Communication relay device, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To perform appropriate wireless communication setting according to a use environment of a user.SOLUTION: A communication relay device in one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of radio communication modules, and a control part for acquiring a bandwidth desired by a user and internal information of the communication relay device, and setting the number of radio communication modules to be used among the plurality of radio communication modules on the basis of the bandwidth and the internal information. In the communication relay apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, the internal information may include the number of communication terminals connected to the communication relay apparatus and a detection frequency of a predetermined radar signal emitted from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication relay device, a communication control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless communications, such as wireless LANs, use the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Within the 5 GHz band, the W53 and W56 bands are equipped with a function to avoid interference with specific radar waves (also known as radar signals) for military and meteorological purposes. This function is called the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) function. The DFS function performs the following process. First, when starting wireless communications using a channel classified as W53 / W56, a process is required to confirm that a specific radar signal has not been detected for one minute before starting wireless communications. This process is called a Channel Availability Check (CAC). Furthermore, if a radar signal is detected during the CAC, the channel must be suspended for 30 minutes to prioritize the use of the radar signal. Typically, when a radar signal is detected, the channel is changed and wireless communications are resumed. However, after detecting a radar signal, wireless communications are suspended for one minute, even if a new channel not currently being used by a radar signal is used. The wireless communications state is called In-Service Monitoring (ISM). Patent Document 1 discloses that when it is determined based on a communication log of a wireless LAN that interference with a radar signal is occurring, the channel is switched.

[0003] Some access points are equipped with multiple wireless modules depending on the bandwidth. Using only one wireless module for a wireless service has the following advantages: (1) reduced power consumption, (2) other wireless modules can be used for radar monitoring, and (3) other wireless modules can be used for connecting to other wireless LAN systems (for example, WDS bridge function). On the other hand, using multiple wireless modules for a wireless service has the advantage of being able to increase the communication bandwidth of that wireless LAN system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-182129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, it is difficult for users to know the wireless environment they are using. Therefore, even if they try to change the number of wireless modules to be used when the wireless environment is congested, they do not know what conditions to use to make that decision. Furthermore, it is extremely cumbersome for users to manually change the number of wireless modules when configuring communication settings.

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is to perform appropriate wireless communication settings according to the user's usage environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communication relay device including a plurality of wireless communication modules and a control unit that acquires a bandwidth desired by a user and internal information of the communication relay device, and sets the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among the plurality of wireless communication modules based on the bandwidth and the internal information.

[0008] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication control method is provided in which a communication relay device acquires a bandwidth desired by a user and internal information of the communication relay device, and sets the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among a plurality of wireless communication modules based on the bandwidth and the internal information.

[0009] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to acquire a bandwidth desired by a user and internal information of a communication relay device, and set the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among a plurality of wireless communication modules based on the bandwidth and the internal information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform appropriate wireless communication settings according to the user's usage environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control process in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a threshold setting process in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a threshold management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting the number of wireless communication modules in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting the number of wireless communication modules in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a threshold setting process in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]10 is a flowchart illustrating a threshold setting process according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication module number setting process according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication module number setting process according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a communication module number setting process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, identical parts or parts having similar functions are designated by the same or similar reference symbols (reference symbols consisting of a number followed by A, B, etc.), and repeated explanations of such parts may be omitted.

[0013] First Embodiment [1-1. Overall configuration of the communication system] The communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is realized by an access point that relays wireless communication. This access point is a communication device that performs wireless communication using at least the 5 GHz band and is capable of executing processing equivalent to the DFS function. In this case, the access point can adjust the number of wireless communication modules appropriately according to the bandwidth desired by the user using the method described below. The access point according to the first embodiment will be described below. Note that the communication system may be realized by other communication devices such as a router or a network switch instead of the access point.

[0014] [1-2. Access point configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication system 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention. An access point 3 is a device that provides a wireless LAN environment for a communication terminal 5, and is a device that acts as a relay for connecting the communication terminal 5 to a WAN (such as the Internet) via a router 9. Although Fig. 1 shows one communication terminal 5, multiple communication terminals 5 may be present.

[0015] The access point 3 includes a wireless communication module Ma10, a wireless communication module Mb20, a control unit 50, a storage unit 70, an operation unit 80, and a wireless communication module Mz90. These components are connected to one another via a bus. In this example, the communication system 1 includes the wireless communication module Ma10, the wireless communication module Mb20, and the control unit 50, and is housed in a single housing to form part of the access point 3. In this embodiment, when there is no need to separately describe the wireless communication module Ma10 and the wireless communication module Mb20, they will be described as a wireless communication module M.

[0016] The wireless communication module Ma10 performs wireless communication Csa with the communication terminal 5 and detects radar signals Lsa using a channel set by the control unit 50 among channels in the 5 GHz band. The channel (also referred to as the first channel) set in the wireless communication module Ma10 is selected from channels included in types W53 and W56 in the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0017] The wireless communication module Mb20 performs wireless communication Csb with the communication terminal 5 and detects radar signals Lsb using a channel set by the control unit 50 among the channels in the 5 GHz band. The channel (also referred to as the second channel) set in the wireless communication module Mb20 is a different channel from the channel set in the wireless communication module Ma10, but is the same in that it is selected from channels included in types W53 and W56. Note that a channel included in type W52, i.e., a channel not subject to radar signal detection, may be set in the wireless communication module Ma10 and the wireless communication module Mb20.

[0018] The radar signals Lsa and Lsb are described as different terms for convenience in order to distinguish between wireless communication modules that can be detected by channel. Therefore, when describing the radar signals as a common item without distinguishing between the wireless communication modules that can be detected, they may be described as radar signal Ls.

[0019] As described above, the wireless communication modules Ma10 and Mb20 have different channels set, but it is desirable that other settings (for example, transmission and reception rate settings, security settings) are the same. In this way, even if the wireless communication module communicating with the communication terminal 5 changes, the communication terminal 5 can continue communication as is by simply changing the setting of the channel to be used. Note that some settings may be different between the wireless communication modules Ma10 and Mb20.

[0020] In this example, the wireless communication module Mz90 functions as a communication unit for communicating with the router 9 and communicating with other devices via the router 9. This communication may be wireless, for example, using the 2.4 GHz band, or may be wired.

[0021] The storage unit 70 stores information such as a control program executed by the control unit 50 and various tables. For example, the storage unit 70 stores threshold data for the number of connected communication terminals, which will be described later, and this data is updated as appropriate by the control unit 50. The operation unit 80 includes operators such as a power button and a setting button, and receives user operations on the operators and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 50.

[0022] The control unit 50 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 50 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 70 using the CPU to realize various functions in the access point 3. The realized functions include a communication control function. This communication control function makes it possible to execute the processing described below (hereinafter referred to as communication control processing).

[0023] The control program may be executable by a computer and may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. In this case, the access point 3 may be provided with a device for reading the recording medium. The control program may also be downloaded via a wireless communication module. Next, the communication control process (communication control method) will be described.

[0024] [1-3. Communication control processing] The communication control process is started when the power of the access point 3 is turned on. Note that the communication control process may also be started in response to a request from the user to start the communication control process (start setting). FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the communication control process in the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the communication control process includes an initialization process S100, a threshold setting process S200, and a wireless communication module number setting process S300. The initialization process S100 is a process for setting initial conditions for the wireless communication module M of the access point 3. The threshold setting process S200 is a process for setting a threshold in accordance with a desired bandwidth input by the user. The wireless communication module number setting process S300 is a process for setting the number of wireless communication modules to be used for wireless communication in accordance with the number of communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M and the bandwidth desired by the user. When the communication control process is started, the control unit 50 first executes the initialization process S100.

[0025] [1-3-1. Initialization process] When the initialization process S100 starts, the control unit 50 sets channels to be used for wireless communication for the wireless communication modules Ma10 and Mb20 (step S101). The set channel may be a predetermined channel, may be the channel set the last time the power was turned off, or may be determined based on past history (for example, frequency of channel use, frequency of detection of radar signal Ls, etc.). Alternatively, a channel that is not currently in use (unused) may be set. Such settings may be registered in a wireless communication module management table stored in the storage unit 70. Note that the channel (first channel) set for the wireless communication module Ma10 and the channel (second channel) set for the wireless communication module Mb20 are set to be different.

[0026] Under the current standard, the use of a channel on which a radar signal Ls is detected is limited to 30 minutes. Therefore, if this standard is available, the channel of the wireless communication module M is changed, and the control unit 50 controls the channel so that none of the wireless communication modules M can use this channel for 30 minutes after the radar signal Ls is detected. In the initialization process, the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules to be used to "1" (step S103). At this time, the control unit 50 sets the wireless communication module M to connection priority mode (step S105).

[0027] In the connection priority mode, the access point 3 operates in such a state that one of the wireless communication modules Ma10, Mb20 (for example, the wireless communication module Ma10) is connected (also called the first connection) to the communication terminal 5 (also called the ISM, unrestricted state), and the other wireless communication module M (for example, the wireless communication module Mb20) is in a state in which it detects radar signals Ls (also called the CAC, restricted state), and both of them are in a state in which they detect radar signals Ls.

[0028] In the connection-first mode, when the wireless communication module Mb20 detects a radar signal Ls, CAC is initiated in the wireless communication module Mb20. At this time, the channel of the wireless communication module Mb20 may or may not be changed. On the other hand, when the wireless communication module Ma10 detects a radar signal Ls, the control unit 50 changes the wireless communication module Mb20 to an unrestricted state (ISM) and the wireless communication module Ma10 to a restricted state (CAC). As a result, in the connection-first mode, communication between the communication terminal 5 and the wireless communication module Ma10 is disconnected, and the settings are changed to a connection (also referred to as a second connection) between the communication terminal 5 and the wireless communication module Mb20, and wireless communication is initiated. At this time, it is sufficient for the communication terminal 5 to change the wireless communication channel while continuing communication with the access point 3. Therefore, there is almost no period during which wireless communication is unavailable. According to the connection-first mode, it is possible to minimize the period during which wireless communication is unavailable when a radar signal Ls is received.

[0029] [1-3-2. Threshold setting process] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the threshold setting process S200. The control unit 50 starts the threshold setting process S200 while the process in the connection priority mode is being executed.

[0030] In the threshold setting process S200, first, the user inputs a desired bandwidth (for example, a lower limit value of the bandwidth) for the access point 3. The control unit 50 acquires the input desired bandwidth of the user (S201). The acquired bandwidth information is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0031] The control unit 50 sets a threshold Nth1 for the detection frequency of the radar signal Ls based on the acquired bandwidth (S203). The detection frequency of the radar signal Ls indicates the number of times a radar signal is detected by the wireless communication module M within a predetermined period. For example, the control unit 50 counts how many times a radar signal is detected in 24 hours when the wireless communication module M detects a radar signal every five minutes. The threshold Nth1 for the detection frequency of the radar signal is set to "1".

[0032] The control unit 50 sets a threshold Nth2 for the number of communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M (S205). The threshold Nth2 is calculated by the following formula 1.

number

[0033] FIG. 5 is an example of a threshold management table 100 for the number of connected communication terminals. The threshold management table 100 includes a condition 101, a user-desired bandwidth 103, a radar signal detection frequency 105, and a threshold 107 for the number of connected communication terminals. In condition Nth2a, the user-desired bandwidth per communication terminal is set to "5 Mbps" and the radar signal detection frequency is set to "low," and in this case, the threshold Nth2 for the number of connected communication terminals is set to "60." Note that a "low" radar signal detection frequency refers to a case where the radar signal is detected less than twice. A "high" radar signal detection frequency refers to a case where the radar signal is detected two or more times.

[0034] When the process of determining the threshold value for the number of communication terminals to be connected (S205) is completed, the control unit 50 starts the process of setting the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of communication terminals currently connected (S300).

[0035] [1-3-3. Wireless communication module number setting process] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless communication module number setting process S300. In the wireless communication module number setting process S300, the control unit 50 first waits until a predetermined time has elapsed (S301; No). When the predetermined time has elapsed (S301; Yes), the control unit 50 then acquires internal information of the access point 3. The control unit 50 acquires the number of times (detection frequency) that the radar signal Ls has been detected by the wireless communication module M during the predetermined time period (S303). The acquired detection frequency of the radar signal Ls is stored in the storage unit 70. The control unit 50 also acquires the number of communication terminals currently connected to the wireless communication module (S305). The number of communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module is a value acquired at each time interval. Note that the number of communication terminals may be an average value of the values ​​acquired at each time interval during the predetermined time period. The acquired number of connected communication terminals is stored in the storage unit 70. The order in which the detection frequency of the radar signal Ls and the number of communication terminals are acquired is not particularly limited.

[0036] Next, the control unit 50 performs processing to change the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication (S307). FIG. 7 is an example of a flow diagram illustrating the processing S307 to change the number of wireless communication modules. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 50 determines whether the detection frequency of a radar signal is less than a threshold Nth1 (in this example, Nth1=1) (S3071). If the detection frequency of a radar signal is less than the threshold Nth1 (S3071; Yes), the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication to a plurality (S3072). Specifically, when the number of wireless communication modules currently used for wireless communication is "1," if the frequency of radar signal detection within 24 hours is 0, the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication to "2." When the number of wireless communication modules becomes a plurality (when the number of wireless communication modules is set to "2"), the control unit 50 determines whether the communication module M is in the speed priority mode (S3073). If the speed priority mode is selected (S3073; Yes), the speed priority mode is maintained. If the current mode is not the speed priority mode but the connection priority mode (S3073; No), a mode switching process is executed to switch from the connection priority mode to the speed priority mode (S3074).

[0037] This mode switching process corresponds to switching the wireless communication of the wireless communication module M from a restricted state to an unrestricted state. As a result, all of the wireless communication modules enter an ISM state (unrestricted state) in which wireless communication with the communication terminal 5 is possible. This state is the speed priority mode.

[0038] In the speed-priority mode, the access point 3 operates to set both wireless communication modules Ma10 and Mb20 in a state (ISM state) capable of communicating with the communication terminal 5, and to increase the communication bandwidth compared to the connection-priority mode. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in communication speed even when many communication terminals 5 connect to the access point 3. Furthermore, in the speed-priority mode, as in the past, wireless communication is restricted because CAC is initiated when a radar signal Ls is detected, but as long as one of the two wireless communication modules maintains the ISM state, the communication terminal 5 can switch channels and continue wireless communication.

[0039] If the radar signal detection frequency is once or more (S3071; No), the control unit 50 determines the number of communication terminals currently connected to the wireless communication module M (S3075). At this time, the threshold for the number of connected communication terminals is "60." If the number of currently connected communication terminals is equal to or greater than the threshold Nth2 (S3075; Yes), the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules M used for wireless communication to be increased (S3076). Specifically, if the radar signal detection frequency within 24 hours is once and the number of currently connected communication terminals is "80," the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules currently used for wireless communication to "2" (S3076). In this case, the control unit 50 sets the speed priority mode, and therefore executes a speed priority mode determination process (S3073).

[0040] If the number of currently connected communication terminals is less than the threshold Nth2 (S3075; No), the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules M used for wireless communication to be reduced (S3077). Specifically, if the number of currently connected communication terminals is "40," the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules M used for wireless communication to "1." In this case, the control unit 50 executes a process to determine whether the mode is connection priority (S3078). If the mode is connection priority (S3078; Yes), the control unit 50 maintains the connection priority mode. If the wireless communication module M is in speed priority mode, the control unit 50 executes a process to switch to connection priority mode (S3079) and starts the connection priority mode. In the connection priority mode, when the wireless communication module Ma10 detects a radar signal Ls, the control unit 50 disconnects the connection between the communication terminal 5 and the wireless communication module Ma10 (first connection) and changes the communication setting to the connection between the communication terminal 5 and the wireless communication module Mb20 (second connection). The control unit 50 repeats the wireless communication module number change process S300 while the power is on.

[0041] The above communication control process ends when the power is turned off or when the access point 3 is switched to another communication control process.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, when the number of wireless communication modules is small, the time during which communication is interrupted is shortened, allowing for stable wireless communication and reducing power consumption. Furthermore, when the number of wireless communication modules is large, the communication speed can be improved by increasing the bandwidth. Therefore, by using this embodiment, wireless communication can be performed using an appropriate number of wireless modules according to the bandwidth and usage environment input by the user.

[0043] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which a threshold value for the number of connected communication terminals was set according to a user's desired bandwidth. In this embodiment, a communication system different from the first embodiment will be described. Specifically, an example will be described in which a threshold value for the number of connected communication terminals is set based on a desired power consumption. Note that descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0044] [2-1. Threshold setting process] First, the user inputs the power consumption (for example, the upper limit of power consumption) of the wireless communication module M desired by the access point 3. The control unit 50 acquires the input power consumption of the wireless communication module M desired by the user (S201A). The acquired power consumption is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0045] The control unit 50 sets a threshold Nth1A for the frequency of radar signal detection based on the acquired power consumption (S203A), and sets a threshold Nth2A for the number of communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module (S205A). The threshold Nth2A may be set based on the power consumption desired by the user, the frequency of radar signal detection, the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication, etc.

[0046] By using this embodiment, wireless communication can be performed while suppressing power consumption to meet the user's desired conditions.

[0047] Third Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which a threshold value for the number of connected communication terminals was set according to a bandwidth desired by a user. In this embodiment, a communication system different from the first embodiment will be described. Specifically, an example will be described in which a power consumption threshold value is set based on the number of communication terminals desired by a user to be connected to a wireless communication module. Note that descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0048] [3-1. Threshold setting process] 9 is a flowchart illustrating the threshold setting process S200B. In the threshold setting process S200B, first, the user inputs to the access point 3 the desired number of communication terminals to be connected to the wireless communication module (for example, the upper limit of communication terminals). The control unit 50 acquires the number of communication terminals input by the user (S201B). The acquired number of communication terminals is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0049] The control unit 50 sets a threshold Nth1B for the frequency of radar signal detection based on the acquired number of communication terminals (S203B), and sets a threshold Nth3 for power consumption used by the wireless communication module M (S205B). The threshold Nth3 may be set based on the bandwidth or processing capability (throughput) of the wireless communication module in addition to the number of communication terminals desired by the user.

[0050] [3-2. Wireless communication module number setting process] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless communication module number setting process S300B. As shown in FIG. 10, in the wireless communication module number setting process S300B, first, the control unit 50 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed (S301B; No). When the predetermined period has elapsed (S301B; Yes), the control unit 50 acquires the number of times (detection frequency) that the radar signal Ls has been detected by the wireless communication module M during the predetermined period (S303B). The acquired detection frequency of the radar signal Ls is stored in the storage unit 70. Next, the control unit 50 acquires the current power consumption of the wireless communication module M (S305B). The acquired power consumption is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0051] Next, the control unit 50 performs a process to change the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication (S307B). FIG. 11 is an example of a flow diagram showing the process to change the number of wireless communication modules. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 50 determines whether the detection frequency of the radar signal is less than a threshold Nth1B (in this example, Nth1B=1) (S3071B). If the detection frequency of the radar signal is less than the threshold Nth1B (S3071B; Yes), the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication to "2" (S3072B). When the number of wireless communication modules is set to "2", the control unit 50 determines whether the communication module M is in the speed priority mode (S3073B). If the speed priority mode is set (S3073B; Yes), the speed priority mode is maintained. If the connection priority mode is not the speed priority mode but the connection priority mode (S3073B; No), a mode switching process is executed to switch from the connection priority mode to the speed priority mode (S3074B).

[0052] If the radar signal detection frequency is one or more times (S3071B; No), the control unit 50 determines the current power consumption of the wireless communication module M (S3075B). If the current power consumption is less than the threshold Nth3 (S3075B; Yes), the control unit 50 sets the number of wireless communication modules used for wireless communication to "2" (S3076B). In this case, the control unit 50 sets the speed priority mode, and therefore executes a speed priority mode determination process (S3073B).

[0053] If the current power consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold Nth3 (S3075B; No), the number of wireless communication modules M used for wireless communication is set to be reduced (S3077B). Specifically, the number of wireless communication modules M used for wireless communication is set to "1". In this case, the control unit 50 executes a process to determine whether the mode is connection priority (S3078B). If the mode is connection priority (S3078B; Yes), the mode is maintained as connection priority. If the wireless communication module M is in speed priority mode, the control unit 50 executes a process to switch to connection priority mode (step S3079B) and starts connection priority mode. The control unit 50 repeats the wireless communication module number change process S300 while the power is on.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, when power consumption is low, the bandwidth is increased by increasing the number of wireless communication modules. As a result, the communication speed can be improved. Furthermore, when power consumption becomes high, the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the number of wireless communication modules. Therefore, by using this embodiment, wireless communication can be performed using an appropriate number of wireless modules while reducing power consumption according to the usage environment.

[0055] <Fourth embodiment> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which time information is acquired and the wireless communication module number setting process S300C is performed.

[0056] 12 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless communication module number setting process S300C. As shown in FIG. 12, in the wireless communication module number setting process S300C, first, the control unit 50 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed (S301; No). When the predetermined period has elapsed (S301; Yes), the control unit 50 acquires the number of times (detection frequency) that the radar signal Ls has been detected by the wireless communication module M during the predetermined period (S303). The acquired detection frequency of the radar signal Ls is stored in the storage unit 70. Next, the control unit 50 acquires the number of communication terminals currently connected to the wireless communication module (S305). The acquired number of connected communication terminals is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0057] Next, the control unit 50 acquires date and time information (S306). Note that there are no particular limitations on the timing at which the date and time information is acquired. Furthermore, the date and time information may be acquired from within the access point 3 or from another device. The control unit 50 determines whether the acquired date and time information is a predetermined date and time (S308). If the acquired date and time information is not the predetermined date and time (S308; No), the control unit 50 performs processing to change the number of wireless communication modules (S307). The processing S307 to change the number of wireless communication modules is as described in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] On the other hand, if the acquired date and time information is a predetermined date and time (S308; Yes), the control unit 50 sets the number of specific wireless communication modules to be used (S310). The number of specific wireless communication modules may be set based on the bandwidth desired by the user, internal information of the access point (e.g., frequency of radar signal detection, number of connected communication terminals), and date and time information. Specifically, the number of wireless communication modules to be used may be set to "1" on Saturdays and Sundays when wireless communication activity is low.

[0059] When this embodiment is used, a predetermined number of wireless communication modules is set at a predetermined date and time, which reduces power consumption without requiring the user to take the time to set it, and enables wireless communication to be performed using an appropriate number of wireless communication modules.

[0060] Fifth Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which the control unit 50 performs communication control processing based on various information such as the bandwidth desired by the user, the frequency of radar signal detection, and the acquired number of connected communication terminals, all of which are stored in the storage unit 70 of the access point 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which one wireless communication module is provided in different access points.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 1D. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication system 1D includes an access point 3D and an access point 3E in addition to a communication terminal 5 and a router 9. The access point 3D is similar to the access point 3 of the first embodiment except that it does not include a wireless connection module Mb. The access point 3E includes a wireless communication module Mb20. The access point 3D and the access point 3E are located in the same network segment. A control unit 50 of the access point 3D may perform communication control processing using various information stored in the access point 3E.

[0062] <Modification> While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the concept of the present invention, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies components of the above-described embodiments, or adds, omits, or modifies the conditions of steps, these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they maintain the gist of the present invention.

[0063] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which various information such as the bandwidth desired by the user, the frequency of radar signal detection, and the acquired number of connected communication terminals is stored in the storage unit 70 of the access point 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The communication control process may be performed using various information stored in a storage device of a communication device or server different from the access point 3.

[0064] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which a threshold for the number of communication terminals to be connected was determined based on the bandwidth desired by the user, and the number of wireless communication modules was changed according to the number of communication terminals currently connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of wireless communication modules may be changed based on other internal information of the access point 3. A threshold for average throughput may be determined based on an upper limit on the number of connected wireless terminals desired by the user, and the number of wireless communication modules may be changed according to the current average throughput.

[0065] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the theoretical bandwidth value of a predetermined communication standard is used to set the threshold for the number of connected communication terminals, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the minimum bandwidth (communication speed) or the average bandwidth value of the communication standard used by the currently connected wireless terminals may be used.

[0066] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example was shown in which the coefficient for calculating the threshold Nth2 for the number of connected communication terminals was set based on the bandwidth desired by the user and the frequency of radar signal detection, but the present invention is not limited to this. The coefficient may also be set based on other internal information of the access point 3, such as the channel usage rate of the wireless communication module M or the CRC error rate of the wireless communication module.

[0067] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example has been shown in which the threshold value Nth2 for the number of connected communication terminals is calculated based on Equation 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the threshold value for the number of connected communication terminals may be generated using a trained model that has been generated in advance based on machine learning, or the number of wireless communication modules may be changed.

[0068] Furthermore, the threshold for the frequency of radar signal detection may be set based on the number of times that radar signals are detected consecutively at regular time intervals within a predetermined period of time. If the detection frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, the probability of detecting a radar signal is high, so the number of communication modules may be reduced and the connection-first mode may be set preferentially.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 50 sets the wireless communication module M to the connection priority mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication setting (mode) that has already been set may continue to be used, or the communication setting (mode) may be set according to the bandwidth desired by the user.

[0070] In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example is shown in which a radar signal is detected after a predetermined time has elapsed (S301: Yes), but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of times the radar signal Ls has been detected (detection frequency) may be obtained without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse (without performing the process of S301).

[0071] In the communication relay device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal information may include the number of communication terminals connected to the communication relay device and the frequency of detection of a predetermined radar signal emitted from outside.

[0072] In one embodiment of the communication relay device, the control unit may set a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the bandwidth, and set the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value.

[0073] In one embodiment of the communication relay device, the control unit may set a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the bandwidth and the detection frequency, and set the number of wireless communication modules based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value.

[0074] In one embodiment of the communication relay device, the control unit may acquire the power consumption of the communication relay device, set a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the bandwidth and the power consumption of the communication relay device, and set the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value.

[0075] In one embodiment of the communication relay device, the plurality of wireless communication modules may include a first wireless communication module corresponding to a first channel in the 5 GHz band and a second wireless communication module corresponding to a second channel in the 5 GHz band, and the control unit may set a first connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the first wireless communication module, and when the number of connected communication terminals is less than the threshold and a radar signal corresponding to the first channel is detected, the control unit may change the setting from the first connection to a second connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the second wireless communication module.

[0076] In one embodiment of the communication relay device, the control unit may acquire date and time information, and when the date and time information satisfies a predetermined condition, set the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among the plurality of wireless communication modules based on the bandwidth, the internal information, and the date and time information.

[0077] In the communication control method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal information may include the number of communication terminals connected to the communication relay device and the frequency of detection of a predetermined radar signal emitted from outside.

[0078] In one embodiment of the communication control method, a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module may be set based on the bandwidth, and the number of wireless communication modules to be used may be set based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value.

[0079] In one embodiment of the communication control method, a threshold for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module may be set based on the bandwidth and the frequency of detection of the specified radar signal, and the number of wireless communication modules to be used may be set based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold.

[0080] In one embodiment of the communication control method, the power consumption of the communication relay device may be acquired, and a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module may be set based on the bandwidth and the power consumption of the communication relay device, and the number of wireless communication modules to be used may be set based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value.

[0081] In one embodiment of the communication control method, the wireless communication modules include a first wireless communication module corresponding to a first channel in the 5 GHz band and a second wireless communication module corresponding to a second channel in the 5 GHz band, and the communication relay device may set a first connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the first wireless communication module, and when the number of connected communication terminals is less than the threshold and a radar signal corresponding to the first channel is detected, change the setting from the first connection to a second connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the second wireless communication module.

[0082] In one embodiment of the communication control method, date and time information is acquired, and when the date and time information satisfies a predetermined condition, the number of wireless communication modules to be used among the plurality of wireless communication modules may be set based on the bandwidth, the internal information, and the date and time information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1···Communication system, 3···Access point, 5···Communication terminal, 9···Router, 50···Control unit, 70···Memory unit, 80···Operation unit, 100···Data set, 103···Bandwidth, 105···Radar signal detection frequency, 107···Threshold

Claims

1. A communication relay device, a plurality of wireless communication modules; acquiring the power consumption desired by the user and internal information of the communication relay device; a control unit that sets the number of wireless communication modules to be used among the plurality of wireless communication modules based on the power consumption and the internal information, Communication relay device.

2. the internal information includes the number of communication terminals connected to the communication relay device and the frequency of detection of a predetermined radar signal emitted from outside; The communication relay device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit setting a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the power consumption; setting the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value; The communication relay device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit setting a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the power consumption and the detection frequency; setting the number of the wireless communication modules based on the number of the connected communication terminals and the threshold value; The communication relay device according to claim 2 .

5. the plurality of wireless communication modules include a first wireless communication module corresponding to a first channel in the 5 GHz band and a second wireless communication module corresponding to a second channel in the 5 GHz band; the control unit sets up a first connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the first wireless communication module; When the number of connected communication terminals is less than the threshold value and a radar signal corresponding to the first channel is detected, the control unit changes the setting from the first connection to a second connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the second wireless communication module.

5. The communication relay device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The control unit acquires date and time information, When the date and time information satisfies a predetermined condition, the number of wireless communication modules to be used is set based on the power consumption, the internal information, and the date and time information. The communication relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A communication relay device acquiring the power consumption desired by the user and internal information of the communication relay device; determining the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among the plurality of wireless communication modules based on the power consumption and the internal information; Communication control method.

8. the internal information includes the number of communication terminals connected to the communication relay device and a detection frequency of a predetermined radar signal emitted from outside; The communication control method according to claim 7.

9. setting a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the power consumption; setting the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value; The communication control method according to claim 8.

10. setting a threshold value for the number of communication terminals that can be connected to one wireless communication module based on the power consumption and the frequency of detection of the predetermined radar signal; setting the number of wireless communication modules to be used based on the number of connected communication terminals and the threshold value; The communication control method according to claim 8.

11. the wireless communication module includes a first wireless communication module corresponding to a first channel in the 5 GHz band and a second wireless communication module corresponding to a second channel in the 5 GHz band; The communication relay device establishing a first connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the first wireless communication module; when the number of connected communication terminals is less than the threshold value and a radar signal corresponding to the first channel is detected, changing the setting from the first connection to a second connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the second wireless communication module; The communication control method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. Get the date and time information When the date and time information satisfies a predetermined condition, the number of wireless communication modules to be used is set based on the power consumption, the internal information, and the date and time information. A communication control method according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

13. On the computer, Obtain the power consumption desired by the user and internal information of the communication relay device, A program that causes the number of wireless communication modules to be used from among a plurality of wireless communication modules to be set based on the power consumption and the internal information.

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