A method, apparatus and wireless device for collecting neighbor information

Abstract

This application provides a method, apparatus, and wireless device for collecting neighbor information. The method includes: after a wireless terminal accesses the wireless device, obtaining first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal; if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, sending a beacon request message to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, the beacon response message carrying the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information; obtaining the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period; determining second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception results; and collecting the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information using a neighbor collection strategy matching the second neighbor collection capability information. This solution can accurately collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information, enabling cooperative roaming.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus and wireless device for collecting neighbor information. Background Technology

[0002] During cooperative roaming, the wireless device on the network side sends a Beacon Request message to the wireless terminal to collect the neighboring Access Point (AP) information of the wireless terminal. Based on the neighboring AP information, the device selects a neighboring AP for the wireless terminal and guides the wireless terminal to connect to that neighboring AP.

[0003] Due to factors such as the hardware, operating system, and manufacturer-specific implementation of wireless terminals, different wireless terminals may have varying levels of support for collecting neighboring AP information. In other words, different wireless terminals may have different neighbor collection capabilities, which may result in the wireless device being unable to collect the correct neighboring AP information and thus failing to achieve cooperative roaming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a method, apparatus, and wireless device for collecting neighbor information, so as to accurately collect neighbor AP information of wireless terminals and realize cooperative roaming. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for collecting neighbor information, applied to a wireless device, the method comprising:

[0006] After the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device, it obtains the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal.

[0007] If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message, then a beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, and the beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal;

[0008] Obtain the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0009] Based on the received results, the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal is determined;

[0010] The neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal is collected by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information.

[0011] In some embodiments, the step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception result includes:

[0012] If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry the correct neighbor AP information, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and the replied neighbor AP information is correct.

[0013] The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes:

[0014] Send the beacon request message to the wireless terminal;

[0015] Receive the beacon response message from the wireless terminal;

[0016] Extract the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal from the beacon response message.

[0017] In some embodiments, the step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception result includes:

[0018] If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and the replied neighbor AP information is incorrect.

[0019] The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes:

[0020] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0021] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0022] The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0023] In some embodiments, the step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception result includes:

[0024] If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, but a second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and a probe request can be triggered. The probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message.

[0025] The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes:

[0026] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0027] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0028] The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0029] In some embodiments, the step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception result includes:

[0030] If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received and no second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the use of beacon request messages to collect neighbor AP information and cannot trigger a probe request. The probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message.

[0031] The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes:

[0032] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0033] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0034] In some embodiments, the step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the reception result includes:

[0035] If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the service of the wireless terminal is abnormal during the preset time period, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that service side effects are introduced in the process of collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages.

[0036] The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes:

[0037] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0038] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0039] In some embodiments, if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, the method further includes:

[0040] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0041] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0043] If a probe request message is periodically received from the wireless terminal, the AP that received the probe request message is identified; the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0044] If no probe request message is periodically received from the wireless terminal, then the step of sending a beacon request message to the wireless terminal is performed if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message.

[0045] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a neighbor information collection device, applied to a wireless device, the device comprising:

[0046] The first acquisition module is used to acquire the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal after the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device.

[0047] The sending module is configured to send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message, so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, wherein the beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal;

[0048] The second acquisition module is used to acquire the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0049] The determining module is used to determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result;

[0050] The collection module is used to collect the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information.

[0051] In some embodiments, the determining module is specifically configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry correct neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is correct;

[0052] The collection module is specifically used for: sending the beacon request message to the wireless terminal; receiving the beacon response message from the wireless terminal; and extracting the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal from the beacon response message.

[0053] In some embodiments, the determining module is specifically configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is incorrect;

[0054] The collection module is specifically used for:

[0055] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0056] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0057] The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0058] In some embodiments, the determining module is specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, but a second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and can trigger a probe request, wherein the probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message;

[0059] The collection module is specifically used for:

[0060] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0061] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0062] The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0063] In some embodiments, the determining module is specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received and a second preset number of probe request messages have not been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages and cannot trigger a probe request, wherein the probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message;

[0064] The collection module is specifically used for:

[0065] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0066] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0067] In some embodiments, the determining module is specifically configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, and the service of the wireless terminal is abnormal during the preset time period, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and introduces service side effects in the process of collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages.

[0068] The collection module is specifically used for:

[0069] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0070] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0071] In some embodiments, the collection module is further configured to:

[0072] If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then:

[0073] Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0074] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0075] In some embodiments, the collection module is further configured to, if it periodically receives a probe request message sent by the wireless terminal, determine the AP that received the probe request message; and obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0076] The sending module is further configured to, if it does not periodically receive a probe request message sent by the wireless terminal, send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports using a beacon request message to collect neighbor AP information.

[0077] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a wireless device, including a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus;

[0078] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0079] The processor, when executing a program stored in memory, implements any of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0080] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements any of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0081] Fifthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0082] Beneficial effects of the embodiments in this application:

[0083] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, after a wireless terminal accesses a wireless device, if the neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then the wireless device uses beacon request messages to collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information. Within a preset time period for collecting the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, the wireless device further confirms the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, such as second neighbor collection capability information, based on the wireless terminal's response behavior to the beacon request messages, thus forming a profile of the wireless terminal's support for neighbor collection capability information. The wireless device collects the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information based on the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, ensuring that the wireless device can accurately collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information and achieve cooperative roaming.

[0084] Of course, implementing any product or method of this application does not necessarily require achieving all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0085] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0086] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation process of collaborative roaming in existing technologies.

[0087] Figure 2 This is a first schematic diagram of a neighbor information collection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 3 This is a second schematic diagram of the neighbor information collection method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0089] Figure 4 This is a third schematic diagram of the neighbor information collection method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0090] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a collaborative roaming process within a fat AP network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a collaborative roaming process within a thin AP+AC network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a neighbor information collection device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0094] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0095] Cooperative roaming: A technology in which wireless devices and wireless stations (STAs) on the network side are mutually aware of each other, and the wireless device actively guides the STA to roam. In a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), wireless devices include access points (APs) and access controllers (ACs).

[0096] WLAN can be divided into Fat AP networking and Thin AP + AC networking. In Fat AP networking, the AP is responsible for guiding the STA to roam, while in Thin AP + AC networking, the AC is responsible for guiding the STA to roam.

[0097] Taking fat AP networking as an example, the implementation process of cooperative roaming is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0098] In step S101, the STA interacts with AP1 to enable the STA to access AP1.

[0099] In step S102, after the STA accesses AP1, AP1 periodically sends Beacon Request messages to the STA.

[0100] Beacon Request messages are used to measure information of interest. In this embodiment, the information of interest is wireless service information on a specific channel.

[0101] In step S103, after receiving the Beacon Request message, the STA sends a Probe Request message via unicast or broadcast. The unicast Probe Request message carries the Service Set Identifier (SSID).

[0102] In step S104, after receiving the Probe Request message, AP1 and AP2, if they detect that the SSID carried in the Probe Request message matches their own SSID, or if the Probe Request message is a broadcast message, then they reply with a Probe Response message to the STA. The Probe Response message carries wireless service information such as the AP's SSID, supported speeds, and security configuration.

[0103] In step S105, the STA generates neighbor AP information, i.e., the wireless service information of the neighbor APs, based on the Probe Response messages replied by each AP.

[0104] In step S106, the STA encapsulates the neighbor AP information in a Beacon Report message and sends it to AP1.

[0105] In step S107, AP1 determines the AP that STA needs to roam to, such as AP2, based on the neighbor AP information in the Beacon Report message.

[0106] Step S108: AP1 guides STA to connect to AP2.

[0107] After the STA connects to AP2, it can roam from AP1 to AP2, thus achieving collaborative roaming.

[0108] Due to factors such as the STA's hardware, operating system, and vendor-specific implementation, different STAs may have different levels of support for wireless devices to collect neighbor AP information. In other words, different STAs may have different neighbor collection capabilities, which may result in wireless devices being unable to collect the correct neighbor AP information of the STA and thus failing to achieve cooperative roaming.

[0109] To address the above problems, embodiments of this application provide a method for collecting neighbor information, such as... Figure 2 As shown, applied to wireless devices, the method includes the following steps:

[0110] Step S201: After the wireless terminal connects to the wireless device, obtain the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal.

[0111] Step S202: If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message, then a beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message. The beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0112] Step S203: Obtain the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0113] Step S204: Based on the received results, determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal;

[0114] Step S205: Use a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information to collect the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0115] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, after a wireless terminal accesses a wireless device, if the neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then the wireless device uses beacon request messages to collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information. Within a preset time period for collecting the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, the wireless device further confirms the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, such as second neighbor collection capability information, based on the wireless terminal's response behavior to the beacon request messages, thus forming a profile of the wireless terminal's support for neighbor collection capability information. The wireless device collects the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information based on the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, ensuring that the wireless device can accurately collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information and achieve cooperative roaming.

[0116] In this embodiment, the wireless device can be an AP in a fat AP network or an AC in a thin AP+AC network. That is, in a fat AP network, the wireless device can be an AP that is initially accessing the WLAN, or an AP that a STA accesses after roaming. In a thin AP+AC network, the wireless device can be the AC, and the wireless device connects to the STA through the AP.

[0117] In step S201, the first neighbor collection capability information is the neighbor collection capability information configured by the STA itself. This information indicates the STA's support for wireless devices collecting neighbor AP information. The neighbor collection capability information can instruct the STA to support wireless devices using Beacon Request messages to collect the STA's neighbor AP information, i.e., support Beacon Request measurement; alternatively, it can instruct the STA not to support wireless devices using Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor AP information, i.e., not support Beacon Request measurement.

[0118] After the STA connects to the wireless device, the STA reports its first neighbor collection capability information to the wireless device, and then the wireless device obtains the STA's first neighbor collection capability information.

[0119] In step S202 above, after the wireless device obtains the first neighbor collection capability information of the STA, it can analyze the first neighbor collection capability information, determine whether the STA supports Beacon Request measurement based on the analysis results, and then use the corresponding neighbor collection strategy to collect the neighbor AP information of the STA based on the analysis results.

[0120] In this embodiment of the application, if the analysis result indicates that the STA supports Beacon Request measurement, the wireless device can adopt a neighbor collection strategy that uses Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor AP information of the STA. That is, the wireless device can periodically send Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor AP information of the STA.

[0121] In a fat AP network, taking the STA accessing a wireless device as the target AP as an example, the target AP periodically sends Beacon Request messages. Upon receiving a Beacon Request message, the STA can unicast or broadcast a Probe Request message. Each AP, upon receiving a Probe Request message, if it detects that the SSID carried in the Probe Request message matches its own SSID, or if the Probe Request message is a broadcast message, it replies with a Probe Response message to the STA. Based on the Probe Response messages from each AP, the STA generates its neighbor AP information. The STA encapsulates this neighbor AP information in a Beacon Report message and sends it to the target AP. The Beacon Report message carries the STA's neighbor AP information.

[0122] In a thin AP+AC network, taking STA access via a target AP to access the AC as an example, the AC periodically sends Beacon Request messages through the target AP. Upon receiving a Beacon Request message, the STA can unicast or broadcast a Probe Request message; each AP, upon receiving a Probe Request message, reports it to the AC. For each AP, if the AC detects that the SSID carried in the Probe Request message matches the AP's SSID, or if the Probe Request message is a broadcast message, it replies to the STA with a Probe Response message through that AP. The Probe Response message carries the AP's SSID, supported rates, security configuration, and other radio service information. Based on the Probe Response messages from the AC via each AP, the STA generates its neighbor AP information. The STA encapsulates this neighbor AP information in a Beacon Report message and sends it to the AC through the target AP. The Beacon Report message carries the STA's neighbor AP information.

[0123] In step S203 above, within a preset time period for the STA to access the wireless device, the wireless device uses BeaconRequest messages to collect information about the STA's neighboring APs. The duration of the preset time period can be set according to actual needs.

[0124] Within a preset time period, the wireless device can send multiple Beacon Request messages to the STA. Since the STA's actual neighbor collection capability information (such as second neighbor collection capability information) may differ from the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the STA, the STA, upon receiving a Beacon Request message, may not reply with a BeaconReport message, but may reply with a Beacon Report message, or may reply with a Beacon Report message. However, this introduces side effects to terminal services such as service interruption and increased latency.

[0125] Wireless devices can statistically analyze the reception results of multiple Beacon Report messages corresponding to multiple Beacon Request messages within a preset time period, that is, determine the STA's response to Beacon Request messages within the preset time period.

[0126] In step S204 above, the wireless device can analyze the received results to determine the STA's true neighbor collection capability information, i.e., the second neighbor collection capability information. Then, the wireless device executes step S205 based on the second neighbor collection capability information, i.e., it adopts a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information to collect the STA's neighbor information.

[0127] In this embodiment, the wireless device can send a large number of Beacon Request messages. Based on the STA's response to the large number of Beacon Request messages, the device learns the STA's neighbor collection capability information that supports Beacon Request measurement, forming a profile of the STA's support for neighbor collection capability information. This ensures that the wireless device can adopt an appropriate neighbor collection strategy to collect the correct neighbor AP information of the STA and achieve cooperative roaming.

[0128] In this embodiment, the reception results of multiple Beacon Report messages within a preset time period are the representation of the STA's response to multiple Beacon Request messages. The reception results can be divided into the following five cases:

[0129] Case 1: The reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages have been received, and the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry the correct neighbor AP information.

[0130] In this embodiment, the first preset quantity can be determined based on the first number of BeaconRequest messages sent by the wireless device within a preset time period and a first preset difference; that is, the first preset quantity is equal to the first quantity minus the first preset difference. The first preset difference can be set according to actual needs.

[0131] If the number of Beacon Report messages received by the wireless device within a preset time period is greater than the first preset number, it means that the wireless device has received the first preset number of Beacon Report messages; if the number of Beacon Report messages received by the wireless device within a preset time period is less than or equal to the first preset number, it means that the wireless device has not received the first preset number of Beacon Report messages.

[0132] Furthermore, if the number of received Beacon Report messages carrying correct neighbor AP information is greater than or equal to a first preset number, it indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry correct neighbor AP information; if the number of Beacon Report messages carrying correct neighbor AP information is less than or equal to the first preset number, it indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information.

[0133] Specifically, the wireless device can determine a first number of Beacon Request messages sent within a preset time period and a second number of Beacon Report messages received. If the difference between the first number and the second number is less than a first preset difference, the wireless device determines that it has received the first preset number of Beacon Report messages, i.e., the reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages have been received; otherwise, the wireless device can determine that it has not received the first preset number of Beacon Report messages, i.e., the reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages have not been received.

[0134] For the second number of received Beacon Report messages, the wireless device extracts the STA's neighbor AP information from each Beacon Report message. If a third number of correct neighbor AP information messages are extracted, it is determined that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry correct neighbor AP information, that is, the reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry correct neighbor AP information, and the difference between the third number and the first number is less than a first preset difference; otherwise, the wireless device can determine that multiple Beacon Report messages carry incorrect neighbor information, that is, the reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry incorrect neighbor information.

[0135] If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages have been received, and the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry the correct neighbor information, then the wireless device can determine that the STA's second neighbor collection capability information is that it supports collecting neighbor information using Beacon Request messages, and the neighbor information replied is correct. That is, the second neighbor collection capability information is: it supports Beacon Request measurement, and the neighbor report replied is correct.

[0136] In this case, the neighbor collection strategy that the wireless device can adopt (i.e., the neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information) is to use Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor information. That is, the wireless device can continue to use Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor information. In this case, the above step S205 is: send a Beacon Request message to the STA; receive a Beacon Report message from the STA; and extract the STA's neighbor AP information from the Beacon Report message.

[0137] Case 2: The reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages have been received, and the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information.

[0138] If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of Beacon Report messages have been received, and the first preset number of Beacon Report messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then the wireless device can determine that the STA's second neighbor collection capability information is that it supports collecting neighbor information using Beacon Request messages, and the neighbor information it replies with is incorrect. That is, the second neighbor collection capability information is: the STA supports Beacon Request measurement and replies with neighbor report errors.

[0139] In this case, the neighbor collection strategy that the wireless device can adopt (i.e., the neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information) can be any one of the neighbor collection strategies a to c.

[0140] Neighbor collection strategy a: Use independent radio frequency to collect neighbor AP information of the STA. When the wireless device uses neighbor collection strategy a to collect neighbor AP information of the STA, the above step S205 can be: determine the AP that the STA can scan using independent radio frequency; obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0141] In this embodiment, each AP can be equipped with an independent radio frequency. The AP uses its independent radio frequency to scan for devices within its signal coverage area. If an AP detects a STA using its independent radio frequency, it determines that the AP and the STA are neighboring devices. The wireless device can obtain the neighboring STA information detected by each AP using its independent radio frequency, and based on this information, determine one or more APs that have detected the STA, and obtain the wireless service information of these APs as the neighboring AP information for the STA.

[0142] Neighbor collection strategy b: Use historical neighbors to collect neighbor information. When the wireless device uses neighbor collection strategy b to collect the neighbor AP information of the STA, the above step S205 can be: predict the current neighbor AP information of the STA based on the historical neighbor AP information of the STA.

[0143] In this embodiment, the wireless device records historical neighbor AP information of the STA. Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the STA, the wireless device can determine the movement trajectory of the STA, and then predict the current location of the STA, determine one or more APs whose signal coverage includes the current location, and obtain the wireless service information of these APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0144] Neighbor collection strategy c: Use Probe Request messages to collect neighbor information. When a wireless device uses neighbor collection strategy c to collect the neighbor AP information of a STA, the above step S205 can be: sending a Beacon Request message to the STA so that the STA sends a Probe Request message; determining the AP that received the Probe Request message; and obtaining the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the STA.

[0145] In this embodiment, the wireless device sends a Beacon Request message to the STA. After receiving the Beacon Request message, the STA unicasts or broadcasts a Probe Request message.

[0146] After the fat AP network is formed, each AP determines its neighbor STA information based on the received Probe Request message. The wireless device obtains the neighbor STA information of each AP, and then determines the neighbor AP of that STA and obtains the neighbor AP information of that STA.

[0147] After a thin AP+AC network is established, each AP sends the received Probe Request message to the AC. The AC determines the neighbor STA information of each AP based on the received Probe Request messages, and then determines the neighbor APs of that STA, thus obtaining the neighbor AP information for that STA.

[0148] Case 3: The reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages were not received, but the second preset number of Probe Request messages were received.

[0149] In this embodiment, the wireless device sends a Beacon Request message to the STA. If the STA's actual neighbor collection capability information indicates support for Beacon Request measurement, the STA will unicast or broadcast a Probe Request message upon receiving the Beacon Request message. If the STA's actual neighbor collection capability information indicates lack of support for Beacon Request measurement, a Probe Request message will not be sent, or a Probe Request message may be sent, but the Beacon Report message may carry incorrect neighbor AP information or introduce side effects to terminal services.

[0150] If the STA receives a Beacon Request message and is able to send a Probe Request message, and the wireless device obtains more than a second preset number of Probe Request messages through the AP connected to the STA, then it is determined that the second preset number of Probe Request messages has been received; otherwise, it is determined that the second preset number of Probe Request messages has not been received.

[0151] The second preset quantity can be determined based on the difference between the first and second preset quantities of Beacon Request messages sent by the wireless device within a preset time period. In other words, the second preset quantity equals the first quantity minus the second preset difference. The second preset difference can be set according to actual needs.

[0152] If the reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Reports were not received, but the second preset number of Probe Request messages were received, the wireless device can determine that the STA's second neighbor collection capability information is that it does not support collecting neighbor information using Beacon Request messages and can trigger a Probe Request. In other words, the second neighbor collection capability information is: the STA does not support Beacon Request measurements and can trigger a Probe Request. A Probe Request message is a message sent by the STA after receiving a Beacon Request message.

[0153] In this case, the wireless device can adopt any of the neighbor collection strategies (i.e., the neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information) from neighbor collection strategy a to neighbor collection strategy c. See the relevant description in Case 2 for details.

[0154] Case 4: The reception result indicates that neither the first preset number of Beacon Report messages nor the second preset number of Probe Request messages were received.

[0155] If the reception result indicates that neither the first preset number of Beacon Report messages nor the second preset number of Probe Request messages have been received, the wireless device can determine that the STA's second neighbor collection capability information does not support collecting neighbor information using Beacon Request messages, and therefore cannot trigger a Probe Request. In other words, the second neighbor collection capability information is: the STA does not support Beacon Request measurements and cannot trigger a Probe Request. A Probe Request message is a message sent by the STA after receiving a Beacon Request message.

[0156] In this case, the wireless device can adopt any of the neighbor collection strategies (i.e., the neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information) from neighbor collection strategy a to neighbor collection strategy b. See the relevant description in Case 2 for details.

[0157] Case 5: The reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages were not received, and the STA's service is abnormal within the preset time period.

[0158] In this embodiment, service anomalies include terminal service side effects such as service interruption and increased latency. The wireless device can monitor the messages sent by the STA to determine if any terminal service side effects exist.

[0159] For example, if the first rate is detected to be lower than the second rate, and the difference between the first and second rates is less than a third preset value, the wireless device can determine that there is a side effect of increased latency in the terminal service during the process of collecting neighboring AP information using Beacon Report messages. Otherwise, the wireless device can determine that there is no side effect of increased latency in the process of collecting neighboring AP information using Beacon Report messages. Here, the first rate is the rate at which the STA sends messages within a preset time period, and the second rate is the rate at which the STA sends messages before the preset time period. The third preset difference can be set according to actual needs.

[0160] For example, if no messages are received from the STA for a first preset duration within a preset time period, the wireless device can determine that there is a terminal service interruption side effect during the process of collecting neighboring AP information using Beacon Report messages. Otherwise, the wireless device can determine that there is no terminal service interruption side effect during the process of collecting neighboring AP information using Beacon Report messages. The first preset duration can be set according to actual needs.

[0161] If the reception result indicates that the first preset number of Beacon Report messages have not been received, and the STA's service is abnormal within a preset time period, the wireless device can determine that the STA's second neighbor collection capability information does not support the use of Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor AP information, and that the use of Beacon Request messages to collect neighbor AP information introduces service side effects. In other words, the second neighbor collection capability information is: the STA does not support Beacon Request measurement, and Beacon Request measurement introduces terminal service side effects.

[0162] In this case, the wireless device can adopt any of the neighbor collection strategies (i.e., the neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information) from neighbor collection strategy a to neighbor collection strategy b. See the relevant description in Case 2 for details.

[0163] In this embodiment, the wireless device learns the neighbor collection capability information of the STA, as described in cases 1 to 5 above. This enables the wireless device to more accurately use the most suitable neighbor collection strategy to collect neighbor AP information, and more accurately guide the STA roaming, thus achieving better cooperative roaming effects.

[0164] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, a method for collecting neighbor information, applied to wireless devices, is also provided, which may include the following steps:

[0165] Step S301: After the wireless terminal connects to the wireless device, obtain the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal.

[0166] Step S302: If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message, then a beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message. The beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0167] Step S303: Obtain the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0168] Step S304: Based on the received result, determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal;

[0169] Step S305: Use a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information to collect the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; Steps S301 to S305 are the same as Steps S201 to S205 above.

[0170] Step S306: If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then determine the AP of the wireless terminal using independent radio frequency scanning; obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0171] In this embodiment of the application, when the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the STA indicates that the STA does not support collecting neighbor AP information using Beacon Request messages, the wireless device no longer sends Beacon Request messages to collect the STA's neighbor AP information. At this time, the wireless device can use any of the neighbor collection strategies a to b described above to determine the STA's neighbor AP information.

[0172] When using neighbor collection strategy a, the wireless device determines the APs that the STA can access using independent radio frequency scanning; it then acquires the radio service information of the determined APs as the STA's neighbor AP information. When using neighbor collection strategy b, the wireless device predicts the current neighbor AP information of the STA based on the STA's historical neighbor AP information. For specific implementation details of neighbor collection strategies a to b, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Case 2 above.

[0173] In this embodiment, the wireless device can more accurately use the most suitable neighbor collection strategy to collect neighbor AP information based on the neighbor collection capability information reported by the STA, and more accurately guide the STA roaming, thus achieving better cooperative roaming effect.

[0174] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, a method for collecting neighbor information, applied to wireless devices, is also provided, which may include the following steps:

[0175] Step S401: After the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device, obtain the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal; Step S401 is the same as Step S201 above.

[0176] Step S402: If a probe request message is periodically received from a wireless terminal, then the AP that received the probe request message is determined.

[0177] Step S403: Obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal;

[0178] Step S404: If no probe request message is periodically received from the wireless terminal, then if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then a beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message. The beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0179] In this embodiment, the STA can periodically send a Probe Request message even if it does not receive a Beacon Request message from the wireless device, or the STA can trigger the sending of a Probe Request message after receiving a Beacon Request message from the wireless device.

[0180] If the STA reports its first neighbor collection capability information, the wireless device can determine whether it periodically receives Probe Request messages sent by the STA using any of the following methods.

[0181] In Method 1, if the wireless device receives a third preset number of Probe Request messages from the STA, and the reception time interval between any two adjacent Probe Request messages is the same or fluctuates within a predetermined range, then it can be determined that the wireless device is periodically receiving Probe Request messages from the STA. Otherwise, the wireless device can determine that it is not periodically receiving Probe Request messages from the STA. The predetermined range can be set according to actual needs.

[0182] Method 2: If the wireless device receives multiple Probe Request messages from the STA within a second preset time period, and the reception time interval between any two adjacent Probe Request messages is the same or fluctuates within a predetermined range, then it can be determined that the wireless device is periodically receiving Probe Request messages from the STA. Otherwise, the wireless device can determine that it is not periodically receiving Probe Request messages from the STA. The second preset time period can be set according to actual needs.

[0183] Wireless devices may use other methods to determine whether they periodically receive Probe Request messages from the STA, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0184] If the STA reports its first neighbor collection capability information, and the wireless device periodically receives a Probe Request message sent by the STA, it uses the Probe Request message to collect neighbor information, that is, to determine the AP that received the Probe Request message; and obtains the wireless service information of the determined AP as the STA's neighbor AP information.

[0185] If the STA reports the first neighbor collection capability information, and the wireless device does not periodically receive the Probe Request message sent by the STA, and the first neighbor collection capability information indicates support for Beacon Request measurement, then the Beacon Request message is used to collect neighbor information. That is, a Beacon Request message is sent to the STA so that the STA can reply with a Beacon Report message to the wireless device.

[0186] Step S405: Obtain the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0187] Step S406: Based on the received result, determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal;

[0188] Step S407: A neighbor collection strategy matching the second neighbor collection capability information is adopted to collect the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal. Steps S405-S407 are the same as steps S203-S205 above.

[0189] In this embodiment, when the STA periodically sends Probe Request messages, the wireless device no longer sends Beacon Request messages, but directly collects the STA's neighboring AP information based on the Probe Request messages, thereby reducing network load.

[0190] The following combination Figure 5 and Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the collaborative roaming process shown illustrates the neighbor information collection method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 The collaborative roaming process within a fat AP network can include the following steps:

[0191] In step S501, STA1 interacts with AP1 to enable STA1 to access AP1.

[0192] Step S502: After STA1 accesses AP1, STA1 reports its neighbor collection capability information 1 to AP1.

[0193] In step S503, AP1 checks whether STA1 is suitable for collecting neighbor AP information of STA1 using the Probe Request message; if yes, proceed to step S504; if no, proceed to step S506.

[0194] In this embodiment of the application, if AP1 periodically receives Probe Request message 1 sent by STA1, it is determined that STA1 is suitable to use Probe Request message 1 to collect STA1's neighbor AP information, and step S504 is executed; if AP1 does not periodically receive Probe Request message 1 sent by STA1, it is determined that STA1 is not suitable to use Probe Request message 1 to collect STA1's neighbor AP information, and step S506 is executed.

[0195] Step S504, AP1 determines the AP that received Probe Request message 1.

[0196] In step S505, AP1 obtains the wireless service information of the determined AP, which serves as the neighbor AP information of STA1.

[0197] In step S506, AP1 determines whether the neighbor collection capability information 1 supports Beacon Request measurement; if yes, proceed to step S507; if no, proceed to step S512.

[0198] Step S507: AP1 periodically sends Beacon Request messages 1 to STA1.

[0199] If STA1's real neighbor collection capability information indicates support for Beacon Request measurement, then upon receiving Beacon Request message 1, STA1 will unicast or broadcast Probe Request message 1. The unicast Probe Request message 1 carries the SSID. Upon receiving Probe Request message 1, APs such as AP1 and AP2, if they detect that the SSID carried in Probe Request message 1 matches their own SSID, or if Probe Request message 1 is a broadcast message, will reply to STA1 with Probe Response message 1. Based on the Probe Response messages 1 from each AP, STA1 generates its neighbor AP information 1, encapsulates it in a Beacon Report message 1, and sends it to AP1.

[0200] If the actual neighbor collection capability information of STA1 does not support Beacon Request measurement, then Probe Request message 1 will not be sent, or Probe Request message 1 will be sent, but Beacon Report message 1 will carry incorrect neighbor AP information, or introduce side effects to terminal services, etc.

[0201] Step S508, AP1 obtains the reception results of multiple Beacon Report messages 1 within a preset time period.

[0202] Step S509, AP1 determines STA1's neighbor collection capability information 2 based on the received result 1;

[0203] If the receiving result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and the multiple Beacon Report messages 1 carry the correct neighbor AP information (as in case 1 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 supports Beacon Request measurement, the neighbor report is correct, and step S510 is executed.

[0204] If the reception result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and the multiple Beacon Report messages 1 carry incorrect neighbor AP information (as in case 2 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 supports Beacon Request measurement, the neighbor report error is replied to, and step S511 is executed;

[0205] If the reception result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have not been received, but multiple Probe Request messages 1 have been received (as in case 3 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement and can trigger Probe Request, and step S511 is executed;

[0206] If the reception result 1 indicates that no multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and no multiple Probe Request messages 1 have been received (as in case 4 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement and cannot trigger Probe Request, and step S512 is executed.

[0207] If the reception result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have not been received, and the service of STA1 is abnormal within a preset time period (such as situation 5 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement. Beacon Request measurement introduces side effects to the terminal service, and step S512 is executed.

[0208] Step S510: AP1 periodically sends Beacon Request messages 1 to STA1.

[0209] Based on the neighbor AP information 1 in Beacon Report message 1, AP1 determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to connect to AP2.

[0210] Step S511, AP1 uses the specified neighbor collection strategy 1 to collect the neighbor AP information 2 of STA1.

[0211] The specified neighbor collection strategy 1 can be any of the neighbor collection strategies a to c mentioned above. Based on the neighbor AP information 2, AP1 determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to connect to AP2.

[0212] Step S512, AP1 uses the specified neighbor collection strategy 2 to collect the neighbor AP information of STA1 3.

[0213] The specified neighbor collection strategy 2 can be any of the neighbor collection strategies a to b mentioned above. Based on the neighbor AP information 3, AP1 determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to connect to AP2.

[0214] Figure 6 The collaborative roaming process within a thin AP+AC network can include the following steps:

[0215] In step S601, STA1 interacts with AC through AP1 to enable STA1 to access AC.

[0216] Step S602: After STA1 connects to AC, STA1 reports its neighbor collection capability information 1 to AC via AP1.

[0217] Step S603: The AC checks whether STA1 is suitable for collecting neighbor AP information of STA1 using the Probe Request message; if yes, proceed to step S604; if no, proceed to step S606.

[0218] In this embodiment of the application, if the AC periodically receives Probe Request message 1 sent by STA1 through AP1, it determines that STA1 is suitable to use Probe Request message 1 to collect STA1's neighbor AP information and executes step S604; if the AC does not periodically receive Probe Request message 1 sent by STA1 through AP1, it determines that STA1 is not suitable to use Probe Request message 1 to collect STA1's neighbor AP information and executes step S606.

[0219] In step S604, the AC identifies the AP that received Probe Request message 1.

[0220] In step S605, the AC obtains the wireless service information of the determined AP, which is used as the neighbor AP information of STA1.

[0221] In step S606, the AC determines whether the neighbor's collection capability information 1 supports Beacon Request measurement; if yes, proceed to step S607; if no, proceed to step S612.

[0222] In step S607, the AC periodically sends Beacon Request messages 1 to STA1 via AP1.

[0223] If STA1's real neighbor collection capability information indicates support for Beacon Request measurement, then upon receiving Beacon Request message 1, STA1 will unicast or broadcast Probe Request message 1. The unicast Probe Request message 1 carries the SSID. APs such as AP1 and AP2, upon receiving Probe Request message 1, will report Probe Request message 1 to the AC.

[0224] If the AC detects that the SSID carried in Probe Request message 1 matches its own SSID, or if Probe Request message 1 is a broadcast message, it will reply with Probe Response message 1 to STA1 through each AP. STA generates neighbor AP information 1 based on the Probe Response messages 1 replied by each AP, encapsulates the neighbor AP information 1 in a BeaconReport message 1, and sends it to the AC through AP1.

[0225] If the actual neighbor collection capability information of STA1 does not support Beacon Request measurement, then Probe Request message 1 will not be sent, or Probe Request message 1 will be sent, but Beacon Report message 1 will carry incorrect neighbor AP information, or introduce side effects to terminal services, etc.

[0226] Step S608: The AC obtains the reception results of multiple Beacon Report messages 1 within a preset time period.

[0227] Step S609: AC determines STA1's neighbor collection capability information 2 based on the received result 1.

[0228] If the receiving result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and the multiple Beacon Report messages 1 carry the correct neighbor AP information (as in case 1 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 supports Beacon Request measurement, the neighbor report is correct, and step S610 is executed.

[0229] If the receiving result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and the multiple Beacon Report messages 1 carry incorrect neighbor AP information (as in case 2 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 supports Beacon Request measurement, the neighbor is replied with an error report, and step S611 is executed;

[0230] If the reception result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have not been received, but multiple Probe Request messages 1 have been received (as in case 3 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement and can trigger Probe Request, and step S611 is executed;

[0231] If the reception result 1 indicates that no multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have been received, and no multiple Probe Request messages 1 have been received (as in case 4 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement and cannot trigger Probe Request, and step S612 is executed.

[0232] If the reception result 1 indicates that multiple Beacon Report messages 1 have not been received, and the service of STA1 is abnormal within a preset time period (such as situation 5 above), then it is determined that the neighbor collection capability information 2 does not support Beacon Request measurement. Beacon Request measurement introduces side effects to the terminal service, and step 612 is executed.

[0233] In step S610, the AC periodically sends Beacon Request messages 1 to STA1 via AP1.

[0234] Based on the neighbor AP information 1 in Beacon Report message 1, AC determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to access AC through AP2.

[0235] Step S611, AC uses the specified neighbor collection strategy 1 to collect the neighbor AP information 2 of STA1.

[0236] The specified neighbor collection strategy 1 can be any of the neighbor collection strategies a to c mentioned above. Based on the neighbor AP information 2, the AC determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to access the AC through AP2.

[0237] Step S612, AC uses the specified neighbor collection strategy 2 to collect the neighbor AP information of STA1 3.

[0238] The specified neighbor collection strategy 2 can be any of the neighbor collection strategies a to b mentioned above. Based on the neighbor AP information 3, the AC determines the AP that STA1 needs to roam to, such as AP2, and guides STA1 to access the AC through AP2.

[0239] In this embodiment, the wireless device can more accurately use the most suitable neighbor collection strategy to collect neighbor AP information based on the neighbor collection capability information reported by the STA, and more accurately guide the STA roaming, thus achieving better cooperative roaming effect.

[0240] Corresponding to the aforementioned neighbor information collection method, this application provides a neighbor information collection device, such as... Figure 7 As shown, it is applied to wireless devices and includes:

[0241] The first acquisition module 701 is used to acquire the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal after the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device.

[0242] The sending module 702 is configured to send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor access point (AP) information using a beacon request message, so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, and the beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0243] The second acquisition module 703 is used to acquire the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period;

[0244] The determination module 704 is used to determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received results;

[0245] The collection module 705 is used to collect neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information.

[0246] In some embodiments, the determining module 704 may be specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry correct neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is correct;

[0247] The collection module 705 can be used to: send beacon request messages to wireless terminals; receive beacon response messages from wireless terminals; and extract neighbor AP information of wireless terminals from beacon response messages.

[0248] In some embodiments, the determining module 704 may be specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is incorrect;

[0249] Collection module 705 can be used specifically for:

[0250] Identify the access points (APs) that the wireless terminal can scan using an independent radio frequency (RF) scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0251] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0252] Send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal can send a probe request message; determine the AP that received the probe request message; obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0253] In some embodiments, the determining module 704 may be specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, but a second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and can trigger a probe request, wherein the probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message;

[0254] Collection module 705 can be used specifically for:

[0255] Identify the access points (APs) that the wireless terminal can scan using an independent radio frequency (RF) scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0256] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0257] Send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal can send a probe request message; determine the AP that received the probe request message; obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0258] In some embodiments, the determining module 704 may be specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received and a second preset number of probe request messages have not been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages and cannot trigger a probe request. The probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message.

[0259] Collection module 705 can be used specifically for:

[0260] Identify the access points (APs) that the wireless terminal can scan using an independent radio frequency (RF) scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0261] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0262] In some embodiments, the determining module 704 may be specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, and the service of the wireless terminal is abnormal within a preset time period, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and introduce service side effects in the process of collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages.

[0263] Collection module 705 can be used specifically for:

[0264] Identify the access points (APs) that the wireless terminal can scan using an independent radio frequency (RF) scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0265] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0266] In some embodiments, the collection module 705 can also be used for:

[0267] If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then:

[0268] Identify the access points (APs) that the wireless terminal can scan using an independent radio frequency (RF) scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or,

[0269] Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0270] In some embodiments, the collection module 705 can also be used to determine the AP that received the probe request message if it periodically receives a probe request message sent by a wireless terminal; and obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

[0271] The sending module 702 can also be used to send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if it does not periodically receive a probe request message sent by the wireless terminal, and if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message.

[0272] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, after a wireless terminal accesses a wireless device, if the neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then the wireless device uses beacon request messages to collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information. Within a preset time period for collecting the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, the wireless device further confirms the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, such as second neighbor collection capability information, based on the wireless terminal's response behavior to the beacon request messages, thus forming a profile of the wireless terminal's support for neighbor collection capability information. The wireless device collects the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information based on the wireless terminal's true neighbor collection capability information, ensuring that the wireless device can accurately collect the wireless terminal's neighbor AP information and achieve cooperative roaming.

[0273] This application also provides a wireless device, such as... Figure 8 As shown, it includes a processor 801, a communication interface 802, a memory 803, and a communication bus 804, wherein the processor 801, the communication interface 802, and the memory 803 communicate with each other through the communication bus 804.

[0274] Memory 803 is used to store computer programs;

[0275] The processor 801, when executing the program stored in the memory 803, implements any of the above-mentioned neighbor information collection methods.

[0276] The communication bus mentioned in the wireless devices above can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This communication bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used to represent it in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0277] The communication interface is used for communication between the aforementioned wireless devices and other devices.

[0278] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage device. Optionally, the memory may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0279] The processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0280] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements any of the above-described neighbor information collection methods.

[0281] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer program product containing instructions is also provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the neighbor information collection methods described above.

[0282] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid state disk (SSD)).

[0283] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0284] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a related manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the embodiments for apparatus, wireless devices, storage media, and program products are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0285] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for collecting neighbor information, characterized in that, Applied to wireless devices, the method includes: After the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device, it obtains the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal. If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor access point (AP) information using a beacon request message, then a beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, and the beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal. Obtain the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period; Based on the received results, the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal is determined; The neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal is collected by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information; The step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result includes: If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and the replied neighbor AP information is incorrect. The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information includes: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result further includes: If the reception result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry the correct neighbor AP information, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and the replied neighbor AP information is correct. The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information further includes: Send the beacon request message to the wireless terminal; Receive the beacon response message from the wireless terminal; Extract the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal from the beacon response message.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result further includes: If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, but a second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and a probe request can be triggered. The probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message. The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information further includes: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result further includes: If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received and no second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the use of beacon request messages to collect neighbor AP information and cannot trigger a probe request. The probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message. The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information further includes: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The step of determining the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result further includes: If the reception result indicates that no first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the service of the wireless terminal is abnormal during the preset time period, then it is determined that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that service side effects are introduced in the process of collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages. The step of collecting neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information further includes: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then the method further includes: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a probe request message is periodically received from the wireless terminal, the AP that received the probe request message is identified; the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal. If no probe request message is periodically received from the wireless terminal, then the step of sending a beacon request message to the wireless terminal is performed if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message.

8. A neighbor information collection device, characterized in that, Applied to wireless devices, the device includes: The first acquisition module is used to acquire the first neighbor collection capability information reported by the wireless terminal after the wireless terminal accesses the wireless device. The sending module is configured to send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor access point (AP) information using a beacon request message, so that the wireless terminal replies to the wireless device with a beacon response message corresponding to the beacon request message, wherein the beacon response message carries the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; The second acquisition module is used to acquire the reception results of multiple beacon response messages corresponding to multiple beacon request messages within a preset time period; The determining module is used to determine the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal based on the received result; The collection module is used to collect the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal by adopting a neighbor collection strategy that matches the second neighbor collection capability information; The determining module is specifically used to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry incorrect neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is incorrect; The collection module is specifically used for: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, The beacon request message is sent to the wireless terminal to enable the wireless terminal to send a probe request message; the AP that received the probe request message is identified; and the wireless service information of the identified AP is obtained as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The determining module is further configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have been received, and the first preset number of beacon response messages carry correct neighbor AP information, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and that the replied neighbor AP information is correct; The collection module is further configured to: send the beacon request message to the wireless terminal; Receive the beacon response message from the wireless terminal; extract the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal from the beacon response message.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The determining module is further configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, but a second preset number of probe request messages have been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, and can trigger a probe request, wherein the probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message; The collection module is further used for: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Send the beacon request message to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal sends a probe request message; Identify the AP that received the probe request message; Obtain the wireless service information of the identified AP, and use it as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The determining module is further configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received and a second preset number of probe request messages have not been received, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the collection of neighbor AP information using beacon request messages and cannot trigger a probe request, wherein the probe request message is a message sent by the wireless terminal after receiving the beacon request message; The collection module is further used for: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The determining module is further configured to: if the receiving result indicates that a first preset number of beacon response messages have not been received, and the service of the wireless terminal is abnormal within the preset time period, then determine that the second neighbor collection capability information of the wireless terminal does not support the use of beacon request messages to collect neighbor AP information, and introduce service side effects in the process of using beacon request messages to collect neighbor AP information. The collection module is further used for: Identify the access points (APs) that can be scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; obtain the wireless service information of the identified APs as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The collection module is also used for: If the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal does not support collecting neighbor AP information using beacon request messages, then: Identify the access point (AP) that is scanned to the wireless terminal using an independent radio frequency scan; Obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP, and use it as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal; or, Based on the historical neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal, predict the current neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The collection module is further configured to, if periodically receiving a probe request message sent by the wireless terminal, determine the AP that received the probe request message; and obtain the wireless service information of the determined AP as the neighbor AP information of the wireless terminal. The sending module is further configured to, if it does not periodically receive a probe request message sent by the wireless terminal, send a beacon request message to the wireless terminal if the first neighbor collection capability information indicates that the wireless terminal supports collecting neighbor AP information using a beacon request message.

15. A wireless device, characterized in that, It includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus; Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor, when executing a program stored in memory, implements the method described in any one of claims 1-7.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in any one of claims 1-7.

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