Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and program

Abstract

To detect a communication section, which functions as STA and AP of a wireless LAN communication, from a terminal device, which performs setting, when the setting is required, and to prevent the communication section from being detected from the terminal device, which performs setting, when the setting of the communication section is not required.SOLUTION: A wireless communication system is a communication system comprising a communication section, which connects an IoT apparatus to a first access point of wireless LAN communication, and a control section. The control section causes the communication section to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication to connect to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication. After the station is connected to the first access point, broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are wireless communication devices that can operate in a mode in which they operate as an access point for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication (hereinafter referred to as AP mode) and a mode in which they operate as a station for wireless LAN communication (hereinafter referred to as STA mode).

[0003] For example, an information processing device is known that starts a wireless network I / F (Interface) in AP mode to receive setting information for wireless LAN communication, and when the setting information for wireless LAN communication is received, switches the wireless network I / F to STA mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-119725 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that, after switching the communication unit (network I / F) that performs wireless LAN communication to STA mode, if one wishes to change the settings of the communication unit, for example, the communication unit must be reset and restarted in AP mode.

[0006] To address this problem, for example, by operating a communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication in both STA mode and AP mode simultaneously, it becomes possible to connect to other access points in STA mode while accepting settings from a terminal device for settings in AP mode.

[0007] However, this method alone has problems, such as the network identifier of the communication unit's AP being displayed on the terminal device that performed the settings even after the communication unit has been configured, or the terminal device that performed the settings erroneously connecting to the communication unit's AP.

[0008] The present disclosure makes it possible for a communication unit that functions as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication to be detected by a terminal device that performs configuration when configuration is required, and makes it impossible for the communication unit to be detected by the terminal device that performs configuration when configuration of the communication unit is not required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A wireless communication system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point, and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication, and stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication unit that functions as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication can be made detectable from a terminal device that performs configuration when configuration is required, and can be made undetectable from the terminal device that performs configuration when configuration of the communication unit is not required.

[0011] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit restarts broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point after the station disconnects from the first access point. This allows, for example, when changing the access point to which the communication unit is connected, to detect the AP of the communication unit from a terminal device that performs the setting by simply stopping the access point to which the communication unit is connected.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the wireless communication system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier when a state in which the station is disconnected from the first access point continues for a predetermined first time or more. This makes it possible to reduce the resumption of broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point due to a malfunction caused by, for example, a change in radio wave conditions.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit stops broadcasting of a network identifier by the second access point when the state in which the station is connected to the first access point continues for a second predetermined time or more. This makes it easier for the terminal device that performs the setting to change the setting of the terminal device for a predetermined period of time after the communication unit connects to another access point.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system described in any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control unit stops broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by enabling a stealth function of the second access point of the communication unit.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system described in any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control unit stops the function of the second access point of the communication unit, thereby stopping broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the wireless communication system according to the sixth aspect, wherein when the control unit stops the function of the second access point of the communication unit, if the second access point is in communication, the control unit postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second access point. This allows the communication unit to maintain communication with the terminal device when a terminal device that performs the setting is communicating with the communication unit (when a user performs the setting using the terminal device).

[0017] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein after the station connects to the first access point, it is possible to set from the terminal device whether or not to stop broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point.

[0018] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the network identifier includes an SSID of the second access point.

[0019] A wireless communication method according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication, and a control unit, in which the control unit causes the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication that connects to the first access point, and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication, and after the station connects to the first access point, stops broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point.

[0020] A program according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit, causes the control unit to execute a process of causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connecting to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication, and a process of causing the second access point to stop broadcast transmission of a network identifier after the station connects to the first access point. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a wireless communication system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a wireless communication system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0023] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes an air conditioner 100 and a communication device 110 connected to the air conditioner 100.

[0024] The air conditioner 100 is an example of an IoT (Internet of Things) device. The air conditioner 100 is, for example, an indoor unit of an air conditioning system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air conditioner 100 may be, for example, various IoT devices such as a surveillance camera, a sensor, a water heater, a lighting device, an industrial device, or a home appliance. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the air conditioner 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioning system.

[0025] The communication device 110 is a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter for adding a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication function to an IoT device such as the air conditioner 100. The communication device 110 has a communication unit 111 having a function of a station (hereinafter referred to as STA) for wireless LAN communication and a function of an access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) for wireless LAN communication, for example, and a control unit 112 that controls the communication unit 111.

[0026] The control unit 112 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes a predetermined program to control the communication unit 111. Note that the control unit 112 may be, for example, a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0027] For example, when the communication device 110 is started up or when the communication device 110 is not connected to the first AP of the router 20, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a STA for wireless LAN communication and as a second AP for wireless LAN communication. This allows the control unit 112 to receive settings for the first AP of the router 20 to which the communication device 110 should be connected from the terminal device 120 that is connected to the second AP of the communication unit 111 by wireless LAN communication.

[0028] Furthermore, after the STA of communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of router 20, control unit 112 stops the broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second AP of communication unit 111. For example, when the STA of communication unit 111 is connected to the first AP of router 20 for a predetermined period of time or longer, control unit 112 stops the broadcast transmission of the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​by the second AP of communication unit 111. Note that the SSID is an example of a network identifier. The network identifier may be another network identifier, such as an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier).

[0029] Through the above process, the user can install an application (hereinafter referred to as the app) compatible with the wireless communication system 1 in the terminal device 120 and configure the communication unit 111 using the app by connecting to the second AP of the communication unit 111. For example, when starting up the communication device 110, the user can configure the communication unit 111 to connect to the first AP of the router 20 using the app installed in the terminal device 120.

[0030] Furthermore, when the communication device 110 is connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the communication device 110 stops broadcasting the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111. This makes it possible to prevent the SSID of the second AP of the communication unit 111 from being displayed to the terminal device 120 that has performed the settings for the communication device 110, and to prevent the terminal device 120 that has performed the settings from erroneously connecting to the second AP of the communication unit 111, etc.

[0031] Furthermore, when the user wishes to change the router 20 to which the communication device 110 is connected, the user, for example, turns off the power of the router 20. This causes the communication device 110 to resume broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111. Therefore, the user can use the application installed in the terminal device 120 to configure the communication device 110 to connect to the first AP of the new router 20.

[0032] Thus, according to this embodiment, the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication can be made detectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can be made undetectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration of the communication unit 111 is not required.

[0033] It should be noted that the system configuration of the wireless communication system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the communication device 110 has the control unit 112 that controls the communication unit 111, but the control unit 112 that controls the communication unit 111 may be included in the air conditioner 100. Also, the air conditioner 100 may have the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112, for example, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the system configuration of the wireless communication system according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 2, an air conditioner 100 has the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 described in Fig. 1. Note that the processes executed by the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 in Fig. 2 may be similar to the processes executed by the communication unit 111 and the control unit 112 described in Fig. 1.

[0035] <Hardware configuration> The communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 have, for example, the hardware configuration of a computer 300 as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. The computer 300 has, for example, a control unit 112, a memory 301, a storage device 302, a communication device 303, an output device 304, an input device 305, a drive device 306, and a bus 308.

[0036] The control unit 112 is a processor such as a CPU that realizes various functions by executing a predetermined program stored in a storage medium such as the storage device 302 or the memory 301. Note that the control unit 112 may include a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in addition to the CPU.

[0037] The memory 301 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like for the control unit 112, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a non-volatile memory that stores a program for starting up the control unit 112. The storage device 302 is a non-volatile large-capacity storage device that stores an OS (Operating System), programs such as applications, and various data, and is realized by, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash ROM, or the like.

[0038] The communication device 303 includes various communication interfaces for communicating with other devices. For example, when the computer 300 is the communication device 110 in Fig. 1, the communication device 303 includes a communication unit 111 that performs wireless LAN communication, an interface for communicating with the air conditioner 100, and the like. When the computer 300 is the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2, the communication device 303 includes a communication unit 111 that performs wireless LAN communication.

[0039] The output device 304 is an output device that outputs to the outside, such as a display, a speaker, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The input device 305 is an input device that accepts input from the outside, such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a pointing device. Note that the output device 304 and the input device 305 may be a display input device in which the output device 304 and the input device 305 are integrated, such as a touch panel display.

[0040] The drive unit 306 is a device for connecting a storage medium (recording medium) 307 to the computer 300. The storage medium 307 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The storage medium 307 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as a ROM or a flash memory. The bus 308 is commonly connected to the above components, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0041] <Processing flow> Next, the process flow of the wireless communication method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0042] [First embodiment] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

[0043] In step S401, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a station (STA) of wireless LAN communication connected to a first access point (AP) and as a second access point (AP) of the wireless LAN. This state is called a STA+AP state in this embodiment. In the STA+AP state, the second AP of the communication unit 111 broadcasts the SSID (an example of a network identifier) ​​of the second AP.

[0044] In step S402, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the STA of the communication unit 111 has connected to the first AP of the router 20. For example, if information about the first AP is not set in the communication unit 111, or if the first AP set in the communication unit 111 is not operating, the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot connect to the first AP of the router 20.

[0045] If the STA of the communication unit 111 is not connected to the first AP, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S403. On the other hand, if the STA of the communication unit 111 is connected to the first AP, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S406.

[0046] The process proceeds to step S403, and when the terminal device 120 connects to the second AP of the communication unit 111, the control unit 112 accepts setting of information about the first AP from the terminal device 120 in step S404.

[0047] For example, in step S403, the user selects the SSID transmitted by the second AP of the communication unit 111 from the wireless LAN setting screen of the terminal device 120 and connects the terminal device 120 to the second AP of the communication unit 111 by entering a password, etc.

[0048] Also, in step S404, the user sets information (eg, SSID, password, etc.) of the first AP of the router 20 from, for example, a setting screen of the application.

[0049] In step S405, the control unit 112 uses the information of the set first AP to determine whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has succeeded in connecting to the first AP. For example, if the information of the first AP received from the terminal device 120 is incorrect, the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot connect to the first AP.

[0050] If the STA of the communication unit 111 succeeds in connecting to the first AP, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S406. On the other hand, if the STA of the communication unit 111 does not succeed in connecting to the first AP, for example, the control unit 112 returns the process to step S404.

[0051] In step S406, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 (second time) or more. The predetermined time T2 is, for example, a time that is sufficient for the user to configure the communication unit 111.

[0052] If the STA of communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, control unit 112 shifts the process to step S407. On the other hand, if the STA of communication unit 111 has not been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, control unit 112 repeatedly executes the process of step S406.

[0053] When the process proceeds to step S407, the control unit 112 causes the communication unit 111 to function as a STA for wireless LAN communication connected to the first AP. At this time, the control unit 112 stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111. This state is called an STA state in this embodiment. This allows the control unit 112 to stop the broadcast transmission of the SSID (an example of a network identifier) ​​by the second AP of the communication unit 111.

[0054] In step S408, the control unit 112 judges whether or not the disconnection between the STA of the communication unit 111 and the first AP of the router 20 has continued for a predetermined time T1 (first time) or more. For example, when the STA of the communication unit 111 cannot receive radio waves of wireless LAN communication from the set first AP for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 judges that the disconnection with the first AP has continued for the predetermined time T1 or more. Here, the predetermined time T1 is, for example, a time set in advance for judging that there is no set first AP in the vicinity of the communication device 110.

[0055] If the disconnection with the first AP does not continue for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 returns the process to step S407 and maintains the STA state of the communication unit 111. On the other hand, if the disconnection with the first AP continues for the predetermined time T1 or more, the control unit 112 returns the process to step S401 and sets the communication unit 111 to the STA+AP state. This causes the second AP of the communication unit 111 to resume broadcast transmission of the SSID of the second AP.

[0056] By the processing of FIG. 4, the wireless communication system 1 can make the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication detectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can make it undetectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

[0057] [Second embodiment] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

[0058] Among the processes shown in Fig. 5, the processes of steps S401 to S406 and S408 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be described here.

[0059] 5, when the process moves from step S406 to step S501, the control unit 112 sets the second AP of the communication unit 111 to stealth mode (sets the stealth function to be valid). The stealth mode is a mode in which the second AP stops a beacon signal broadcasting the SSID, so that the SSID cannot be referred to by STAs such as the terminal device 120. Note that the stealth mode may be called, for example, a stealth function, SSID stealth, stealth SSID, or SSID concealment function. In this embodiment, this state is called a STA+stealth AP state.

[0060] Through this process, control unit 112 can stop the broadcast transmission of the SSID (an example of a network identifier) ​​by the second AP of communication unit 111 in step S501.

[0061] By the processing of FIG. 5, the wireless communication system 1 can make the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication detectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and can make it undetectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

[0062] [Third embodiment] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

[0063] Among the processes shown in Fig. 6, the processes of steps S401 to S405 and S408 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be described here.

[0064] In step S601, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 or more. If the STA has been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S602. On the other hand, if the STA has not been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 repeatedly executes the process of step S601.

[0065] In step S602, the control unit 112 determines whether the second AP of the communication unit 111 is in communication.

[0066] In this embodiment, the second AP of the communication unit 111 is used to perform initial settings of the communication unit 111 from the terminal device 120. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 is configured from the terminal device 120, the terminal device 120 is connected to the router 20 by wireless LAN communication, and the air conditioner 100 is configured via the router 20. Alternatively, the terminal device 120 can be connected to the communication network 2 by wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G (5th Generation), and the air conditioner 100 can be configured via the server device 10. Therefore, when the second AP of the communication unit 111 is in communication, the control unit 112 can determine that the communication unit 111 is being initially configured from the terminal device 120.

[0067] If the second AP is not in communication, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S603. On the other hand, if the second AP is in communication, the control unit 112 postpones the shift to step S603, for example, by repeatedly executing the process of step S602 until the second AP is no longer in communication. As another example, if the second AP is in communication, the control unit 112 may cancel the shift to step S603 and return the process to step S601.

[0068] In step S603, the control unit 112 puts the communication unit 111 into the STA state and stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111.

[0069] Thus, in the third embodiment, when the control unit 112 stops the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111, if the second AP is in communication, the control unit 112 postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second AP.

[0070] Thus, according to the third embodiment, when a user is using the terminal device 120 to perform initial configuration of the communication unit 111, the process of stopping the function of the second AP of the communication unit 111 can be postponed or canceled, thereby improving user convenience.

[0071] [Fourth embodiment] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the wireless communication system 1 when, for example, the communication device 110 and the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 1 are powered on, or when the air conditioner 100 in Fig. 2 is powered on.

[0072] Among the processes shown in Fig. 7, the processes of steps S401 and S402 to S405 are similar to the processes of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 4, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those of the first embodiment will not be described here.

[0073] In step S701, the control unit 112 determines whether the "SSID always output" function is enabled. In the fourth embodiment, for example, the "SSID always output" function can be enabled or disabled from a setting screen of an application installed in the terminal device 120.

[0074] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the fourth embodiment. For example, a user can display a setting screen 800 as shown in Fig. 8 by starting an application corresponding to the wireless communication system 1 on the terminal device 120. In the example of Fig. 8, a setting switch 801 for an "SSID constant output" function is displayed on the setting screen 800. The user can enable or disable the "SSID constant output" function by setting this setting switch 801.

[0075] If the constant SSID output function is enabled, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S702. On the other hand, if the constant SSID output function is disabled, the control unit 112 shifts the process to step S402.

[0076] When the process proceeds to step S702, the control unit 112 does not execute the processes in step S402 and thereafter, and keeps the communication unit 111 in the STA+AP state.

[0077] On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S402, and when the communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of the router 20 in the processes of steps S402 to S405, the control unit 112 executes the processes of step S711 and onwards.

[0078] When the process proceeds to step S711, the control unit 112 determines whether the STA of the communication unit 111 has been connected to the first AP of the router 20 for a predetermined time T2 (second time) or more. If the STA has been connected to the first AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 causes the process to proceed to step S712. On the other hand, if the STA has not been connected to one AP for the predetermined time T2 or more, the control unit 112 repeatedly executes the process of step S711.

[0079] In step S712, the control unit 112 puts the communication unit 111 into the above-mentioned STA state or STA stealth AP state, which causes the second AP of the communication unit 111 to stop broadcasting the SSID.

[0080] In step S713, control unit 112 determines whether or not the disconnection between the STA of communication unit 111 and the first AP of router 20 has continued for a predetermined time T1 (first time) or more. If the disconnection with the first AP has not continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, control unit 112 repeats the process of step S712. On the other hand, if the disconnection with the first AP has continued for the predetermined time T1 or more, control unit 112 shifts the process to step S714.

[0081] In step S714, the control unit 112 puts the communication unit 111 into the STA+AP state and restarts the broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111, and then returns the process to step S402.

[0082] By the processing of Figure 7, the wireless communication system 1 makes it possible for the terminal device 120 to set whether or not to stop broadcast transmission of the SSID by the second AP of the communication unit 111 after the STA of the communication unit 111 connects to the first AP of the router 20.

[0083] As described above, according to each embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 111 functioning as a STA and an AP for wireless LAN communication can be made detectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is required, and made undetectable by the terminal device 120 when configuration is not required.

[0084] Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the air conditioner 100, but can be applied to various IoT devices that communicate with the server device 10 and the like using the communication unit 111 that functions as a STA and AP for wireless LAN communication.

[0085] Although the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Wireless communication systems 10. Server equipment 20 Router 100 Air conditioning unit (an example of an IoT device) 110 Communication equipment 120 Terminal Equipment 111 Communications Department 112 Control section 120 Terminal Equipment

Claims

1. A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit, The control unit is causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication; when the station is connected to the first access point and the state of being connected to the first access point continues for a predetermined second time period or longer, the second time period being a period sufficient for a user to configure the communication unit, stopping broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point; Wireless communication system.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of the network identifier after the station disconnects from the first access point.

3. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the second access point to resume broadcast transmission of a network identifier when a state in which the station's connection to the first access point is disconnected continues for a predetermined first time period or longer.

4. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point by enabling a stealth function of the second access point of the communication unit.

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops a function of the second access point of the communication unit, thereby stopping broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point.

6. 6. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein when the control unit stops the function of the second access point of the communication unit, if the second access point is in communication, the control unit postpones or cancels the stopping of the function of the second access point.

7. 4. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of being set by a terminal device as to whether or not to stop broadcast transmission of the network identifier by the second access point after the station connects to the first access point.

8. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the network identifier includes an SSID of the second access point.

9. A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit, The control unit: causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication; when the station is connected to the first access point and the state of being connected to the first access point continues for a predetermined second time period or longer, the second time period being a period sufficient for a user to configure the communication unit, stopping broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point; A wireless communication method.

10. A wireless communication system having a communication unit that connects an IoT device to a first access point of wireless LAN communication and a control unit, The control unit, A process of causing the communication unit to function as a station of the wireless LAN communication connected to the first access point and as a second access point of the wireless LAN communication; a process of stopping broadcast transmission of a network identifier by the second access point when the station is connected to the first access point and the state of being connected to the first access point continues for a predetermined second time period or more, the second time period being a time period sufficient for a user to configure the communication unit; A program to execute.

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