Information transmission method and related device

Abstract

An information transmission method and a related device, in the method, a first AP determines k second APs from m APs, the m APs include the first AP, an RSSI corresponding to each second AP in the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected with an STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is an RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is an RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from the STA. The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, the n fourth APs are all APs which are not the first AP and not the k second APs in the m APs, and the first information is used for indicating the fourth APs to hide the SSID in the beacon frame of the broadcast. According to the mode, the success rate of switching the STA from the third AP to the second AP with a stronger network signal is improved, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an information transmission method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] In a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) network environment, a station (STA) can connect to an access point (AP) to achieve networking. In a whole-house smart scenario, a STA, as a smart home device, can select an AP based on its own connection algorithm and initiate a Wi-Fi network connection to the selected AP to access the AP. However, in order to save costs, the Wi-Fi chips (modules) used in smart home devices are usually relatively simple, which limits the STA's active network optimization capability and may connect to an AP with a weak Wi-Fi network signal, affecting the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method and related devices, which can improve the success rate of STA switching to an AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal and improve user experience.

[0004] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided, which can be applied to a first AP, a chip in the first AP, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first AP. The following description is taken as an example of the first AP. The method includes: the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) corresponding to each second AP in the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the second AP receiving the signal from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the third AP receiving the signal from the STA. The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, the n fourth APs are all APs in the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, n is a positive integer less than m, and the first information is used to indicate that the n fourth APs hide the network service set identifier (SSID) in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0005] It can be seen that for a STA, the Wi-Fi network signal of the second AP is stronger than the Wi-Fi network signal of the third AP currently connected to the STA. The first AP notifies all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which is conducive to making all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, while the k second APs do not hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; in this way, the STA can scan the SSID corresponding to the second AP to find the second AP during the SSID scanning process after disconnecting from the third AP, while all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs are invisible, which is conducive to improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP, that is, improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, and improving the user experience.

[0006] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to a second AP among the k second APs, and the first AP sends second information to n fourth APs, the second information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. In this manner, the first AP promptly notifies the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame after the STA is successfully connected to a second AP, which is conducive to enabling the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP in a timely manner after the STA is successfully connected to a second AP, and reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0007] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first AP sends third information to n fourth APs, the third information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, and the first timer is used to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame. This method is conducive to the fourth AP to release the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame when the first timer times out, regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, so that the remaining STAs can scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP, and reduce the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which makes the remaining STAs unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first AP sends fourth information to n fourth APs, the fourth information being used to indicate that the n fourth APs do not respond to management frames from the STA. This method is advantageous in that the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA in addition to hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, so that even if the STA learns the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and sends a management frame to the fourth AP, the fourth AP will not reply to the management frame from the STA, so that the STA and the fourth AP cannot complete the connection negotiation process and the STA cannot access the fourth AP, which is advantageous in further improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP, that is, further improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP.

[0009] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP sends fifth information to n fourth APs, the fifth information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA. In this manner, after the STA is successfully connected to a second AP, the first AP promptly notifies the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA, which is beneficial for the fourth AP to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the fourth AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to access the fourth AP.

[0010] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP sends sixth information to n fourth APs, the sixth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, and the second timer is used to time the non-response to the management frame from the STA. This method is advantageous for the fourth AP to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out, regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, so that the fourth AP can respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the fourth AP later, and reduce the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to access the fourth AP.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the first AP is not one of the k second APs. The method further includes: the first AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. This method is advantageous in that in a scenario where the k second APs do not include the first AP, all of the m APs except the k second APs hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, thereby improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP.

[0012] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. It can be seen that when the STA is successfully connected to a second AP, the first AP will promptly release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, which is conducive to the other STAs being able to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP in time, and reduces the impact on the other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which makes the other STAs unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0013] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a first timer; when the first timer times out, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. It can be seen that the first AP timely releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame based on the first timer, which is conducive to the other STAs being able to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP in time, and reduces the impact on the other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which causes the other STAs to always be unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0014] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a first timer. The first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, and then the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, and then the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first timer times out, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. This method enables the first AP to promptly release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, which is beneficial for the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP in a timely manner, and reduces the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the first AP is not one of the k second APs. The method further includes: the first AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA. It can be seen that this method is conducive to making all the APs except the k second APs in the m APs hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame and do not respond to the management frame from the STA in the scenario where the k second APs do not include the first AP, further improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP.

[0016] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. It can be seen that when the STA is successfully connected to a second AP, the first AP will promptly cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA, which is conducive to the first AP being able to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the first AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the first AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to access the first AP.

[0017] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a second timer; when the second timer times out, the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. It can be seen that the first AP can cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA in a timely manner based on the second timer, which is conducive to the first AP being able to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the first AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the first AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to access the first AP.

[0018] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a second timer. The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, the first AP does not detect that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, and the second timer times out, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. It can be seen that the first AP will promptly cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA, which is beneficial for the first AP to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the first AP later, and reduce the impact on the STA caused by the first AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to access the first AP.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is smaller than the first value.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, including: the first AP sends seventh information to an AP other than the first AP among the m APs, the seventh information is used to instruct the AP other than the first AP among the m APs to listen to a signal from a STA; the first AP receives RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP other than the first AP among the m APs, the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP is the RSSI of a signal received from the STA by at least one AP; the first AP determines k second APs according to the RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP. It can be seen that the first AP can notify the remaining APs except the third AP to listen to the signal from the STA, thereby determining a second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal for the STA.

[0021] Optionally, the first AP is not the third AP; the method also includes: the first AP listens to the signal from the STA to obtain the RSSI corresponding to the first AP; the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP, including: the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the first AP and the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP.

[0022] The second aspect provides an information transmission method, which can be applied to a fourth AP, a chip in the fourth AP, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the fourth AP functions. The fourth AP is described below as an example. The method includes: the fourth AP receives first information from the first AP, the first information is used to instruct the fourth AP to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0023] It can be seen that the fourth AP will hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which is beneficial for the STA not to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP during the SSID scanning process after disconnecting from the third AP, that is, the fourth AP is invisible, which is beneficial to improve the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP (the AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal determined by the first AP from the m APs) and improve the user experience.

[0024] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives second information from the first AP, the second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information. This method is conducive to reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the other STAs always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0025] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP starts the first timer; when the first timer times out, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. The fourth AP timely releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame based on the first timer, which is conducive to the STA being able to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the STA always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP starts the first timer. The fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, the fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; the second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. This method can enable the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame in a timely manner, which is conducive to the STA being able to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the STA always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0027] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives third information from the first AP, the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start a first timer, and the first timer is used to time the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0028] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives fourth information from the first AP, the fourth information is used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA; and the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA according to the fourth information.

[0029] It can be seen that in addition to hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA. In this way, even if the STA learns the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and sends a management frame to the fourth AP, the fourth AP will not reply to the management frame from the STA, so that the STA and the fourth AP cannot complete the connection negotiation process and the STA cannot access the fourth AP, which is beneficial to further improve the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP, that is, further improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP.

[0030] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives fifth information from the first AP, the fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA; the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA according to the fifth information. This method is conducive to the fourth AP being able to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the fourth AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to connect to the fourth AP.

[0031] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP starts the second timer; when the second timer times out, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. In this manner, the fourth AP promptly cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA based on the second timer, which is beneficial for the fourth AP to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the fourth AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to connect to the fourth AP.

[0032] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP starts the second timer. The fourth AP receives the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, the fourth AP does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out and the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; the fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA. In this way, the fourth AP promptly cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA, which is conducive to the fourth AP being able to respond to the management frame from the STA when the STA wants to access the fourth AP later, and reduces the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP always not responding to the management frame from the STA, resulting in the STA always being unable to connect to the fourth AP.

[0033] Optionally, the method also includes: the fourth AP receives sixth information from the first AP, the sixth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start a second timer, and the second timer is used to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

[0034] A third aspect provides a communication device, which includes: one or more processors and a memory; the memory is coupled to the one or more processors, and the memory is used to store instructions or programs.

[0035] In an optional manner, the one or more processors call instructions or programs stored in the memory to enable the communication device to execute:

[0036] Determine k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include a communication device, k is a positive integer less than m, a received signal strength indication RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA.

[0037] The first information is sent to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not communication devices and are not k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames.

[0038] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0039] In another optional manner, the one or more processors call instructions or programs stored in the memory to enable the communication device to execute:

[0040] Receive first information from a first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the communication device to hide the SSID in a broadcast beacon frame; and hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0041] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the above-mentioned second aspect and will not be described in detail here.

[0042] It should be understood that the above-mentioned communication device may be a device (such as a router); or, the above-mentioned communication device may be a communication module within a device; or, the above-mentioned communication device may be a chip in a communication module.

[0043] A fourth aspect provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the function involved in the first aspect, or to call the program or instruction to implement the function involved in the second aspect. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0044] A fifth aspect provides a program product. When the program product is run on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0045] A sixth aspect provides a readable storage medium, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute a method as described in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0046] It can be understood that the communication device provided in the third aspect, the chip system provided in the fourth aspect, the program product provided in the fifth aspect, and the storage medium provided in the sixth aspect are all used to execute the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1a It is a schematic diagram of a whole-house smart scene provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 1b It is a schematic diagram of a whole-house smart apartment provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a connection between an AP and a STA provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first AP determining k second APs provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a STA switching AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of an AP side guiding a STA to switch APs provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the text is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" means two or more than two.

[0058] In the following, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as suggesting or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features, and in the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0059] First, in order to better understand the information transmission method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, the communication system and scenario to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable are described.

[0060] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, distributed network systems, etc. For example, the present application can be applied to the next generation Wi-Fi protocols supporting IEEE 802.11ax, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi7 or extremely high throughput (EHT), and the next generation of 802.11be, such as supporting Wi-Fi8, ultra-high reliability (UHR), ultra-high reliability and throughput (UHRT) systems, and other wireless local area network systems of 802.11 series protocols.

[0061] For example, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a whole-house smart scene based on a Wi-Fi network, such as Figure 1a As shown. With the rise of whole-house intelligence and smart home technology, home appliances represented by sockets, lamps, curtains, air conditioners, TVs, speakers, etc. are gradually becoming intelligent. While carrying traditional lighting, sunshade, heating and cooling, audio and video entertainment and other functions, these products are also equipped with WLAN communication and intelligent control modules to realize intelligent control functions such as remote control and scene linkage control to improve user experience. For example, combined with Figure 1bUser homes that support whole-house smart devices usually have multiple sub-routers (used to achieve whole-house Wi-Fi network coverage); different smart devices (devices with Wi-Fi functions) are deployed in different rooms according to their functional attributes, such as: there are sockets, TVs, speakers, curtains in the living room, and air conditioners, table lamps, etc. in the bedroom; these smart devices can access appropriate sub-routers through the Wi-Fi network to achieve networking and intelligent control.

[0062] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication system includes an AP and a STA. Figure 2 This is an exemplary description of the devices included in the communication system, and does not limit the number of APs and STAs. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of APs and STAs in the communication system. For example, Figure 2 The communication system shown may include a master AP and a plurality of slave APs connected to the master AP, wherein the master AP may be used to manage all slave APs connected to the master AP.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, AP is a device with wireless communication function, supports communication using WLAN protocol, has the function of communicating with other devices in the WLAN network (such as STA or other AP), and of course, can also have the function of communicating with other devices. In the WLAN system, AP can also be called AP device or AP site. The device with wireless communication function can be a device, or a chip or processing system installed in the device, etc. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the method and function of the embodiment of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. In the embodiment of the present application, AP is a device that provides services for STA and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge and other devices; AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc., and of course AP can also be chips and processing systems in these various forms of devices, so as to implement the method and function of the embodiment of the present application.

[0064] STA is a device with wireless communication function, supports communication using WLAN protocol, and has the ability to communicate with other stations or APs in the WLAN network. In the WLAN system, STA can also be called non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, STA is any device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. The device can be a device, or a chip or processing system installed in the device, etc. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, STA can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), mobile phone and other devices with Wi-Fi function, or an IoT node in the IoT, or a vehicle-mounted communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or entertainment equipment, game equipment, etc.

[0065] In a Wi-Fi network environment, STA can connect to AP to achieve functions such as device control and networking through the Wi-Fi network. Taking AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, AP#4 and STA#1 as an example, combined with Figure 3 , AP#1, AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4 broadcast beacon frames respectively (AP can announce the existence of the Wi-Fi network corresponding to the AP by periodically broadcasting beacon frames containing SSID). STA#1 can detect which Wi-Fi networks are in the current environment by sending a probe request (probe req) frame; STA#1 receives a probe response (probe rsp) frame from AP#3; AP#3 can perform identity authentication by sending an authentication (auth) frame to STA#1. Then, STA#1 and AP#3 perform association (assoc). For example, after STA#1 finds a compatible network and passes the identity authentication, it can send an association request (assoc req) frame to AP#3 to try to join the network corresponding to AP#3. STA#1 then performs a 4-way handshake with AP#3 to complete the connection between STA#1 and AP#3.

[0066] In the whole-house smart scene, in order to save costs, the Wi-Fi chips (modules) used in smart home devices are usually simple, which makes the active network optimization capability of the STA as a smart home device limited, and it may connect to an AP with a weak Wi-Fi network signal, affecting the user experience. For example, the STA may connect to the AP from which the probe rsp frame it first received came, but the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP may be weak, and the STA connecting to the AP with a weak Wi-Fi network signal will affect the user experience.

[0067] The embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method, which is conducive to improving the success rate of STA switching to an AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, thereby improving user experience.

[0068] The information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0069] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 : is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the information transmission method may include the following steps:

[0070] S101. A first AP determines k second APs from m APs, wherein an RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, and the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, the RSSI corresponding to the AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from the STA. The RSSI corresponding to the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP, respectively, are the RSSIs of the signals received by the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP, respectively, from the same STA. For example, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the same STA. In addition, the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from the STA can indirectly reflect the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the AP; the larger the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from the STA, the stronger the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the AP. Understandably, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, which can indicate that the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the second AP is greater than the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the third AP.

[0072] Wherein, m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP; the first AP and the third AP may be the same AP or may not be the same AP. Optionally, the first AP may be a master AP with management function, and the m APs may include: the first AP and slave APs managed by the first AP.

[0073] In addition, the second AP and the third AP are different APs. k is a positive integer less than m; when k is equal to 1, that is, the number of second APs is one, a second AP determined by the first AP may be the first AP, or a second AP determined by the first AP may be an AP that is not the first AP and not the third AP among the m APs. When k is greater than 1, that is, the number of second APs is multiple, the k second APs determined by the first AP include the first AP and k-1 APs that are not the first AP and not the third AP among the m APs, or the k second APs determined by the first AP do not include the first AP and the k second APs are k APs that are not the first AP and not the third AP among the m APs. In addition, when the first AP and the third AP are the same AP, the k second APs determined by the first AP do not include the first AP.

[0074] In an optional implementation, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value. It can be seen that the information transmission method can be applied to the case where the RSSI corresponding to the AP currently connected to the STA (i.e., the third AP) is less than the first value. In the scenario where the RSSI corresponding to the AP currently connected to the STA is less than the first value, the information transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application can determine the second AP for the STA (the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP), and guide the STA to access the second AP, which is conducive to improving the signal strength of the Wi-Fi network accessed by the STA, thereby improving the user experience.

[0075] Among them, the first value can be predefined. The first value can also be a demarcation value for characterizing the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal. If the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from the STA is less than the first value, it can be considered that the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP is weak for the STA. Understandably, when the first value is used as a demarcation value for characterizing the strength of the network signal, it can be explained that the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scenario where the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP currently connected to the STA is weak. That is to say, in the scenario where the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP currently connected to the STA is weak, the signal transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to determine a second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal for the STA, and guide the STA to access the second AP, which is conducive to improving the signal strength of the Wi-Fi network accessed by the STA, thereby improving the user experience.

[0076] Optionally, in a scenario where the first AP is the third AP, the first AP may perform an operation of determining k second APs from m APs when or after detecting that the RSSI corresponding to the first AP is less than a first value.

[0077] Optionally, in the scenario where the first AP is not the third AP, the method may further include: the third AP detects that the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and the third AP sends the RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP; when or after receiving the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, the first AP performs the operation of determining k second APs from m APs. It can be seen that the third AP can autonomously determine whether the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and report the RSSI to the first AP when the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, so that the first AP performs the operation of determining k second APs from m APs.

[0078] Optionally, in the scenario where the first AP is not the third AP, the method may further include: the third AP sends the RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP, the first AP determines whether the received RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and the first AP determines that the received RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and then performs the operation of determining k second APs from m APs. It can be seen that the third AP can report the RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP, and the first AP determines that the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and then performs the operation of determining k second APs from m APs.

[0079] The following describes optional ways for the first AP to determine k second APs from m APs in two cases where the first AP is the third AP and the first AP is not the third AP, as described in the following optional implementations 1.1 and 1.2.

[0080] Implementation 1.1, the case where the first AP is the third AP. In this case, the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, which may include: the first AP sends seventh information to APs other than the first AP among the m APs, the seventh information is used to instruct the APs other than the first AP among the m APs to listen to signals from the STA; at least one AP other than the first AP among the m APs respectively listens to signals from the STA, obtains and sends RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP respectively; the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP respectively, and the RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP.

[0081] Implementation 1.2, the case where the first AP is not the third AP. In this case, the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, which may include: the first AP sends seventh information to an AP that is not the first AP and the third AP among the m APs, the seventh information being used to instruct the AP that is not the first AP and the third AP among the m APs to listen to a signal from a STA; at least one AP that is not the first AP and the third AP among the m APs respectively listens to a signal from a STA, obtains and sends an RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP; the first AP listens to a signal from a STA, and obtains an RSSI corresponding to the first AP; the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP and the RSSI corresponding to the first AP, and the RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP.

[0082] For example, m is equal to 4, and m APs are Figure 3 AP#1, AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4 in the example, the first AP is AP#2, and the third AP is AP#3; combined Figure 5 , AP#3 can send RSSI#0 to AP#2 when RSSI#0 corresponding to AP#3 is less than the first value; after receiving RSSI#0, AP#2 can send the seventh information to AP#1 and AP#4 to notify AP#1 and AP#4 to listen to the signal from STA#1. AP#1 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#1 corresponding to AP#1 and sends RSSI#1 to AP#2; AP#2 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#2 corresponding to AP#2; AP#4 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#3 corresponding to AP#4 and sends RSSI#3 to AP#2. AP#2 determines that RSSI#1 is greater than RSSI#0, RSSI#2 is less than RSSI#0, and RSSI#3 is less than RSSI#0, then AP#2 can determine one second AP, that is, k is equal to 1, and the one second AP is AP#1.

[0083] It can be seen that in implementation 1.1 and / or implementation 1.2, the AP other than the third AP can monitor the signal of the STA, so that the first AP can find a second AP for the STA whose Wi-Fi network signal strength is greater than the Wi-Fi network signal strength of the third AP based on the RSSI corresponding to the AP other than the third AP. In addition, in implementation 1.1 and / or implementation 1.2, the seventh information can be broadcast by the first AP, or can also be sent one by one by the first AP, without limitation.

[0084] S102, the first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, and the first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the first information from the first AP. Wherein, n is a positive integer less than m. Exemplarily, when the k second APs include the first AP, n is equal to mk; when the k second APs do not include the first AP, n is equal to mk-1.

[0085] For example, m is equal to 7, and the m APs include AP#1 to AP#7, AP#1 is the first AP, AP#2 is the third AP, and AP#1 determines two second APs from AP#1 to AP#7, that is, k is equal to 2, and the two second APs are AP#4 and AP#6. Then, there are four fourth APs among AP#1 to AP#7, that is, n is equal to 4, and the four fourth APs are AP#2, AP#3, AP#5 and AP#7 respectively.

[0086] Understandably, in the case where the first AP and the third AP are not the same AP, the n fourth APs include the third AP. In the case where the first AP and the third AP are the same AP, the n fourth APs do not include the third AP.

[0087] In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation method of the first AP sending the first information to n fourth APs. For example, the first AP can broadcast the first information, and the first information can include the identifiers of the n fourth APs. The fourth AP that receives the first information can determine that the first AP instructs the fourth AP to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame by determining that the first information includes its own identifier. For another example, the first AP can send the first information to each of the n fourth APs respectively, and each fourth AP can determine that the first AP instructs the fourth AP to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame by receiving the first information. In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation method of the first AP sending any of the second to sixth information to the n fourth APs mentioned later, which can be similar to the specific implementation method of the first AP sending the first information to the n fourth APs, and will not be repeated later.

[0088] S103 . Each of the n fourth APs hides an SSID in a broadcast beacon frame.

[0089] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. This method can make it possible that in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, all the APs except the second AP among the m APs perform the operation of hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, so that during the network scanning after the STA is disconnected from the third AP, it can scan the SSID that is not hidden in the beacon frame broadcast by the second AP to find the second AP, but cannot scan the SSIDs corresponding to the first AP and the fourth AP whose SSIDs are hidden in the broadcast beacon frame, so that it is invisible to all the APs except the second AP among the m APs, which can significantly improve the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP.

[0090] In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the order of the operation of disconnecting the third AP from the STA and the operation of the fourth AP starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. The operation of disconnecting the third AP from the STA can be earlier than the operation of the fourth AP starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, or the operation of disconnecting the third AP from the STA can be later than the operation of the fourth AP starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, or the operation of disconnecting the third AP from the STA can be performed simultaneously with the operation of the fourth AP starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Among them, the operation of disconnecting the third AP from the STA later than the operation of the fourth AP starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame is conducive to the STA not being able to scan the fourth AP immediately after disconnecting from the third AP, which is conducive to further improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP. In addition, the third AP can terminate the authentication relationship between the third AP and the STA by sending a deauthentication (deauth) frame to the STA to achieve the disconnection of the STA from the third AP.

[0091] In an optional implementation, the method may further include: the fourth AP cancels hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame. The triggering manner of the operation of the fourth AP canceling hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame is described below, as described in the following optional implementations 2.1 to 2.3.

[0092] In implementation 2.1, after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP sends second information to the n fourth APs, where the second information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the second information from the first AP, and each fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information.

[0093] It can be seen that when or after detecting that the STA successfully switches from the third AP to the second AP, the first AP can promptly notify the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, which is beneficial for the remaining STAs to be able to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP in time after the STA successfully connects to a second AP, thereby reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0094] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. This method can be applied to the case where the first AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame when the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, so that the first AP can timely release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, so that other STAs can scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP, reducing the impact on the other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which causes the other STAs to always be unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0095] Implementation method 2.2, when the first timer times out, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. Exemplarily, the fourth AP can also start the first timer while starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. The first timer is used to time the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, so that the fourth AP can release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out. It can be seen that when the first timer times out, the fourth AP will release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, which is conducive to the remaining STAs being able to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP, and reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0096] Optionally, the fourth AP may start the first timer autonomously, or the operation of the fourth AP starting the first timer may be triggered by the fourth AP receiving third information from the first AP, where the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the first timer.

[0097] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: when the first timer times out, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. Exemplarily, the first AP can also start a first timer while starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, and the first timer is used to time the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. It can be seen that the first AP can release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame in a timely manner based on the first timer, so that the remaining STAs can scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP, reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs always being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0098] In implementation 2.3, the fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or the fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. The second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, and the second information may be sent by the first AP to n fourth APs when the STA successfully connects to a second AP after detecting that the STA is disconnected from the third AP.

[0099] It can be seen that when the STA successfully switches from the third AP to the second AP before the first timer expires, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; when the first timer expires, even if the STA still fails to successfully switch from the third AP to the second AP, the fourth AP will also release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; thereby reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, making it impossible for the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0100] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, after the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first timer times out, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. This method is conducive to reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, so that the remaining STAs can never scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0101] In an optional implementation, the method may further include: the first AP sends fourth information to n fourth APs, the fourth information being used to indicate that the n fourth APs do not respond to management frames from the STA. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the fourth information from the first AP, and each fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA according to the fourth information. The STA from which the management frame that the fourth AP does not respond comes is a STA connected to the third AP in step S101.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present application, the AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA, that is, when the AP receives the management frame from the STA, it does not reply to the STA with the response frame corresponding to the management frame, so that the STA cannot complete the necessary negotiation process of the connection with the AP, thereby achieving the effect of refusing to connect to the STA. For example, the management frame from the STA can be a probe request frame, an authentication frame, an association request frame, etc. The response frame corresponding to the probe request frame is a probe response frame, the response frame corresponding to the authentication frame is an authentication response frame, and the response frame corresponding to the association request frame is an association response (association response, assoc rsp) frame. In addition, the AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA, which can also be expressed as: the AP silently responds to the management frame of the STA.

[0103] It can be seen that in addition to hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frames, the fourth AP does not respond to the management frames from the STA, further reducing the probability of the STA connecting to the fourth AP after disconnecting from the third AP, and improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal.

[0104] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA. This method can make it possible that in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, all APs except the k second APs among the m APs not only hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, but also do not respond to the management frame from the STA, further reducing the probability that the STA connects to non-k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, and improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal. The STA from which the management frame that the first AP does not respond comes is the STA connected to the third AP in step S101.

[0105] In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not restrict the order of the operation of the third AP disconnecting from the STA and the fourth AP starting not responding to the management frame from the STA. The third AP can disconnect from the STA earlier than the fourth AP starting not responding to the management frame from the STA, or the third AP can disconnect from the STA later than the fourth AP starting not responding to the management frame from the STA, or the third AP can disconnect from the STA and the fourth AP can disconnect from the STA at the same time. Among them, the method of the third AP disconnecting from the STA later than the fourth AP starting not responding to the management frame from the STA is conducive to the fourth AP immediately refusing to connect to the STA after the STA disconnects from the third AP, which is conducive to further improving the success rate of the STA switching to the second AP.

[0106] In addition, in an optional manner, the fourth information (used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA) and the aforementioned first information (used to indicate that the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast signal frame) may be the same information, and the information has the functions of indicating that the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA and of indicating that the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast signal frame.

[0107] Optionally, the method may further include: the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. In the embodiment of the present application, the AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA, and then the AP can reply to the management frame from the STA. In addition, the AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0108] The triggering method of the fourth AP lifting the non-response to the management frame from the STA is described below, as described in the following optional implementations 3.1 to 3.3. In addition, the fourth AP lifting the non-response to the management frame from the STA is similar to the fourth AP lifting the SSID hiding in the beacon frame. For details, please refer to the aforementioned related description of the fourth AP lifting the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0109] In implementation mode 3.1, after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs. The first AP sends fifth information to n fourth APs, where the fifth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to stop not responding to management frames from the STA. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the fifth information from the first AP, and each fourth AP stops not responding to management frames from the STA according to the fifth information.

[0110] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from m APs do not include the first AP, the method also includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0111] In implementation 3.2, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out. Exemplarily, the fourth AP may start the second timer while starting the non-response to the management frame from the STA, and the second timer is used to time the non-response to the management frame from the STA, so that the fourth AP can cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the first timer times out. Optionally, the fourth AP may start the second timer autonomously, or the operation of the fourth AP starting the second timer may be triggered by the fourth AP receiving the sixth information from the first AP, and the sixth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the second timer.

[0112] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out. Exemplarily, the first AP may also start the second timer while starting the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0113] In implementation 3.3, the fourth AP receives the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or the fourth AP does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out and the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA. The fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA, and the fifth information may be sent by the first AP to the n fourth APs when the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after detecting that the STA is disconnected from the third AP.

[0114] Optionally, in the case that the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, and the first AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA; or, the first AP does not detect that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, and the second timer expires, and the first AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0115] In addition, in an optional manner, in the above-mentioned implementation 3.1 and / or implementation 3.3, the fifth information (used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA) and the aforementioned second information (used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the SSID hiding in the signal frame) may be the same information, and the information has the functions of instructing the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA and instructing the fourth AP to cancel the SSID hiding in the signal frame.

[0116] In an optional manner, in the above-mentioned implementation 3.2 and / or implementation 3.3, the second timer (used for timing the non-response to the management frame from the STA) and the aforementioned first timer (used for timing the SSID hiding in the beacon frame) can be the same timer, which has the function of timing the SSID hiding in the beacon frame and timing the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0117] In summary, in the information transmission method, the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, the RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA. The first AP sends the first information to n fourth APs, the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, n is a positive integer less than m, and the first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Each of the n fourth APs hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0118] It can be seen that for a STA, the Wi-Fi network signal of the second AP is stronger than the Wi-Fi network signal of the third AP currently connected to the STA. Compared with the method that only the third AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA within a certain period of time after disconnecting from the STA, the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in which the first AP notifies all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, is conducive to making all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, while the k second APs do not hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; in this way, the STA can scan the SSID corresponding to the second AP during the SSID scanning process after disconnecting from the third AP, while the SSIDs corresponding to all APs other than the first AP and the k second APs among the m APs are not visible, which is conducive to improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP, that is, improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, and improving the user experience.

[0119] In the following, m is equal to 4 and m APs are Figure 3 , AP#1, AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4 (wherein AP#2 is the master AP, AP#1, AP#3 and AP#4 are all slave APs corresponding to AP#2), the first AP is AP#2, the third AP currently connected to STA#1 is AP#3, and k is equal to 1, as an example, the information transmission method is exemplarily described, such as Figure 6 shown. Figure 6 In the information transmission method shown, the RSSI corresponding to the AP refers to the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from STA#1; Figure 6 The information transmission method shown includes the following steps.

[0120] S201, AP#2 determines a second AP from AP#1, AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4, the second AP is AP#1, and the RSSI corresponding to AP#1 is greater than the RSSI corresponding to AP#3. It can be seen that the number of fourth APs, that is, n, is equal to 2, and the two fourth APs are AP#3 and AP#4.

[0121] S202, AP#2 sends first information and fourth information to AP#3 and AP#4, the first information is used to instruct AP#3 and AP#4 to hide SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, and the fourth information is used to instruct AP#3 and AP#4 not to respond to the management frame from STA#1. Correspondingly, AP#3 and AP#4 receive the first information and fourth information from AP#2 respectively.

[0122] S203. AP#3 is disconnected from STA#1.

[0123] S204. During the timing of timer #1, AP#2 hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame and does not respond to the management frame from STA#1. During the timing of timer #1, AP#3 hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame and does not respond to the management frame from STA#1. During the timing of timer #1, AP#4 hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame and does not respond to the management frame from STA#1.

[0124] Wherein, timer #1 is used to time the hiding of SSID in the beacon frame and the non-response to the management frame from STA #1. When AP #2 does not detect that STA #1 is successfully connected to AP #1 before timer #1 times out and timer #1 times out, the hiding of SSID in the beacon frame is lifted and the non-response to the management frame from STA #1 is lifted. When AP #3 does not receive the second information and the fifth information from AP #2 before timer #1 times out and timer #1 times out, the hiding of SSID in the beacon frame is lifted and the non-response to the management frame from STA #1 is lifted. When AP #4 does not receive the second information and the fifth information from AP #2 before timer #1 times out and timer #1 times out, the hiding of SSID in the beacon frame is lifted and the non-response to the management frame from STA #1 is lifted. Wherein, the second information is used to instruct AP #3 and AP #4 to lift the hiding of SSID in the beacon frame, and the fifth information is used to instruct AP #3 and AP #4 to lift the non-response to the management frame from STA #1.

[0125] S205. STA#1 performs a network scan and finds the SSID of AP#1.

[0126] Since AP#1 does not hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4 all hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Therefore, for STA#1, the SSID corresponding to AP#1 is visible, while the SSIDs corresponding to AP#2, AP#3 and AP#4 are invisible.

[0127] S206. STA#1 connects to AP#1.

[0128] Since AP#1 can respond to management frames from STA#1, STA#1 initiates access to AP#1, and AP#1 can respond to STA#1, which is conducive to completing the connection between STA#1 and AP#1. AP#2 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns the SSID corresponding to AP#2 to initiate access to AP#2, AP#2 will not respond, so STA#1 and AP#2 cannot complete the necessary connection process. Similarly, AP#3 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns the SSID corresponding to AP#3 to initiate access to AP#3, AP#3 will not respond, so STA#1 and AP#3 cannot complete the necessary connection process. AP#4 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns the SSID corresponding to AP#4 to initiate access to AP#4, AP#4 will not respond, so STA#1 and AP#4 cannot complete the necessary connection process.

[0129] S207, AP#2 detects that STA#1 has completed the connection with AP#1, and AP#2 sends the second information and the fifth information to AP#3 and AP#4, the second information is used to instruct AP#3 and AP#4 to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, and the fifth information is used to instruct AP#3 and AP#4 to release the non-response to the management frame from STA#1. Correspondingly, AP#3 and AP#4 receive the second information and the fifth information from AP#1 respectively.

[0130] S208, AP#2 cancels hiding of SSID in beacon frame and cancels non-response to management frame from STA#1. AP#3 cancels hiding of SSID in beacon frame and cancels non-response to management frame from STA#1. AP#4 cancels hiding of SSID in beacon frame and cancels non-response to management frame from STA#1.

[0131] It can be seen that when STA#1 is connected to AP#3 with a weaker Wi-Fi network signal, Figure 6 The information transmission method shown in the figure can guide STA#1 to switch from AP#3 to AP#1 with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, such as Figure 7And, compared to Figure 8 As shown, only AP#3 disconnects from STA#1 and does not respond to the management frame from STA#1 during the timer period to guide STA#1 to switch. Figure 8 In the method shown, STA#1 is more likely to connect to other APs other than AP#1 or connect back to AP#3 with a weaker Wi-Fi network signal after the timer expires. Figure 6 In the information transmission method shown, all APs from AP#1 to AP#4 except AP#1 with a determined stronger Wi-Fi network signal hide SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames and do not respond to management frames from STA#1, which can improve the success rate of connection between STA#1 and AP#1, that is, improve the success rate of STA#1 switching from AP#3 to AP#1, which is beneficial to improving user experience.

[0132] It is understandable that, in order to implement the functions in the above method, the first AP and the fourth AP include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0133] The present application embodiment provides a communication device 900, such as Fig. 9 The communication device 900 may be the first AP or the fourth AP, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first AP to implement the above method, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the fourth AP to implement the above method. The device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0134] The communication device 900 may include one or more processors 901. The processor 901 may be used to implement part or all of the functions of the above-mentioned network device or terminal device through logic circuits or running computer programs. The processor 901 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program.

[0135] Optionally, the communication device 900 may include one or more memories 902, on which instructions 904 or programs may be stored, and the instructions or programs may be executed on the processor 901, so that the communication device 900 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 902. The processor 901 and the memory 902 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0136] The memory 902 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0137] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 905 and an antenna 906. The transceiver 905 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., for implementing a transceiver function. The transceiver 905 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for implementing a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for implementing a transmitting function.

[0138] In a possible design, the communication device 900 has the function of the first AP in the above method embodiment:

[0139] Processor 901 is used to determine k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, the third AP is the AP currently connected to the STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA.

[0140] Transceiver 905 is used to send first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not communication devices 900 and are not k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames.

[0141] In an optional implementation, the processor 901 detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The transceiver 905 is further configured to send second information to the n fourth APs, where the second information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0142] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further used to send third information to the n fourth APs, where the third information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, where the first timer is used to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0143] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to send fourth information to the n fourth APs, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the n fourth APs do not respond to the management frame from the STA.

[0144] In an optional implementation, the processor 901 detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The transceiver 905 is further configured to send fifth information to the n fourth APs, where the fifth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0145] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further used to send sixth information to n fourth APs, where the sixth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, where the second timer is used to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

[0146] In an optional implementation, the communication device 900 is not one of the k second APs. The processor 901 is further configured to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0147] Optionally, the processor 901 detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0148] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer; the processor 901 is further configured to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out.

[0149] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer. The processor 901 is further configured to detect that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, and release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, the processor 901 is further configured to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame if the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out.

[0150] In an optional implementation manner, the communication device 900 is not one of the k second APs. The processor 901 is further configured to not respond to a management frame from the STA.

[0151] Optionally, the processor 901 detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0152] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer; the processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out.

[0153] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer. The processor 901 is further configured to, if it is detected before the second timer times out that the STA is disconnected from the third AP and the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, if it is not detected before the second timer times out that the STA is disconnected from the third AP and the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs and the second timer times out, cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0154] In an optional implementation, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is smaller than the first value.

[0155] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further used to send seventh information to an AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs, and the seventh information is used to instruct the AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs to listen to the signal from the STA. The transceiver 905 is further used to receive RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs, and the RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP are RSSIs of signals received by the at least one AP from the STA. The processor 901 determines k second APs from the m APs, specifically: determining the k second APs according to the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP.

[0156] Optionally, the communication device 900 is not a third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to monitor a signal from a STA to obtain an RSSI corresponding to the communication device 900. The processor 901 determines k second APs according to the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP, and is specifically configured to determine k second APs according to the RSSI corresponding to the communication device 900 and the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP.

[0157] In another possible design, the communication device 900 has the function of the fourth AP in the above method embodiment:

[0158] The transceiver 905 is used to receive first information from the first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; the processor 901 is used to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0159] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further used to receive second information from the first AP, where the second information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; the processor 901 is further used to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information.

[0160] In an optional implementation, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer; the processor 901 is further configured to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out.

[0161] In an optional implementation, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer. The processor 901 is further configured to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the transceiver 905 receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out; or release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the transceiver 905 does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out. The second information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0162] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive third information from the first AP, where the third information is configured to instruct the communication device 900 to start a first timer, where the first timer is configured to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0163] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive fourth information from the first AP, the fourth information being used to instruct the communication device 900 not to respond to a management frame from the STA. The processor 901 is further configured to not respond to a management frame from the STA according to the fourth information.

[0164] Optionally, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive fifth information from the first AP, the fifth information being used to instruct the communication device 900 to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA. The processor 901 is further configured to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA according to the fifth information.

[0165] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer; the processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out.

[0166] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer. The processor 901 is further configured to, when the transceiver 905 receives fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out, cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, when the transceiver 905 does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out and the second timer times out, cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA. The fifth information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0167] Optionally, the transceiver 905 is further used to receive sixth information from the first AP, where the sixth information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to start a second timer; the second timer is used to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

[0168] In another possible design, the processor 901 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0169] In another possible design, optionally, the processor 901 may store an instruction 903, and the instruction 903 runs on the processor 901, so that the communication device 900 can execute the method described in the above method embodiment. The instruction 903 may be solidified in the processor 901, in which case the processor 901 may be implemented by hardware.

[0170] In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), a device, etc.

[0171] The embodiment of the present application also provides another communication device, the structure of which may include a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is used to couple with the processing unit and the communication unit, and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device.

[0172] In one implementation manner, the communication device has the function of the first AP in the above method embodiment:

[0173] A processing unit is used to determine k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, an RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to the STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the second AP receiving a signal from a STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the third AP receiving a signal from the STA.

[0174] A communication unit is used to send first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the communication device 1100 and are not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0175] In another implementation manner, the communication device has the function of the fourth AP in the above method embodiment:

[0176] The communication unit is used to receive first information from a first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the communication device to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; and the processing unit is used to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0177] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0178] Those skilled in the art may also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0179] The present application also provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0180] The present application also provides a program product for storing instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0181] The present application also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0182] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first access point AP determines k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, a received signal strength indication RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a workstation STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA; The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the network service set identifier SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after being disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP sends second information to the n fourth APs, where the second information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to release SSID hiding in beacon frames.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first AP sends third information to the n fourth APs, where the third information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, where the first timer is used to time SSID hiding in a beacon frame.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first AP sends fourth information to the n fourth APs, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the n fourth APs do not respond to the management frame from the STA.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after being disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP sends fifth information to the n fourth APs, where the fifth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to stop not responding to management frames from the STA.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first AP sends sixth information to the n fourth APs, where the sixth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, where the second timer is used to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first AP is not one of the k second APs; and the method further includes: The first AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first AP starts a first timer; When the first timer times out, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a first timer; After the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, After the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first timer expires, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first AP does not respond to a management frame from the STA.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a second timer; When the second timer times out, the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a second timer; After the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, After the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the second timer expires, and the first AP stops responding to the management frame from the STA.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The first AP determines k second APs from m APs, including: The first AP sends seventh information to an AP other than the first AP among the m APs, where the seventh information is used to instruct the AP other than the first AP among the m APs to listen to a signal from the STA; The first AP receives RSSIs respectively corresponding to at least one AP among the m APs except the first AP, where the RSSIs respectively corresponding to the at least one AP are RSSIs of signals respectively received by the at least one AP from the STA; The first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSIs respectively corresponding to the at least one AP.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first AP is not the third AP; the method further includes: The first AP listens to the signal from the STA and obtains the RSSI corresponding to the first AP; The first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSIs respectively corresponding to the at least one AP, including: the first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSIs corresponding to the first AP and the RSSIs respectively corresponding to the at least one AP.

17. An information transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The fourth access point AP receives first information from the first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the fourth AP to hide a network service set identifier SSID in a broadcast beacon frame; The fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives second information from the first AP, where the second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame; The fourth AP releases SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a first timer; When the first timer times out, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a first timer; The fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, The fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases SSID hiding in the beacon frame; The second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives third information from the first AP, where the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the first timer, where the first timer is used to time SSID hiding in a beacon frame.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives fourth information from the first AP, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to a management frame from the workstation STA; The fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA according to the fourth information.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives fifth information from the first AP, where the fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA; The fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA according to the fifth information.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a second timer; When the second timer times out, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a second timer; The fourth AP receives the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or, The fourth AP does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out and the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; The fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives sixth information from the first AP, where the sixth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the second timer, where the second timer is used to time management frames that are not responded to from the STA.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: including memory and processor; The memory is used to store programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute the program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or executes the method according to any one of claims 17 to 26.

Images