Information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience of wireless communication between an information processing apparatus having no display device and another information processing apparatus.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a validation unit and a monitoring unit. The enabling unit executes, based on a setting file in which a frequency band to be used for tethering is set, processing for enabling a function of tethering using the frequency band. The control unit monitors the state of the tethering function, and performs control to enable the function when the function is in a disabled state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent trend toward cloud computing in information systems, there is an increasing demand for information processing devices that do not have a display device such as a monitor. Some of these information processing devices have a function (hereinafter also referred to as a tethering function) for wireless communication with other information processing devices such as tablet terminals using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication method or the like.

[0003] However, it is known that some information processing devices with the above-mentioned tethering function do not have a setting item for automatically enabling the tethering function, and the activation operation must be performed manually. Therefore, in order to activate the tethering function of an information processing device that does not have a display device such as a liquid crystal display, it is necessary to connect the display device and display a screen for activating the tethering function.

[0004] Alternatively, it may be possible to connect to another information processing device that has a display device and enable the tethering function via the other information processing device. However, any of the above methods requires the operator (user) of the information processing device to take time and effort. For this reason, there is a need to improve the convenience of communication between information processing devices that do not have a display device and other information processing devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the convenience of wireless communication between an information processing device that does not include a display device and another information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes an enabling unit and a monitoring unit. The enabling unit executes a process of enabling a tethering function using a frequency band based on a configuration file in which a frequency band to be used for tethering is set. The control unit monitors the status of the tethering function, and performs control to enable the function if the function is disabled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a setting file according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of another information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a wireless communication system S according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system S. As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system S includes a plurality of information processing devices 1 and a plurality of communication terminals 2 connected to the information processing devices 1 via wireless communication lines.

[0010] 1, the wireless communication system S includes two information processing devices 1, namely, information processing device 11 and information processing device 12, but the number of information processing devices 1 is not limited to this. For example, the wireless communication system S may include only one information processing device 1, or may include three or more information processing devices 1. In the following description, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the information processing device 11 and the information processing device 12, they will simply be referred to as the information processing device 1.

[0011] 1, two communication terminals 2, communication terminal 21 and communication terminal 22, are connected to information processing device 11, and two communication terminals 2, communication terminal 22 and communication terminal 23, are connected to information processing device 12, but the number of communication terminals 2 connected to each information processing device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the number of communication terminals 2 connected to one information processing device 1 may be one, or three or more. In the following description, when communication terminals 21 to 24 are not particularly distinguished from one another, they will be simply referred to as communication terminals 2.

[0012] An information processing device 1 communicates with a communication terminal 2 via a wireless communication path 3 according to a wireless LAN communication method.

[0013] The information processing device 1 is a device to which a display device such as a liquid crystal display is not connected. In other words, the information processing device 1 may be a device that does not have a connection interface with a display device. For example, the information processing device 1 may be an I / O box or the like. The I / O box is a device to which external devices such as a printer, scanner, etc. can be freely combined and connected.

[0014] The communication terminal 2 is connected to the information processing device 1 by wireless LAN communication via a wireless communication path 3. For example, the communication terminal 2 may be a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described. First, the configuration of the information processing device 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 11. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the configuration related to wireless LAN communication. In other words, the information processing device 11 may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 1 includes an antenna 13, a switching unit 14, a 2.4 GHz processing unit 15, a 5 GHz processing unit 16, a baseband processing unit 17, an interface (I / F) unit 30, etc. as a communication processing mechanism for a wireless LAN communication system.

[0017] The 2.4 GHz processing unit 15 is configured as a circuit that performs transmission and reception processing of signals in the 2.4 to 2.5 GHz frequency band (hereinafter also simply referred to as the band) of IEEE 802.11g using a wireless LAN communication system, for example.

[0018] Specifically, the 2.4 GHz processing unit 15 has a transmitting circuit (none of which are shown) having a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator), a mixer, a power amplifier, a BPF (Band Pass Filter), an isolator, etc., and a receiving circuit (none of which are shown) having an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), a VCO, a mixer, a BPF, etc.

[0019] On the other hand, the 5 GHz processing unit 16 is configured as a circuit that performs transmission and reception processing of signals in the 5.15 to 5.35 GHz and 5.47 to 5.725 GHz bands of IEEE 802.11a using a wireless LAN communication system.

[0020] Specifically, the 5 GHz processing unit 16 has a transmitting circuit (none of which are shown) having a VCO, a mixer, a power amplifier, a BPF, an isolator, etc., and a receiving circuit (none of which are shown) having an LNA, a VCO, a mixer, a BPF, etc.

[0021] Which of the 2.4 GHz processing unit 15 and the 5 GHz processing unit 16 is to be operated can be switched by a switching unit 14, which functions as a switch for switching the connection destination of the antenna 13. In this embodiment, the switching operation by the switching unit 14 is controlled by a switching control unit 18.

[0022] The baseband processing unit 17 performs various conversion processes between digital data and IF (Intermediate Frequency) signals. The I / F unit 30 is a connection interface that uses a connector (I / O port) for communicatively connecting an external device.

[0023] Moreover, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a switching control unit 18, a state monitoring unit 19, a storage unit 20, and the like, in order to improve the convenience of wireless communication with the communication terminal 2.

[0024] The switching control unit 18, together with the switching unit 14, controls at least one of the 2.4 GHz processing unit 15 and the 5 GHz processing unit 16 based on the band set by the setting unit 191 of the status monitoring unit 19 described below as the band to be used for tethering, to change the communication method (band) of the wireless LAN.

[0025] The switching control unit 18 may detect the congestion status of communication in each band and switch the band based on the detection result. When the information processing device 1 switches the band, the information processing device 1 may transmit a notification to that effect to the communication terminal 21.

[0026] The status monitoring unit 19 constantly or at predetermined time intervals monitors the status of the tethering function, which is a function for performing wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 2. Here, the tethering function may also be called a mobile hotspot, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point, an internet sharing, etc.

[0027] For example, the state monitoring unit 19 detects that the tethering function has been disabled. When the state monitoring unit 19 detects that the tethering function is disabled, the state monitoring unit 19 executes a process to enable the tethering function.

[0028] Also, for example, if the status monitoring unit 19 executes a process to enable the tethering function but the tethering function does not become enabled, it executes a process to change the setting of the band used for tethering to a band different from the band specified in the setting file 201.

[0029] Specifically, the state monitoring unit 19 includes a setting unit 191, a detection unit 192, and an enabling unit 193, as shown in FIG.

[0030] The setting unit 191 sets the frequency band to be used for tethering based on a setting file 201, which will be described later.

[0031] The detection unit 192 monitors the state of the tethering function and detects when the tethering function is disabled. The detection unit 192 is an example of a monitoring unit.

[0032] When the detection unit 192 detects that the tethering function has been disabled, the activation unit 193 executes a process of activating the tethering function in accordance with the setting of the frequency band to be used for tethering set by the setting unit 191.

[0033] The operations of the state monitoring unit 19 (the setting unit 191, the detection unit 192, and the validation unit 193) will be described later.

[0034] The storage unit 20 stores a setting file 201. The setting file 201 is a data file that defines a priority band setting that indicates whether to prioritize use of a communication channel in the 2.4 GHz band or a communication channel in the 5 GHz band when enabling the tethering function.

[0035] An operator (user) can write a setting file to the storage unit 20 by operating a PC (not shown) or the like connected to the information processing device 1 via a cable or the like. If the information processing device 1 has an input operation unit (e.g., a DIP switch or the like, not shown) for the user to set a priority band, the setting unit 191 of the status monitoring unit 19 may write a priority band setting corresponding to the operation of the input operation unit to the storage unit 20.

[0036] For example, the priority band setting can be determined depending on the compatibility of the communication terminal 2 with the wireless LAN communication method.

[0037] For example, some communication terminals 2 are compatible with both the IEEE 802.11a (5 GHz band) and IEEE 802.11g (2.4 GHz band) wireless LAN communication methods, while others are compatible with only one of them. For this reason, the user can specify a preferred band setting for the information processing device 1 that communicates with a communication terminal 2 that is compatible with only one of the methods, so as to prioritize the use of the communication channel of that method.

[0038] In addition, for example, as in the example of Figure 1, when the wireless communication system S has two information processing devices 1, the user may specify a preferred band setting so that one of the information processing devices 1 is given priority in using a communication channel in the 2.4 GHz band, and the other information processing device 1 is given priority in using a communication channel in the 5 GHz band.

[0039] Also, for example, under certain conditions, the communication distance in the 5 GHz band may be shorter than that in the 2.4 GHz band. For this reason, the user may specify a preferred band setting so that priority is given to the use of a communication channel in the 5 GHz band when the distance between the information processing device 1 and a frequently used communication terminal 2 is short, taking into consideration, for example, the layout of the communication terminal 2 and the information processing device 1.

[0040] In addition, there may be a situation where the communication quality of the 5 GHz band is higher (better) than that of the 2.4 GHz band. In this case, the user may specify a priority band setting so that a communication channel of the 5 GHz band is prioritized for the information processing device 1 in an area where many communication terminals 2 are located and where the impact of communication interruptions, data errors, etc. is greater.

[0041] Furthermore, when the wireless communication system S includes a plurality of information processing devices 1, the user may specify a priority band setting so that adjacent information processing devices 1 are given priority in using communication channels of different bands.

[0042] Here, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the setting file 201. In the example of Fig. 3, the setting file 201 defines a network name, a network password, and a priority bandwidth setting.

[0043] Specifically, the setting file 201 in Fig. 3 specifies the network name as "HotSpot1," the network password as "PassWord," and the preferred band setting as "5GHz." Note that in the example in Fig. 3, specifying the network name and network password is optional.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the information processing device 12. The information processing device 12 is an information processing device 1 that is compatible only with the 2.4 GHz band wireless LAN communication method.

[0045] As mentioned above, the reason why it is only compatible with the 2.4 GHz band wireless LAN communication method is that, for example, there are many communication channels in the 5 GHz band that are not permitted for outdoor use, and the presence of radar waves from weather radar, etc., can make communication unstable.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 12. Note that Fig. 4 shows only the configuration related to wireless LAN communication. In other words, the information processing device 12 may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in Fig. 4.

[0047] 4, the information processing device 1 has, as a communication processing mechanism for a wireless LAN communication system, an antenna 13, a switching unit 14, a 2.4 GHz processing unit 15, a baseband processing unit 17, an interface (I / F) unit 30, etc. The configurations and functions of these components are similar to those of the information processing device 11, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] The only difference between the information processing device 11 and the information processing device 12 is that the information processing device 11 does not have the switching unit 14, the 5 GHz processing unit 16, and the switching control unit 18.

[0049] Next, we will explain the configuration of the communication terminal 2. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 21 is a communication terminal 2 that is compatible with both the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band wireless LAN communication methods. Note that the communication terminal 2 may be compatible with only one of the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band wireless LAN communication methods.

[0050] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication terminal 2. Note that only the configuration related to wireless LAN communication is shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the communication terminal 2 may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] 5, the communication terminal 2 (21, 22, 23, 24) has an antenna 33, a switching unit 34, a 2.4 GHz processing unit 35, a 5 GHz processing unit 36, a baseband processing unit 37, an I / F unit 39, etc. The configurations and functions of these components are similar to those of the information processing device 11, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The communication terminal 2 also includes a switching control unit 38. In this embodiment, the switching control unit 38 controls the switching unit 34, the 2.4 GHz processing unit 35, and the 5 GHz processing unit 36.

[0053] The switching control unit 38 controls the 2.4 GHz processing unit 35 and the 5 GHz processing unit 36 ​​to switch the band used for wireless LAN communication. The switching control unit 38 switches the band used for wireless LAN communication, for example, in accordance with a user instruction. As an example, the user may issue an instruction to switch the band used for wireless LAN communication in accordance with information specified as a priority band setting in the configuration file 201.

[0054] In addition, when the switching control unit 18 of the information processing device 1 detects the communication congestion status of each band and switches the band to be used for wireless LAN communication based on the detection results, the switching control unit 38 of the communication terminal 2 may switch the band to be used for wireless LAN communication depending on the content of the notification regarding the band to be used for wireless LAN communication received from the information processing device 1.

[0055] Next, the operation of the status monitoring unit 19 will be described using an example in which the information processing device 11 performs wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 21 and the communication terminal 22, and the information processing device 12 performs wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 23 and the communication terminal 24. It is assumed that the setting file 201 shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 20 of the information processing device 11 and the storage unit 20 of the information processing device 12.

[0056] First, the operation of the status monitoring unit 19 of the information processing device 11 will be described. When the information processing device 11 is powered on, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering. Specifically, the setting unit 191 refers to the setting file 201 stored in the storage unit 20 and specifies the preferred band setting. In this example, since the preferred band setting is specified as 5 GHz, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering to the 5 GHz band.

[0057] After setting the band to be used for tethering, the detection unit 192 starts monitoring the status of the tethering function in real time. Here, even if the information processing device 11 is powered on, the tethering function is not automatically enabled (turned on). Therefore, when the information processing device 11 is powered on, the detection unit 192 detects that the tethering function is disabled (off).

[0058] Since the detection unit 192 detects that the tethering function is off, the activation unit 193 executes a process of turning on the tethering function using the 5 GHz band set as the band to be used for tethering by the setting unit 191. This turns on the tethering function of the information processing device 11, and the information processing device 11 becomes able to perform wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 21 and the communication terminal 22.

[0059] Furthermore, the detection unit 192 continues to monitor the state of the tethering function until the power is turned off. Therefore, if the tethering function is turned off for some reason, the activation unit 193 executes a process to turn on the tethering function using the 5 GHz band set by the setting unit 191 as the band to be used for tethering.

[0060] As a result, while the information processing device 11 is powered on, it is possible to maintain the setting of the band used for tethering and keep the tethering function in a constantly on state.

[0061] Next, the operation of the state monitoring unit 19 of the information processing device 12 will be described. When the power of the information processing device 12 is turned on, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering to the 5 GHz band, as in the case of the information processing device 11. Furthermore, the detection unit 192 detects that the tethering function is off, as in the case of the information processing device 11. Then, the activation unit 193 executes a process of turning on the tethering function using the 5 GHz band set by the setting unit 191 as the band to be used for tethering.

[0062] As described above, the information processing device 12 cannot perform a wireless LAN communication method using the 5 GHz band. Therefore, even if the enabling unit 193 executes a process to turn on the tethering function, the information processing device 12 cannot start wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 23 and the communication terminal 24.

[0063] In other words, when the band used for tethering is set to the 5 GHz band, the tethering function of the information processing device 12 will not be turned on even if a process for turning on the tethering function is executed.

[0064] Therefore, if the tethering function does not turn on even after the enabling unit 193 executes the process to turn on the tethering function, the setting unit 191 executes the process to change the band used for tethering to a band other than the 5 GHz band defined as the preferred band setting in the setting file 201, i.e., to the 2.4 GHz band. During this time, the detection unit 192 continues to monitor the state of the tethering function.

[0065] After that, the detection unit 192 detects that the tethering function is off. Therefore, the validation unit 193 executes a process of turning on the tethering function by setting the 2.4 GHz band changed by the setting unit 191 as the frequency band to be used for tethering.

[0066] As described above, by changing the band used for tethering by the setting unit 191 to the 2.4 GHz band, the tethering function of the information processing device 12 is turned on, and the information processing device 12 becomes able to perform wireless LAN communication with the communication terminal 23 and the communication terminal 24.

[0067] This allows the information processing device 12 to automatically turn on the tethering function even when the band used for tethering is set to the 5 GHz band, which cannot be used by the information processing device 12 itself.

[0068] However, if the process of automatically changing the settings of the bandwidth used for tethering is not performed as described above, the user will have to manually rewrite the information in the setting file 201. As described above, no display device is connected to the information processing device 1. Therefore, the user will have to connect a display device or connect another information processing device that has a display device to the information processing device 1 via a wired or wireless connection, and then rewrite the information in the setting file 201.

[0069] On the other hand, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment can execute processing to automatically turn on the tethering function. Therefore, the tethering function can be kept on at all times without connecting a display device or another information processing device to the information processing device 1.

[0070] Next, a description will be given of processing executed by the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device 1. As a premise, the start represents a state in which the information processing device 1 is powered on.

[0071] First, the setting unit 191 of the status monitoring unit 19 reads the setting file 201 (step ST101). For example, the setting unit 191 refers to the setting file 201 stored in the storage unit 20, and identifies a band defined as a priority band setting.

[0072] Next, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering (step ST102). For example, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering to the band identified as the priority band setting in step ST101. Next, the detection unit 192 determines whether the tethering function is enabled (step ST103).

[0073] In FIG. 6, the process of determining whether the tethering function is enabled is described as step ST103, but this process is executed continuously after step ST102.

[0074] If the tethering function is in an enabled state (step ST103: Yes), the process of step ST103 is repeated. On the other hand, if the tethering function is in an disabled state (step ST103: No), the enabling unit 193 executes a process to enable the tethering function (step ST104). For example, the enabling unit 193 executes a process to enable the tethering function in the band used for tethering, which was set in step ST102.

[0075] Next, the detection unit 192 determines whether the tethering function is enabled (step ST105), similarly to the process of step ST103. If the tethering function is enabled (step ST105: Yes), the process returns to the process of step ST103.

[0076] On the other hand, if the tethering function is disabled (step ST105: No), the setting unit 191 executes a process of changing the band used for tethering to a band different from the band defined as the preferred band setting in the setting file 201 (step ST106). For example, if the preferred band setting defined in the setting file 201 is the 5 GHz band, the setting unit 191 changes the band used for tethering to the 2.4 GHz band.

[0077] Thereafter, the enabling unit 193 executes the process of enabling the tethering function (step ST107), and returns to the process of step ST103.

[0078] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment enables the tethering function based on the configuration file 201 in which the bandwidth to be used for tethering is set, monitors the status of the tethering function, and when it detects that the function has become disabled, performs processing to enable the tethering function.

[0079] As a result, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment can automatically execute processing to enable the tethering function even if the tethering function has been disabled. Therefore, even if no display device is connected to the information processing device 1, the tethering function can easily be kept enabled.

[0080] In addition, if the information processing device 1 of this embodiment executes a process to enable the tethering function but the tethering function is not enabled, it sets the band to be used for tethering to a band different from the band specified as the preferred band setting in the setting file 201.

[0081] As a result, even if a user accidentally sets a band that cannot be used for wireless LAN communication on the information processing device 1 of this embodiment as the band to be used for tethering, the information processing device 1 can automatically re-set the band to be used for tethering to a band that can be used for wireless LAN communication on the information processing device 1, thereby enabling the tethering function.

[0082] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by partially changing the configuration or function of each device in the wireless communication system S. Therefore, the following describes modifications of the above-described embodiment as other embodiments. The following mainly describes differences from the above-described embodiment, and omits detailed description of commonalities with the content already described. The modifications described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0083] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the case where two bands, 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band, are used for wireless LAN communication has been described. In this modified example, an embodiment where three or more bands are used for wireless LAN communication will be described.

[0084] In this modification, the wireless communication system S is capable of using the IEEE 802.11ax (6 GHz band) band for wireless LAN communication in addition to the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band.

[0085] The information processing device 11 of this modified example is assumed to have a 6 GHz processing unit (not shown). The 6 GHz processing unit is configured as a circuit that performs transmission and reception processing of signals using a wireless LAN communication method in the 5.945 to 6.425 GHz band of IEEE 802.11ax, for example.

[0086] Specifically, the 6 GHz processing unit has a transmitting circuit (none of which are shown) having a VCO, mixer, power amplifier, BPF, isolator, etc., and a receiving circuit (none of which are shown) having an LNA, VCO, mixer, BPF, etc.

[0087] Which of the 2.4 GHz processing unit 15, the 5 GHz processing unit 16, and the 6 GHz processing unit is to operate can be switched by a switching unit 14, which functions as a switch for switching the connection destination to the antenna 13. In this modification, the switching operation by the switching unit 14 is controlled by a switching control unit 18.

[0088] Below, the operation of the status monitoring unit 19 will be described using an example in which the 6 GHz band is specified as the priority band setting in the setting file 201, and an information processing device 12 having a configuration similar to that of the information processing device 12 of Figure 4 in the embodiment described above performs wireless LAN communication between the communication terminal 23 and the communication terminal 24.

[0089] When the information processing device 12 is powered on, the setting unit 191 sets the band to be used for tethering to the 6 GHz band in accordance with the setting file 201.

[0090] As described above, the information processing device 12 supports only the wireless LAN communication method using the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, if the band to be used for tethering is set to the 6 GHz band, the tethering function will not be turned on even if the enabling unit 193 executes a process to turn on the tethering function using the 6 GHz band.

[0091] In this case, the setting unit 191 changes the band used for tethering to a band other than the 6 GHz band, i.e., to either the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band. As an example, the setting unit 191 changes the band used for tethering to the higher frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band, i.e., the 5 GHz band.

[0092] At this time, the setting unit 191 also executes a process of writing information indicating the frequency band used as the frequency band to be used for tethering into the setting file 201. For example, the setting unit 191 executes a process of writing information to the effect that the setting of the band to be used for tethering has been changed from the 6 GHz band to the 5 GHz band into the setting file 201. Note that the setting unit 191 may write this information into a data file separate from the setting file 201.

[0093] After that, the enabling unit 193 executes the process of turning on the tethering function again using the 5 GHz band. However, the information processing device 12 only supports the wireless LAN communication method using the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, even if the band used for tethering is changed from the 6 GHz band to the 5 GHz band, the tethering function will not be turned on.

[0094] Therefore, even if the activation unit 193 executes the process of turning on the tethering function, the tethering function will not be turned on, and the setting unit 191 again executes the process of changing the band to be used for tethering based on the setting file 201.

[0095] In this case, the setting unit 191 changes the band used for tethering to a band that is different from the band defined in the setting file 201 and that has not been set as a band used for tethering. In this example, the setting file 201 contains information that indicates that the setting of the band used for tethering has been changed from the 6 GHz band to the 5 GHz band.

[0096] Therefore, the setting unit 191 can understand that the 6 GHz band has already been set as the band to be used for tethering, out of the 2.4 GHz band and the 6 GHz band, which are bands different from the bands defined in the setting file 201. Therefore, since the 2.4 GHz band is the only band that satisfies the conditions, the setting unit 191 changes the band to be used for tethering to the 2.4 GHz band.

[0097] When the setting unit 191 changes the band to be used for tethering to the 2.4 GHz band, the tethering function of the information processing device 12 is turned on, and the information processing device 12 becomes able to perform wireless LAN communication between the communication terminal 23 and the communication terminal 24.

[0098] In the above example, if the tethering function does not turn on even when the band used for tethering is changed to the 2.4 GHz band, the setting unit 191 may delete information indicating that the setting of the band used for tethering has been changed from the 6 GHz band to the 5 GHz band from the setting file 201. In this case, the status monitoring unit 19 repeats the same operation as that performed after the information processing device 12 is powered on.

[0099] In the above example, if the tethering function does not turn on even when the band used for tethering is changed to the 2.4 GHz band, the state monitoring unit 19 may notify the user of this.

[0100] For example, the status monitoring unit 19 may notify that the tethering function will not be turned on regardless of whether the 6 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or the 2.4 GHz band is used, by, for example, flashing a red LED provided in the information processing device 12 for various notifications. Additionally, in addition to or instead of the above, the status monitoring unit 19 may notify by, for example, making a buzzer provided in the information processing device 12 sound a predetermined buzzer sound.

[0101] According to this modified example, even if there are three or more bands available for wireless LAN communication, the band to be used for tethering can be automatically reconfigured to a band that the device itself can use for wireless LAN communication, thereby enabling the tethering function.

[0102] Furthermore, some or all of the components of the present invention may be implemented as hardware or software. For example, when implemented as software, a program may be installed in a ROM (Read Only Memory), NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) may read the program and execute each process.

[0103] In the above case, the CPU may read the program using RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. In addition, the program in the above case includes a module that operates as a switching control unit, a module that operates as a status monitoring unit, etc. In the above case, the CPU operates as the switching control unit, status monitoring unit, etc.

[0104] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and their modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1, 11, 12 Information processing equipment 2, 21, 22 Communication terminal 13 Antenna 14, 34 switching section 15, 35 2.4GHz processing unit 16, 36 5GHz processing unit 17, 37 Baseband processing section 18, 38 Switching control section 19 Status monitoring unit 20 Memory section 30 Interface (I / F) section 191 Setting Section 192 Detector 193 Enabling Department S Wireless Communication System [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0106] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-118190

Claims

1. an enabling unit that executes a process of enabling the tethering function using a frequency band based on a configuration file in which a frequency band to be used for tethering is set; a monitoring unit that monitors the status of the tethering function; Equipped with the enabling unit executes a process of enabling the tethering function when the monitoring unit detects that the tethering function has been disabled. Information processing device.

2. When the tethering function is enabled but the state of the function remains disabled, the enabling unit executes a process of enabling the tethering function using a frequency band different from the frequency band set in the configuration file. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. When the state of the tethering function remains disabled, the enabling unit executes a process of enabling the tethering function by sequentially using any one of a plurality of different frequency bands. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. a setting unit that executes a process of writing information indicating a frequency band used as a frequency band to be used for tethering into the setting file; the enabling unit executes a process of enabling the tethering function using a frequency band that is not used as a frequency band to be used for tethering, based on the setting file. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The setting file is set to one of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, When the state of the function remains disabled even after the control for enabling the tethering function is performed, the enabling unit executes a process for enabling the tethering function using another frequency band. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

6. Computer, an enabling unit that executes a process of enabling the tethering function using a frequency band based on a configuration file in which a frequency band to be used for tethering is set; a monitoring unit that monitors the status of the tethering function; A program that functions as the enabling unit executes a process of enabling the tethering function when the monitoring unit detects that the tethering function has been disabled. program.

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