Information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a program capable of efficiently performing wireless communication with an external device.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external apparatus, and a communication control unit configured to control the wireless communication unit to cause the wireless communication unit to access a first access point provided by a higher-level external apparatus, to operate the wireless communication unit as a second access point, and to relay data communication between a lower-level external apparatus that has accessed the second access point and the higher-level external apparatus, in which the communication control unit operates the second access point in the same band as a band used for wireless communication with the higher-level external apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are information processing devices with wireless LAN functionality that also have relay functions for mobile hotspots, tethering, etc. Such information processing devices perform wireless communication with an access point provided by a higher-level device such as a router, and by operating themselves as an access point, relay data communication between a terminal device connected to the access point provided by their own device and the higher-level device.

[0003] The bandwidth that an information processing device uses for wireless communication with a host device depends on the settings of the host device to which the information processing device is connected. For example, if the host device uses a bandwidth of 5 GHz, the information processing device will communicate with the host device wirelessly using the 5 GHz bandwidth.

[0004] On the other hand, the settings of the access point provided by the information processing device, i.e., the settings for the terminal device accessing the information processing device, can be arbitrarily set on the information processing device side. However, if the settings for the terminal device are made carelessly, the efficiency of wireless communication may decrease. For example, in an information processing device, when wireless communication between a host device and a terminal device is performed using the same communication unit (communication circuit), if the band of the host device and the band of the terminal device are different, the communication unit will perform wireless communication with both devices while switching bands, which may decrease the efficiency of wireless communication. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that are capable of efficiently performing wireless communication with an external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment includes a wireless communication unit and a communication control unit. The wireless communication unit is capable of wireless communication with an external device. The communication control unit controls the wireless communication unit to access a first access point provided by a higher-level external device and to operate the information processing device as a second access point, relaying data communication between a lower-level external device that has accessed the second access point and the higher-level external device. The communication control unit also operates the second access point in the same band as the band used for wireless communication with the higher-level external device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen provided by the setting support unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a higher-level device 20, and a terminal device 30. Note that, in Fig. 1, the number of higher-level devices 20 and terminal devices 30 is one, but this is not limiting.

[0010] The information processing device 10 is an example of an information processing device. The information processing device 10 has a wireless LAN function that enables wireless communication with an external device. The information processing device 10 also has a relay function (hereinafter also referred to as a mobile hotspot) such as a mobile hotspot or tethering, and can operate as a wireless LAN access point.

[0011] The information processing device 10 is realized by, for example, a server device such as an edge server, a PC (Personal Computer), an I / O box (also called a device broker), etc. The information processing device 10 can also be referred to as a child device or a guest device relative to the higher-level device 20. The information processing device 10 can also be referred to as a parent device or a host device relative to the terminal device 30.

[0012] The higher-level device 20 is an external device located higher than the information processing device 10 in the network configuration of the information processing system 1. For example, the higher-level device 20 is a communication device such as a router connected to a network such as the Internet. The higher-level device 20 has a wireless or wired communication interface and performs wireless or wired communication with external devices. Specifically, the higher-level device 20 provides an access point for wireless communication and establishes wireless communication with a guest device that accesses the access point.

[0013] The terminal device 30 is an external device positioned below the information processing device 10 in the network configuration of the information processing system 1. The terminal device 30 is a terminal device used by a user of the information processing system 1, and has a wireless LAN function that enables wireless communication with external devices. The terminal device 30 can wirelessly communicate with the information processing device 10 by accessing an access point provided by the information processing device 10. For example, the terminal device 30 may be a portable terminal device such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer).

[0014] In the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 connects itself to an access point (hereinafter also referred to as a first access point) provided by the higher-level device 20, and operates itself as an access point (hereinafter also referred to as a second access point), thereby relaying data communication between the higher-level device 20 and a terminal device 30 that has accessed the access point of its own device. In this way, the information processing device 10 can connect the terminal device 30 to a network, such as the Internet, to which the higher-level device 20 belongs.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the main devices included in the information processing system 1 described above will be described.

[0016] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13.

[0017] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is used as a working memory for expanding various data.

[0018] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 100. The control unit 100 executes various processes as the CPU 11 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 12 and a storage unit 14 (described later).

[0019] The control unit 100 is connected to a storage unit 14 via a bus or the like. The storage unit 14 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. For example, the storage unit 14 stores an OS (Operating System), various programs, etc.

[0020] The storage unit 14 also stores setting information 141. For example, the setting information 141 holds settings related to wireless communication using the wireless communication unit 15, which will be described later. Specifically, the setting information 141 holds first setting information related to wireless communication to an access point provided by the higher-level device 20. The setting information 141 also holds second setting information related to the operation of an access point provided by the device itself. The first setting information includes a service set identifier (SSID), password, etc. of the access point provided by the higher-level device 20, as well as a band and a channel. The second setting information includes a service set identifier (SSID), password, etc. of the access point provided by the device itself, as well as a band and a channel.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to a wireless communication unit 15 and a wired communication unit 16 via a bus or the like. The wireless communication unit 15 is an example of a wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit 15 is a communication interface that complies with a wireless LAN standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 15 has a communication circuit such as an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, and performs wireless communication (also referred to as wireless connection) with external devices such as a higher-level device 20 and a terminal device 30.

[0022] The wired communication unit 16 is an example of a wired communication unit. The wired communication unit 16 is a communication interface for connecting to an external device via a wired connection. The wired communication unit 16 has a connector for wired connection that complies with a general-purpose standard such as USB, and can be connected to an external device via a cable or the like. The wired communication unit 16 also has a connector that complies with a wired LAN standard, and can be connected to an external device (e.g., upper device 20) via a LAN cable.

[0023] It should be noted that there is no particular restriction on the number of wired communication units 16 and the type of connectors included in the information processing device 10. For example, the wired communication units 16 may have connectors that comply with the HDMI (registered trademark) standard.

[0024] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.

[0025] The CPU 31 is an example of a processor, and controls the overall operation of the terminal device 30. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 is used as a working memory for expanding various data.

[0026] The CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 300. The control unit 300 executes various processes as the CPU 31 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 32 and a storage unit 34 (described later).

[0027] The control unit 300 is connected to a storage unit 34 via a bus or the like. The storage unit 34 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. For example, the storage unit 34 stores an OS, various programs, and the like. The storage unit 34 also stores setting information 341. For example, the setting information 341 holds second setting information related to wireless communication with the information processing device 10.

[0028] Furthermore, a wireless communication unit 35 is connected to the control unit 300 via a bus or the like. The wireless communication unit 35 is a wireless communication interface for wirelessly connecting with an external device such as the terminal device 30. The wireless communication unit 35 is a communication interface that complies with the wireless LAN standard, and performs wireless communication with an external device such as the information processing device 10.

[0029] The control unit 300 is also connected to a display unit 36 ​​and an operation unit 37 via a bus or the like. The display unit 36 ​​is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 36 ​​displays various information under the control of the control unit 300. The operation unit 37 has various operation buttons for accepting user operations and outputs operation information according to the user operations to the control unit 300. The operation unit 37 may be a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 36.

[0030] The band that the information processing device 10 uses for wireless communication with the higher-level device 20 is determined according to the setting of the connected higher-level device 20. For example, if the band used by the higher-level device 20 is 5 GHz, the information processing device 10 communicates wirelessly with the higher-level device 20 using 5 GHz.

[0031] On the other hand, the settings of the access point provided by the information processing device 10, i.e., the settings for the terminal device 30 that accesses the information processing device 10 itself, can be arbitrarily set on the information processing device 10 side. However, if the settings for the terminal device 30 are made carelessly, there is a possibility that the efficiency and accuracy of wireless communication will decrease. For example, in a case where wireless communication between the upper device 20 and the terminal device 30 is performed using the same wireless communication unit 15 (communication circuit) as in the information processing device 10, if the band of the upper device 20 and the band of the terminal device 30 are different, the wireless communication unit 15 will perform wireless communication with both devices while switching the band. This increases the processing load required for switching the band, and the switching of the band causes a time loss, which may result in a decrease in communication efficiency and communication quality.

[0032] Therefore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment is provided with a function for efficiently performing wireless communication with external devices. The functional configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described below.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the information processing device 10 includes a communication control unit 101 and a setting support unit 102 as functional components.

[0034] Specifically, the control unit 100 (CPU 11) of the information processing device 10 realizes the above-mentioned functional configuration by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 14. Note that in this embodiment, the above-mentioned functional configuration is a software configuration realized by cooperation between the processor of the information processing device 10 and the program, but is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which part or all of the functional configuration is realized by a dedicated circuit or the like may also be used.

[0035] The communication control unit 101 is an example of a communication control unit. The communication control unit 101 controls communication with an external device by cooperating with the wireless communication unit 15 and the wired communication unit 16. Specifically, the communication control unit 101 accesses the higher-level device 20 via the wireless communication unit 15 to establish wireless communication with the higher-level device 20.

[0036] Here, the settings (first setting information) related to wireless communication with the higher-level device 20 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 14, or may be provided from the higher-level device 20. In the latter case, the communication control unit 101 may search for access points around the device itself in cooperation with the wireless communication unit 15, and acquire the first setting information from an access point provided by the higher-level device 20. In addition, the first setting information may be input by the operator of the information processing device 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the communication control unit 101 sets second setting information related to wireless communication with the terminal device 30 based on the setting related to wireless communication with the higher-level device 20. Specifically, the communication control unit 101 sets the same band as the band defined in the first setting information in the second setting information. Regarding the channel, the communication control unit 101 may set the same channel as the channel defined in the first setting information in the second setting information, or may automatically set an arbitrary channel.

[0038] Here, when the same channel as the first setting information is set in the second setting information, the information processing device 10 can omit the process of switching channels when performing wireless communication with the higher-level device 20 and the terminal device 30, thereby improving communication efficiency and communication accuracy.

[0039] Furthermore, when automatically setting the channel, it is preferable that the information processing device 10 detects wireless communication channels used in the vicinity of the device itself and determines the channel to be used based on the detected channel in order to avoid radio wave interference with other wireless devices. For example, it is preferable that the communication control unit 101 selects a channel other than the detected channel or a channel with the smallest accumulated signal reception strength value among the detected channels as the channel to be used for wireless communication with the terminal device 30. This allows the communication control unit 101 to suppress radio wave interference with wireless devices in the vicinity of the device itself, thereby improving communication efficiency and communication accuracy.

[0040] It should be noted that other setting contents included in the second setting information may be automatically set based on predetermined setting contents, or may be set based on setting contents input by the operator of the information processing device 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the communication control unit 101 cooperates with the wireless communication unit 15 to operate the device itself as an access point of a wireless LAN, thereby realizing a mobile hotspot. Specifically, the communication control unit 101 forms an access point based on the second setting information, thereby realizing a mobile hotspot in which the same band as the band used for wireless communication with the higher-level device 20 is set.

[0042] When the communication control unit 101 receives access to the wireless access point from the terminal device 30, it compares the password transmitted from the terminal device 30 with the password set in the setting information 141, and if the passwords match, it establishes wireless communication with the terminal device 30. Then, the communication control unit 101 relays communication between the higher-level device 20 and the terminal device 30.

[0043] Furthermore, when the terminal device 30 is connected to the host device 20 via a wired connection via the wired communication unit 16, the communication control unit 101 establishes wired communication with the host device 20. The communication control unit 101 then relays communication between the host device 20 and the terminal device 30. In this case, communication with the host device 20 is performed via a wired connection rather than wirelessly, so no band switching process occurs. Therefore, the communication control unit 101 sets one of the bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, in the second setting information. In this case, the band set by the communication control unit 101 is preferably 2.4 GHz, which can be used both indoors and outdoors due to the Radio Law.

[0044] The settings of the band and channel included in the second setting information are not limited to being automatically set by the communication control unit 101, but may be set in response to an instruction from the operator of the information processing device 10. In this case, for example, the communication control unit 101 may cooperate with the setting support unit 102 to provide the operator with a screen for setting the band and channel (hereinafter also referred to as a setting screen).

[0045] The setting support unit 102 is an example of a receiving unit. The setting support unit 102 provides a setting screen for supporting the setting of the second setting information. For example, the setting support unit 102 displays the setting screen on a display device connected to the wired communication unit 16. The setting support unit 102 also receives operations on the setting screen via input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse connected to the wired communication unit 16.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen provided by the setting support unit 102. As shown in Fig. 5, setting screen G has input fields Ga to Gd for inputting an SSID, password, band, and channel. Here, input field Ga is an input field for inputting an SSID. Also, input field Gb is an input field for inputting a password. Any character string can be input for the SSID and password.

[0047] The input field Gc is an input field for inputting a band. A band conforming to the wireless LAN communication standard can be input into the input field Gc. For example, a band such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz can be input into the input field Gc. The setting support unit 102 may display each band that can be input in a pull-down list format, allowing the user to selectively input one band.

[0048] The input field Gd is an input field for inputting a channel. A channel corresponding to the band in the input field Gc can be input into the input field Gd. For example, in the case of a 2.4 GHz band (in the case of IEEE802.11g), channels 1 to 13 can be input. In addition, in the case of a 5 GHz band (in the case of IEEE802.11a, W52), channels 36, 40, 44, and 48 can be input. The setting support unit 102 may display each inputtable channel in a pull-down list format, allowing the user to selectively input one channel.

[0049] Furthermore, a setting button Ge is provided on the setting screen G. When the setting support unit 102 receives an operation of the setting button Ge, it generates second setting information including the information input in the input fields Ga to Gd. The setting support unit 102 stores the generated second setting information in the storage unit 14.

[0050] Then, the communication control unit 101 forms an access point based on the second setting information generated by the setting support unit 102, thereby realizing an access point that reflects the setting contents input by the operator of the information processing device 10.

[0051] An example of the operation of the information processing device 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0052] First, when the communication control unit 101 connects to the higher-level device 20 (step S11), it determines whether the connection method is wireless or wired (step S12). If the connection method is wireless (step S12; Yes), the communication control unit 101 determines whether to automatically set the second setting information (step S13). Note that whether to automatically set the second setting information may be set in advance in the setting information, or may be instructed via an input device connected to the wired communication unit 16.

[0053] If it is determined that the setting should be automatic (step S13; Yes), the communication control unit 101 sets the second setting information to the same band as the band used for wireless communication with the higher-level device 20, that is, sets the band for the mobile hotspot (step S14). Next, the communication control unit 101 detects channels used by wireless devices around the communication control unit 101 (step S15). Then, the communication control unit 101 determines the channel to be set in the second setting information based on the detected channel, that is, determines the channel for the mobile hotspot (step S16), and proceeds to step S23.

[0054] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S13 that manual setting is to be performed (step S13; No), the setting support unit 102 displays a setting screen relating to the setting of the mobile hotspot on a display device connected to the wired communication unit 16 (step S17). Then, when setting contents are input into the setting screen, the setting support unit 102 generates second setting information based on the input setting contents (step S18), and proceeds to step S23.

[0055] On the other hand, if the connection method is determined to be wired in step S11 (step S12; No), the communication control unit 101 determines whether or not to automatically set the second setting information (step S19).

[0056] If it is determined that the setting should be automatic (step S19; Yes), the communication control unit 101 sets a predetermined band in the second setting information, that is, sets the band for the mobile hotspot (step S20).

[0057] Next, communication control unit 101 detects channels used by wireless devices around its own device (step S21). Then, communication control unit 101 sets a channel other than the detected channel as the second setting information, that is, sets the channel as a channel for the mobile hotspot (step S22), and proceeds to step S23.

[0058] If it is determined that the setting is to be performed manually (step S19; No), the setting support unit 102 proceeds to step S17 and displays a setting screen to prompt the operator of the information processing device 10 to input setting contents. Next, the setting support unit 102 generates second setting information based on the input setting contents (step S18), and proceeds to step S23.

[0059] In the following step S23, communication control unit 101 realizes a mobile hotspot by forming a wireless access point based on the second setting information (step S23).

[0060] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 15 capable of wireless communication with an external device, controls the wireless communication unit 15, accesses a first access point provided by the higher-level device 20, establishes wireless communication with the higher-level device 20, and operates itself as a second access point to relay data communication between the terminal device 30 that has accessed the second access point and the higher-level device 20. The information processing device 10 also operates the second access point using the same band as the band used for connecting to the first access point provided by the higher-level device 20.

[0061] This allows the information processing device 10 to eliminate the processing and time required for switching bands in wireless communication with both the higher-level device 20 and the terminal device 30, thereby improving communication efficiency and communication quality. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can efficiently perform wireless communication with external devices.

[0062] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by partially changing the configuration or functions of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. The following mainly focuses on differences from the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions of commonalities with the content already described will be omitted. The modifications described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0063] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device 10 is configured to include a connector for a wired LAN, but this is not limiting, and the information processing device 10 may be configured not to include a connector for a wired LAN.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a display device and an input device are connected to the wired communication unit 16 of the information processing device 10, but this is not limited to this, and the information processing device 10 may also be configured to include a display device and / or an input device.

[0065] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, the procedure is such that a connection with the higher-level device 20 is first established, and then the settings related to the mobile hotspot are made, but this is not limited to this, and the settings related to the mobile hotspot may be made first, and then the connection with the higher-level device 20 may be established.

[0066] However, if the band for wireless communication with the higher-level device 20 is different from the band used for the mobile hotspot, the communication control unit 101 resets the band for use for the mobile hotspot to the same band as the band used for wireless communication with the higher-level device 20. This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0067] The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments are provided in a state where they are pre-installed in a ROM, a storage unit, etc. The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0068] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0069] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and their modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing equipment 15. Radio Communication Department 16 Wired Communications Department 101 Communication control unit 102 Setting Support Department 16. Radio Communication Department 20 Upper device 30 Terminal Equipment [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0071] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-185984

Claims

1. a wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with an external device; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to access a first access point provided by a higher-level external device, and also operates the device as a second access point, and relays data communication between a lower-level external device that has accessed the second access point and the higher-level external device; Equipped with The information processing device, wherein the communication control unit operates the second access point in the same band as a band used for wireless communication with the higher-level external device.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the communication control unit operates the second access point on the same channel as a channel used for wireless communication with the higher-level external device.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication control unit determines a channel to be used by the second access point based on a wireless communication channel used in the vicinity of the information processing device.

4. further comprising a wired communication unit capable of wired communication with the higher-level external device; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit, when the higher-level external device and the device are connected via a wired connection, operates the second access point using a predetermined bandwidth and determines the channel to be used by the second access point based on the wireless communication channel used in the vicinity of the device.

5. further comprising a reception unit that receives an operation from an operator, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the receiving unit receives an operation to specify a band, the communication control unit causes the second access point to operate using the specified band.

6. A computer of an information processing device having a wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with an external device, controlling the wireless communication unit to access a first access point provided by a higher-level external device, and operating the device itself as a second access point, and functioning as a communication control unit that relays data communication between a lower-level external device that has accessed the second access point and the higher-level external device; The communication control unit operates the second access point in the same band as a band used for wireless communication with the higher-level external device.

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