Wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and wireless communication system

Abstract

To solve a situation where a wireless communication device cannot connect to another wireless communication device, in a four-way handshake (4 WHS) procedure using a device identifier.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device 10 includes: a control unit 110 that randomly generates a MAC address and executes a connection procedure to another wireless communication device 20; and a communication unit 120 that communicates with the other wireless communication device 20. The control unit 110 executes, as a connection procedure, a 4WHS procedure using a device identifier that is assigned by the other wireless communication device 20 and is different from the MAC address, and, if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device 20 in the 4WHS procedure, executes a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] The IEEE 802.11 standard is known as a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE 802.11 standard includes, for example, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, and IEEE 802.11ax.

[0003] A communication system in a WLAN includes, as its main components, an access point (hereinafter referred to as an "AP") and a station (hereinafter referred to as an "STA"). The AP and the STA execute a connection procedure for establishing a wireless communication path. For example, the above connection procedure includes an authentication procedure, an association procedure, and a 4-Way Handshake (4WHS) procedure (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-140088 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Within the IEEE 802.11 working group, a standard called IEEE 802.11bh is being considered, which will introduce settings and procedures for randomization of Media Access Control (MAC) addresses.

[0006] For example, if a STA randomly generates a MAC address, the AP may not be able to identify the STA. Therefore, it has been proposed to introduce a new device identifier (hereinafter referred to as a "device ID") to identify the STA when the MAC address is randomized. However, at present, no specific procedure between the AP and the STA has been proposed. For example, when the STA and the AP perform a 4WHS procedure using the device ID, a situation may occur in which the STA cannot connect to the AP due to various factors (e.g., the interconnectivity between the STA and the AP).

[0007] The present invention provides a technique capable of resolving a situation in which a STA cannot connect to an AP when a 4WHS procedure using a device ID is performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the wireless communication device (10) of the present invention includes a control unit (110) that randomly generates a MAC address and executes a connection procedure to another wireless communication device (20), and a communication unit (120) that communicates with the other wireless communication device. The control unit is configured to execute, as the connection procedure, a 4WHS procedure that uses a device identifier that is assigned by the other wireless communication device and that is different from the MAC address, and to execute a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the 4WHS procedure.

[0009] Also, a wireless communication method executed by a wireless communication device (10) in the present invention includes randomly generating a MAC address, executing a connection procedure to another wireless communication device (20), and communicating with the other wireless communication device. Executing the connection procedure includes executing, as the connection procedure, a 4WHS procedure using a device identifier that is assigned by the other wireless communication device and that is different from the MAC address, and, if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the 4WHS procedure, executing a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device.

[0010] Also, a wireless communication system (S) in the present invention includes a first wireless communication device (10) and a second wireless communication device (20). The first wireless communication device is configured to randomly generate a MAC address and execute a connection procedure to the second wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device is configured to assign a device identifier different from the MAC address to the first wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device is configured to execute a 4WHS procedure using the device identifier as the connection procedure, and if the device identifier is not recognized by the second wireless communication device in the 4WHS procedure, execute a reconnection procedure to the second wireless communication device.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when a 4WHS procedure using a device identifier (i.e., a device ID) is performed, it is possible to solve the situation where a wireless communication device cannot connect to another wireless communication device. Note that the above configuration may provide other effects instead of or in addition to the above effect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the wireless communication system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing yet another example configuration of the wireless communication system. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a STA according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an STA according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an AP according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an AP according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a connection procedure executed by a STA and an AP. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of device IDs. [Figure 10] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a connection procedure when a STA does not hold a device ID. [Figure 11] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a connection procedure when a STA holds a device ID. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow of an STA in a connection procedure according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0014] Each embodiment described below is merely one example of a configuration that can realize the present invention. Each of the following embodiments can be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Not all of the combinations of elements included in each of the following embodiments are necessarily essential to realize the present invention, and some of the elements can be omitted as appropriate. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each of the following embodiments. As long as there is no mutual contradiction, a configuration that combines multiple configurations described in the following embodiments can also be adopted.

[0015] 1. First embodiment 1.1. Wireless Communication Systems As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system S includes one or more stations (STAs) 10 and one or more access points (APs) 20.

[0016] The STA 10 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the AP 20. The STA 10 may be referred to as a "first wireless communication device" or a "first node."

[0017] The AP 20 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the STA 10 that exists within its radio wave coverage area (i.e., wireless cell). The AP 20 may be called a "second wireless communication device" or a "second node." The AP 20 has a base station function for connecting the STA 10 to a network.

[0018] In this embodiment, a wireless communication device or node that does not have a base station function is referred to as an "STA", and a wireless communication device or node that has a base station function is referred to as an "AP". Note that the configuration of the STA10 and the configuration of the AP20 are not limited to the above examples. The STA10 may have the function of the AP20 (e.g., a base station function). The AP20 may have the function of the STA10. In this way, the wireless communication system S may include a wireless communication device that has both the function of a STA and the function of an AP.

[0019] In the IEEE802.11 standard, a network configuration including the AP 20 and the STA 10 is called "Infrastructure Mode". In the infrastructure mode, a network configuration including the AP 20 and the STA 10 is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Note that a network configuration including multiple BSSs may be adopted, and such a network configuration is called an "Extended Service Set (ESS)".

[0020] The wireless communication system S according to this embodiment employs a network configuration in infrastructure mode, but may employ other network configurations. As shown in Fig. 2, the wireless communication system S may employ a network configuration that does not include an AP and is composed of only two or more STAs 10. In the IEEE802.11 standard, a network configuration that includes only STAs 10 is called an "ad-hoc mode." A network configuration that includes only STAs 10 is called an "Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)."

[0021] As another example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication system S may adopt a network configuration including only two or more APs 20 without including any STAs.

[0022] 1.2. STA Configuration Next, the configuration of the STA10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, the STA10 includes, as hardware elements, a processor 101, a memory 102, an input / output interface 103, a transceiver 104, and an antenna 105. The above elements included in the STA10 are connected to each other by an internal bus. Note that the STA10 may include hardware elements other than the elements shown in Figure 4.

[0023] The processor 101 is a computing element for implementing various functions of the STA 10. The processor 101 may be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) including elements such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a memory controller.

[0024] The memory 102 is an element that temporarily or permanently stores programs and data used to execute various processes in the STA 10. The memory 102 includes at least one storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM) and an embedded multi media card (eMMC). The programs include one or more instructions for the operation of the STA 10. The processor 101 implements the functions of the STA 10 by expanding the programs stored in the memory 102 into the memory 102 and / or a system memory (not shown) and executing them.

[0025] The input / output interface 103 is an interface that accepts operations on the STA 10 and supplies the operations to the processor 101, and also presents various information to the user. The input / output interface 103 may include, for example, a touch panel.

[0026] The transceiver 104 includes a transmitter and a receiver (not shown). The transceiver 104 is a circuit that executes various signal processing for implementing wireless communication, and includes a baseband processor and an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, etc. The transceiver 104 transmits a wireless signal to the AP 20 via the antenna 105, and receives a wireless signal from the AP 20 via the antenna 105.

[0027] 5, the STA 10 includes, as functional blocks, a control unit 110 and a communication unit 120. The communication unit 120 includes a transmission unit 121 and a reception unit 122.

[0028] The control unit 110 includes a processor 101 and a memory 102. In other words, the control unit 110 is implemented by the processor 101 and the memory 102. The control unit 110 executes various control processes in the STA 10. For example, the control unit 110 controls wireless communication with the AP 20 via the communication unit 120. Thus, the control unit 110 transmits a wireless signal to the AP 20 via the communication unit 120 and receives a wireless signal from the AP 20 via the communication unit 120.

[0029] The communication unit 120 includes the transceiver 104 and the antenna 105. In other words, the communication unit 120 is implemented by the transceiver 104 and the antenna 105. The communication unit 120 transmits a wireless signal to the AP 20 and receives a wireless signal from the AP 20. That is, the communication unit 120 performs wireless communication with the AP 20.

[0030] 1.3. AP Configuration Next, the configuration of the AP 20 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, the AP 20 includes, as hardware elements, a processor 201, a memory 202, a network transceiver 203, a wireless transceiver 204, and an antenna 205. The above elements included in the AP 20 are connected to each other by an internal bus. Note that the AP 20 may include hardware elements other than the elements shown in Figure 6.

[0031] The processor 201 is a computing element that implements various functions of the AP 20. The processor 201 may be a CPU. The processor 201 may include other processors such as a GPU or an SoC.

[0032] The memory 202 is an element that temporarily or permanently stores programs and data used to execute various processes in the AP 20. The memory 202 includes at least one storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM), a RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). The programs include one or more instructions for the operation of the AP 20. The processor 201 implements the functions of the AP 20 by expanding and executing the programs stored in the memory 202 in the memory 202 and / or a system memory (not shown).

[0033] The network transceiver 203 exchanges signals with other nodes, such as other APs 20. The other APs 20 may be, for example, APs 20 outside the coverage area of ​​the network, i.e., APs 20 belonging to other BSSs.

[0034] The wireless transceiver 204 includes a transmitter and a receiver (not shown). The wireless transceiver 204 is a circuit that executes various signal processing for implementing wireless communication, and includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, etc. The wireless transceiver 204 transmits wireless signals to the STA 10 via the antenna 205, and receives wireless signals from the STA 10 via the antenna 205.

[0035] 7, the AP 20 includes, as functional blocks, a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, and a network communication unit 230. The communication unit 220 includes a transmission unit 221 and a reception unit 222.

[0036] The control unit 210 includes a processor 201 and a memory 202. In other words, the control unit 210 is implemented by the processor 201 and the memory 202. The control unit 210 executes various control processes in the AP 20. For example, the control unit 210 controls wireless communication with the STA 10 via the communication unit 220. Thus, the control unit 210 transmits a wireless signal to the AP 20 via the communication unit 220 and receives a wireless signal from the AP 20 via the communication unit 220. The control unit 210 also controls communication with other nodes (e.g., other APs 20) via the network communication unit 230. The control unit 210 transmits a signal to other nodes via the network communication unit 230 and receives a signal from other nodes via the network communication unit 230.

[0037] The communication unit 220 includes the wireless transceiver 204 and the antenna 205. In other words, the communication unit 220 is implemented by the wireless transceiver 204 and the antenna 205. The communication unit 220 transmits wireless signals to the STA10 and receives wireless signals from the STA10. That is, the communication unit 220 performs wireless communication with the STA10.

[0038] The network communication unit 230 includes the network transceiver 203. In other words, the network communication unit 230 is implemented by the network transceiver 203. The network transceiver 203 transmits signals to other nodes and receives signals from other nodes.

[0039] 1.4. Connection Procedure The STA 10 and the AP 20 execute a connection procedure to establish a wireless communication path. For example, the connection procedure includes an authentication procedure, an association procedure, and a 4WHS procedure.

[0040] The above connection procedure is performed by exchanging wireless frames between the STA 10 and the AP 20. The wireless frames may be referred to as "wireless signals." The wireless frames include MAC frames exchanged on the MAC layer. The MAC frames are defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The wireless frames include management frames, control frames, and data frames.

[0041] The management frames include, for example, a beacon frame for reporting information about a wireless cell, a frame for an authentication procedure, a frame for an association procedure, etc. The control frames include a Request to Send (RTS) frame, an Acknowledgement (ACK) frame, a Clear to Send (CTS) frame, etc. The data frame is a frame for transmitting user data.

[0042] The header of the wireless frame includes a frame control field, a destination address field, a source address field, a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​field, etc. The frame control field includes a value indicating either a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame, as well as a value related to power management, etc. The destination address field includes an identifier for identifying a node to which the wireless frame is to be transmitted. The destination address field may include a MAC address. The source address field includes an identifier for identifying a node to which the wireless frame is to be transmitted. The source address field may include a MAC address. The BSSID field includes an identifier for identifying a BSS. The BSSID field may include a MAC address of an AP 20 that belongs to the target BSS.

[0043] 8, the STA10 and the AP20 execute an authentication procedure (S801). The STA10 generates an authentication frame. The STA10 transmits the authentication frame to the AP20. In response, the AP20 generates an authentication frame. The AP20 transmits the authentication frame to the STA10.

[0044] Furthermore, the STA10 and the AP20 execute an association procedure (S802). The STA10 generates an association request frame. The STA10 transmits the association request frame to the AP20. The AP20 then generates an association response frame. The AP20 transmits the association response frame to the STA10. The association response frame includes an association ID (AID) that identifies the association. The association procedure establishes an association between the STA10 and the AP20. An AID is assigned to the association.

[0045] Furthermore, the STA 10 and the AP 20 execute the 4WHS procedure. The 4WHS procedure is a procedure in which a random number is exchanged between an authenticator and a supplicant, and an encryption key for unicast communication called a pairwise key is generated based on a pre-shared key. The following 4WHS procedure is a WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) procedure that also includes the generation of a group key for multicast communication and broadcast communication, but the configuration of this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0046] In the 4WHS procedure, STA10 and AP20 exchange messages 1 to 4. Hereinafter, for ease of notation, message 1 transmitted from AP20 to STA10 will be referred to as "Msg1", message 2 transmitted from STA10 to AP20 will be referred to as "Msg2", message 3 transmitted from AP20 to STA10 will be referred to as "Msg3", and message 4 transmitted from STA10 to AP20 will be referred to as "Msg4".

[0047] It is assumed that the STA 10 and the AP 20 hold a PMK (Pairwise Master Key) as a pre-shared key before the 4WHS procedure.

[0048] The AP 20 starts the 4WHS procedure after the authentication procedure and the association procedure. The AP 20 transmits Msg1 to the STA 10 (S803). Specifically, the control unit 210 generates an ANonce (Authenticator Nonce). The control unit 210 transmits Msg1 including the ANonce to the STA 10 via the communication unit 220.

[0049] STA10 generates a Pairwise Transient Key (PTK) in response to Msg1. Specifically, control unit 110 generates a Supplicant Nonce (SNonce). Control unit 110 generates the PTK based on the PMK, ANonce, SNonce, the MAC address of STA10, and the MAC address of AP20. Then, control unit 110 transmits Msg2 including the SNonce to AP20 via communication unit 120 (S804).

[0050] The AP 20 generates a PTK in response to Msg2. Specifically, the control unit 210 generates a PTK based on the PMK, ANonce, SNonce, the MAC address of STA10, and the MAC address of AP20. Furthermore, the control unit 210 generates a Group Temporal Key (GTK) based on a Group Master Key (GMK). The control unit 210 transmits Msg3 including the ANonce and GTK to the STA 10 via the communication unit 220 (S805).

[0051] STA10 transmits Msg4 to AP20 in response to Msg3 (S806). Specifically, control unit 110 generates Msg4 to indicate that the 4WHS procedure has been completed. Control unit 110 transmits Msg4 to AP20 via communication unit 120. Through the above 4WHS procedure, STA10 installs the PTK and GTK in itself. Similarly, AP20 installs the PTK and GTK in itself.

[0052] 1.5. Connection procedure using Device ID Typically, the MAC address is fixed and is used as information for uniquely identifying the STA10. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the STA10 randomly generates a MAC address. Therefore, there is a possibility that the AP20 cannot uniquely identify the STA10 using the MAC address. In consideration of this, in order for the AP20 to identify the STA10 under the implementation of the randomization of the MAC address, the STA10 and the AP20 execute a connection procedure using a device identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a "device ID").

[0053] The device ID is information for identifying the STA 10, and is different from a MAC address. The AP 20 generates a device ID and transmits the device ID to the STA 10. In this manner, the AP 20 assigns the device ID to the STA 10.

[0054] The AP 20 may periodically generate a device ID and assign the device ID to the STA 10. In another example, the AP 20 may generate a device ID and assign the device ID to the STA 10 when a predetermined update condition is satisfied.

[0055] The AP 20 may hold information about one or more device IDs that the AP 20 itself has generated. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the AP 20 may hold a list 90 including one or more device IDs that the AP 20 itself has generated. In this example, the AP 20 periodically generates device IDs. In the list 90, "ID_01" is the latest device ID.

[0056] In another example, the list 90 may be a list in which a device ID is associated with information (e.g., a MAC address) about the STA 10. In another example, the list 90 may be a list including one or more device IDs associated with a Service Set Identifier (SSID) that identifies a network.

[0057] The AP 20 may transmit information indicating that the AP 20 itself supports a connection procedure using a device ID to the STA 10. Hereinafter, the information is referred to as "support information" for convenience. The support information may indicate that "the AP 20 supports a connection procedure using a device ID (or the connection procedure using a device ID is active)" or "the AP 20 does not support a connection procedure using a device ID (or the connection procedure using a device ID is not active)". The support information may be a flag indicating either "the AP 20 supports a connection procedure using a device ID" or "the AP 20 does not support a connection procedure using a device ID". The AP 20 may broadcast a beacon frame including the support information. The support information may be included in a predetermined field (e.g., Extended RSN Capabilities field) included in the beacon frame. More specifically, the support information may be a Device ID Active field included in the Extended RSN Capabilities field.

[0058] The STA 10 receives support information from the AP 20. If the support information indicates that the AP 20 supports a connection procedure using a device ID, the STA 10 executes a connection procedure with the AP 20 using the device ID.

[0059] The following describes the connection procedure when the STA 10 does not hold a device ID, and the connection procedure when the STA 10 holds a device ID. Note that this embodiment is based on the premise that the STA 10 and the AP 20 execute a connection procedure other than FILS (Fast Initial Link Setup) / PASN (Pre Association Security Negotiation).

[0060] 1.6. Connection procedure when STA10 does not have a device ID If the STA 10 does not hold a device ID, the STA 10 may newly obtain a device ID from the AP 20 through the connection procedure shown in FIG.

[0061] The STA 10 and the AP 20 execute the authentication procedure and the association procedure similar to the procedure described in FIG. 8 (S1000).

[0062] Next, the AP 20 starts the 4WHS procedure. The AP 20 generates an ANonce in the same manner as in the procedure described in Fig. 8. The AP 20 transmits an Msg1 including the ANonce to the STA 10 (S1001).

[0063] STA10 generates an SNonce and a PTK in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 8. STA10 transmits Msg2 including the SNonce to AP20 (S1002). In this example, Msg2 may further include a field for a device ID (hereinafter referred to as a "device ID field"). Since STA10 does not currently hold a device ID, the device ID field may include a value indicating that STA10 does not hold a device ID. In another example, STA10 may transmit Msg2 that does not include a device ID field.

[0064] Based on Msg2, AP20 recognizes that STA10 does not hold a device ID. Furthermore, AP20 generates a PTK and a GTK in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 8. AP20 transmits Msg3 including ANonce and the GTK to STA10 (S1003). In this example, Msg3 may further include a field for the device ID (hereinafter referred to as a "device ID field") and a field indicating the status of the device ID (hereinafter referred to as a "status field").

[0065] The device ID field contains the latest device ID. In the case of the list 90 in FIG. 9, the device ID field contains “ID_01.” This allows the AP 20 to newly assign the device ID “ID_01” to the STA 10.

[0066] The status field may indicate that "the device ID is recognized by the AP 20" or that "the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20". The status field may be either "a first value (e.g., zero) indicating that the device ID is recognized by the AP 20" or "a second value (e.g., 1) indicating that the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20". When the AP 20 newly assigns a device ID to the STA 10, the status field may be the above-mentioned first value.

[0067] The STA 10 obtains the device ID from Msg 3. Then, the STA 10 transmits Msg 4 to the AP 20 in the same manner as in the procedure described with reference to FIG.

[0068] Note that the procedure in FIG. 10 is just an example, and the STA 10 may newly obtain a device ID from the AP 20 through a procedure other than the connection procedure shown in FIG.

[0069] 1.7. Connection procedure when STA10 has a device ID The STA 10 and the AP 20 may execute a connection procedure shown in FIG.

[0070] The STA 10 and the AP 20 execute the authentication procedure and the association procedure similar to the procedure described in FIG. 8 (S1100).

[0071] Next, the AP 20 starts the 4WHS procedure. The AP 20 generates an ANonce in the same manner as in the procedure described in Fig. 8. The AP 20 transmits an Msg1 including the ANonce to the STA 10 (S1101).

[0072] STA10 generates an SNonce and a PTK in the same manner as in the procedure described in Fig. 8. STA10 transmits Msg2 including the SNonce to AP20 (S1102). In this example, Msg2 further includes a device ID field. Since STA10 currently holds a device ID, STA10 sets the device ID in the device ID field of Msg2. Therefore, STA10 transmits Msg2 including the device ID.

[0073] Based on Msg2, AP20 recognizes that STA10 holds a device ID. Furthermore, AP20 generates a PTK and a GTK in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 8. AP20 transmits Msg3 including ANonce and GTK to STA10 (S1103). In this example, Msg3 further includes a device ID field and a status field. Three cases in which AP20 sets the device ID field and status field of Msg3 are described below.

[0074] (Case 1) Assume that the device ID included in Msg2 is "ID_01". As shown in list 90 of FIG. 9, the device ID included in Msg2 is the same as the latest device ID held by AP20. In this case, AP20 may set a value (e.g., zero) indicating that "the device ID included in Msg2 is the same as the latest device ID held by AP20" in the device ID field of Msg3. In another example, AP20 may set the same device ID (i.e., "ID_01") in the device ID field of Msg3. Furthermore, AP20 sets the above first value in the status field of Msg3. STA10 receives Msg3. STA10 determines that the device ID has been recognized by AP20 based on Msg3. Then, STA10 transmits Msg4 to AP20 in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 8 (S1104). This completes the 4WHS procedure.

[0075] (Case 2) Assume that the device ID included in Msg2 is "ID_02". As shown in the list 90 of FIG. 9, the device ID included in Msg2 is the same as the past device ID held by AP20. In other words, the device ID included in Msg2 is different from the latest device ID, but is included in the list 90. In this case, AP20 may set the latest device ID "ID_01" in the device ID field of Msg3. Furthermore, AP20 sets the above first value in the status field of Msg3. STA10 receives Msg3. STA10 obtains the latest device ID "ID_01" from Msg3. Then, STA10 transmits Msg4 to AP20 in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 8 (S1104). This completes the 4WHS procedure.

[0076] (Case 3) Assume that the list 90 in FIG. 9 has an error due to instability in the operation of the AP 20. In this case, even if the device ID included in Msg2 is a correct device ID, the AP 20 may determine that the device ID is not included in the list 90. In this case, the AP 20 sets the above-mentioned second value in the status field of Msg3. In this case, the AP 20 may omit the device ID field of Msg3.

[0077] Assume also that the interconnectivity between the STA 10 and the AP 20 is unstable. In such a situation, even if the device ID included in the Msg2 is included in the list 90, the AP 20 may set the above-mentioned second value in the status field of the Msg3.

[0078] Due to the above various factors, the AP 20 may set the above second value in the status field of Msg3. The STA 10 receives the Msg3 set as above. The STA 10 determines that the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 based on the Msg3. In one example, the STA 10 does not transmit Msg4 indicating that the 4WHS procedure is completed. Therefore, the STA 10 and the AP 20 cannot complete the 4WHS procedure.

[0079] In addition, in another example, if the STA 10 determines that the device ID has not been recognized by the AP 20 based on Msg3, the STA 10 may resend Msg2 including the device ID to the AP 20.

[0080] 1.8. Reconnection Procedure In the above-mentioned case 3, the STA 10 and the AP 20 cannot complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID. As a result, a situation may occur in which the STA 10 cannot connect to the AP 20.

[0081] To address the above-mentioned problem, in the present embodiment, when the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, the STA 10 executes a reconnection procedure to the AP 20. Hereinafter, an example of the reconnection procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the STA 10 has already acquired a device ID from the AP 20 through the 4WHS procedure described in FIG. 10 and is holding the device ID.

[0083] 12, the control unit 110 randomly generates a MAC address (S1201). Next, the control unit 110 starts a procedure for connecting to the AP 20 (S1202). Specifically, the control unit 110 executes the authentication procedure, the association procedure, and the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, as described in FIG.

[0084] The control unit 110 increments the counter N (S1203). The counter N is a variable for counting the number of attempts of the 4WHS procedure. The counter N is incremented each time the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20. In other words, the counter N represents the number of times the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20. The counter N is set to an initial value (i.e., zero) at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is any timing before the STA 10 starts a connection procedure to the AP 20. For example, the predetermined timing may be the timing when the power of the STA 10 is turned on.

[0085] After executing the authentication procedure and the association procedure, the control unit 110 receives Msg1 from the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID. Then, the control unit 110 transmits Msg2 including a device ID field to the AP 20 (S1204). At this time, the STA10 sets the device ID held by the STA10 itself in the device ID field. Therefore, the STA10 transmits Msg2 including the device ID to the AP20.

[0086] The control unit 110 receives Msg3 including a device ID field and a status field from the AP 20 (S1205).

[0087] The control unit 110 determines whether the device ID has been recognized by the AP 20 based on the status field (S1206). If the status field is the above-mentioned first value, the control unit 110 determines that the device ID has been recognized by the AP 20. In this case, the control unit 110 determines "Yes" in S1206 and transmits Msg4 to the AP 20 (S1207). This completes the 4WHS procedure.

[0088] In contrast, assume that the status field is the second value described above due to, for example, unstable interconnectivity between the STA 10 and the AP 20. The control unit 110 determines that the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20. In this case, the control unit 110 determines "No" in S1206.

[0089] Next, the control unit 110 judges whether the counter N is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold ThN (S1208). The threshold ThN may be, for example, an integer equal to or greater than 2. In this example, the threshold ThN is 2. Therefore, the control unit 110 judges "No" in S1208 and returns to S1202. The control unit 110 executes the connection procedure again. Note that, when the process of FIG. 12 returns from S1208 to S1202, the control unit 110 may execute all or part of the authentication procedure, the association procedure, and the 4WHS procedure using the device ID again. For example, the control unit 110 may execute only the 4WHS procedure using the device ID again. In this way, when the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20, the control unit 110 repeatedly executes the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0090] Next, when the process of FIG. 12 proceeds to S1208, the counter N is equal to or greater than the threshold ThN (=2). The control unit 110 determines "Yes" in S1208 and executes the reconnection procedure (S1209). The control unit 110 executes the 4WHS procedure without using a device ID as the reconnection procedure. That is, the control unit 110 executes the 4WHS procedure described in FIG. 8. For example, the STA10 and the AP20 may execute S803 to S806 in FIG. 8. That is, the control unit 110 receives Msg1 from the AP20 (S803). The control unit 110 transmits Msg2 to the AP20 (S804). Here, Msg2 does not include a device ID field. The control unit 110 receives Msg3 from the AP20 (S805). Here, Msg3 does not include a device ID field and a status field. The control unit 110 transmits Msg4 to the AP 20 (S806). In this way, the STA 10 and the AP 20 can complete the 4WHS procedure because they do not use device IDs. Therefore, the STA 10 can connect to the AP 20.

[0091] In addition, in S1209, the AP 20 may start the reconnection procedure based on a wireless frame or a wireless signal from the STA 10. For example, the AP 20 receives a wireless frame including the same MAC address from the STA 10. This allows the AP 20 to recognize a request for a reconnection procedure from the same STA 10. In addition, the STA 10 may transmit a wireless frame or a wireless signal including information regarding the request for a reconnection procedure to the AP 20.

[0092] The effects of this embodiment will be described below. As described above, in the following situation, the AP20 may set the second value in the status field of Msg3. This causes the STA10 and the AP20 to be unable to complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, and as a result, the STA10 cannot connect to the AP20. · The interconnectivity between STA10 and AP20 is unstable. -AP20 operation is unstable (for example, an error occurs in List 90).

[0093] According to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 12, when the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, the STA 10 performs the 4WHS procedure without using the device ID as a reconnection procedure. Since the STA 10 and the AP 20 do not use the device ID, the 4WHS procedure can be completed. Although the AP 20 cannot determine whether the STA 10 to be connected is the same STA, the AP 20 can ensure the connectivity between the STA 10 and the AP 20. As described above, the situation in which the STA 10 cannot connect to the AP 20 can be resolved.

[0094] If the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, the STA 10 repeatedly executes the 4WHS procedure using the device ID until the counter N becomes equal to or greater than the threshold ThN. For example, the interconnectivity between the STA 10 and the AP 20 may be stabilized during the repeated process. In this case, the AP 20 sets the above-mentioned first value in the status field of Msg3. The STA 10 transmits Msg4 to the AP 20 in response to Msg3. In this way, the above configuration can increase the possibility that the STA 10 and the AP 20 can complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0095] (Variation 1) In the process of returning from S1208 to S1202 in FIG. 12, the control unit 110 may wait using a timer. That is, if the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, the control unit 110 waits using a timer before repeating the 4WHS procedure using the device ID. While the STA 10 is waiting using the timer, the interconnectivity between the STA 10 and the AP 20 may be stabilized. The above configuration can increase the possibility that the STA 10 and the AP 20 can complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0096] (Variation 2) In S1209, the STA10 may execute a 4WHS procedure using a device ID (for example, S1101 to S1104 in FIG. 11) as a reconnection procedure. That is, the STA10 may transmit Msg2 including the device ID to the AP20. In this configuration, the STA10 may wait using a timer before executing the reconnection procedure. While the STA10 is waiting using the timer, the interconnectivity between the STA10 and the AP20 may be stabilized. In this case, the AP20 sets the above-mentioned first value in the status field of Msg3. The STA10 transmits Msg4 to the AP20 in response to Msg3. The above configuration can increase the possibility that the STA10 and the AP20 can complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0097] Also, in S1209, STA10 may repeatedly execute the 4WHS procedure using the device ID (for example, S1101 to S1104 in FIG. 11) as the reconnection procedure. In this configuration, STA10 may set the timer value so that the timer value gradually increases as the number of repetitions of the reconnection procedure increases. In this way, each time STA10 repeats the reconnection procedure, the waiting time of STA10 gradually increases. Therefore, while STA10 is waiting using the timer, the interconnectivity between STA10 and AP20 may be stabilized. The above configuration can further increase the possibility that STA10 and AP20 can complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0098] (Variation 3) In S1209, the STA10 may execute a 4WHS procedure (i.e., the 4WHS procedure described in FIG. 10) for newly acquiring a device ID as a reconnection procedure. Specifically, the STA10 transmits to the AP20 Msg2 that does not include a device ID or Msg2 indicating that the STA10 does not hold a device ID. The STA10 receives from the AP20 Msg3 that includes a new device ID. The new device ID here is different from the device ID included in the Msg2 in S1204 and is the latest device ID in the list 90 held by the AP20. Then, the STA10 transmits Msg4 to the AP20. In this manner, the STA10 and the AP20 can complete the 4WHS procedure using the device ID.

[0099] (Variation 4) When the interconnectivity between the STA10 and the AP20 becomes unstable, the AP20 may use a beacon frame to report support information indicating that the connection procedure using the device ID is not supported. That is, the AP20 may transition from a state in which the connection procedure using the device ID is supported to a state in which the connection procedure using the device ID is not supported. In S1208, the STA10 may receive the beacon frame reported by the AP20 and check the content of the support information again. If the support information indicates that the connection procedure using the device ID is supported, the STA10 may return to S1202 from S1208 and execute the process. If the support information indicates that the connection procedure using the device ID is not supported, the STA10 may proceed from S1208 to S1209 and execute the 4WHS procedure without using the device ID (i.e., the 4WHS procedure described in FIG. 8) as the reconnection procedure.

[0100] (Variation 5) If the STA 10 determines "No" in S1208, the process may return to S1201. That is, if the device ID is not recognized by the AP 20 in the 4WHS procedure using the device ID, the STA 10 may generate a MAC address again.

[0101] (Variation 6) The condition for determining whether to execute the reconnection procedure (S1208) is not limited to the condition of the counter N. For example, in S1208, the STA10 may use a condition for determining whether the 4WHS procedure using the device ID can be completed within a predetermined time limit. The predetermined time limit may be determined by a timer. If the 4WHS procedure using the device ID cannot be completed within the predetermined time limit, the STA10 may execute the reconnection procedure.

[0102] 2. Other embodiments Although the embodiment for carrying out the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It is naturally understood that the above embodiment is merely an example and various modifications are possible.

[0103] The words, phrases, and other expressions used in the above embodiments are merely examples and may be replaced with substantially identical or similar expressions. In particular, since the technology according to the above embodiment relates to technical specifications, the expressions in the above embodiments may be replaced with substantially identical or similar expressions in technical specifications (e.g., technical specifications cited in this specification).

[0104] The information transmitted and received in the above embodiment may be included and transmitted in the same or different message or the same or different element already described in the technical specifications, or may be included and transmitted and transmitted in a newly defined message or element. The information transmitted and received in the above embodiment may be transmitted and received using a layer and / or a different channel different from those in the above embodiment.

[0105] The means and / or functions provided by the devices described in the above embodiments can be provided by software recorded in a tangible memory device and a computer that executes the software, only software, only hardware, or a combination of these. For example, when any of the above devices is provided by an electronic circuit that is hardware, it can be provided by a digital circuit including a large number of logic circuits, or an analog circuit.

[0106] The device described in the above embodiment executes a program stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium, and the program is executed to perform a method corresponding to the program.

[0107] 3. Notes Some or all of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples may be described as follows, but are not limited to the contents of the following appendices. In the following, a relationship is expressed in which an appendix that is subordinate to multiple appendices is subordinate to an appendix that is subordinate to multiple appendices. All of the subordinate relationships of appendices expressed below are included in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0108] (Appendix 1) A wireless communication device (10), A control unit (110) that randomly generates a media access control (MAC) address and executes a procedure for connecting to another wireless communication device (20); A communication unit (120) for communicating with the other wireless communication device; Equipped with The control unit is performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; If the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure, a reconnection procedure is performed with the other wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: Wireless communication device.

[0109] (Appendix 2) The control unit is if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device, repeating the four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier; When the number of times that the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the reconnection procedure is executed. It is configured as follows: 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1.

[0110] (Appendix 3) The control unit is and configured to wait using a timer before repeating the four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device. 3. The wireless communication device of claim 2.

[0111] (Appendix 4) The control unit is configured to execute a four-way handshake procedure that does not use the device identifier as the reconnection procedure. 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

[0112] (Appendix 5) The control unit is configured to execute a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the reconnection procedure; The control unit is configured to transmit a message 2 including the device identifier to the other wireless communication device. 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

[0113] (Appendix 6) The control unit is configured to wait using a timer before performing the reconnection procedure. 6. The wireless communication device of claim 5.

[0114] (Appendix 7) The control unit is configured to repeatedly execute a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the reconnection procedure; The control unit is configured to set a value of the timer such that the value of the timer gradually increases as the number of repetitions of the reconnection procedure increases. 7. The wireless communication device of claim 6.

[0115] (Appendix 8) the control unit is configured to execute, as the reconnection procedure, a four-way handshake procedure for newly acquiring the device identifier; The control unit is Sending a message 2 to the other wireless communication device that does not include the device identifier; receiving a message 3 from the other wireless communication device, the message 3 including a new device identifier; It is configured as follows: 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

[0116] (Appendix 9) The control unit is receiving information transmitted from the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device; If the information indicates that the connection procedure using the device identifier is not supported, a four-way handshake procedure is performed as the reconnection procedure without using the device identifier. It is configured as follows: 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

[0117] (Appendix 10) In the four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the communication unit Sending a message 2 including the device identifier; When a message 3 including information indicating that the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device is received, the device identifier is determined to be not recognized by the other wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: 10. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0118] (Appendix 11) A wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication device (10), comprising: Randomly generating a Media Access Control (MAC) address and executing a procedure for connecting to another wireless communication device (20); communicating with the other wireless communication device; Including, Executing the connection procedure includes: performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; performing a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure; Including, A wireless communication method.

[0119] (Appendix 12) A processor (101) in a wireless communication device (10), Randomly generating a Media Access Control (MAC) address and executing a procedure for connecting to another wireless communication device (20); communicating with the other wireless communication device; A program for executing Executing the connection procedure includes: performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; performing a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure; Including, program.

[0120] (Appendix 13) A processor (101) in a wireless communication device (10), Randomly generating a Media Access Control (MAC) address and executing a procedure for connecting to another wireless communication device (20); communicating with the other wireless communication device; A non-transitive tangible recording medium having a program for executing the above-mentioned Executing the connection procedure includes: performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; performing a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure; Including, A non-transitive tangible recording medium.

[0121] (Appendix 14) A wireless communication system (S) comprising a first wireless communication device (10) and a second wireless communication device (20), the first wireless communication device is configured to randomly generate a Media Access Control (MAC) address and perform a connection procedure to the second wireless communication device; the second wireless communication device is configured to assign a device identifier different from the MAC address to the first wireless communication device; The first wireless communication device, performing a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the connection procedure; If the device identifier is not recognized by the second wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure, a reconnection procedure is performed with the second wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: Wireless communication system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 STA, 101 processor, 102 memory, 104 transceiver, 110 control unit, 120 communication unit, 20 AP, 201 processor, 202 memory, 204 wireless transceiver, 210 control unit, 220 communication unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication device (10), A control unit (110) that randomly generates a media access control (MAC) address and executes a procedure for connecting to another wireless communication device (20); A communication unit (120) for communicating with the other wireless communication device; Equipped with The control unit is performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; If the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure, a reconnection procedure is performed with the other wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: Wireless communication device.

2. The control unit is if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device, repeating the four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier; When the number of times that the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the reconnection procedure is executed. It is configured as follows: The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. The control unit is and configured to wait using a timer before repeating the four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit is configured to execute a four-way handshake procedure without using the device identifier as the reconnection procedure. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

5. The control unit is configured to execute a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the reconnection procedure; The control unit is configured to transmit a message 2 including the device identifier to the other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

6. The control unit is configured to wait using a timer before performing the reconnection procedure.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit is configured to repeatedly execute a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the reconnection procedure; The control unit is configured to set a value of the timer such that the value of the timer gradually increases as the number of repetitions of the reconnection procedure increases.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6.

8. the control unit is configured to execute, as the reconnection procedure, a four-way handshake procedure for newly acquiring the device identifier; The control unit is sending a message 2 to the other wireless communication device, the message 2 not including the device identifier; receiving a message 3 from the other wireless communication device, the message including a new device identifier; It is configured as follows: The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

9. The control unit is receiving information transmitted from the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device; If the information indicates that the connection procedure using the device identifier is not supported, a four-way handshake procedure is performed as the reconnection procedure without using the device identifier. It is configured as follows: The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

10. In the four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the communication unit Sending a message 2 including the device identifier; If a message 3 including information indicating that the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device is received, the device identifier is determined to be not recognized by the other wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication device (10), comprising: Randomly generating a Media Access Control (MAC) address and executing a connection procedure to another wireless communication device (20); communicating with the other wireless communication device; Including, Executing the connection procedure includes: performing a four-way handshake procedure as the connection procedure, the four-way handshake procedure using a device identifier assigned by the other wireless communication device and different from the MAC address; performing a reconnection procedure to the other wireless communication device if the device identifier is not recognized by the other wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure; Including, A wireless communication method.

12. A wireless communication system (S) comprising a first wireless communication device (10) and a second wireless communication device (20), the first wireless communication device is configured to randomly generate a Media Access Control (MAC) address and perform a connection procedure to the second wireless communication device; the second wireless communication device is configured to assign a device identifier different from the MAC address to the first wireless communication device; The first wireless communication device is performing a four-way handshake procedure using the device identifier as the connection procedure; If the device identifier is not recognized by the second wireless communication device in the four-way handshake procedure, a reconnection procedure is performed with the second wireless communication device. It is configured as follows: Wireless communication system.

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