection request signal;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 2) Sending a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the connection setting information transmitted from the communication device is received when the transmission output is decreased in response to a transmission output decrease request from the communication device.
(Supplementary Note 3) Receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit;
When the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, transmission means for transmitting connection setting information of a communication device that is wirelessly connected to the wireless slave unit;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:
(Additional remark 4) The table distance which contrasted the distance between apparatuses with the said radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit and the reception level of the predetermined signal received from the said radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit is referred, and the distance between apparatuses with the said radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit is small After determining that the wireless slave unit is requested to reduce the transmission output, when the decrease in the transmission output of the wireless slave unit can be confirmed, the connection setting information of the communication device that is wirelessly connected to itself The wireless communication device according to attachment 3, wherein the wireless communication device transmits the wireless slave device.
(Supplementary Note 5) In response to a probe request including a simple connection request sent from the wireless slave device to the communication device, unique information of the wireless slave device is received from the communication device that has received the probe request. ,
After establishing a wireless connection with the wireless slave device, the unique information of the wireless slave device received from the communication device is compared with the unique information from the wireless slave device to determine whether wireless connection is possible or not. The wireless communication device according to appendix 3 or appendix 4.
(Appendix 6) In response to a probe request including a simple connection request sent from the wireless slave unit to the communication device, when a transmission output is reduced in response to a request to reduce the transmission output from the communication device, The wireless communication device according to Supplementary Note 3 or Supplementary Note 4, which receives connection setting information from the communication device.
(Appendix 7) The wireless communication device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2,
The communication device;
A communication system comprising:
(Supplementary Note 8) The wireless communication device sends a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
The communication system according to appendix 7, wherein the wireless communication device receives the connection setting information from the communication device when the wireless communication device decreases the transmission output in response to a transmission output reduction request from the communication device.
(Supplementary note 9) The wireless communication device described in any one of supplementary notes 3 to 6,
The communication device;
The wireless slave unit;
A communication system comprising:
(Supplementary Note 10) After the reception level signal corresponding to the power of the predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value,
Requests the wireless slave unit to reduce the transmission output, and when it is confirmed that the transmission output of the wireless slave unit is reduced, transmits connection setting information of the communication device to which the wireless slave unit is wirelessly connected to the wireless slave unit The communication system according to appendix 9.
(Supplementary Note 11) The wireless slave device sends a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
The communication device that has received the probe request notifies the wireless communication device that has already established a wireless connection to the communication device of the unique information of the wireless slave device,
The wireless communication device establishes a wireless connection between the wireless communication device and the wireless slave device, and then compares the unique information notified from the communication device with the unique information from the wireless slave device. The communication system according to appendix 9 or appendix 10, which determines whether wireless connection is possible.
(Supplementary Note 12) The wireless slave device sends a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
After determining that the reception level signal corresponding to the power of the predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit has exceeded a predetermined threshold, the communication device requests the wireless slave unit to reduce transmission output, and The communication system according to Supplementary Note 9 or Supplementary Note 10, wherein connection setting information is transmitted to the wireless slave device when a decrease in transmission output of the wireless slave device is confirmed.
(Additional remark 13) With reference to the table information which contrasted the distance between apparatuses with the communication apparatus connected to a communication network, and the reception level, the distance between the said communication apparatuses is estimated,
A communication method that establishes a wireless connection with the communication device by receiving connection setting information with the communication device from the communication device when it is determined that the device-to-device distance is sufficiently small.
(Appendix 14) Sending a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
14. The communication method according to appendix 13, wherein the connection setting information is received from the communication device when the transmission output is decreased in response to a transmission output reduction request from the communication device.
(Supplementary Note 15) After the first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device connected to the communication network establishes a wireless connection with the second wireless slave device that has not yet established a wireless connection to the communication device ,
With reference to the table information that compares the distance between the slave units and the reception level, the distance between the second slave unit is estimated,
A communication method of notifying the second wireless slave unit of connection setting information with the communication device when it is determined that the distance between the slave units is sufficiently small.
(Supplementary note 16) The second wireless slave unit establishes a wireless connection with the communication device by using connection setting information with the communication device notified from the first wireless slave unit. The communication method described in 1.
(Supplementary Note 17) After the first wireless slave device determines that the distance between the slave devices is sufficiently small, the first wireless slave device requests the second wireless slave device to reduce transmission output, and the second wireless slave device The communication method according to supplementary note 15 or supplementary note 16, wherein when a decrease in transmission output of the mobile device is confirmed, connection setting information with the communication device is notified to the second wireless slave device.
(Supplementary Note 18) The second wireless slave device sends a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
The communication device that has received the probe request notifies the unique information of the second wireless slave device to the first wireless slave device that has already established a wireless connection to the communication device,
The first wireless slave device establishes a wireless connection between the first wireless slave device and the second wireless slave device, and then the unique information notified from the communication device and the second wireless slave device. The communication method according to any one of Supplementary Note 15 to Supplementary Note 17, wherein the unique information from the wireless slave device is compared to determine whether wireless connection is possible.
(Supplementary note 19) The second wireless slave unit sends a probe request including a simple connection request to the communication device,
After determining that the distance from the second wireless slave unit is sufficiently small, the communication device requests the second wireless slave unit to reduce transmission output, and transmits the second wireless slave unit. The communication method according to any one of Supplementary Note 15 to Supplementary Note 17, wherein when a decrease in output is confirmed, connection setting information is notified to the second wireless slave device.

101 Communication Device 102, 103, 202, 203, 602, 603, 902 Wireless Slave Unit 102a Receiving Means 102b Transmitting Means 103a First Receiving Means 103b Transmitting Means 103c Second Receiving Means 201, 601, 901 Wireless Access Point Base Unit 204 Distance between slave units 604, 903 Probe request 605 Specific information 904 Probe response

Claims (9)

First receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the communication device;
A transmission means for transmitting a connection request signal to the communication device when the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;
Second receiving means for receiving connection setting information sent from the communication device in response to the connection request signal;
Equipped with a,
Sending a probe request including a simple connection request as the connection request signal to the communication device,
A wireless communication apparatus , wherein when the transmission output is reduced in response to a transmission output reduction request from the communication device, the connection setting information transmitted from the communication device is received . Receiving means for outputting a reception level signal corresponding to the power of a predetermined signal received from the wireless slave unit;
When the reception level signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, transmission means for transmitting connection setting information of a communication device that is wirelessly connected to the wireless slave unit;
With
When requesting a decrease in the transmission output of the wireless slave unit and confirming a decrease in the transmission output of the wireless slave unit, the connection setting information of the communication device to which it is wirelessly connected is transmitted to the wireless slave unit A wireless communication device. After referring to the table information that compares the inter-device distance with the wireless slave device and the reception level of the predetermined signal received from the wireless slave device, and after determining that the inter-device distance with the wireless slave device is sufficiently small The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the wireless slave device is requested to reduce the transmission output . In response to the probe request including the simple connection request sent from the wireless slave device to the communication device, the communication device that has received the probe request receives the unique information of the wireless slave device,
After establishing a wireless connection with the wireless slave device, the unique information of the wireless slave device received from the communication device is compared with the unique information from the wireless slave device to determine whether wireless connection is possible or not. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: In response to a probe request including a simple connection request sent from the wireless slave to the communication device, when the transmission output is reduced in response to a request to reduce the transmission output from the communication device, the connection setting information is receiving from said communications device, a wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3. A wireless communication device according to claim 1;
The communication device;
A communication system comprising: A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 ,
The communication device;
The wireless slave unit;
A communication system comprising: With reference to the table information that compares the inter-device distance with the communication device connected to the communication network and the reception level, the distance to the communication device is estimated,
When it is determined that the distance between the devices with the communication device is sufficiently small, a probe request including a simple connection request as the connection request signal is sent to the communication device,
A communication method of receiving connection setting information with the communication device from the communication device and establishing a wireless connection with the communication device when the transmission output is reduced in response to a request to reduce the transmission output from the communication device . After the first wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the communication device that is connected to the communication network establishes a wireless connection with the second wireless slave device that is not yet wirelessly connected to the communication device,
With reference to the table information that compares the distance between the slave units and the reception level, the distance between the second slave unit is estimated,
When it is determined that the distance between the slave units is sufficiently small, the second wireless slave unit is requested to decrease the transmission output, and when the decrease in the transmission output of the second wireless slave unit is confirmed, A communication method of notifying the second wireless slave device of connection setting information with the communication device that is wirelessly connected thereto .

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