Communication control apparatus, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication control apparatus, a communication control method, and a program for securing easily communication quality in a plurality of communication units where at least parts of a frequency band to be used are overlapped.SOLUTION: A communication control apparatus 100 includes a first communication unit 1, a second communication unit 2, a status detection unit 31, and a switching control unit 32. The first communication unit 1 performs communication by using a first use channel in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The second communication unit 2 performs communication by using a second use channel in a third frequency band which is overlapped with at least a part of the second frequency band. The status detection unit 31 detects a communication status of the first communication unit 1 for each of a plurality of first communication channels, and detects a communication status of the second communication unit 2 for each of a plurality of second communication channels. The switching control unit 32 controls the first active channel to be switched in accordance with a result detected by the status detection unit 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, and a program. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, and a program including a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the frequency bands used overlap with each other.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless LAN communication control device that controls wireless communication between a wireless LAN access point and a communication terminal. The wireless LAN communication control device includes a communication status detection unit and a switching control unit. The communication status detection unit detects the communication status of the wireless LAN access point for each communication channel of a plurality of wireless LAN communication methods. The switching control unit switches the wireless LAN communication method and the communication channel between the wireless LAN access point and the communication terminal according to the communication status detected by the communication status detection unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a communication control device including a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the frequency bands used overlap with each other. In such a communication control device, radio wave interference may occur in the communication performed by the plurality of communication units, and it may be difficult to ensure the communication quality in the plurality of communication units.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication control device, a communication control method, and a program that can easily ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the frequency bands used overlap with each other.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A communication control device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, a situation detection unit, and a switching control unit. The first communication unit communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The second communication unit communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps. The situation detection unit detects a first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and detects a second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit, for each of the plurality of second communication channels. The switching control unit controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit.

[0007] A communication control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a communication control method for controlling a first communication unit and a second communication unit. The first communication unit communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The second communication unit communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps. The communication control method includes a situation detection step and a switching control step. In the situation detection step, a first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit, is detected for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and a second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit, is detected for each of the plurality of second communication channels. In the switching control step, control is performed to switch the first used channel according to the detection result in the situation detection step.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer system to execute the above-described communication control method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the frequency bands used overlaps.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and various changes can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical idea related to the present disclosure as long as it is within the scope not departing from the technical idea related to the present disclosure.

[0012] (Embodiment) (1) Outline Hereinafter, the outline of the communication control device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first communication unit 1, a second communication unit 2, a situation detection unit 31, and a switching control unit 32.

[0014] The first communication unit 1 communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. That is, the first used channel is the first communication channel used by the first communication unit 1 when communicating among the plurality of first communication channels. Note that the plurality of first communication channels are a plurality of communication channels included in (divided in) a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The "communication channel" referred to in the present disclosure is the frequency used as a transmission path for transmitting and receiving data.

[0015] The second communication unit 2 communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps. That is, the second used channel is the second communication channel used by the second communication unit 2 when communicating among the plurality of second communication channels. Note that the plurality of second communication channels are a plurality of communication channels included in (divided in) the third frequency band.

[0016] The situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and also detects the second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels. The switching control unit 32 switches the first used channel used by the first communication unit 1 when communicating according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31. More specifically, the switching control unit 32 switches the first used channel used by the first communication unit 1 when communicating according to the first communication situation and the second communication situation.

[0017] As described above, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment can reduce the influence of radio wave interference caused by the overlap between the first used channel of the first communication unit 1 and the second used channel of the second communication unit 2. As a result, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment has the advantage of easily ensuring the communication quality in each of the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2. That is, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment has the advantage of easily ensuring the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlap.

[0018] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Overall Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 100 includes a first communication unit 1, a second communication unit 2, a control unit 3, and a storage unit 4. The control unit 3 includes a situation detection unit 31, a switching control unit 32, and a notification control unit 33. The communication control device 100 is a device that controls the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication control device 100 is connected to a network NT1 via a home gateway Y1. Therefore, each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 and each of the plurality of second slave devices X2 can access the network NT1 by communicating with the communication control device 100. The home gateway Y1 is a system for connecting the communication control device 100 and the network NT1. As an example, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment is connected to the home gateway Y1 by wireless communication. More specifically, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment is connected to the home gateway Y1 by the wireless communication of the first communication unit 1. Note that the communication control device 100 may be connected to the home gateway Y1 by wired communication.

[0021] (2-2) First communication unit The first communication unit 1 communicates with the first slave unit X1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) using a first used channel that is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band.

[0022] The first slave unit X1 is an electrical device configured to enable communication using the above first used channel. The first slave unit X1 is, for example, a computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are a plurality of first slave units X1, and the first communication unit 1 assumes a case of communicating with each of the plurality of first slave units X1.

[0023] In the first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment, the first frequency band is the 5.0 GHz band, and the second frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band. In short, the first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment communicates with each of the plurality of first slave units X1 using wireless communication compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. More specifically, the first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment is a wireless circuit compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. That is, the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment has an advantage that it is easy to ensure communication quality in wireless communication compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. Note that the “5.0 GHz band” as used in the present disclosure is, for example, a frequency band between 5150 MHz and 5730 MHz. Also, the “2.4 GHz band” as used in the present disclosure is, for example, a frequency band between 2400 MHz and 2497 MHz.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the first communication unit 1 includes an antenna 11, a switching unit 12, a first RF processing unit 13, a second RF processing unit 14, and a baseband processing unit 15.

[0025] Antenna 11 transmits or receives radio waves for wireless communication with each of a plurality of first slave devices X1. More specifically, antenna 11 converts a transmission signal (electrical signal) input from the first RF processing unit 13 or the second RF processing unit 14 into radio waves, and transmits the converted radio waves to each of the plurality of first slave devices X1. Also, antenna 11 converts radio waves received from each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 into an electrical signal (received signal), and outputs the converted electrical signal to the first RF processing unit 13 or the second RF processing unit 14 via the switching unit 12. Note that the frequency of the radio waves transmitted or received by antenna 11 is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band.

[0026] The first RF processing unit 13 is a circuit that adopts any one of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band as a first used channel, and performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the frequency band of the first used channel. The first RF processing unit 13 of the present embodiment is a circuit that performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the 5.0 GHz band.

[0027] When antenna 11 transmits radio waves, the first RF processing unit 13, for example, as transmission processing, modulates a transmission signal input from the baseband processing unit 15 to the frequency of the first used channel, and outputs the modulated transmission signal to antenna 11. On the other hand, when antenna 11 receives radio waves, the first RF processing unit 13, for example, as reception processing, demodulates a reception signal input from antenna 11 via the switching unit 12 from the frequency of the first used channel, and outputs the demodulated reception signal to the baseband processing unit 15.

[0028] Similarly, the second RF processing unit 14 is a circuit that adopts any one of two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band as a first used channel, and performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the frequency band of the first used channel. The second RF processing unit 14 of the present embodiment is a circuit that performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0029] When the antenna 11 transmits radio waves, for example, as transmission processing, the second RF processing unit 14 modulates the transmission signal input from the baseband processing unit 15 to the frequency of the first used channel, and outputs the modulated transmission signal to the antenna 11. On the other hand, when the antenna 11 receives radio waves, for example, as reception processing, the second RF processing unit 14 demodulates the received signal input from the antenna 11 via the switching unit 12 from the frequency of the first used channel, and outputs the demodulated received signal to the baseband processing unit 15.

[0030] The switching unit 12 switches between operating the first RF processing unit 13 or operating the second RF processing unit 14. For example, the switching unit 12 switches whether the antenna 11 is connected to either the first RF processing unit 13 or the second RF processing unit 14. When the antenna 11 is connected to the first RF processing unit 13, the frequency of the radio waves transmitted or received by the antenna 11 is any one of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band. On the other hand, when the antenna 11 is connected to the second RF processing unit 14, the frequency of the radio waves transmitted or received by the antenna 11 is any one of two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band.

[0031] The baseband processing unit 15 performs a predetermined conversion process on the electrical signal input from the control unit 3, and outputs it to the first RF processing unit 13 or the second RF processing unit 14 as a transmission signal. Also, the baseband processing unit 15 performs a predetermined conversion process on the received signal input from the first RF processing unit 13 or the second RF processing unit 14, and outputs the electrical signal after performing the predetermined conversion process to the control unit 3.

[0032] The control unit 3 outputs the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 (see FIG. 2) to the baseband processing unit 15. Also, the control unit 3 controls so that the electrical signal input from the baseband processing unit 15 is transmitted to the home gateway Y1.

[0033] The first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment communicates with a home gateway Y1 (see FIG. 2) using a first used channel that is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. As an example, the first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment performs communication with each of a plurality of first slave units X1 and communication with the home gateway Y1 in a time-division manner.

[0034] Therefore, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 via the first communication unit 1 to be transmitted by the first communication unit 1 to each of the plurality of first slave units X1. More specifically, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment outputs the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 via the first communication unit 1 to the baseband processing unit 15. Further, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls the first communication unit 1 to transmit the received signal received from each of the plurality of first slave units X1 via the first communication unit 1 to the home gateway Y1. More specifically, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls the first communication unit 1 to transmit the electrical signal input from the baseband processing unit 15 to the home gateway Y1.

[0035] (2-3) Second communication unit The second communication unit 2 communicates with a second slave unit X2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) using a second used channel that is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band. The third frequency band overlaps at least a part of the second frequency band in the first communication unit 1 and does not overlap with the first frequency band in the first communication unit 1. In short, the plurality of first communication channels in the first communication unit 1 includes at least a part of the plurality of second communication channels in the second communication unit 2.

[0036] The second slave unit X2 is an electrical device configured to be capable of communicating using the above-described second used channel. The second slave unit X2 is, for example, a lighting device, an audio device, a sensor device, or a smart speaker. In the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are a plurality of second slave units X2, and the second communication unit 2 assumes a case of communicating with each of the plurality of second slave units X2.

[0037] In the second communication unit 2 of the present embodiment, the third frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band. As an example, the second communication unit 2 of the present embodiment communicates with each of a plurality of second slave devices X2 using wireless communication compliant with the Thread (registered trademark) standard. More specifically, the first communication unit 1 of the present embodiment is a wireless circuit compliant with the Thread (registered trademark) standard.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the second communication unit 2 includes an antenna 21, a third RF processing unit 22, and a baseband processing unit 23.

[0039] The antenna 21 transmits or receives radio waves for performing wireless communication with each of a plurality of second slave devices X2. More specifically, the antenna 21 converts a transmission signal (electrical signal) input from the third RF processing unit 22 into radio waves, and transmits the converted radio waves to each of the plurality of second slave devices X2. Further, the antenna 21 converts radio waves received from each of the plurality of second slave devices X2 into an electrical signal (received signal), and outputs the converted electrical signal to the third RF processing unit 22. Note that the frequency of the radio waves transmitted or received by the antenna 21 is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in the third frequency band.

[0040] The third RF processing unit 22 is a circuit that adopts any one of a plurality of second communication channels as a second used channel, and performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the frequency band of the second used channel. The third RF processing unit 22 of the present embodiment is a circuit that performs transmission processing of a transmission signal or reception processing of a reception signal in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0041] When the antenna 21 transmits radio waves, for example, as transmission processing, the third RF processing unit 22 modulates the transmission signal input from the baseband processing unit 23 to the frequency of the second used channel, and outputs the modulated transmission signal to the antenna 21. On the other hand, when the antenna 21 receives radio waves, for example, as reception processing, the third RF processing unit 22 demodulates the received signal input from the antenna 21 from the frequency of the second used channel, and outputs the demodulated received signal to the baseband processing unit 23.

[0042] The baseband processing unit 23 performs a predetermined conversion process on the electrical signal input from the control unit 3, and outputs it to the third RF processing unit 22 as a transmission signal. Further, the baseband processing unit 23 performs a predetermined conversion process on the received signal input from the third RF processing unit 22, and outputs it to the control unit 3.

[0043] The control unit 3 outputs the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 (see FIG. 2) to the baseband processing unit 23. Further, the control unit 3 controls so that the electrical signal input from the baseband processing unit 23 is transmitted to the home gateway Y1.

[0044] The control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls so that the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 via the first communication unit 1 is transmitted by the second communication unit 2 to each of the plurality of second slave units X2. More specifically, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment outputs the electrical signal received from the home gateway Y1 via the first communication unit 1 to the baseband processing unit 23. Further, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls the first communication unit 1 so that the received signal received from each of the plurality of second slave units X2 via the second communication unit 2 is transmitted to the home gateway Y1. More specifically, the control unit 3 of the present embodiment controls the first communication unit 1 so that the electrical signal input from the baseband processing unit 23 is transmitted to the home gateway Y1.

[0045] (2-4) Situation detection unit The status detection unit 31 detects the first communication status, which is the communication status of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels. That is, the status detection unit 31 detects the first communication status in each of the plurality of first communication channels. More specifically, the status detection unit 31 detects the first communication status in each of the plurality of first communication channels, and detects whether the first communication status by each of the plurality of first communication channels is poor.

[0046] The status detection unit 31 of the present embodiment detects the first communication status based on the number of times (i.e., the retry count) that the first slave unit X1 retries communication with the first communication unit 1 in each of the plurality of first communication channels. When the first communication status is poor, the first slave unit X1 retries communication with the first communication unit 1. Therefore, when the retry count of the first slave unit X1 exceeds a preset number in a specific first communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels, the status detection unit 31 detects that the first communication status by the specific first communication channel is poor. The "case where the first communication status is poor" here means, for example, the case where the communication with the first communication unit 1 is intermittently interrupted, or the case where the communication speed with the first communication unit 1 becomes slower than a predetermined speed.

[0047] Similarly, the status detection unit 31 detects the second communication status, which is the communication status of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels. That is, the status detection unit 31 detects the second communication status in each of the plurality of second communication channels. More specifically, the status detection unit 31 detects the second communication status in each of the plurality of second communication channels, and detects whether the second communication status by each of the plurality of second communication channels is poor.

[0048] The situation detection unit 31 of this embodiment detects the second communication situation based on the number of times the second slave unit X2 retries communication with the second communication unit 2 in each of the plurality of second communication channels. When the second communication situation is poor, the second slave unit X2 retries communication with the second communication unit 2. Therefore, when the number of retries of the second slave unit X2 exceeds a preset number in a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels, the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation by the specific second communication channel is poor. The "when the second communication situation is poor" here means, for example, when the communication with the second communication unit 2 is intermittently interrupted, or when the communication speed with the second communication unit 2 becomes slower than a predetermined speed, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, when the situation detection unit 31 of this embodiment detects that at least one of the first communication situations by each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication situations by each of the plurality of second communication channels is poor, it detects one or more first communication channels that are not used by the first communication unit 1 among the plurality of first communication channels. As an example, the situation detection unit 31 detects one or more first communication channels that are not used by the first communication unit 1 among the plurality of first communication channels by inquiring the first communication unit 1 (the first RF processing unit 13 and the second RF processing unit 14 thereof).

[0050] (2-5) Storage unit The storage unit 4 stores priority information indicating which of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel by the switching control unit 32. The priority information of this embodiment indicates which of two or more first communication channels in the 5.0 GHz band and two or more first communication channels in the 2.4 GHz band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel by the switching control unit 32. The storage unit 4 includes, for example, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM.

[0051] For example, the storage unit 4 of the present embodiment stores priority information transmitted from any one of a plurality of first slave devices X1 via the first communication unit 1. In this case, the user sets the priority information using any one of the plurality of first slave devices X1, and the set priority information is transmitted to the first communication unit 1 of the communication control device 100.

[0052] (2-6) Switching control unit The switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31. More specifically, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that at least any one of the first communication situations by each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication situations by each of the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel. The switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 (at least any one of the switching unit 12, the first RF processing unit 13, and the second RF processing unit 14 of the first communication unit 1) to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to any one of one or more unused first communication channels detected by the situation detection unit 31.

[0053] The switching control unit 32 of the present embodiment controls to switch the first used channel based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4 according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31. When the situation detection unit 31 detects that at least any one of the first communication situations by each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication situations by each of the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 of the present embodiment determines the switching destination first used channel from one or more unused first communication channels detected by the situation detection unit 31 based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4. Then, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the determined switching destination first used channel. According to the above configuration, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure the communication quality in the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 where at least a part of the used frequency bands overlap, while maintaining the state where the first communication unit 1 uses the first communication channel in the frequency band desired by the user.

[0054] More specifically, an example will be described assuming that each of a plurality of first slave devices X1 is configured to be capable of communicating by both two or more first communication channels in a first frequency band and two or more first communication channels in a second frequency band. In the above case, when the priority information indicates that two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel, the switching control unit 32 determines the switching destination first used channel from one or more unused first communication channels among the two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band. Similarly, when the priority information indicates that two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel, the switching control unit 32 determines the switching destination first used channel from one or more unused first communication channels among the two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band.

[0055] Next, as an example, an example will be described assuming that the plurality of first slave devices X1 includes a first slave device X1 that does not support communication by two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and is configured to be capable of communication only by two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band. In the above case, even when the priority information indicates that two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel, the switching control unit 32 determines the switching destination first used channel from one or more unused first communication channels among the two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band. Also, when the priority information indicates that two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel, the switching control unit 32 determines the switching destination first used channel from one or more unused first communication channels among the two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band.

[0056] In addition, when there are a plurality of first slave devices X1 that do not support communication using two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band and are configured to be capable of communication only using two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band, the description is omitted since the same applies.

[0057] After the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 so that the notification control unit 33 notifies each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 of the switching destination first use channel, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch to the switching destination first use channel determined from the first use channel currently used by the first communication unit 1.

[0058] (2-7) Notification control unit The notification control unit 33 controls the first communication unit 1 to notify each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 of the switching destination first use channel determined by the switching control unit 32. Specifically, the notification control unit 33 controls the first communication unit 1 to transmit information indicating the switching destination first use channel to each of the plurality of first slave devices X1. The notification control unit 33 outputs information indicating the switching destination first use channel determined by the switching control unit 32 to the first communication unit 1.

[0059] Each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 switches from the first use channel currently used in communication with the first communication unit 1 to the switching destination first use channel notified by the notification control unit 33. Specifically, each of the plurality of first slave devices X1 switches from the first use channel currently used in communication with the first communication unit 1 to the above-described switching destination first use channel based on the information indicating the switching destination first use channel received from the first communication unit 1.

[0060] (3) Communication control method A communication control method in which the communication control device 100 of the present embodiment controls the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication control method includes a situation detection step ST1, a defect detection step ST2, an unused detection step ST3, a determination step ST4, a notification control step ST5, and a switching control step ST6.

[0062] In the situation detection step ST1, the situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication status, which is the communication status of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and also detects the second communication status, which is the communication status of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels. In the situation detection step ST1 of the present embodiment, the situation detection unit 31 detects the communication status of the first communication unit 1 based on the number of times the first slave unit X1 retries communication with the first communication unit 1 in each of the plurality of first communication channels. Thereafter, the situation detection unit 31 detects the communication status of the second communication unit 2 based on the number of times the second slave unit X2 retries communication with the second communication unit 2 in each of the plurality of second communication channels. Note that the order of the timing for detecting the communication status of the first communication unit 1 and the timing for detecting the communication status of the second communication unit 2 may be interchanged.

[0063] In the defect detection step ST2, the situation detection unit 31 detects whether the first communication status for each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication status for each of the plurality of second communication channels are defective. When the situation detection unit 31 detects that the first communication status for each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication status for each of the plurality of second communication channels are not defective (ST2: No), the situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication status, which is the communication status of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and also detects the second communication status, which is the communication status of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels (ST1). On the other hand, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that at least one of the first communication status for each of the plurality of first communication channels and the second communication status for each of the plurality of second communication channels is defective (ST2: Yes), the situation detection unit 31 performs an unused detection step ST3 of detecting one or more first communication channels that are not used by the first communication unit 1 among the plurality of first communication channels.

[0064] In the decision step ST4, the switching control unit 32 determines the first used channel for the switching destination. In the decision step ST4 of the present embodiment, the switching control unit 32 determines the first used channel for the switching destination based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4. More specifically, the switching control unit 32 determines the first used channel for the switching destination from one or more unused first communication channels detected by the situation detection unit 31 in the unused detection step ST3 based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4. Then, in the notification control step ST5, the notification control unit 33 controls the first communication unit 1 to notify each of the plurality of first slave units X1 of the first used channel for the switching destination determined by the switching control unit 32 in the decision step ST4.

[0065] Thereafter, in the switching control step ST6, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31 in the situation detection step ST1. In the switching control step ST6 of the present embodiment, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch the first used channel based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4 according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31. More specifically, in the switching control step ST6, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the first used channel for the switching destination determined in the decision step ST4.

[0066] (4) Variation The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. The following variations may be realized in appropriate combinations. For the configurations similar to those of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0067] (4-1) First Variation In the communication control device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31 based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4. However, in the communication control device 100 of the first modification, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 may control to preferentially switch the first used channel to any one of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that it is easier to ensure the communication quality in the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps.

[0068] More specifically, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 of the first modification preferentially determines any one of one or more unused first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels as the switched-to first used channel. Then, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the determined switched-to first used channel.

[0069] More specifically, assume a case where each of the plurality of first slave units X1 is configured to be able to communicate by both two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band. In the above case, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 of the first modification preferentially determines any one of one or more unused first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels as the switched-to first used channel.

[0070] Note that the case where a plurality of first slave devices X1 include a first slave device X1 that does not support communication using two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band and is configured to be capable of only communication using two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band is the same, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0071] On the other hand, a case will be described assuming that a plurality of first slave devices X1 include a first slave device X1 that does not support communication using two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and is configured to be capable of only communication using two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band. In the above case, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation using a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 of the first modification example determines any one of one or more unused first communication channels among the two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels as the switching destination first used channel.

[0072] A communication control method for the communication control device 100 of the first modification example to control the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control method of the first modification example includes a situation detection step ST1, a failure detection step ST2A, an unused detection step ST3, a determination step ST4A, a notification control step ST5, and a switching control step ST6A. The situation detection step ST1, the unused detection step ST3, and the notification control step ST5 in the communication control method of the first modification example are the same as the situation detection step ST1, the unused detection step ST3, and the notification control step ST5 in the communication control method of the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0074] In the defective detection step ST2A, the situation detection unit 31 detects whether the second communication situation for each of the plurality of second communication channels is defective. When the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation for each of the plurality of second communication channels is not defective (ST2A: No), the situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and also detects the second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels (ST1). When the situation detection unit 31 detects that at least any one of the second communication situations for each of the plurality of second communication channels is defective (ST2A: Yes), the situation detection unit 31 performs an unused detection step ST3 of detecting one or more first communication channels that are not used by the first communication unit 1 among the plurality of first communication channels.

[0075] In the determination step ST4A, the switching control unit 32 determines the first used channel as the switching destination. In the determination step ST4A of the first modification example, the switching control unit 32 preferentially determines any one of the one or more first communication channels that are not used among the two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels as the first used channel as the switching destination.

[0076] In the switching control step ST6A, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31 in the situation detection step ST1. In the switching control step ST6A of the first modification example, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to preferentially switch the first used channel to any one of the two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels. More specifically, in the switching control step ST6A, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the first used channel as the switching destination determined in the determination step ST4A.

[0077] (4-2) Second modification example In the communication control device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first use channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31 based on the priority information stored in the storage unit 4. However, in the communication control device 100 of the second modification, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation using a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 may control to switch the first use channel to any one of two or more first communication channels excluding the above specific second communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels. In the second modification, the plurality of first communication channels in the first communication unit 1 includes at least a part of the plurality of second communication channels in the second communication unit 2, similar to the above-described embodiment. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that it is easier to ensure the communication quality in the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 where at least a part of the frequency bands used overlaps.

[0078] More specifically, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication situation using a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit 32 of the second modification determines any one of one or more unused first communication channels among two or more first communication channels excluding the above specific second communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels as the switching destination first use channel. Then, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first use channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the determined switching destination first use channel.

[0079] A communication control method for the communication control device 100 of the second modification to control the first communication unit 1 and the second communication unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication control method of the second modification example includes a situation detection step ST1, a defect detection step ST2B, an unused detection step ST3, a determination step ST4B, a notification control step ST5, and a switching control step ST6B. Since the situation detection step ST1, the unused detection step ST3, and the notification control step ST5 in the communication control method of the second modification example are the same as those in the communication control method of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0081] In the defect detection step ST2B, the situation detection unit 31 detects whether the second communication status by each of the plurality of second communication channels is defective. When the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication status by each of the plurality of second communication channels is not defective (ST2B: No), the situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication status, which is the communication status of the first communication unit 1, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and also detects the second communication status, which is the communication status of the second communication unit 2, for each of the plurality of second communication channels (ST1). When the situation detection unit 31 detects that at least any one of the second communication statuses by each of the plurality of second communication channels is defective (ST2B: Yes), the situation detection unit 31 performs the unused detection step ST3 of detecting one or more first communication channels that are not used by the first communication unit 1 among the plurality of first communication channels.

[0082] In the determination step ST4B, the switching control unit 32 determines the first used channel as the switching destination. In the determination step ST4B of the second modification example, when the situation detection unit 31 detects that the second communication status by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is defective, the switching control unit 32 determines any one of one or more first communication channels that are not used among two or more first communication channels excluding the specific second communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels as the first used channel as the switching destination.

[0083] In the switching control step ST6B, the switching control unit 32 controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit 31 in the situation detection step ST1. In the switching control step ST6B of the second modification, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch the first used channel to any one of two or more first communication channels excluding the specific second communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels. More specifically, in the switching control step ST6B, the switching control unit 32 controls the first communication unit 1 to switch from the first used channel currently used by the first communication unit 1 to the switched-to first used channel determined in the determination step ST4B.

[0084] (4-3) Other Modifications Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be listed. The following modifications may be realized in appropriate combinations. Also, functions similar to those of the communication control device 100 according to the above-described embodiment may be embodied by a program which is a computer program or a non-transitory recording medium recording the program. A program according to one aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication control method in the above-described embodiment. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlap without using a dedicated communication control device 100.

[0085] The situation detection unit 31 of the above-described embodiment detects the first communication situation based on the number of times the first slave unit X1 retries communication with the first communication unit 1 in each of the plurality of first communication channels. However, the situation detection unit 31 may detect the first communication situation based on the number of pieces of unique information in each of the plurality of first slave units X1 included in the radio waves received in each of the plurality of first communication channels. The "unique information in each of the plurality of first slave units X1" here refers to identification information pre-assigned to each of the plurality of first slave units X1, for example, a MAC address or the like. Note that the method by which the situation detection unit 31 detects the first communication situation is not limited.

[0086] In addition, the situation detection unit 31 of the above-described embodiment detects the second communication situation based on the number of times the second slave unit X2 retries communication with the second communication unit 2 in each of the plurality of second communication channels. However, the situation detection unit 31 may detect the second communication situation based on the number of pieces of unique information in each of the plurality of second slave units X2 included in the radio waves received in each of the plurality of second communication channels. The "unique information in each of the plurality of second slave units X2" referred to here is identification information pre-assigned to each of the plurality of first slave units X1, and is, for example, a MAC address or the like. Note that the method by which the situation detection unit 31 detects the second communication situation is not limited.

[0087] The storage unit 4 of the above-described embodiment stores priority information transmitted from any one of the plurality of first slave units X1 via the first communication unit 1. However, the communication control device 100 may include an input reception unit (not shown) that receives an input of priority information from the user, and the storage unit 4 may store the priority information received by the input reception unit. The input reception unit referred to here is, for example, a DIP switch or the like.

[0088] The second communication unit 2 of the above-described embodiment communicates with each of the plurality of second slave units X2 using wireless communication compliant with the Thread (registered trademark) standard. However, the second communication unit 2 may communicate with each of the plurality of second slave units X2 using wireless communication compliant with the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that the standard to which the wireless communication used by the second communication unit 2 conforms is not limited.

[0089] The communication control device 100 may be integrated with a communication terminal A1 (see FIG. 6) having a function other than the communication function (for example, a function of controlling devices in the facility). That is, the communication terminal A1 may include the communication control device 100. In other words, the communication terminal A1 may include the functions of the communication control device 100.

[0090] Hereinafter, a case where the communication terminal A1 has a function of controlling devices (specific examples include air conditioning devices, lighting devices, etc.) within a facility will be described as an example. In addition to the communication control device 100, the communication terminal A1 includes a control unit A11, a storage unit A12, a display unit A13, and an operation unit A14. The control unit A11 controls the devices within the facility. As an example, the control unit A11 receives information from a distribution board, a power generation device, a power storage device, etc. installed in the facility or from the devices within the facility via the communication control device 100, and controls the devices within the facility based on the above information. Also, the control unit A11 controls the devices within the facility according to the operation of the user received by the operation unit A13. The control unit A11 transmits an instruction of the above control to the devices within the facility via the communication control device 100. Also, the control unit A11 receives the result of the above control from the devices within the facility via the communication control device 100. The storage unit A12 stores various information according to the control content of the control unit A11. The operation unit A13 receives the operation of the user such as the control content for the devices within the facility. The operation unit A13 outputs the received operation of the user to the control unit A11. The display unit A13 displays the information necessary for the user to perform an operation. For example, the display unit A13 displays the information received from a distribution board, a power generation device, a power storage device, etc. installed in the facility or from the devices within the facility via the communication control device 100.

[0091] The communication control device 100 preferably includes a computer system. In the computer system, the functions of the control unit 3 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (MicroProcessing Unit) reading and executing a program stored in a memory. The computer system mainly includes a hardware configuration of a processor that operates according to a program. The type of the processor is not limited as long as it can realize functions by executing a program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Here, although it is called an IC or an LSI, the name may change depending on the degree of integration, and it may be called a system LSI, a VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or a ULSI (UltraLarge Scale Integration). A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a reconfigurable logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or setting up circuit sections inside the LSI can also be used for the same purpose. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be aggregated in one device or provided in a plurality of devices. Note that the program may be provided through a telecommunication line or provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card.

[0092] (Summary) The communication control device (100) according to the first aspect includes a first communication unit (1), a second communication unit (2), a situation detection unit (31), and a switching control unit (32). The first communication unit (1) communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The second communication unit (2) communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band where at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps. The situation detection unit (31) detects a first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit (1), for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and detects a second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit (2), for each of the plurality of second communication channels. The switching control unit (32) controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit (31).

[0093] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units where at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps.

[0094] In the communication control device (100) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, when the situation detection unit (31) detects that the second communication situation by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit (32) controls to preferentially switch the first used channel to any one of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels.

[0095] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easier to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units where at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps.

[0096] In the communication control device (100) according to the third aspect, in the first aspect, the plurality of first communication channels include at least a part of the plurality of second communication channels. When the situation detection unit (31) detects that the second communication situation by a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit (32) controls to switch the first used channel to any one of two or more first communication channels excluding the specific second communication channel among the plurality of first communication channels.

[0097] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easier to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps.

[0098] The communication control device (100) according to the fourth aspect further includes a storage unit (4) that stores priority information indicating which of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band should be prioritized as the switching destination of the first used channel among the plurality of first communication channels in the first aspect. The switching control unit (32) controls to switch the first used channel based on the priority information according to the detection result of the situation detection unit (31).

[0099] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the state in which the first communication unit (1) uses the first communication channel in the frequency band desired by the user is maintained, and it becomes easier to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps.

[0100] In the communication control device (100) according to the fifth aspect, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the first frequency band is the 5.0 GHz band. Each of the second frequency band and the third frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band.

[0101] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it becomes easier to ensure the communication quality in wireless communication compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.

[0102] The communication control method according to the sixth aspect is a communication control method for controlling a first communication unit (1) and a second communication unit (2). The first communication unit (1) communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The second communication unit (2) communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps. The communication control method according to the sixth aspect includes a situation detection step (ST1) and a switching control step (ST6, ST6A, ST6B). In the situation detection step (ST1), the first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit (1), is detected for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and the second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit (2), is detected for each of the plurality of second communication channels. In the switching control step (ST6, ST6A, ST6B), control is performed to switch the first used channel according to the detection result in the situation detection step (ST1).

[0103] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps without using a dedicated communication control device (100).

[0104] The program according to the seventh aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication control method according to the sixth aspect.

[0105] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to ensure the communication quality in a plurality of communication units in which at least a part of the used frequency bands overlaps without using a dedicated communication control device (100).

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 100 Communication control device 1 First communication unit 2 Second communication unit 31 Situation detection unit 32 Switching control unit 4 Storage unit ST1 Status Detection Step ST6, ST6A, ST6B Switching Control Step

Claims

1. A first communication unit that communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band; A second communication unit that communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps; A situation detection unit that detects a first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and detects a second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit, for each of the plurality of second communication channels; A switching control unit that controls to switch the first used channel according to the detection result of the situation detection unit. A communication control device comprising: Communication control device.

2. When the situation detection unit detects that the second communication situation using a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit gives priority to switching the first used channel to any one of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels. Control to switch; The communication control device according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of first communication channels include at least a part of the plurality of second communication channels, When the situation detection unit detects that the second communication situation using a specific second communication channel among the plurality of second communication channels is poor, the switching control unit sets the first used channel to two or more of the plurality of first communication channels excluding the specific second communication channel. Control to switch to any one of the first communication channels; The communication control device according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a storage unit that stores priority information indicating which of two or more first communication channels in the first frequency band and two or more first communication channels in the second frequency band among the plurality of first communication channels should be given priority as the switching destination of the first used channel by the switching control unit, The switching control unit controls to switch the first used channel based on the priority information according to the detection result of the situation detection unit. The communication control device according to claim 1.

5. The first frequency band is a 5.0 GHz band, Each of the second frequency band and the third frequency band is a 2.4 GHz band. The communication control device according to claim 1.

6. A first communication unit that communicates using a first used channel, which is any one of a plurality of first communication channels in a plurality of frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and a second communication unit that communicates using a second used channel, which is any one of a plurality of second communication channels in a third frequency band in which at least a part of the second frequency band overlaps, and a communication control method for controlling the same, a situation detection step of detecting a first communication situation, which is the communication situation of the first communication unit, for each of the plurality of first communication channels, and detecting a second communication situation, which is the communication situation of the second communication unit, for each of the plurality of second communication channels; a switching control step of controlling to switch the first used channel according to the detection result in the situation detection step. A communication control method.

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the communication control method according to Claim 6.

Images