First access point, communication system, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a first access point, a communication system, a method, and a program that enable a wireless terminal to seamlessly roam to access points in a communication system having a plurality of access points and the wireless terminal.SOLUTION: A first access point according to the present disclosure includes a first transmitter that transmits, to a second access point among a plurality of wireless links, key information that is necessary for using a first wireless link among the plurality of wireless links and that can be commonly used also in a second wireless link, and belonging information of a wireless terminal, and a second transmitter that transmits, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point by using the second wireless link.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a first access point, a communication system, a method, and a program, and in particular to a first access point, a communication system, a method, and a program in a communication system having multiple access points and wireless terminals, which enables wireless terminals to seamlessly roam to access points. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known communication systems in which multiple access points cooperate to communicate with wireless terminals. In such communication systems, when a wireless terminal roams to an access point, a disconnection occurs temporarily due to the switching of the access point. Therefore, seamless roaming without disconnection is desired in communication systems.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that "according to one embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a processing unit that generates a first frame based on data and management information corresponding to the data, and a wireless unit that transmits the first frame to a first communication device, wherein the processing unit checks whether a notification including management information indicating successful transmission of the first frame has been received from a second communication device different from the first communication device, and if the notification has not been received, transmits the first frame to the first communication device via the wireless unit, and if a response frame in response to the first frame from the first communication device has been successfully received, transmits a notification including the management information to the second communication device, and if the notification has been received, discards the first frame." Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about "seamlessly roaming a wireless terminal to an access point." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-36463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, seamless roaming without disconnection is desired in communication systems.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a first access point, communication system, method, and program in a communication system having multiple access points and wireless terminals, which enables wireless terminals to seamlessly roam to access points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first access point according to the present disclosure comprises: a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can be commonly used in a second wireless link, and attribution information of a wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; a second transmitting unit that transmits identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link to the wireless terminal; Equipped with The first communication load amount is controlled based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal for the own access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal for the second access point.

[0008] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes: a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to the second access point; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; The first communication load amount is controlled based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal for the first access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal for the second access point.

[0009] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes: a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to the second access point; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; A first communication load of the wireless terminal with respect to the first access point is controlled based on a comparison between a first distance from the first access point to the wireless terminal and a second distance from the second access point to the wireless terminal.

[0010] The method according to the present disclosure comprises: Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; Equipped with.

[0011] The program according to the present disclosure is Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; to be executed by the computer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a first access point, a communication system, a method, and a program in a communication system having a plurality of access points and wireless terminals, which allows wireless terminals to seamlessly roam to access points. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an effect of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a first access point according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Association Response frame format according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0015] [Embodiment Mode] <Summary> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to the present disclosure.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 10 according to the present disclosure includes a first access point 11, a wireless terminal 13 that establishes a connection with the first access point 11 and communicates with the first access point 11, and a second access point 12.

[0017] The first access point 11 has a first transmitting unit 111 and a second transmitting unit 112. The first transmitting unit 111 transmits, to the second access point 12, key information necessary for using a first wireless link of the multiple wireless links and that can also be used in common with the second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal 13. The second transmitting unit 112 transmits, to the wireless terminal 13, identification information for connecting to the second access point 12 using the second wireless link of the multiple wireless links.

[0018] The wireless terminal 13 has a first communication unit 131 and a second communication unit 132. The first communication unit 131 establishes a connection and communicates with the first access point 11 using a first wireless link of the multiple wireless links. Identification information of the second access point 12 is transmitted from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 using the first wireless link. The second communication unit 132 establishes a connection and communicates with the first access point 11 via the second access point 12 using a second wireless link of the multiple wireless links based on the identification information of the second access point 12.

[0019] The first wireless link is, for example, a wireless link in the 5 GHz (gigahertz) band, and the second wireless link is, for example, a wireless link in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0020] The second access point 12 has a second access point communication unit 121. The second access point communication unit 121 establishes a connection with the wireless terminal 13 using a second wireless link based on the attribution information and key information of the wireless terminal 13, and communicates with the wireless terminal 13.

[0021] The communication system 10 controls the first communication load based on a comparison between a first communication load of the wireless terminal 13 to the first access point 11 and a second communication load of the wireless terminal 13 to the second access point 12.

[0022] <Controlling communication load - example of wireless environment> For example, when the wireless environment of a first wireless link between a first access point 11 and a wireless terminal 13 is better than the wireless environment of a second wireless link between a second access point 12 and a wireless terminal 13, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link to be greater than the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link.

[0023] The wireless environment of the first wireless link may be the bit error rate of data transmitted from the first access point 11 and received by the wireless terminal 13, and the wireless environment of the second wireless link may be the bit error rate of data transmitted from the second access point 12 and received by the wireless terminal 13. Also, the throughput calculated based on the wireless environment may be used as a control index.

[0024] For example, when the wireless environment of the first wireless link is equivalent to the wireless environment of the second wireless link, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link to be the same as the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link.

[0025] For example, when the wireless environment of the first wireless link is worse than the wireless environment of the second wireless link, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link to be less than the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link.

[0026] <Control of communication load - Example of communication allowance> For example, when the communication capacity of the first wireless link is greater than the communication capacity of the second wireless link, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link to be greater than the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link.

[0027] For example, when the communication capacity of the first wireless link is equal to the communication capacity of the second wireless link, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link and the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link to be equal.

[0028] For example, when the communication capacity of the first wireless link is smaller than the communication capacity of the second wireless link, the communication system 10 controls the amount of data allocated to the first wireless link to be smaller than the amount of data allocated to the second wireless link.

[0029] The communication system 10 may have a multi-link operation (MLO) function, and may use the function of optimizing the load distribution ratio of the multi-link operation to automatically optimize the load distribution ratio between wireless links, thereby controlling the first communication load amount.

[0030] MLO is a technology that combines multiple bands into one for communication. For example, it creates a first wireless link at 5 GHz and a second wireless link at 2.4 GHz between an access point and a wireless terminal, and then combines these wireless links into one for communication.

[0031] A wireless terminal may also be called a mobile terminal or a station (STA), and an access point may also be called an AP.

[0032] <Effects> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an effect of the communication system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows an example of controlling the first communication load of wireless terminal 13 relative to first access point 11 based on a comparison between a first distance from first access point 11 to wireless terminal 13 and a second distance from second access point 12 to wireless terminal 13.

[0033] The communication system 10 may control a first communication load of the wireless terminal 13 relative to the first access point 11 based on a comparison between a first distance from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 and a second distance from the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13.

[0034] First, the case where the wireless terminal 13 is located at position Pa will be described. In this case, the second access point 12 is too far (the distance is too great) from the wireless terminal 13, and radio waves from the second access point 12 cannot reach the wireless terminal 13. Therefore, 100% (percent) of data is transmitted and received between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13 using the first wireless link. No data is transmitted and received using the second wireless link.

[0035] Next, a case where the wireless terminal 13 is located at position Pb will be described. In this case, the distance from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 is shorter than the distance from the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13. The strength of the radio waves from the first access point 11 is stronger than the strength of the radio waves from the second access point 12. Therefore, 75% of the data is transmitted and received between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13 using the first wireless link. 25% of the data is transmitted and received between the second access point 12 and the wireless terminal 13 using the second wireless link.

[0036] Next, a case where the wireless terminal 13 is located at position Pc will be described. In this case, the distance from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 is the same as the distance from the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13. The strength of the radio waves from the first access point 11 is the same as the strength of the radio waves from the second access point 12. Therefore, 50% of the data is transmitted and received between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13 using the first wireless link. The other 50% of the data is transmitted and received between the second access point 12 and the wireless terminal 13 using the second wireless link.

[0037] Next, a case where the wireless terminal 13 is located at position Pd will be described. In this case, the distance from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 is longer than the distance from the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13. The strength of the radio waves from the first access point 11 is weaker than the strength of the radio waves from the second access point 12. Therefore, 25% of the data is transmitted and received between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13 using the first wireless link. 75% of the data is transmitted and received between the second access point 12 and the wireless terminal 13 using the second wireless link.

[0038] Finally, the case where the wireless terminal 13 is at position Pe will be described. In this case, the first access point 11 is too far away (the distance is too great) from the wireless terminal 13, so that radio waves from the first access point 11 cannot reach the wireless terminal 13. Therefore, 100% of data is transmitted and received between the second access point 12 and the wireless terminal 13 using the second wireless link. No data is transmitted and received using the first wireless link.

[0039] When the wireless terminal 13 moves and its location changes, for example, from position Pa to position Pb, position Pc, position Pd, and then position Pe, a multi-link operation (MLO) function may be used to control the communication load (amount of data allocated) on the wireless link to be optimal. The MLO control gradually changes the load distribution ratio between the first access point 11 and the second access point 12, ensuring that communication with either the first access point 11 or the second access point 12 is always possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no moment when communication is unavailable. In other words, there is no momentary interruption between "disconnecting from the original access point" and "connecting to the next access point." As a result, seamless roaming is possible.

[0040] As a result, according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a first access point, a communication system, a method, and a program that enable wireless terminal 13 to seamlessly roam to an access point.

[0041] In this example, the distance between the access point (first access point 11 or second access point 12) and the wireless terminal 13 is used as an index of the "load balancing ratio," but this is not limiting. Radio wave strength, communication speed, etc. may also be used as an index of the load balancing ratio.

[0042] <Sequence operation of communication system> FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the communication system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an MLO association sequence for a communication system according to the present disclosure. In this example, the first wireless link is a "5 GHz band wireless link" and the second wireless link is a "2.4 GHz band wireless link", but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(iii), it is assumed that the first access point 11 and the second access point 12 are already connected in advance via wired or wireless connection (step S100).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, a 5 GHz beacon is transmitted from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 (step S101).

[0045] A 2.4 GHz beacon is transmitted from the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13 (step S102).

[0046] As shown in (i) and (ii) of FIG. 3, for example, an association sequence is performed at 5 GHz of the first access point 11 (step S103).

[0047] In the attribution sequence of step S103, identification information (e.g., a Media Access Control (MAC) address) of a radio frequency band interface (e.g., a 2.4 GHz interface) of the second access point 12 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 13 (step S103-1). In step S103-1, the MAC address of the 2.4 GHz interface may be transmitted from the first access point 11 to the wireless terminal 13 using an association response of the MLO.

[0048] The first access point 11 transmits key information and attribution information of the wireless terminal 13 to the second access point 12 (step S104). The key information is necessary for using the first wireless link on the 5 GHz side of the first access point 11 and can also be used in common with the second wireless link. The attribution information of the wireless terminal 13 is, for example, the MAC address information of the wireless terminal 13.

[0049] After the association sequence is completed at 5 GHz by the first access point 11 in step S103, a 5 GHz data frame is formed between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13, enabling data transmission and reception (step S105).

[0050] In wireless terminal 13, the key information exchanged on the 5 GHz side (5 GHz interface) and the identification information of wireless terminal 13 are transferred to the 2.4 GHz side (2.4 GHz interface) (step S106).

[0051] The 2.4 GHz data is transferred from the first access point 11 to the second access point 12 (step S107).

[0052] In step S106, the key information exchanged on the 5 GHz side and the identification information of the wireless terminal 13 are transferred to the 2.4 GHz side, and then a 2.4 GHz data frame is constructed between the first access point 11 and the wireless terminal 13, enabling data transmission and reception (step S108).

[0053] By completing step S108, encrypted communication becomes possible between the second access point 12 and the wireless terminal 13 using the 2.4 GHz interface (second wireless link) without key exchange.

[0054] <Operation of the first access point> FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a first access point according to the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the operation of sequence diagram number (iii) is placed after the operations of sequence diagram numbers (i) and (ii) in Fig. 4. In Fig. 3, the operation of sequence diagram number (iii) was placed before the operations of sequence diagram numbers (i) and (ii).

[0055] The first access point 11 checks whether or not a Probe Request has been received from the wireless terminal 13 (step S201). When the first access point 11 receives the Probe Request (step S201: Yes), it starts an association sequence for the wireless terminal 13. When the first access point 11 does not receive a Probe Request from the wireless terminal 13 (step S201: No), it repeats step S201. Step S201 corresponds to the Probe Request with sequence diagram number (i) shown in FIG. 3.

[0056] When the first access point 11 receives a Probe Request from the wireless terminal 13 (step S201: Yes), it checks whether the wireless terminal 13 has an MLO function (step S202). If the wireless terminal 13 does not have the MLO function (step S202: No), the first access point 11 executes a normal association sequence (step S206).

[0057] If the wireless terminal 13 has an MLO function (step S202: Yes), the first access point 11 checks whether the wireless terminal 13 is already connected to the second access point 12 (step S203). If the first access point 11 is not yet connected to the second access point 12 (step S203: No), the first access point 11 executes a normal MLO association sequence (step S205).

[0058] If the first access point 11 is already connected to the second access point 12 (step S203: Yes), the first access point 11 transmits identification information of the 2.4 GHz interface of the second access point 12 in an association response of the MLO to the wireless terminal 13 (step S204). Step S204 corresponds to step S103-1 shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] After step S204, the first access point 11 checks whether the association sequence of the wireless terminal 13 has been completed (step S207).

[0060] If the association sequence of the wireless terminal 13 is completed (step S207: Yes), the first access point 11 transmits the association information of the wireless terminal 13 to the second access point 12 (step S208). Step S208 corresponds to step S104 shown in FIG.

[0061] <Association Response> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Association Response frame format according to the present disclosure. Here, the operation of step S103-1 shown in FIG. 3, that is, the Association Response, will be described in detail.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, according to the Association Response frame format, the "Association Response Frame" includes a "Frame body", which includes a "Multi-Link element", which includes "Link Info", which includes a "STA Profile", which includes a "STA MAC Address".

[0063] In this embodiment, the "STA MAC Address" in the "Assoc Response frame" is used. Specifically, the first access point 11 enters the MAC address of the MLO device (the radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link of the second access point 12) into the "STA MAC Address" in the "Assoc Response frame" and transmits it to the wireless terminal 13. This operation corresponds to step S103-1 shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the first access point 11 transmits the MAC address information of the radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link of the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13 as MLO connection destination information.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first access point 11 transmits the MAC address of the MLO device (radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link) of the second access point 12 to the wireless terminal 13 in the "STA MAC Address" field of the "Association Response" (step S103-1 in FIG. 3). The MLO device (radio frequency band interface for the first wireless link) of the first access point 11 is associated in step S103. Through these operations, the MLO device (radio frequency band interface for the first wireless link) of the first access point 11 and the MLO device (radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link) of the second access point 12 are recognized as MLO connection destinations.

[0065] That is, the wireless terminal 13 recognizes the MLO devices of the two access points as MLO connection destinations. The MLO devices required to establish a wireless link are the radio frequency band interfaces of the access points.

[0066] <Features> Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is a technology that combines multiple radio frequency bands into one for communication. For example, a first radio link (5 GHz radio link) and a second radio link (2.4 GHz radio link) are created between an access point and a wireless terminal, and these radio links are combined into one for communication. In this embodiment, by switching the roaming destination of the second wireless link to a second access point, the wireless terminal can roam while viewing the access points as a single access point. Specifically, the Association Response of the attribution sequence is used to transmit the MAC address of the second access point, which is different from the first access point, to the wireless terminal (slave) as an MLO interface. This enables MLO between the first access point and the wireless terminal, and between the second access point and the wireless terminal. This enables seamless roaming.

[0067] On the other hand, in a comparative example that does not use the embodiment, an access point uses an Association Response to transmit the MAC address of an unused frequency band interface of the same access point to a wireless terminal as an MLO interface. As a result, in the comparative example, communication with only one access point is possible, making seamless roaming difficult.

[0068] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. 6, the wireless terminal 13 includes a processor 13p, a memory 13m, and an input / output interface 13if. The input / output interface 13if includes a first communication unit 131 and a second communication unit 132. The memory 13m stores instructions related to the wireless terminal 13, and the processor 13p executes the instructions related to the wireless terminal 13. The instructions related to the wireless terminal 13 include instructions for controlling the input / output interface 13if.

[0069] The first access point 11 includes a processor 11p, a memory 11m, and an input / output interface 11if. The input / output interface 11if includes a first transmission unit 111 and a second transmission unit 112. The memory 11m stores instructions related to the first access point 11, and the processor 11p executes the instructions related to the first access point 11. The instructions related to the first access point 11 include instructions for controlling the input / output interface 11if.

[0070] The second access point 12 includes a processor 12p, a memory 12m, and an input / output interface 12if. The input / output interface 12if includes a second access point communication unit 121. The memory 12m stores instructions related to the second access point 12, and the processor 12p executes the instructions related to the second access point 12. The instructions related to the second access point 12 include instructions for controlling the input / output interface 12if.

[0071] In the above embodiment, two wireless links (a first wireless link and a second wireless link) have been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment can also be implemented with three or more wireless links, such as 6 GHz in addition to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be realized by having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a computer program to perform the processing of each component.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (specifically, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (specifically, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, semiconductor memories (specifically, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), and EPROMs (Erasable PROMs)), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can supply the program to a computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0074] Additionally, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order or sequential order depicted, or that all of the depicted operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although details of several specific embodiments are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable combination.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0076] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0077] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0078] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can be commonly used in a second wireless link, and attribution information of a wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; a second transmitting unit that transmits identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link to the wireless terminal; Equipped with controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; The first access point. (Appendix 2) the second access point has a radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link; the identification information of the second access point is MAC (Media Access Control) address information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point; The attribution information of the wireless terminal is MAC address information of the wireless terminal. 10. The first access point of claim 1. (Appendix 3) the first wireless link is a wireless link in the 5 GHz (gigahertz) band, The second wireless link is a wireless link in the 2.4 GHz band. 10. The first access point of claim 1. (Appendix 4) the identification information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point is transmitted from the first access point to the wireless terminal by using an association response of a multi-link operation (MLO); 1. The first access point of claim 2. (Appendix 5) the access point has a multi-link operation (MLO) function and controls the first communication load amount by utilizing a function for optimizing a load distribution ratio of the multi-link operation; 10. The first access point of claim 1. (Appendix 6) Your access point is When a radio environment of the first radio link between the first access point and the radio terminal is better than a radio environment of the second radio link between the second access point and the radio terminal, control is performed so that the amount of data allocated to the first radio link is larger than the amount of data allocated to the second radio link. 10. The first access point of claim 1. (Appendix 7) the radio environment of the first radio link is a bit error rate transmitted from the first access point and received by the wireless terminal; The radio environment of the second radio link is a bit error rate transmitted from the second access point and received by the wireless terminal; 7. The first access point of claim 6. (Appendix 8) a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to the second access point; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the first access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; Communication system. (Appendix 9) a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to the second access point; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; controlling a first communication load of the wireless terminal with respect to the first access point based on a comparison between a first distance from the first access point to the wireless terminal and a second distance from the second access point to the wireless terminal; Communication system. (Appendix 10) the second access point has a radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link; the identification information of the second access point is MAC (Media Access Control) address information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point; The attribution information of the wireless terminal is MAC address information of the wireless terminal. 10. The communication system of claim 8 or 9. (Appendix 11) Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; A method for providing (Appendix 12) Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10. Communication Systems 11...First access point 111...first transmitting unit 112...second transmitting unit 12...Second access point 121...second access point communication unit 13...Wireless terminal 131...First Communications Department 132...Second Communications Department Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, Pe...Position 11m, 12m, 13m... memory 11p, 12p, 13p...Processor 11if, 12if, 13if... Input / output interface

Claims

1. a first transmitting unit that transmits key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of a wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; a second transmitting unit that transmits, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; Equipped with controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; First access point.

2. the second access point having a radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link; the identification information of the second access point is MAC (Media Access Control) address information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point; The attribution information of the wireless terminal is MAC address information of the wireless terminal. The first access point of claim 1 .

3. the first wireless link is a wireless link in the 5 GHz (gigahertz) band; the second wireless link is a wireless link in the 2.4 GHz band; The first access point of claim 1 .

4. the identification information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point is transmitted from the first access point to the wireless terminal using an association response of a multi-link operation (MLO); The first access point of claim 2 .

5. the access point has a multi-link operation (MLO) function, and controls the first communication load amount by utilizing a function of optimizing a load distribution ratio of the multi-link operation; The first access point of claim 1 .

6. Your access point is When a radio environment of the first radio link between the first access point and the radio terminal is better than a radio environment of the second radio link between the second access point and the radio terminal, control is performed so that the amount of data allocated to the first radio link is larger than the amount of data allocated to the second radio link. The first access point of claim 1 .

7. the radio environment of the first radio link is a bit error rate transmitted from the first access point and received by the wireless terminal; The radio environment of the second radio link is a bit error rate transmitted from the second access point and received by the wireless terminal. The first access point of claim 6 .

8. a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitter that transmits, to the second access point, key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the first access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; Communication system.

9. a first access point, a wireless terminal that establishes a connection with the first access point and communicates with the first access point, and a second access point; The first access point a first transmitter that transmits, to the second access point, key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and that can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, identification information for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link among the plurality of wireless links; The wireless terminal a first communication unit that establishes a connection with and communicates with the first access point using the first wireless link; a second communication unit that establishes a connection with the first access point via the second access point using the second wireless link based on the identification information and the key information of the second access point, The second access point a second access point communication unit that establishes a connection with the wireless terminal and communicates with the wireless terminal using the second wireless link based on the belonging information and the key information of the wireless terminal; controlling a first communication load of the wireless terminal with respect to the first access point based on a comparison between a first distance from the first access point to the wireless terminal and a second distance from the second access point to the wireless terminal; Communication system.

10. the second access point having a radio frequency band interface for the second wireless link; the identification information of the second access point is MAC (Media Access Control) address information of the radio frequency band interface of the second access point; The attribution information of the wireless terminal is MAC address information of the wireless terminal.

10. A communication system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; A method for providing the above.

12. Transmitting key information necessary for using a first wireless link among a plurality of wireless links and which can also be used in common with a second wireless link, and attribution information of the wireless terminal, to a second access point among the plurality of wireless links; transmitting identification information to the wireless terminal for connecting to the second access point using the second wireless link; controlling the first communication load amount based on a comparison between a first communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the access point and a second communication load amount of the wireless terminal with respect to the second access point; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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