COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

Abstract

A configuration is provided in which each communication device can continue communication using a plurality of wireless networks that are independent of each other. [Solution] A communication system includes a first communication device that uses a first BSSID to form a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices, and a second communication device that uses a second BSSID to form a second wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices. The first communication device is configured to transmit a first frame in which a first identification value is specified as the BSSID. The first communication device and the second communication device are configured to receive and process the frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID as a valid frame.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a communication system, a communication method, a communication device, and a communication program that configure a wireless network using a basic service set identifier (BSSID). [Background technology]

[0002] In typical wireless communication, a wireless network is formed between multiple communication devices. Regarding communication across multiple wireless networks, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2017-191966 (Patent Document 1) discloses a game system in which, even when a communication group is formed between specific game devices and communication is being performed, other game devices that are within a range capable of receiving a frame broadcast from the communication group can obtain various information such as progress information of a game application being executed in the communication group. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-191966 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the game systems disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art documents, when a game device receives a frame from a game device belonging to another communication group (corresponding to a wireless network) and wishes to change its affiliation to that other communication group, it is necessary to leave the original communication group or release the original communication group.

[0005] The present technology provides a configuration in which each communication device can continue communication using multiple wireless networks that are independent of each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication system according to an embodiment includes a first communication device that uses a first basic service set identifier (BSSID) to configure a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices, and a second communication device that uses a second BSSID to configure a second wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices. The first BSSID matches a media access control (MAC) address of the first communication device. The second BSSID matches a MAC address of the second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device have a first identification value in common. The first communication device is configured to transmit a first frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID, and is configured to receive and process a frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID as a valid frame in addition to a frame in which the first BSSID is specified as the BSSID. The second communication device is configured to receive and process a frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID as a valid frame in addition to a frame in which the second BSSID is specified as the BSSID.

[0007] According to this configuration, with respect to the first identification value held in common between the first communication device and the second communication device, the first communication device receives and processes, as valid frames, frames in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID in addition to frames in which the first BSSID is specified as the BSSID, and the second communication device receives and processes, as valid frames, frames in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID in addition to frames in which the second BSSID is specified as the BSSID. The reception processes in the first communication device and the second communication device allow the first and second wireless networks to be connected to each other while maintaining the first and second wireless networks. By using such a unique wireless network, direct data exchange between the first communication device and the second communication device can be easily performed.

[0008] The first communication device may be configured to transmit a second identification value different from the first identification value using the first frame. The second communication device may be configured to receive the first frame and store the second identification value included in the first frame. With this configuration, the second identification value that is valid only between the first communication device and the second communication device can be held in common.

[0009] The second communication device may store the second identification value included in the first frame in response to a user operation. According to this configuration, only when an explicit user operation is received, a unique wireless network different from the first wireless network and the second wireless network is configured, thereby preventing unnecessary consumption of wireless resources.

[0010] After the second communication device stores the second identification value, the first communication device and the second communication device may be configured to exchange data using a second frame in which the second identification value is specified as the BSSID. With this configuration, a wireless network using a valid second identification value can be configured between the first communication device and the second communication device, so that when data is exchanged between the first communication device and the second communication device, the impact on other devices present in the vicinity can be reduced.

[0011] The first frame may have a broadcast address specified as a destination MAC address. The second frame may have a MAC address of the first communication device or the second communication device specified as a destination MAC address. This configuration makes it easier for a communication device that wishes to receive the first frame to search for the first frame, and reduces the impact on other devices in the vicinity when data is exchanged between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0012] The first communication device may transmit the first frame on the same communication channel as that used for communication in the first wireless network, and the second communication device may search for the first frame by sequentially changing the communication channel. With this configuration, the first frame can be transmitted in a state in which communication in the first wireless network is stable.

[0013] The second communication device may communicate in the second wireless network using the communication channel used for transmitting the first frame. With this configuration, it is possible to stabilize both the communication in the first wireless network and the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0014] The first communication device and the second communication device may execute an application program. The first identification value may be included in the application program. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the first identification value is shared between the communication devices executing the same application program.

[0015] The second identification value may be generated by changing the value of a specific bit in the MAC address of the first communication device. With this configuration, it is possible to easily determine the second identification value that does not overlap or collide with other MAC addresses according to a predetermined rule for MAC addresses.

[0016] The first identification value and the second identification value are the MAC address of the first communication device and the MAC address of the second communication device. The MAC address and broadcast address of the device may be set to a value different from each other. This configuration ensures independence from existing wireless networks.

[0017] The same communication channel may be used for communication in the first wireless network, communication in the second wireless network, and communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. With this configuration, it is possible to stabilize all of the communication in the first wireless network, communication in the second wireless network, and communication between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0018] A communication method according to another embodiment includes a step of a first communication device configuring a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices using a first BSSID. The first BSSID matches a MAC address of the first communication device. The communication method includes a step of a second communication device configuring a second wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices using a second BSSID. The second BSSID matches a MAC address of the second communication device. The communication method includes a step of configuring the first communication device to receive and process a frame with a first identification value specified as a BSSID as a valid frame in addition to a frame with the first BSSID specified as a BSSID, a step of configuring the second communication device to receive and process a frame with the first identification value specified as a BSSID as a valid frame in addition to a frame with the second BSSID specified as a BSSID, and a step of the first communication device transmitting a first frame with the first identification value specified as a BSSID.

[0019] According to yet another embodiment, a communication device having a wireless communication unit is provided. The communication device includes a means for configuring a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices using a first BSSID. The first BSSID matches a MAC address of the communication device. The communication device includes a means for storing a first identification value common between one or more other peripheral devices and other communication devices configuring a second wireless network using a second BSSID. The second BSSID matches a MAC address of the other communication devices. The communication device includes a means for receiving and processing a frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID as a valid frame in addition to a frame in which the first BSSID is specified as the BSSID, and a means for transmitting a first frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a communication program executed by a computer having a wireless communication unit. The communication program causes the computer to execute a step of configuring a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices using a first BSSID. The first BSSID matches a MAC address of the computer. The communication program causes the computer to execute a step of storing a first identification value common between one or more other peripheral devices and another communication device that configures a second wireless network with a second BSSID. The second BSSID matches a MAC address of the other communication device. The communication program causes the computer to execute a step of configuring to receive and process a frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID as well as a frame in which the first BSSID is specified as the BSSID as a valid frame, and a step of transmitting the first frame in which the first identification value is specified as the BSSID. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present technology, each communication device can continue communication using multiple wireless networks that are independent of each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration of a communication device included in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a frame format according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining frame transmission according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. [Figure 7] 2 shows an example in which a specific communication device has a virtual BSSID in the communication system shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram for explaining frame transmission in the communication system shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an implementation example for configuring a virtual BSS in a communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of a communication system according to the present embodiment in a certain aspect. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual BSS formed among communication devices included in the communication system shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram illustrating a process of exchanging a new virtual BSSID in the communication system shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface provided in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an example of handling of communication channels in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows a sequence diagram for implementing the communication processing shown in FIGS. [Figure 16]11 is a diagram for illustrating the processing of a communication device that receives a recruitment notice in the communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration implemented in a communication device included in a communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0024] [A. Overview] First, an overview of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining the overview of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] A communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of communication devices 100_1, 100_2,... and peripheral devices 200_1, 200_2,..., 200_6,... that can exchange information with each other by wireless communication. In the following description, the communication devices 100_1, 100_2,... are collectively referred to as "communication device 100," and the peripheral devices 200_1, 200_2,..., 200_6,... are collectively referred to as "peripheral device 200." Note that the peripheral device 200 also corresponds to a communication device in a broad sense.

[0026] For example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) conforming to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard can be used for wireless communication. In this specification, the term "IEEE802.11 standard" refers not only to IEEE802.11 in the narrow sense (established in 1997), but also to all standards derived from IEEE802.11 (for example, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11n, etc.). Furthermore, the term "IEEE802.11 standard" may also include new derived standards that will be established in the future.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication state in infrastructure mode defined in the IEEE802.11 standard. In infrastructure mode, one communication device operates as an access point (AP; hereinafter, also abbreviated simply as "AP"), and one or more communication devices are connected to the AP. One or more communication devices connected to the AP are called stations (STA; hereinafter, simply abbreviated as "STA"). It is also abbreviated as "STA." Note that operation as an AP can be considered to mean a "parent device," and operation as a STA can be considered to mean a "child device."

[0028] For convenience of explanation, the communication device 100 means a communication device that can operate at least as an AP, and the peripheral device 200 means a communication device that can operate at least as an STA. However, the communication device 100 and the peripheral device 200 may have the same configuration. In this case, the communication device 100 and the peripheral device 200 operate as an AP and / or an STA depending on the situation.

[0029] In infrastructure mode, one AP and one or more STAs form a wireless network. Such a wireless network centered on an AP is called a BSS (basic service set), and each wireless network (BSS) has an identifier that uniquely identifies it. A basic service set identifier (BSSID) is used as a distinguishing mark. Typically, the media access control (MAC) address of the communication device that operates as the AP is used as the BSSID.

[0030] In Fig. 1, communication devices 100_1 and 100_2 operate as APs. The BSSID of a wireless network centered around the communication device 100_1 is "BSS_1", and the BSSID of a wireless network centered around the communication device 100_2 is "BSS_2". Usually, the value of "BSS_1" matches the MAC address of the communication device 100_1, and the value of "BSS_2" matches the MAC address of the communication device 100_2.

[0031] Peripheral devices 200_1 to 200_3 are connected to BSS_1 as STAs, and peripheral devices 200_4 to 200_6 are connected to BSS_2 as STAs.

[0032] In this way, communication device 100_1 operating as an AP uses a BSSID that matches the MAC address of communication device 100_1 to configure a wireless network with one or more peripheral devices 200. Similarly, communication device 100_2 operating as an AP uses a BSSID that matches the MAC address of communication device 100_2 to configure a wireless network with one or more peripheral devices 200.

[0033] In communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, while maintaining the wireless network as shown in FIG. 1, another wireless network can be virtually configured.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a wireless network having a different BSSID (in this example, "BSS_3") can be configured between a communication device 100_1 operating as an AP in BSS_1 and a communication device 100_2 operating as an AP in BSS_2.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 2, either one of communication device 100_1 and communication device 100_2 may operate as an AP of BSS_3, and the other may operate as a STA of BSS_3, or there may be no strict distinction between AP and STA.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a communication device 100_1 operating as an AP in BSS_1, a peripheral device 200_3 operating as an STA in BSS_1, and a It is also possible to configure a wireless network having yet another BSSID ("BSS_4" in this example) between the peripheral device 200_1 and the peripheral device 200_2 operating as a STA in the same area.

[0037] In this manner, in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, any communication device can configure or join another wireless network while maintaining any wireless network.

[0038] [B. Hardware configuration example] Next, an example of a hardware configuration of devices constituting communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0039] (b1: communication device 100) The communication device 100 included in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment may be any device, but as an example, it may be a game device having a wireless communication function. The game device may be a portable (or mobile) type or a stationary type.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration of communication device 100 included in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to Fig. 4, communication device 100 is an example of a computer, and includes a processor 102, a main memory unit 104, an auxiliary memory unit 106, a display 114, an operation unit 116, an audio output unit 118, and a wireless communication unit 120. These components are connected to each other via a bus 112 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0041] The processor 102 is a processing entity (processing means) for executing processes provided by the communication device 100. The processor 102 reads the system program 108 and the application program 110 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 106, expands them in the main storage unit 104, and executes various types of information processing as described below.

[0042] The system program 108 includes instruction codes for implementing various processes as described below. In particular, the system program 108 includes a communication program according to the present embodiment.

[0043] The main memory unit 104 is any storage device (storage medium) accessible by the processor 102, and is implemented using a volatile storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0044] The auxiliary storage unit 106 is implemented using a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Alternatively, the auxiliary storage unit 106 may be implemented using a storage medium that is removable from the communication device 100, such as an optical disk or a cartridge. In this case, the communication device may be configured by combining the communication device 100 with any storage medium.

[0045] The display 114 displays an image generated as a result of information processing executed by the processor 102. The display 114 may also display an image received from another device. There may be multiple displays 114. Furthermore, the communication device 100 may be configured to use one or multiple external displays.

[0046] Operation unit 116 mainly accepts operations from a user of communication device 100. Operation unit 116 is implemented using, for example, a push button, an operation lever, a touch panel, a mouse, etc. Operation unit 116 may be a game controller separate from communication device 100 and connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0047] The wireless communication unit 120 transmits and receives data to and from other devices via wireless signals. The wireless communication unit 120 supports, for example, a wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard. In addition, the wireless communication unit 120 may support communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), and infrared communication. Although the blocks of the wireless communication unit 120 are collectively depicted in FIG. 4, a plurality of wireless communication units 120 that are independent of each other may be implemented. Moreover, the wireless communication unit 120 may be integrated with the processor 102.

[0048] 4, the communication device 100 is depicted as an integrated device, but it may be implemented as a collection of multiple devices. That is, the communication device 100 may be implemented by a combination of multiple independent devices. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a main device having hardware corresponding to the processor 102, the main memory unit 104, and the auxiliary memory unit 106 is separate from a terminal device having hardware corresponding to the display 114, the operation unit 116, and the audio output unit 118. Such a configuration may be referred to as a communication system instead of the communication device 100.

[0049] Furthermore, at least a part of the information processing executed in the communication device 100 may be executed in a distributed manner by one or more other devices distributed over a network (a wide area network and / or a local network).

[0050] (b2: Peripheral device 200) The peripheral device 200 included in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment may be any device. For example, the peripheral device 200 may be a general-purpose information processing device such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet. Alternatively, the peripheral device 200 may be a peripheral device (such as a game controller or a speaker) connected to a game device. Such devices are well known, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0051] (b3:Other) As described above, the communication device 100 and the peripheral device 200 are distinguished from each other for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the communication device 100 and the peripheral device 200 may have the same hardware configuration. Typically, the communication device 100 and the peripheral device 200 may all be game devices.

[0052] The processes executed in the communication device 100 and / or the peripheral device 200 may be realized by a processor executing a program, or a part or all of the processes may be realized by a hardwired circuit such as a system on chip (SoC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. A part or all of the hardwired circuit may be implemented in the wireless communication unit 120.

[0053] [C.BSSID and Virtual BSSID] Next, BSSID and virtual BSSID will be described in relation to wireless communication in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0054] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a frame format conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The frame format 20 shown in Fig. 5 is a frame format conforming to the physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP). protocol) preamble 22, PLCP header 24, and IEEE 802.11 header 26 , a data field 28 , and an FCS field 30 .

[0055] The PLCP preamble 22 and the PLCP header 24 contain information related to transmission in the physical layer. Specifically, the PLCP preamble 22 is added to the beginning of the frame format 20 and contains a bit string indicating a synchronization signal. The PLCP header 24 contains information related to the modulation method, data length, and the like. Includes information such as size.

[0056] The IEEE 802.11 header 26 includes information related to transmission at the data link layer. More specifically, the IEEE 802.11 header 26 includes a frame control field 261, a duration / ID field 262, a destination MAC address field 263, a source MAC address field 264, a BSSID field 265, and a sequence control field 266.

[0057] The frame control field 261 contains information such as the type of frame, the destination of the frame, the medium from which the frame is being sent (wireless or wired), fragmentation information, power management information, and whether wired equivalent privacy (WEP) is being used.

[0058] The Duration / ID field 262 contains information about the duration required for frame transmission.

[0059] The destination MAC address field 263 contains the MAC address of the communication device designated as the destination.

[0060] The source MAC address field 264 contains the MAC address of the communication device designated as the source.

[0061] The BSSID field 265 contains the value of the BSSID of the wireless network to which the communication devices specified as the source and destination belong.

[0062] The sequence control field 266 contains information for reconstructing multiple frames.

[0063] The data field 28 stores the data body to be transmitted. The FCS field 30 contains a frame check sequence (FCS), which is a check bit string for detecting errors that occur during transmission.

[0064] Basically, frame transmission between communication devices is controlled based on information included in the IEEE802.11 header 26. More specifically, a communication device that receives and processes a frame from a source communication device is determined by a combination of a destination MAC address (a value specified in the destination MAC address field 263 in FIG. 5) that specifies the destination and a BSSID (a value specified in the BSSID field 265 in FIG. 5). That is, a communication device that receives a frame from any communication device judges whether the frame is addressed to the communication device itself based on the contents of the IEEE802.11 header 26 included in the received frame. If it is determined that the frame is addressed to the communication device itself, the contents of the received frame are analyzed and the necessary processing is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the frame is not addressed to the communication device itself, the received frame is discarded without analyzing the contents of the frame.

[0065] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining frame transmission according to the IEEE802.11 standard. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the communication device 100_1 transmits a frame when the two wireless networks shown in Fig. 1 exist. The check mark in Fig. 6 means that the contents of the received frame are analyzed and processed. It is assumed that the communication devices 100_1 and 100_2 and the peripheral devices 200_1 to 200_6 are located close to each other, and each communication device can receive a frame from the other communication devices.

[0066] In Case 1 of FIG. 6, the MAC address of the peripheral device 200_1 is used as the destination MAC address. As the BSSID, BSS_1 is specified. In this case, only the peripheral device 200_1 analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0067] Here, for both the destination MAC address and BSSID, specify the broadcast address (FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF), which means "all", rather than a specific value. (In FIG. 6, this is shown as "Broadcast.")

[0068] 6, the MAC address of the peripheral device 200_1 is specified as the destination MAC address, and the broadcast address is specified as the BSSID. Even in this case, only the peripheral device 200_1 analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0069] According to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the BSSID value of the IEEE 802.11 header 26 is permitted to be only the BSSID of the wireless network to which the source communication device belongs, or a broadcast address.

[0070] As shown in Case 1 and Case 2 in Figure 6, when a specific value is specified as the destination MAC address, only the communication device with the specified value will analyze and process the contents of the received frame, provided that the BSSID matches.

[0071] Similarly, in Case 3 and Case 4 in FIG. 6, the MAC address of the peripheral device 200_2 is specified as the destination MAC address, and only the peripheral device 200_2 analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0072] Moreover, in Case 5 and Case 6 in FIG. 6, the MAC address of the peripheral device 200_3 is specified as the destination MAC address, and only the peripheral device 200_3 analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0073] 6, the MAC address of the communication device 100_2 is specified as the destination MAC address, and BSS_1 is specified as the BSSID. In this case, the communication device 100_2 determines that its own MAC address is specified in the received frame, but discards the received frame because the specified BSSID value "BSS_1" does not match the BSSID value "BSS_2" of the wireless network to which the communication device belongs.

[0074] 6, the MAC address of the communication device 100_2 is specified as the destination MAC address, and the broadcast address is specified as the BSSID. In this case, the communication device 100_2 determines that its own MAC address is specified in the received frame, and since the broadcast address is specified as the BSSID, it analyzes and processes the content of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0075] By performing a designation as shown in Case 8 of Fig. 6, a frame can be transmitted from a communication device 100_1 belonging to BSS_1 to a communication device 100_2 belonging to BSS_2, which is a different wireless network. However, since it is not easy to obtain the MAC address of a communication device belonging to a wireless network with a different BSSID, it is not realistic to generate a frame as shown in Case 8 of Fig. 6. In addition, such a frame is not suitable for applications such as transmitting the same data to multiple destinations. In other words, it is necessary to generate and transmit frames for the number of destinations, which may increase the load on the transmitting communication device 100.

[0076] In Case 9 in Fig. 6, a broadcast address is specified as the destination MAC address, and BSS_1 is specified as the BSSID. In this case, all communication devices (peripheral devices 200_1 to 200_3) belonging to BSS_1 will analyze and process the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1. Case 9 in Fig. 6 is effective when frames are transmitted simultaneously to STAs belonging to the same wireless network.

[0077] However, the communication device 100_1 cannot transmit a frame to the communication device 100_2 and the peripheral devices 200_4-200_6 which belong to BSS_2, which is another wireless network. Therefore, as a method of transmitting a frame to the communication device 100 and / or the peripheral device 200 which belong to another BSS, a broadcast address can be specified for both the destination MAC address and the BSSID, as shown in Case 10 of Fig. 6. In this case, all communication devices (communication device 100_2 and peripheral devices 200_1-200_6) which can receive a frame from the communication device 100_1 will analyze and process the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1, regardless of the BSS.

[0078] However, by making a specification as shown in Case 10 in Fig. 6, all communication devices within the range of the radio waves from the source communication device will analyze and process the contents of the received frame, which may increase the processing load on unrelated communication devices or cause erroneous processing in unrelated communication devices, etc. Therefore, generating a frame as shown in Case 10 in Fig. 6 is also not realistic.

[0079] It is also conceivable that communication devices 100 operating as APs may exchange data with each other via a router or the like in an IP (internet protocol) layer that is higher than the wireless network. However, there may be cases where there is no router connecting communication devices 100 operating as APs to each other. In addition, by passing through a router or the like, the number of transfer hops increases, which may reduce the data transmission efficiency and transmission speed.

[0080] In response to these new challenges, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment provides a communication method that enables efficient and flexible data exchange across multiple wireless networks (BSSs) configured in infrastructure mode, even when there are multiple BSSs.

[0081] More specifically, in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, a new mechanism is introduced that allows an arbitrary BSSID to be specified in addition to the BSSID used in the IEEE802.11 standard (generally, the MAC address of the communication device operating as an AP is used, but is not limited to this). In the following description, a BSSID having an arbitrary value different from the BSSID used in the IEEE802.11 standard is also referred to as a "virtual BSSID" or "VBSSID". The virtual BSSID is an example of an identification value for virtually configuring a BSS. As the virtual BSSID, any value that does not overlap or collide with any MAC address and broadcast address can be used. However, it is not necessary to select a value completely different from all expected MAC addresses as the virtual BSSID, as long as it is possible to practically avoid overlap or collision with MAC addresses.

[0082] A wireless network configured using a virtual BSSID is also called a “virtual BSS.” “BSS_3” shown in Fig. 2 and “BSS_4” shown in Fig. 3 are examples of virtual BSSs configured using virtual BSSIDs.

[0083] Next, an example of a virtually configured wireless network (virtual BSS) using a virtual BSSID will be described.

[0084] Fig. 7 shows an example in which a specific communication device has a virtual BSSID 50 in the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 1. In the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 7, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 operating as APs and the peripheral device 200_3 operating as an STA have a common virtual BSSID 50.

[0085] The communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2 and the peripheral device 200_3 will process a frame including the virtual BSSID 50 in the IEEE 802.11 header 26 as being addressed to the virtual wireless network to which the device itself belongs.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining frame transmission in the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows an example of a case where the communication device 100_1 transmits a frame in the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 7. The check mark in Fig. 8 means that the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1 are analyzed and processed, similarly to Fig. 6. It is assumed that the communication devices 100_1 and 100_2 and the peripheral devices 200_1-200_6 are located close to each other, and each communication device can receive a frame transmitted from the other communication devices.

[0087] Case 1, Case 2, Case 4, Case 5, Case 7, Case 8, Case 10, Case 11, Case 13, and Case 14 in Figure 8 are similar to Case 1, Case 2, Case 3, Case 4, Case 5, Case 6, Case 7, Case 8, Case 9, and Case 10 in Figure 6, respectively, so detailed description will not be repeated.

[0088] In Case 3 of Fig. 8, since the peripheral device 200_1 does not have a virtual BSSID 50, it determines that the frame is not addressed to itself and discards the received frame without analyzing the contents. Similarly, in Case 6 of Fig. 8, since the peripheral device 200_2 does not have a virtual BSSID 50, it determines that the frame is not addressed to itself and discards the received frame without analyzing the contents.

[0089] On the other hand, in Case 9 in Fig. 8, since the peripheral device 200_3 has the virtual BSSID 50, it determines that the frame is addressed to itself, and analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1. Similarly, in Case 12 in Fig. 8, since the communication device 100_2 has the virtual BSSID 50, it determines that the frame is addressed to itself, and analyzes and processes the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0090] In Case 15 in FIG. 8, only the peripheral device 200_3 and the communication device 100_2 having the virtual BSSID 50 analyze and process the contents of the frame from the communication device 100_1.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 8, peripheral device 200_3 having virtual BSSID 50 receives and processes as valid frames frames specified with virtual BSSID 50 as the BSSID, in addition to frames specified with the BSSID of the BSS to which the peripheral device belongs (the MAC address of communication device 100_1) as the BSSID.

[0092] Similarly, communication device 100_2, which has virtual BSSID 50, receives and processes as valid frames frames in which the BSSID of the BSS to which the communication device 100_2 belongs (the MAC address of communication device 100_2) is specified as the BSSID, as well as frames in which virtual BSSID 50 is specified as the BSSID.

[0093] In this specification, "receive and process the frame as a valid frame" means that the frame is not discarded based on the specified BSSID. If the destination MAC address specified in the frame satisfies a predetermined condition, the frame may be subject to content analysis.

[0094] In this way, by adopting a virtually configured wireless network (virtual BSS) using virtual BSSID50, it is possible to avoid situations where the processing load increases in communication devices that do not belong to the virtual BSS, and it is also possible to avoid the occurrence of erroneous processing in communication devices that do not belong to the virtual BSS.

[0095] For convenience of explanation, an example is shown in which only one virtually configured wireless network (virtual BSS) is used using a virtual BSSID, but the number of configured virtual BSSs is not limited. Also, each communication device can belong not only to one specific virtual BSS, but also to multiple virtual BSSs at the same time. In this case, each communication device has virtual BSSIDs equivalent to the number of virtual BSSs to which it belongs.

[0096] That is, for convenience of explanation, an example has been shown in which a communication device operating as an AP and / or a STA has one virtual BSSID, but there is no limit to the number of virtual BSSIDs that each communication device has.

[0097] Since a virtual BSS is configured independently of a BSS, it may be configured across multiple BSSs, or only some of the communication devices belonging to a single BSS may configure a virtual BSS. Furthermore, a communication device that does not belong to any BSS may belong to a virtual BSS.

[0098] Here, the technical meaning of "belonging to a virtual BSS" in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0099] The virtual BSS in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment does not have to exist as an entity. That is, in the virtual BSS, a connection procedure between an AP and a STA, such as a BSS conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, is not necessary. It is sufficient for at least a communication device belonging to any virtual BSS to recognize that it belongs to the virtual BSS. Alternatively, it is sufficient for a communication device that is to belong to any virtual BSS to recognize the virtual BSS to which it is to belong.

[0100] More specifically, each communication device only needs to be able to identify a virtual BSSID that identifies the virtual BSS to which the communication device belongs. Any method can be adopted as a mechanism for enabling the communication device to identify the virtual BSSID.

[0101] For example, one or more virtual BSSIDs may be included in an application program or system program executed by a communication device, or in data held by the communication device.

[0102] Alternatively, a communication device may communicate with another communication device using any communication means to exchange virtual BSSIDs. The any communication means may be a broadcast address or a known virtual BSSID. The communication device may also obtain a virtual BSSID that identifies a virtual BSS in which the communication device should join via the Internet.

[0103] Alternatively, a user operating a communication device may set an arbitrary virtual BSSID value or a value for generating a virtual BSSID.

[0104] In a BSS conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, the AP manages the configuration, modification, and opening of the BSS, but in a virtual BSS, management by the AP is not necessary. As a result, in a virtual BSS, management functions such as those of an AP are not necessarily required, and a clear distinction between the roles of an AP and an STA is not necessarily required. For example, in a BSS conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, it is not necessarily required to distribute advertising information using beacons or the like, so it is possible to configure a virtual BSS only with communication devices operating as STAs.

[0105] [D. How to determine the virtual BSSID] The virtual BSSID used in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment may have any value as long as it does not overlap or collide with a BSSID (that is, a MAC address of a communication device operating as an AP) conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0106] The virtual BSSID may be stored in advance among the communication devices that make up the virtual BSS, or may be generated by any method, such as the following methods.

[0107] (1-1) If a corporation involved in the production of communications equipment has an OUI (organizationally unique identifier: vendor code) assigned to the product vendor (network equipment manufacturer), one or more MAC addresses from the OUI range can be used as the virtual BSSID.

[0108] (1-2) The MAC address of a communication device owned by the developer of an application program executed on the communication device can be used as the virtual BSSID. In other words, a MAC address that is guaranteed not to be distributed on the market can be used as the virtual BSSID.

[0109] (2-1) A virtual BSSID can be generated from the MAC address of any communication device that is to belong to the virtual BSS. If the MAC address of a communication device that operates as an STA is not used as a BSSID, it can be used as the virtual BSSID as is.

[0110] If the MAC address of a communication device acting as an AP is used, a virtual BSSID may be generated by changing the value of a specific bit in the MAC address of the communication device. For example, the local bit in the MAC address may be set to "1" (usually The local bit is set to "0" and can be used as a virtual BSSID. The local bit corresponds to the GL bit in the first octet of the MAC address.

[0111] In addition, when a virtual BSSID is generated using local bits, it is possible that the same virtual BSSID may exist in the vicinity, so collision detection may be performed. In the unlikely event that a collision is detected, the use of the virtual BSSID may be temporarily generated, and each communication device may change to a new virtual BSSID according to a common rule.

[0112] (2-2) A virtual BSSID can be generated using a hash calculated from a user identifier, application identifier, password, etc.

[0113] The above (1-1) and (1-2) assume that a virtual BSSID that is statically determined in advance is incorporated into the communication device, while the above (2-1) and (2-2) assume that a virtual BSSID is dynamically generated as needed during operation of the communication device.

[0114] [E. Implementation example of virtual BSS configuration] Next, an implementation example for configuring a virtual BSS in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0115] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an implementation example for configuring a virtual BSS in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a main part of wireless communication unit 120 of communication device 100. Note that a similar implementation can also be adopted in peripheral device 200.

[0116] 9, the wireless communication unit 120 includes a transmission circuit 1201, a reception circuit 1202, a transmission / reception control unit 1203, a transmission / reception buffer 1204, a frame filter 1205, and an analysis processing unit 1206.

[0117] The transmission circuit 1201 generates and transmits a radio signal related to data transmission in accordance with instructions from the transmission / reception control unit 1203. The reception circuit 1202 receives and decodes the radio signal related to data transmission in accordance with instructions from the transmission / reception control unit 1203. The transmission / reception control unit 1203 controls the transmission and reception of radio signals by the transmission circuit 1201 and the reception circuit 1202.

[0118] The transmission / reception buffer 1204 temporarily stores data (frames) received via the transmission / reception control unit 1203 , and also temporarily stores data (frames) to be transmitted via the transmission / reception control unit 1203 .

[0119] The frame filter 1205 refers to the contents of the IEEE 802.11 header 26 of the received frame stored in the transmission / reception buffer 1204, and outputs only those that meet the conditions to the analysis processing unit 1206. More specifically, when (1) the value specified in the destination MAC address field 263 of the IEEE 802.11 header 26 matches the MAC address of its own device or matches the broadcast address, and (2) the value specified in the BSSID field 265 of the IEEE 802.11 header 26 matches any of the values ​​registered in the processing target list 1210, the frame filter 1205 outputs the frame to the analysis processing unit 1206 as a processing target.

[0120] The analysis processing unit 1206 analyzes the contents of the received frame and outputs the analysis results to the application.

[0121] The processing target list 1210 set in the frame filter 1205 is implemented as a kind of white list. The processing target list 1210 specifies MAC addresses for identifying frames whose contents should be analyzed.

[0122] Normally, a frame in which a broadcast address is specified as the BSSID must always be processed, so that a broadcast address 1211 is always registered in the processing target list 1210 .

[0123] When a communication device belongs to a BSS, a BSSID 1212 for identifying the BSS is registered in the processing target list 1210. If the communication device operates as an AP, it registers its own MAC address as the BSSID 1212 in the processing target list 1210. If the communication device operates as an STA, it registers the MAC address of the AP to which it is connected as the BSSID 1212 in the processing target list 1210.

[0124] Furthermore, in order to belong to the virtual BSS, the communication device registers the virtual BSSID value 1213 in the processing target list 1210. The timing for registering the virtual BSSID value 1213 in the processing target list 1210 may be appropriately determined depending on the application.

[0125] Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which only one virtual BSSID value 1213 is registered in the processing target list 1210, multiple virtual BSSID values ​​1213 may be registered in the processing target list 1210. Some or all of the virtual BSSID values ​​1213 may be dynamically added and deleted, and certain virtual BSSID values ​​1213 may be permanently registered, similar to the broadcast address 1211.

[0126] When adopting the implementation example shown in FIG. 9, when the virtual BSSID value 1213 is registered in the processing target list 1210, it can also be considered that the device belongs to the virtual BSS identified by the registered virtual BSSID value 1213.

[0127] 9 may be realized by hardware and / or software included in the wireless communication unit 120, or some of the components may be realized by the processor 102 executing software. For example, the components may be realized by firmware executed by the wireless communication unit 120, or by a wireless driver executed by the processor 102.

[0128] [F. Application Examples] Next, an example of an application using the virtual BSS according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0129] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of a certain aspect of communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to Fig. 10, an example is shown in which each of communication devices 100 forms a BSS with two peripheral devices 200. More specifically, communication device 100_1 forms a BSS with BSSID "BSS_1" with peripheral devices 200_1A and 200_1B. The same applies to each of communication devices 100_2 to 100_5.

[0130] In the state as shown in FIG. 10, a process of forming a virtual BSS among some or all of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5 and providing various applications (for example, game play by multiple users) will be described.

[0131] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual BSS configured among the communication devices 100 included in the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 10. With reference to Fig. 11, for example, it is assumed that each of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5 is able to use the same application program 110.

[0132] In addition to the execution code, the application program 110 includes a virtual BSSID 50 for configuring a virtual BSS. That is, the virtual BSSID 50 may be included in the application program 110. This allows the virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110 to be essentially shared between the communication devices 100 that are executing the same application program 110.

[0133] In this way, a virtual BSS can be configured using the virtual BSSID50 included in the application program 110. The virtual BSSID50 is set to a value that does not collide with the MAC addresses of other communication devices.

[0134] Fig. 11 shows an example in which a virtual BSS with "VBSS_1" as a virtual BSSID is configured among the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5. The VBSS_1 shown in Fig. 11 can be realized by each of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5 activating a virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110. For example, when each of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5 starts the application program 110, the virtual BSSID 50 may be activated as part of the startup process. Alternatively, a user operating each of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5 may explicitly specify the configuration of the virtual BSS.

[0135] Frames that specify the virtual BSSID 50 included in application program 110 are discarded without their contents being analyzed by any communication device other than the one executing application program 110, thereby reducing the impact on communication devices executing other application programs and other communication devices located in nearby locations.

[0136] In VBSS_1, the new virtual BSSID is exchanged in addition to information (e.g., user name, icon, etc.) for the user to select a partner to play a game with. When a partner to play a game with is determined by a user operation, etc., the use of a virtual BSS using the new virtual BSSID is started between the communication devices operated by the determined user.

[0137] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a process of exchanging a new virtual BSSID in the communication system 1 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 12 shows a process example in the case where the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 configure a new virtual BSS. For example, the communication device 100_1 generates a new virtual BSSID (hereinafter, also referred to as "individual virtual BSSID52" to distinguish it from the virtual BSSID50) and exchanges the generated individual virtual BSSID52 with the communication device 100_2. This allows the individual virtual BSSID52 to be shared between the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2, and as a result, a virtual BSS identified as "VBSS_2" indicated by the individual virtual BSSID52 is configured between the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2.

[0138] In the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 11, the virtual BSSID 50 and the individual virtual BSSID 52 are set to values ​​different from at least any of the MAC addresses and the broadcast address (FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF) of the communication devices 100_1 to 100_5.

[0139] A plurality of individual virtual BSSIDs 52 may be prepared as long as they are different from each other. Typically, a virtual BSSID may be generated for each user group that plays a game. In a game in which one-on-one online battles are performed, a different individual virtual BSSID 52 may be assigned to each pair of communication devices 100.

[0140] Information required for executing the game is exchanged in the virtual BSS configured using the individual virtual BSSID 52. Frames specifying the individual virtual BSSID 52 are discarded without content analysis except on communication devices of users who play the game together, so even if there are different groups of users playing the same type of game, the influence on each other can be reduced.

[0141] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface provided in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 13 shows an example of a case where the communication device 100_1 takes the initiative in recruiting users to play together. More specifically, Fig. 13(A) and Fig. 13(C) show an example of the display contents of the display 114 of the communication device 100_1, and Fig. 13(B) and Fig. 13(D) show an example of the display contents of the display 114 of the communication device 100_2.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 13(A), in response to an explicit or implicit instruction from a user, the communication device 100_1 outputs a message 180 such as "Are you looking for participants for a competitive game?". When the user selects "Yes", the communication device 100_1 transmits a recruitment notice by a frame specifying a virtual BSSID50 included in the application program 110 that provides the game. By specifying the virtual BSSID50, a virtual BSS using the virtual BSSID50 is configured as shown in FIG. 11. At this time, the communication device 100_1 newly generates an individual virtual BSSID52 for the game for which participants are being recruited, and sends a recruitment notice. Include in notifications.

[0143] In the virtual BSS using the virtual BSSID 50, necessary information is exchanged between the communication device 100_1 and the other communication devices. By acquiring such information exchange, the communication device 100_2 outputs a message 182 such as "User A is recruiting participants for a competitive game. Would you like to participate?" as shown in Fig. 13(B). When the user selects "Yes", a participation request indicating the user's intention to participate is transmitted from the communication device 100_2 to the communication device 100_1.

[0144] Then, the communication device 100_1 outputs a message 184 such as "User B wishes to participate in the competitive game. Do you approve?" as shown in Fig. 13(C). When the user selects "Yes", the communication device 100_1 transmits an approval notice to the communication device 100_2 to approve the participation.

[0145] 13(D), the communication device 100_2 outputs a message 186 such as "User A has approved your participation in the competitive game. The competitive game will begin." When the user presses "OK," the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 start exchanging data related to the game in the virtual BSS using the individual virtual BSSID 52.

[0146] In this way, by utilizing the virtual BSS according to this embodiment, it is possible to recruit participants from an unspecified number of users, and once a user to play a game together has been determined, data exchange can be essentially limited to only those communication devices related to that user, thereby reducing the impact on other communication devices located in nearby locations.

[0147] Next, an example of handling of communication channels to realize the above-mentioned virtual BSS will be described.

[0148] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an example of handling of communication channels in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

[0149] In the IEEE802.11 standard, a plurality of communication channels are available. For example, as shown in Fig. 14(A), a communication channel Ch_A used in a BSS_1 established between a communication device 100_1 and peripheral devices 200_1A and 200_1B and a communication channel Ch_B used in a BSS_2 established between a communication device 100_2 and peripheral devices 200_2A and 200_2B are not necessarily the same.

[0150] Since it is not yet determined which communication device 100 the communication device 100_1 will configure a virtual BSS with, typically, the communication device 100_1 may transmit the recruitment notice through the same communication channel (communication channel Ch_A in the example of FIG. 14) that the communication device 100_1 uses for communication in the BSS. By using the same communication channel that is used for communication in the existing BSS_1, the recruitment notice can be transmitted in a state in which communication in BSS_1 is stabilized.

[0151] On the other hand, the communication device 100_2 searches for the recruitment notice by sequentially changing the communication channel. That is, the communication device 100_2 attempts to receive the recruitment notice by appropriately changing the communication channel at a fixed or random period. In the example of Fig. 14, the communication device 100_2 receives the recruitment notice on the communication channel Ch_A. When the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 configure a virtual BSS (VBSS_2) in response to the recruitment notice, the communication channel Ch_A used for transmitting the recruitment notice may be used as it is.

[0152] At this time, if the communication channel used for communication in the existing BSS_2 is different from the communication channel used for communication in the virtual BSS (VBSS_2), the communication channel used for communication in the existing BSS_2 is changed so as to match the communication channel used for communication in the virtual BSS. That is, the communication device 100_2 communicates in the existing BSS_2 through the communication channel used for transmitting the recruitment notice.

[0153] In the example of Fig. 14, the communication device 100_2 changes the communication channel used for communication in BSS_2 from communication channel Ch_B to communication channel Ch_A (see Fig. 14(B)). By optimally selecting and changing the communication channel in this manner, it is possible to stabilize communication in the newly configured virtual BSS (VBSS_2) in addition to the existing BSS_1 and BSS_2.

[0154] By handling the communication channels as described above, the same communication channel is used for communication in BSS_1 of communication device 100_1, communication in BSS_2 of communication device 100_2, and communication between communication device 100_1 and communication device 100_2 (virtual BSS).

[0155] The communication channel for transmitting the recruitment notice may be selected by any method. For example, the recruitment notice may be transmitted on a predetermined fixed communication channel, or the degree of communication congestion at the time of transmission may be measured and the communication channel may be selected based on the measurement result. Alternatively, all communication devices 100 may cyclically change the communication channel in order to transmit and / or receive the recruitment notice.

[0156] In addition, when a virtual BSS is configured in addition to an existing BSS using a recruitment notice, the existing BSS and the virtual BSS may be configured to use the same communication channel once, as shown in Fig. 14(B), and then switched to another communication channel all at once. For example, after the existing BSS and the virtual BSS are configured, the degree of communication congestion at that time may be measured, and a new communication channel may be selected based on the measurement result. In this way, subsequent communication may be performed using a communication channel different from the communication channel used to send the recruitment notice.

[0157] Fig. 15 shows a sequence diagram for realizing the communication processing shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 15 shows, as an example, a processing procedure in the case where a virtual BSS is configured with the communication device 100_1 as the origin. The processing executed by each communication device 100 shown in Fig. 15 is typically realized by execution of a system program 108 (see Fig. 4, etc.) by the processor 102 of each communication device 100, processing provided by the wireless communication unit 120, etc.

[0158] 15, communication device 100_1 configures a BSS with peripheral devices 200_1A and 200_1B using the MAC address of communication device 100_1 as the BSSID (sequence SQ2). In this manner, communication device 100_1 configures a wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices 200 using the BSSID of its own device.

[0159] A similar wireless network is also configured for the communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3 (sequence SQ2). That is, the communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3 configure a wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices 200 using the BSSID of their own devices.

[0160] The communication device 100_1 executes the application program 110 (sequence SQ4). Then, the communication device 100_1 registers the virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110 in the frame filter 1205 (see FIG. 9) of the wireless communication unit 120. (sequence SQ6). In this way, the communication device 100_1 is configured to receive and process, as valid frames, frames in which the BSSID of the BSS to which the communication device 100_1 belongs (the MAC address of the communication device 100_1) is specified as the BSSID, as well as frames in which the virtual BSSID 50 is specified as the BSSID.

[0161] The communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3 are configured to perform reception processing in a similar manner (sequences SQ4 and SQ6). That is, the communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3 are configured to perform reception processing of a frame designated with the virtual BSSID 50 as the BSSID as well as a frame designated with the BSSID of the BSS to which the communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3, as a valid frame.

[0162] Next, for example, when the communication device 100_1 receives a user operation for inviting participants to a game (sequence SQ8) (see FIG. 13(A) etc.), it generates an individual virtual BSSID 52 for the game (sequence SQ10). The individual virtual BSSID 52 may be generated by setting a local bit included in the MAC address of the communication device 100_1 to "1", for example.

[0163] Then, the communication device 100_1 transmits a recruitment notification including the individual virtual BSSID 52 (sequence SQ12). The recruitment notification is transmitted in a virtual BSS configured by the virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110. That is, the communication device 100_1 transmits a frame in which the virtual BSSID 50 is designated as the BSSID. At this time, the communication device 100_1 transmits the individual virtual BSSID 52 using the recruitment notification frame.

[0164] More specifically, in the frame including the recruitment notification, a broadcast address is specified as the destination MAC address, and a virtual BSSID 50 is specified as the BSSID (see Case 15 in FIG. 8). A message indicating the recruitment notification and an individual virtual BSSID 52 are stored in the data field 28 of the frame (see FIG. 5). At this time, the communication device 100_1 transmits the recruitment notification through the same communication channel that the communication device 100_1 uses for communication in the BSS.

[0165] The transmission of the recruitment notice by the communication device 100_1 may be repeated at a fixed or random period (*1). Basically, the transmission is fixed to the initially selected communication channel, but the communication channel may be changed as appropriate.

[0166] The communication device 100_2 attempts to receive the recruitment notification (sequence SQ14). The attempt to receive the recruitment notification may be performed by appropriately changing the communication channel at a fixed or random period. Since the communication device 100_1 transmits the recruitment notification on the communication channel used in the BSS formed by the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2 searches for the recruitment notification by sequentially changing the communication channel. Then, upon receiving the recruitment notification frame, the communication device 100_2 stores the individual virtual BSSID 52 included in the recruitment notification frame and presents to the user whether or not to participate in the game being recruited by the communication device 100_1 (sequence SQ16).

[0167] Incidentally, the communication device 100_3 executes the same process as that of the communication device 100_2. Here, when the communication device 100_2 receives a user operation desiring to participate in the game (sequence SQ18) (see FIG. 13(B) etc.), it transmits a participation request to the communication device 100_1 (sequence SQ20). The participation request is also transmitted in a virtual BSS configured by the virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110.

[0168] Note that the individual virtual BSSID 52 included in the recruitment notification frame may be stored on condition that an operation by a user wishing to participate in the game is received.

[0169] Upon receiving the participation request from the communication device 100_2, the communication device 100_1 presents to the user whether or not participation in the game is permitted (sequence SQ22). Upon receiving a user operation approving participation in the game (sequence SQ24) (see FIG. 13(C) etc.), the communication device 100_1 transmits an approval notice to the communication device 100_2 (sequence SQ26). The approval notice is also transmitted in a virtual BSS configured by the virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110.

[0170] Through the above process steps, preparations for constructing a virtual BSS related to the target game are completed. Then, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 register the individual virtual BSSID 52 in the frame filter 1205 (see FIG. 9) of the wireless communication unit 120 (sequence SQ28). Here, if the communication channel used in the BSS configured by the communication device 100_2 is different from the communication channel used in the virtual BSS, the communication device 100_2 may change the communication channel used in the BSS configured by the communication device 100_2 to the communication channel used in the virtual BSS.

[0171] Next, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 start exchanging data related to the game using the virtual BSS configured using the individual virtual BSSID 52 (sequence SQ30). Here, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 transmit and receive frames related to the data exchange through the communication channel through which the recruitment notice frame was transmitted.

[0172] In a frame used for data exchange between the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2, the MAC address of the communication device 100_1 (in the case of a frame addressed to the communication device 100_1) or the MAC address of the communication device 100_2 (in the case of a frame addressed to the communication device 100_2) is specified as a destination MAC address, and an individual virtual BSSID 52 is specified as a BSSID (see Case 9 and Case 12 in FIG. 8). Data relating to the game is stored in the data field 28 of the frame (see FIG. 5).

[0173] In this manner, after the communication device 100_2 stores the individual virtual BSSID 52, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 exchange game-related data through a frame in which the individual virtual BSSID 52 is designated as the BSSID.

[0174] Thereafter, when the communication device 100_1 receives a user operation to end the game (sequence SQ32), it transmits a disconnection notification to the communication device 100_1 (sequence SQ34). Then, the communication device 100_1 and the communication device 100_2 delete the individual virtual BSSID 52 from the frame filter 1205 (see FIG. 9) of the wireless communication unit 120 (sequence SQ36). As a result, the virtual BSS configured using the individual virtual BSSID 52 is essentially released.

[0175] For convenience of explanation, an example in which one communication device 100 transmits a recruitment notice has been shown, but recruitment notices may be transmitted by a plurality of communication devices 100. In this case, the user may select a desired destination to join.

[0176] Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining the processing of communication device 100 receiving a recruitment notification in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16(A), when any communication device 100 receives multiple recruitment notifications, it sequentially stores the virtual BSSIDs and channels included in the received recruitment notifications in association with each other. At this time, communication device 100 may also store attribute information related to the received recruitment notification (for example, the user name that sent the recruitment notification) in association with each other.

[0177] By collecting the received recruitment notifications in this manner, the communication device 100 can output a list display 188 of recruitment notifications as shown in Fig. 16(B). The list display 188 of recruitment notifications shows recruitment notifications from other communication devices 100 present in the vicinity. When the user selects one of the list display 188 of recruitment notifications in which he or she wishes to participate, the communication device 100 starts exchanging data in a virtual BSS with the communication device 100 corresponding to the selected recruitment notification.

[0178] 15, the communication device 100 that transmits the recruitment notice uses only a specific communication channel, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The communication device 100 may cyclically change the communication channel to transmit the recruitment notice. In this case, the communication device 100 that receives the recruitment notice may search for the recruitment notice by fixing the communication channel to a specific communication channel, or may randomly change the communication channel to search for the recruitment notice.

[0179] In the virtual BSS configured in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, since there is no need to clearly distinguish between an AP (parent device) and an STA (child device), there are cases in which it is not possible to uniquely determine the communication device 100 that generates the individual virtual BSSID 52. For this reason, the individual virtual BSSID 52 may be determined between the communication devices 100 that configure the virtual BSS according to a predetermined rule. For example, the individual virtual BSSID 52 may be generated from the youngest or oldest MAC address between the communication devices 100 that configure any virtual BSS.

[0180] As described above, in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, invitation notices, participation requests, approval notices, and the like are exchanged in a virtual BSS configured using virtual BSSID 50 included in application program 110, and between communication devices 100 matched through a series of exchanges, game-related data is exchanged in a virtual BSS configured using an individual virtual BSSID 52 different from virtual BSSID 50 included in application program 110. By employing such a two-stage virtual BSS, it is possible to invite more communication devices 100 to participate in the game, and after it has been decided that the communication devices 100 will play the game together, the impact on the other communication devices 100 can be reduced.

[0181] [G. Functional configuration of communication device 100] Next, a description will be given of main functional configurations realized in communication device 100 included in communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0182] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized in the communication device 100 included in the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Typically, each functional module shown in Fig. 17 is realized by execution of a system program 108 (see Fig. 4, etc.) by the processor 102 of the communication device 100, processing provided by the wireless communication unit 120, and the like.

[0183] 17, the communication device 100 includes a network management unit 1020, an application execution unit 1025, a data reconstruction unit 1026, and a frame generation unit 1027.

[0184] The network management unit 1020 is responsible for processing in which the communication device 100 configures a wireless network with the peripheral device 200 and / or other communication devices 100 in response to a user operation and / or a request from the application execution unit 1025. More specifically, the network management unit 1020 includes a BSS configuration unit 1021, a virtual BSS management unit 1022, an individual virtual BSSID generation unit 1023, and an individual virtual BSSID storage unit 1024.

[0185] The BSS configuration unit 1021 determines whether the communication device 100 operates as an AP or an STA in the infrastructure mode, and executes a processing sequence required to configure a BSS. Typically, the BSS configuration unit 1021 The AC address is used as a BSSID to configure a BSS, which is a wireless network, with one or more other peripheral devices 200. The BSS configuration unit 1021 registers the BSSID that identifies the BSS configured by the communication device 100 in the frame filter 1205 of the wireless communication unit 120.

[0186] The virtual BSS management unit 1022 manages the configuration of a virtual BSS using a virtual BSSID shared or exchanged with other communication devices 100. Typically, the virtual BSS management unit 1022 stores a virtual BSSID 50 that is common to one or more other communication devices 100. The virtual BSS management unit 1022 registers or deletes the virtual BSSID 50 and / or the individual virtual BSSID 52 to or from the frame filter 1205 of the wireless communication unit 120. By registering the virtual BSSID 50 to the frame filter 1205, the virtual BSS management unit 1022 is configured to receive and process, as valid frames, frames in which the BSSID of the BSS to which the device belongs is specified as the BSSID, as well as frames in which the virtual BSSID 50 is specified as the BSSID.

[0187] The dedicated virtual BSSID generation unit 1023 generates a dedicated virtual BSSID 52 as necessary.

[0188] The individual virtual BSSID storage unit 1024 stores the individual virtual BSSID 52 acquired from the other communication device 100 .

[0189] The application execution unit 1025 is an engine that executes the application program 110. The application execution unit 1025 holds a virtual BSSID 50 included in the application program 110.

[0190] The data reconstructing unit 1026 reconstructs the transmitted data from one or more frames received from the wireless communication unit 120 (analysis processing unit 1206). The data reconstructing unit 1026 outputs the reconstructed data to the network management unit 1020 and / or the application execution unit 1025.

[0191] The frame generation unit 1027 generates one or more frames including data provided from the network management unit 1020 and / or the application execution unit 1025. Typically, the frame generation unit 1027 generates a frame in which the virtual BSSID 50 and / or the individual virtual BSSID 52 is specified as the BSSID. The wireless communication unit 120 transmits the frame generated by the frame generation unit 1027.

[0192] [H. Other forms] For ease of explanation, a processing example has been described in which a virtual wireless network is constructed between two communication devices using virtual BSSID50 and / or individual virtual BSSID52, but it is of course possible to construct a virtual wireless network between a larger number of communication devices.

[0193] In the above description, an implementation example is shown in which the communication device 100 executes the necessary processes by itself, but the present invention is not limited to this, and all or part of the necessary processes may be realized by using computing resources (typically, computing resources on the cloud) other than the communication device 100. The execution form of the processes may be appropriately adopted according to the times.

[0194] [I. Advantages] According to the communication system according to the present embodiment, a virtual wireless network is configured using the virtual BSSID 50 and / or the individual virtual BSSID 52, so that different wireless networks can be used. It enables efficient and flexible data exchange between multiple communication devices belonging to a single BSS.

[0195] For example, by specifying a virtual BSSID as the BSSID and a broadcast address as the destination MAC address, data can be sent collectively to multiple communication devices that share the virtual BSSID, just like IP multicast. Although the transmission targets are limited to communication devices within the range of the radio waves from the sending communication device, there is no need for a relay device such as a router, and since frames are sent directly from the sending device to the receiving communication device, high data transmission efficiency can be maintained.

[0196] Furthermore, if a virtual BSSID is specified as the BSSID, even if a broadcast address is specified as the destination MAC address, the frame is received and processed only by communication devices that have the virtual BSSID registered in their frame filters, and other communication devices (including devices that do not support the virtual BSSID mechanism according to this embodiment) discard the frame without analyzing the contents. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the processing load on unrelated communication devices in the vicinity, or erroneous processing in unrelated communication devices, as occurs when a broadcast address is specified as the BSSID.

[0197] A virtual wireless network using a virtual BSSID according to this embodiment can be realized simply by implementing a frame filter that can selectively receive frames that specify a virtual BSSID shared with other communication devices and / or an individual virtual BSSID. Such a frame filter can be implemented relatively easily, and since each BSSID is only 6 bytes, the consumption of computing resources is minimal.

[0198] Furthermore, by using a frame filter, it is possible to easily increase the number of virtual wireless networks to which a user can simultaneously belong, making it possible to provide users with a variety of information and games that utilize the data exchanged across multiple wireless networks.

[0199] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 1 Communication system, 20 Frame format, 22 PLCP preamble, 24 PLCP header, 26 IEEE802.11 header, 28 Data field, 30 FCS field, 50 virtual BSSID, 52 individual virtual BSSID, 100 communication device, 102 processor, 104 main memory unit, 106 auxiliary memory unit, 108 system program, 110 application program, 112 bus, 114 display, 116 operation unit, 118 audio output unit, 120 wireless communication unit, 180, 182, 184, 186 message, 188 list display, 200 peripheral device, 261 frame control field, 262 Duration / ID field, 263 destination MAC address field, 264 source MAC address field, 265 BSSID field, 266 sequence control field, 1020 network management unit, 1021 BSS configuration unit, 1022 virtual BSS management unit, 1023 individual virtual BSSID generation unit, 1024 individual virtual BSSID storage unit, 1025 application execution unit, 1026 Data reconstruction unit, 1027 frame generation unit, 1201 transmission circuit, 1202 reception circuit, 1203 transmission / reception control unit, 1204 transmission / reception buffer, 1205 frame filter, 1206 analysis processing unit, 1210 processing target list, 1211 broadcast address, 1212 BSSID, 1213 virtual BSSID value.

Claims

1. A communication system including a first communication device and a second communication device that perform wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, The first communication device is a first frame filter for processing frames received from other communication devices, the first frame filter having a value specified in a BSSID field of an IEEE 802.11 header that matches any one of first frame filter identification values ​​registered in a first list; registering a MAC address of the first communication device in the first list as the first frame filter identification value, thereby forming a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices; The second communication device is a second frame filter for processing frames received from other communication devices, the second frame filter having a value specified in a BSSID field of an IEEE 802.11 header that matches any of the second frame filter identification values ​​registered in the second list; registering a MAC address of the second communication device in the second list as the second frame filter identification value to configure a second wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices; a plurality of first frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the first communication device as the first frame filter identification value can be registered in the first list; a plurality of second frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the second communication device as the second frame filter identification value can be registered in the second list; A communication system in which the first communication device and the second communication device form a third wireless network including the first communication device and the second communication device by the first communication device registering a first identification value as the first frame filter identification value in the first list, and the second communication device registering the first identification value as the second frame filter identification value in the second list.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device each obtain the first identification value.

3. each of the first communication device and the second communication device is configured to execute a same application program; The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device each obtain the first identification value based on the same application program.

4. the first identification value is included in the same application program; The communication system according to claim 3 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device each obtain the first identification value from the same application program.

5. The communication system according to claim 3 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device each generate the first identification value based on the same application program.

6. The communication system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device constitute the third wireless network when each of the first communication device and the second communication device is executing the same application program.

7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device configure the third wireless network in response to a user operation on each of the first communication device and the second communication device.

8. the first communication device acquires a second identification value that can be registered as the first frame filter identification value, and transmits the second identification value to the second communication device; the second communication device receives the second identification value; The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device form a fourth wireless network including the first communication device and the second communication device by the first communication device registering the second identification value in the first list as the first frame filter identification value and the second communication device registering the second identification value in the second list as the second frame filter identification value.

9. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the first communication device transmits the second identification value to the second communication device over the third wireless network.

10. each of the first communication device and the second communication device is configured to execute a same application program; the first communication device and the second communication device each obtain the first identification value based on the same application program; The communication system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first communication device obtains the second identification value based on the same application program.

11. 10. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the second identification value is generated based on a MAC address of the first communication device.

12. The communication system according to claim 10 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device configure the fourth wireless network when each of the first communication device and the second communication device is executing the same application program.

13. The communication system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device configure the fourth wireless network in response to a user operation on each of the first communication device and the second communication device.

14. the first communication device transmits a blocking notification to the second communication device and deletes the registration of the second identification value from the first list; The communication system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the second communication device deletes the registration of the second identification value from the second list based on receipt of the shutdown notification.

15. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the first communication device obtains the first identification value and transmits the first identification value to the second communication device.

16. the first communication device additionally registers the first identification value in the first list when a MAC address of the first communication device is registered in the first list as the first frame filter identification value; A communication system as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the second communication device additionally registers the first identification value in the second list when the MAC address of the second communication device is registered in the second list as the second frame filter identification value.

17. A communication method for a first communication device and a second communication device performing wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: A step of processing frames received by the first communication device from other communication devices, the frames having a BSSID field of an IEEE 802.11 header that matches any one of the first frame filter identification values ​​registered in a first list; The first communication device configures a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices by registering a MAC address of the first communication device in the first list as the first frame filter identification value; a step of processing frames received by the second communication device from other communication devices, the frames having a BSSID field of an IEEE 802.11 header that matches any of the second frame filter identification values ​​registered in a second list; and configuring a second wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices by the second communication device registering a MAC address of the second communication device in the second list as the second frame filter identification value; a plurality of first frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the first communication device as the first frame filter identification value can be registered in the first list; a plurality of second frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the second communication device as the second frame filter identification value can be registered in the second list; The communication method includes a step of configuring a third wireless network including the first communication device and the second communication device by the first communication device registering a first identification value in the first list as the first frame filter identification value and the second communication device registering the first identification value in the second list as the second frame filter identification value.

18. Each of the first communication device and the second communication device is configured to execute a same application program, and the communication method includes: the first communication device obtaining the first identification value based on the same application program; The communication method according to claim 17, further comprising: the second communication device obtaining the first identification value based on the same application program.

19. the first communication device acquiring a second identification value that can be registered as the first frame filter identification value, and transmitting the second identification value to the second communication device; receiving, by the second communication device, the second identification value; The communication method according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a step of configuring a fourth wireless network including the first communication device and the second communication device by the first communication device registering the second identification value in the first list as the first frame filter identification value and the second communication device registering the second identification value in the second list as the second frame filter identification value.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first communication device transmits the second identification value to the second communication device over the third wireless network.

21. the first communication device additionally registers the first identification value in the first list when a MAC address of the first communication device is registered in the first list as the first frame filter identification value; A communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the second communication device additionally registers the first identification value in the second list when the MAC address of the second communication device is registered in the second list as the second frame filter identification value.

22. A communication device that performs wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, a frame filter for processing frames, the frame having a BSSID field of an IEEE 802.11 header whose specified value matches any of the frame filter identification values ​​registered in the list, among the received frames; a means for configuring a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices by registering a MAC address of the communication device in the list as the frame filter identification value; a plurality of frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the communication device as the frame filter identification value can be registered in the list; The communication device comprises means for configuring a second wireless network including the communication device and another communication device by registering a first identification value as the frame filter identification value in the list.

23. The communication device according to claim 22 , wherein when a MAC address of the communication device is registered in the list as the frame filter identification value, the first identification value is additionally registered in the list.

24. A communication program executed by a computer of a communication device that performs wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the communication program including: selecting, from among the received frames, a frame whose BSSID field in the IEEE 802.11 header matches any of the frame filter identification values ​​registered in the list as a processing target; and configuring a first wireless network with one or more other peripheral devices by registering a MAC address of the communication device in the list as the frame filter identification value; a plurality of frame filter identification values ​​including a MAC address of the communication device as the frame filter identification value can be registered in the list; The communication program causes the computer to execute a step of configuring a second wireless network including the communication device and another communication device by registering a first identification value in the list as the frame filter identification value. 。

25. Each of the communication device and the other communication device is configured to execute an identical application program, and the communication program is configured to 25. The communication program according to claim 24, further comprising the step of obtaining the first identification value based on the same application program.

26. The communication program is configured to: obtaining a second identification value that can be registered as the frame filter identification value, and transmitting the second identification value to the other communication device; The communication program according to claim 24 or 25, further comprising a step of configuring a third wireless network including the communication device and the other communication device by registering the second identification value in the list as the frame filter identification value.

27. The communication program according to claim 26, wherein the second identification value is transmitted to the other communication device via the second wireless network.

28. A communication program according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein in the step of configuring the second wireless network, when the MAC address of the communication device is registered in the list as the frame filter identification value, the first identification value is additionally registered in the list.

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