COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, ACCESS POINT, STATION, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD

Abstract

To provide a communication system and the like that can efficiently transmit and receive sensor information.SOLUTION: A communication system 10 includes: an access point 20 having an acquisition unit 21 that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor 1, and a beacon transmitting unit 22 that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit 21; and a station 30 having a beacon receiving unit 31 that receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit 22 and including the sensor information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, an access point, a station, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, communication systems that transmit and receive sensor information detected by a sensor are known. As an example of a communication system, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic meter-reading wireless system including a wireless slave unit that transmits meter-reading data detected by a meter device and a wireless slave unit that receives meter-reading data transmitted from a part of the wireless slave units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-40855 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the automatic meter reading wireless system of Patent Document 1, the wireless slave unit transmits meter reading data to the wireless master unit. In this case, the wireless slave unit has no way of knowing whether the transmitted meter reading data has been received by the wireless master unit, and may be forced to perform the transmission process multiple times in some cases. Furthermore, when the wireless environment is poor, wireless communication for retransmission may occur between the wireless master unit and multiple wireless slave units. In addition, the wireless master unit needs to wait so that it can receive meter reading data transmitted from multiple wireless slave units, which tends to increase power consumption. Thus, there is a problem that the transmission and reception of meter reading data cannot be performed efficiently.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a communication system etc. that can efficiently transmit and receive sensor information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an access point having an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor and a beacon transmitting unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a station having a beacon receiving unit that receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit and including the sensor information.

[0007] According to this, the access point transmits a beacon including the sensor information, and the station receives the beacon transmitted from the access point including the sensor information. Therefore, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point to the station without wirelessly connecting the access point and the station, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0008] In addition, the station may further have a probe request transmitting unit that transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received when the beacon receiving unit receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit and including the sensor information, and the access point may further have a probe request receiving unit that receives the probe request transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit and including the reception information.

[0009] This allows the access point to confirm that the station has received the sensor information transmitted by the beacon by receiving a probe request, without wirelessly connecting the access point and the station, making it possible to transmit and receive sensor information even more efficiently.

[0010] The probe request transmitter may transmit the probe request including the reception information by unicast.

[0011] According to this, when there is no need to send a probe request including reception information to a communication device other than the access point that sent the sensor information, a reception confirmation signal can be obtained from the access point by sending it by unicast, thereby improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0012] The probe request transmitter may also broadcast the probe request including the reception information.

[0013] According to this, when it is necessary to send a probe request that includes other requests in addition to the received information to a communication device other than the access point that transmitted the sensor information, the probe request can be transmitted to the other communication device as well as the access point, making it possible to send and receive the sensor information even more efficiently.

[0014] Furthermore, the beacon transmitter may stop transmitting the beacon when the probe request receiver receives the probe request that is transmitted from the probe request transmitter and includes the reception information.

[0015] This makes it possible to prevent a beacon from being transmitted from the access point after the station has received a beacon including sensor information, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption and enabling even more efficient transmission and reception of sensor information.

[0016] In addition, the probe request transmitting unit may transmit the probe request including the reception information and interval change information for changing the transmission interval of the beacon, and when the probe request receiving unit receives the probe request including the reception information and the interval change information, the beacon transmitting unit may change the transmission interval of the beacon based on the interval change information.

[0017] This allows the beacon transmission interval to be changed, which can prevent increased power consumption caused by a beacon transmission interval that is shorter than necessary, and the inability to transmit sensor information sufficiently caused by a beacon transmission interval that is longer than necessary, thereby making the transmission and reception of sensor information even more efficient.

[0018] In addition, the probe request transmitting unit may transmit the probe request including the reception information and power change information for changing the transmission power of the beacon, and when the probe request receiving unit receives the probe request including the reception information and the power change information, the beacon transmitting unit may change the transmission power of the beacon based on the power change information.

[0019] This allows the transmission power of the beacon to be changed, thereby preventing increased power consumption due to the beacon transmission power being higher than necessary, and preventing the inability to transmit sensor information due to the beacon transmission power being lower than necessary, thereby making the transmission and reception of sensor information even more efficient.

[0020] Moreover, the sensor may be a temperature sensor that detects a temperature, and the sensor information may be temperature information indicating the temperature detected by the sensor.

[0021] This allows efficient transmission and reception of temperature information.

[0022] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, an access point according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor, and a beacon transmission unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0023] According to this, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point to the station without wirelessly connecting the access point and the station, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0024] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, a station according to one embodiment of the present invention has an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor and a beacon transmission unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit, and is equipped with a beacon receiving unit that receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmission unit in an access point including the sensor information.

[0025] According to this, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point to the station without wirelessly connecting the access point and the station, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0026] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, a communication method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring sensor information detected by a sensor, a beacon transmitting step of transmitting a beacon including the sensor information acquired in the acquisition step, and a beacon receiving step of receiving the beacon transmitted in the beacon transmitting step and including the sensor information.

[0027] According to this, the communication method has the same effects as the above-mentioned communication system. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, a communication system or the like can efficiently transmit and receive sensor information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the communication system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication method in the communication system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] The embodiments described below each show a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, those components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components that constitute a more preferred embodiment. Note that the same components will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0033] (Embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An overview of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 is a communication system for transmitting and receiving sensor information detected by a sensor 1. For example, the sensor 1 is a temperature sensor that detects temperature, and the sensor information is temperature information indicating the temperature detected by the sensor 1. For example, the sensor 1 may be a humidity sensor that detects humidity, a power sensor that detects power usage, a gas sensor that detects gas usage, or a flow sensor that detects water usage. For example, the sensor 1 may be a sensor other than these sensors. The communication system 10 includes a plurality of access points 20 and a station 30. The communication system 10 may include one access point 20 instead of a plurality of access points.

[0035] The access point 20 is a transmitter that transmits sensor information, and is a parent device for the station 30. For example, the access point 20 includes a sensor 1. Note that the access point 20 does not necessarily have to include the sensor 1, and the sensor 1 may be provided outside the access point 20. For example, when the sensor 1 is provided outside the access point 20, the access point 20 acquires sensor information from the sensor 1 by communicating with the sensor 1.

[0036] The access point 20 includes the sensor information in a beacon and transmits the beacon including the sensor information. For example, the beacon is a beacon in accordance with the IEEE802.11 wireless communication standard, and includes a basic service set identifier (BSSID), a service set identifier (SSID), and a vendor specific information element (VIE), etc. The VIE can include various information such as vendor-specific information. For example, the access point 20 includes the sensor information in the VIE in the beacon, thereby including the sensor information in the beacon.

[0037] Station 30 is a receiver that receives sensor information and is a slave unit to access point 20. For example, station 30 is a receiver that receives sensor information transmitted from each of the multiple access points 20 and is a slave unit to each of the multiple access points 20. For example, station 30 is a gateway.

[0038] The station 30 receives the sensor information by receiving a beacon including the sensor information. Specifically, the station 30 receives the sensor information acquired by the access point 20 by receiving a beacon transmitted from the access point 20 and including the sensor information. The communication system 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a single station 30 faces multiple access points 20, which is different from the configuration of the conventional technology, and its advantages will be described below.

[0039] For example, when the station 30 receives a beacon transmitted from the access point 20 and including sensor information, the station 30 includes reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received in the probe request, and transmits the probe request including the reception information to the access point 20. Here, since the beacon transmitted from the access point 20 is usually broadcast, the station 30 does not transmit a reception confirmation signal (ACK signal) for the beacon including the sensor information. In the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ACK signal is substituted with a probe request transmitted by the station 30 to the access point 20 to acquire network information (e.g., SSID, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent the access point 20 from repeatedly transmitting (retransmitting) the sensor information to the station 30 even though the sensor information has arrived at the station 30, and to prevent the access point 20 from stopping transmission of the sensor information to the station 30 even though the sensor information has not arrived at the station 30. For example, the probe request is a probe request in accordance with the IEEE802.11 wireless communication standard, and includes an SSID, a VIE, etc. As described above, the VIE can include various information such as vendor-specific information. For example, station 30 includes the received information in the probe request by including the received information in a VIE in the probe request.

[0040] In response to the transmission of the probe request, the access point 20 receives the probe request that is transmitted from the station 30 and includes the reception information. This allows the access point 20 to recognize that the station 30 has received the sensor information transmitted from the access point 20, without being wirelessly connected to the station 30.

[0041] The overview of the communication system 10 has been described above.

[0042] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the communication system 10 of Fig. 1. The functional configuration of the communication system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the access point 20 includes an acquisition unit 21, a beacon transmission unit 22, and a probe request reception unit .

[0044] The acquisition unit 21 acquires sensor information detected by the sensor 1. For example, the sensor 1 performs detection at all times, and the acquisition unit 21 periodically acquires the sensor information detected by the sensor 1. Also, for example, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the sensor information from the sensor 1 by performing wired communication or wireless communication with the sensor 1. Note that, for example, the acquisition unit 21 may be capable of communicating with each of a plurality of sensors 1 provided outside the access point 20, and may acquire sensor information from each of a plurality of sensors 1 provided outside the access point 20.

[0045] The beacon transmitting unit 22 transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquiring unit 21. For example, as described above, the beacon includes a VIE, and the beacon transmitting unit 22 includes the sensor information in the VIE in the beacon and transmits the beacon including the sensor information. For example, the beacon transmitting unit 22 transmits a beacon including the sensor information every time the acquiring unit 21 acquires sensor information. Also, for example, the beacon transmitting unit 22 includes in the beacon a plurality of pieces of sensor information that are repeatedly acquired and accumulated by the acquiring unit 21, and periodically transmits a beacon including the plurality of pieces of sensor information. Note that, for example, the beacon transmitting unit 22 may encrypt the VIE in the beacon by AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) or by unique obfuscation.

[0046] For example, when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request that is transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit 32 of the station 30 and includes the reception information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 stops transmitting the beacon. As described above, the reception information is information indicating that the sensor information has been received. For example, the beacon transmitting unit 22 repeatedly transmits a beacon including the same sensor information until the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request that is transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit 32 of the station 30 and includes the reception information. For example, when the acquiring unit 21 receives new sensor information after the beacon transmitting unit 22 stops transmitting the beacon, the beacon transmitting unit 22 transmits a beacon including the sensor information.

[0047] Also, for example, when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request including reception information and interval change information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 changes the beacon transmission interval based on the interval change information. The interval change information is information for changing the beacon transmission interval. For example, when the interval change information is information for lengthening the beacon transmission interval, the beacon transmitting unit 22 lengthens the beacon transmission interval based on the interval change information. Also, for example, when the interval change information is information for shortening the beacon transmission interval, the beacon transmitting unit 22 shortens the beacon transmission interval based on the interval change information. Also, for example, when the interval change information is information for specifying the beacon transmission interval, the beacon transmitting unit 22 sets the beacon transmission interval to the specified transmission interval based on the interval change information.

[0048] Also, for example, when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request including reception information and output change information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 changes the transmission output of the beacon based on the output change information. The output change information is information for changing the transmission output of the beacon. For example, when the output change information is information for increasing the transmission output of the beacon, the beacon transmitting unit 22 increases the transmission output of the beacon based on the output change information. Also, for example, when the output change information is information for decreasing the transmission output of the beacon, the beacon transmitting unit 22 decreases the transmission output of the beacon based on the output change information. Also, for example, when the output change information is information for specifying the transmission output of the beacon, the beacon transmitting unit 22 sets the transmission output of the beacon to the specified transmission output based on the output change information.

[0049] The probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request that is transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit 32 of the station 30 and includes reception information. For example, the probe request receiving unit 23 receives the probe request each time the probe request including reception information is transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit 32 of the station 30.

[0050] The station 30 includes a beacon receiving unit 31 and a probe request transmitting unit 32 .

[0051] The beacon receiving unit 31 receives a beacon including sensor information transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit 22. For example, every time a beacon including sensor information is transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit 22, the beacon receiving unit 31 receives the beacon.

[0052] When the beacon receiver 31 receives a beacon that is transmitted from the beacon transmitter 22 and includes sensor information, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received. For example, the VIE in the beacon includes the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the source access point 20, and the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request addressed to the MAC address included in the beacon received by the beacon receiver 31. For example, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received every time the beacon receiver 31 receives a beacon that is transmitted from the beacon transmitter 22 and includes sensor information.

[0053] For example, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request including the reception information by unicast. For example, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request including the reception information by unicast to the access point 20 that transmitted the beacon received by the beacon receiver 31.

[0054] Also, for example, the probe request transmitter 32 broadcasts a probe request including the reception information. For example, the probe request transmitter 32 broadcasts a probe request including the reception information to the access point 20 that has transmitted the beacon received by the beacon receiver 31 and to one or more access points 20 other than the access point 20. For example, when the probe request transmitter 32 broadcasts a probe request including the reception information, the probe request transmitter 32 includes the MAC address of the access point 20 that has transmitted the beacon received by the beacon receiver 31 in the VIE of the probe request and transmits the probe request by broadcast.

[0055] Also, for example, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits a probe request including the reception information and interval change information for changing the transmission interval of a beacon. For example, when transmitting a probe request including reception information, the probe request transmitter 32 includes the interval change information together with the reception information in the VIE of the probe request, and transmits the probe request including the reception information and the interval change information.

[0056] For example, the interval change information is information for specifying the beacon transmission interval, information for lengthening the beacon transmission interval, information for shortening the beacon transmission interval, etc. For example, the interval change information for specifying the beacon transmission interval is information for setting the beacon transmission interval to 100 milliseconds. Also, for example, the interval change information for lengthening the beacon transmission interval is information for lengthening the beacon transmission interval by 50 milliseconds. Also, for example, the interval change information for shortening the beacon transmission interval is information for shortening the beacon transmission interval by 50 milliseconds.

[0057] For example, when the probe request transmitting unit 32 wishes to specify the beacon transmission interval as 200 milliseconds, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including interval change information (changed to 200 milliseconds) for specifying the beacon transmission interval. Also, when the probe request transmitting unit 32 wishes to lengthen the beacon transmission interval because the beacon transmission interval is shorter than necessary, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including interval change information for lengthening the beacon transmission interval. Also, when the probe request transmitting unit 32 wishes to shorten the beacon transmission interval because the beacon transmission interval is longer than necessary, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including interval change information for shortening the beacon transmission interval.

[0058] Also, for example, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including the reception information and output change information for changing the transmission output of a beacon. For example, when transmitting a probe request including reception information, the probe request transmitting unit 32 includes the output change information together with the reception information in the VIE in the probe request, and transmits the probe request including the reception information and the output change information.

[0059] For example, the power change information is information for specifying the transmission power of a beacon, information for increasing the transmission power of a beacon, or information for decreasing the transmission power of a beacon. For example, the power change information for specifying the transmission power of a beacon is information for increasing the transmission power of a beacon to 20dbm. Also, for example, the power change information for increasing the transmission power of a beacon is information for increasing the transmission power of a beacon by 3db. Also, for example, the power change information for decreasing the transmission power of a beacon is information for decreasing the transmission power of a beacon by 3db.

[0060] For example, when it is desired to specify the transmission power of a beacon, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including power change information for specifying the transmission power of a beacon. Also, when it is desired to increase the transmission power of a beacon because the transmission power of a beacon is lower than necessary, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including power change information for increasing the transmission power of a beacon. Also, when it is desired to decrease the transmission power of a beacon because the transmission power of a beacon is higher than necessary, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including power change information for decreasing the transmission power of a beacon.

[0061] For example, the probe request transmitter 32 may include control information for controlling the access point 20 other than the interval change information and the power change information in the probe request, and may transmit the probe request including the control information. Also, for example, the probe request transmitter 32 may encrypt the VIE in the probe request by AES or by unique obfuscation.

[0062] As described above, station 30 receiving sensor information from access point 20 can use a probe request to give some kind of instruction to access point 20 to change the specifications for transmitting a beacon including the sensor information. If the instruction is to be given only to a specific access point 20, the probe request can be sent by unicast, and if the instruction is to be given to all of a plurality of access points 20, it can be sent by broadcast. This feature is also made possible by a configuration in which the access point 20 is the side that transmits the beacon including the sensor information, and station 30 is the side that receives the beacon.

[0063] The functional configuration of the communication system 10 has been described above.

[0064] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication method by the communication system 10 of Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 3, an example of the communication method by the communication system 10 will be described.

[0065] 3, the access point 20 acquires sensor information detected by the sensor 1 (acquisition step) (step S1). Specifically, as described above, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the sensor information detected by the sensor 1.

[0066] When the access point 20 acquires the sensor information, the access point 20 transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired in the acquisition step to the station 30 (beacon transmission step) (step S2). Specifically, as described above, the beacon transmission unit 22 transmits a beacon including the sensor information.

[0067] The station 30 receives the beacon that is transmitted by the access point 20 in the beacon transmission step and includes the sensor information (beacon reception step) (step S3). Specifically, as described above, the beacon receiver 31 receives the beacon that includes the sensor information.

[0068] When the station 30 receives the beacon, it acquires the sensor information included in the beacon (acquisition step) (step S4).

[0069] Furthermore, when the station 30 receives the beacon, it transmits a probe request including the reception information (probe request transmission step) (step S5). Specifically, as described above, the probe request transmission unit 32 transmits the probe request including the reception information.

[0070] The access point 20 receives the probe request transmitted by the station 30 in the probe request transmission step and including the reception information (probe request reception step) (step S6). Specifically, as described above, the probe request reception unit 23 receives the probe request including the reception information.

[0071] When the access point 20 receives the probe request, it stops transmitting the beacon (stopping step) (step S7). Specifically, as described above, the beacon transmitting unit 22 stops transmitting the beacon.

[0072] An example of the communication method by the communication system 10 has been described above.

[0073] According to the communication system 10, the sensor information can be transmitted in a beacon, so that there is no need to wirelessly connect the access point 20 and the station 30 to transmit and receive the sensor information, and the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently. Also, according to the communication system 10, the reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received can be transmitted in a probe request, so that the access point 20 can recognize that the station 30 has received the sensor information without wirelessly connecting the access point 20 and the station 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the access point 20 from retransmitting the sensor information to the station 30 even though the sensor information has arrived at the station 30, and the access point 20 from not transmitting the sensor information to the station 30 even though the sensor information has not arrived at the station 30, and the like, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0074] The communication system 10 according to the embodiment has been described above.

[0075] The communication system 10 of the embodiment includes an access point 20 having an acquisition unit 21 that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor 1 and a beacon transmitter 22 that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit 21, and a station 30 having a beacon receiver 31 that receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitter 22 and including the sensor information.

[0076] According to this, the access point 20 transmits a beacon including the sensor information, and the station 30 receives the beacon including the sensor information transmitted from the access point 20. Therefore, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point 20 to the station 30 without wirelessly connecting the access point 20 and the station 30, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0077] In addition, in the communication system 10 of the embodiment, the station 30 further has a probe request transmitting unit 32 that transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received when the beacon receiving unit 31 receives a beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit 22 and including the sensor information, and the access point 20 further has a probe request receiving unit 23 that receives the probe request transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit 32 and including the reception information.

[0078] According to this, without wirelessly connecting the access point 20 and the station 30, the access point 20 can confirm that the station 30 has received the sensor information transmitted by the beacon by receiving a probe request, thereby making it possible to transmit and receive the sensor information even more efficiently.

[0079] Furthermore, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the probe request transmitter 32 transmits the probe request including the reception information by unicast.

[0080] According to this, when there is no need to send a probe request including reception information to a communication device other than the access point 20 that sent the sensor information, a reception confirmation signal can be obtained from the access point 20 by sending it by unicast, thereby improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0081] Furthermore, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the probe request transmitter 32 broadcasts a probe request including the reception information.

[0082] According to this, when it is necessary to send a probe request including received information to a communication device other than the access point 20 that sent the sensor information, the probe request can be sent to the communication device as well as the access point 20, making it possible to send and receive the sensor information even more efficiently.

[0083] Furthermore, in the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request that is sent from the probe request transmitting unit 32 and includes reception information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 stops transmitting the beacon.

[0084] This prevents the access point 20 from transmitting a beacon after the station 30 receives a beacon including sensor information, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption and enabling the sensor information to be transmitted and received more efficiently.

[0085] Furthermore, in the communication system 10 relating to the embodiment, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including reception information and interval change information for changing the beacon transmission interval, and when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request including the reception information and the interval change information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 changes the beacon transmission interval based on the interval change information.

[0086] This allows the beacon transmission interval to be changed, which can prevent increased power consumption caused by a beacon transmission interval that is shorter than necessary, and the inability to transmit sensor information sufficiently caused by a beacon transmission interval that is longer than necessary, thereby making the transmission and reception of sensor information even more efficient.

[0087] Furthermore, in the communication system 10 relating to the embodiment, the probe request transmitting unit 32 transmits a probe request including reception information and power change information for changing the transmission power of the beacon, and when the probe request receiving unit 23 receives a probe request including the reception information and the power change information, the beacon transmitting unit 22 changes the transmission power of the beacon based on the power change information.

[0088] This allows the transmission power of the beacon to be changed, thereby preventing increased power consumption due to the beacon transmission power being higher than necessary, and preventing the inability to transmit sensor information due to the beacon transmission power being lower than necessary, thereby making the transmission and reception of sensor information even more efficient.

[0089] In the communication system 10 according to the embodiment, the sensor 1 is a temperature sensor that detects temperature, and the sensor information is temperature information indicating the temperature detected by the sensor 1.

[0090] This allows efficient transmission and reception of temperature information.

[0091] Moreover, the access point 20 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 21 that acquires sensor information detected by the sensor 1, and a beacon transmission unit 22 that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0092] According to this, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point 20 to the station 30 without wirelessly connecting the access point 20 and the station 30, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0093] In addition, the station 30 in the embodiment is equipped with a beacon receiver 31 that receives a beacon including the sensor information transmitted from the beacon transmitter 22 in the access point 20, which has an acquisition unit 21 that acquires sensor information detected by the sensor 1 and a beacon transmitter 22 that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0094] According to this, the sensor information can be transmitted from the access point 20 to the station 30 without wirelessly connecting the access point 20 and the station 30, so that the sensor information can be transmitted and received efficiently.

[0095] In addition, the communication method of the embodiment includes an acquisition step (step S1) of acquiring sensor information detected by the sensor 1, a beacon transmission step (step S2) of transmitting a beacon including the sensor information acquired in the acquisition step, and a beacon reception step (step S3) of receiving the beacon transmitted in the beacon transmission step and including the sensor information.

[0096] According to this, the communication method has the same effects as those of the communication system 10 described above.

[0097] (Other embodiments, etc.) The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus or a system, but also as a method in which the processing means constituting the apparatus or system are steps, as a program for causing a computer to execute those steps, as a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM on which the program is recorded, or as information, data or a signal indicating the program. These programs, information, data and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0098] Although the communication system and the like of the present invention have been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art to this embodiment and forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The present invention can be used as a communication system for transmitting and receiving sensor information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10. Communication Systems 20 Access Points 21 Acquisition Department 22 Beacon transmitter 23 Probe request receiver 30 Stations 31 Beacon receiver 32 Probe request transmitter

Claims

1. an access point having an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor, and a beacon transmission unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit; a station having a beacon receiving unit for receiving the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmitting unit and including the sensor information; Communication systems.

2. the station further includes a probe request transmission unit that transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received when the beacon reception unit receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmission unit and including the sensor information, The access point further includes a probe request receiving unit that receives the probe request transmitted from the probe request transmitting unit and including the reception information. The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. The probe request transmission unit transmits the probe request including the reception information by unicast. The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. The probe request transmission unit broadcasts the probe request including the reception information. The communication system according to claim 2 .

5. the beacon transmission unit stops transmitting the beacon when the probe request reception unit receives the probe request transmitted from the probe request transmission unit and including the reception information. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the probe request transmission unit transmits the probe request including the reception information and interval change information for changing a transmission interval of the beacon; when the probe request receiving unit receives the probe request including the reception information and the interval change information, the beacon transmitting unit changes the transmission interval of the beacon based on the interval change information. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. the probe request transmission unit transmits the probe request including the reception information and power change information for changing a transmission power of the beacon; When the probe request receiving unit receives the probe request including the reception information and the output change information, the beacon transmitting unit changes the transmission output of the beacon based on the output change information. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. the sensor is a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature, The sensor information is temperature information indicating a temperature detected by the sensor. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor; a beacon transmission unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit, Access point.

10. an access point including an acquisition unit that acquires sensor information detected by a sensor and a beacon transmission unit that transmits a beacon including the sensor information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a beacon reception unit that receives the beacon transmitted from the beacon transmission unit and including the sensor information; a probe request transmission unit that transmits a probe request including reception information indicating that the sensor information has been received when the beacon reception unit receives the beacon, Station.

11. An acquisition step of acquiring sensor information detected by a sensor; a beacon transmission step of transmitting a beacon including the sensor information acquired in the acquisition step; a beacon receiving step of receiving the beacon transmitted in the beacon transmitting step and including the sensor information; Communication methods.

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