Display processing device, display processing method and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by a plurality of wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation.SOLUTION: A display processing device of the present disclosure performs processing for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by a plurality of wireless access points. The display processing device includes a receiving circuit that receives a signal including an SSID from a wireless access point, and a processing circuit that associates the SSID included in the signal with a frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID. The processing circuit determines a representative SSID representing a set of multi-SSIDs, which is assumed to be a plurality of SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point. The processing circuit executes display processing for associating and displaying the plurality of SSIDs with frequency bands to be displayed by the display processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display processing device, a display processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for visualizing the usage status of a wireless local area network (wireless LAN) have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-143564 (Patent Document 1) discloses a communication terminal device capable of wireless connection to multiple access points arranged in a predetermined space. This communication terminal device includes a control unit that receives and processes information from a first access point among the multiple access points, and a display unit that can display the received information. The control unit acquires location information of the multiple access points and causes the display unit to display access location information in which the location information is superimposed on the layout of the predetermined space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-143564 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, a wireless access point is assigned an identification name called an SSID (Service Set Identifier), which allows the wireless access point to be distinguished from other wireless access points in the vicinity.

[0005] In recent years, wireless access points have become available with the ability to set multiple SSIDs, known as "multi-SSID." Multi-SSIDs allow, for example, a single wireless access point to set a different communication method or encryption method for each SSID. However, when visualizing wireless LAN usage, a wireless access point with multi-SSID settings appears as if it were multiple access points. This may make the channel used by the wireless access point appear more congested than it actually is. Alternatively, it may become difficult for users to identify the SSIDs of other access points. Note that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-143564 (Patent Document 1) does not discuss multi-SSIDs and therefore does not disclose the above-mentioned problem or a solution to it.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The display processing device disclosed herein performs processing to display the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points, and includes a receiving circuit that receives a signal including an SSID from a wireless access point, and a processing circuit that associates the SSID included in the signal with the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID, and the processing circuit determines a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs and presumed multi-SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point, and the processing circuit performs display processing to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed by the display processing device.

[0008] The display processing method disclosed herein is a display processing method executed by a display processing device for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points, and includes the steps of receiving a signal including an SSID, associating the SSID included in the signal with the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID, determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point and presumably multiple SSIDs, and executing display processing to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed.

[0009] The program disclosed herein is a program that causes a computer to execute a display processing method for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points. The display processing method includes the steps of: associating an SSID included in a signal received by a receiving circuit with a frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID; determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be assigned to the same wireless access point; and executing a display process to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to display the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an access point and surrounding access points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an access point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a display form according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a display mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a typical display example of the channel usage status. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining multi-SSID. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying SSIDs including multiple SSIDs. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying an SSID according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a display process executed by an access point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the display process in the representative SSID display mode. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the display process in the full display mode. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the display mode switching process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying an SSID according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a time period during which the access point 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure monitors the channel usage status. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0013] (1) A display processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs processing to display the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points, and includes a receiving circuit that receives a signal including an SSID from a wireless access point, and a processing circuit that associates the SSID included in the signal with the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID, and the processing circuit determines a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be assigned to the same wireless access point, and performs display processing to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed.

[0014] According to the above, it is possible to display the frequency band usage status by multiple wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation. When multiple SSIDs are assigned to the same wireless access point, displaying the wireless LAN usage status of that wireless access point makes it appear as if the multiple SSIDs are occupying the same channel by time sharing. Furthermore, because multiple SSIDs are associated with the same channel, when displaying the SSIDs of other wireless access points using the same channel, it may be difficult for the user to identify the SSIDs. By determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point, it is possible to reduce the number of SSIDs for one wireless access point to one in the display process. This makes it possible to display more SSIDs in the frequency band to be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to display the frequency band usage status by multiple wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation.

[0015] (2) In the display processing device described in (1) above, the display processing includes processing for displaying a graph showing a frequency band, and the processing circuit, in the processing for displaying the graph, executes processing for displaying a representative SSID selected from a set of multi-SSIDs on the graph.

[0016] According to the above, when multiple SSIDs are displayed on a graph, only the representative SSID is displayed for a multi-SSID set. Therefore, the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the representative SSID can be displayed in a manner that is easier for the user to understand.

[0017] (3) In the display processing device described in (2) above, the processing circuit can switch between a process for displaying the representative SSID on a graph and a process for displaying a set of multiple SSIDs on a graph in response to a switching instruction.

[0018] Based on the above, it is possible to provide the user with more detailed information regarding the usage status of a plurality of wireless access points. Also, the user can switch the display.

[0019] (4) In the display processing device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the processing circuit monitors the usage status of the frequency band over a predetermined period of time and executes processing to display the average occupancy status of the frequency band by multiple SSIDs.

[0020] According to the above, it is possible to display the average congestion status of radio waves, and therefore, for example, a user can set a frequency band for wireless communication so as to avoid congested frequency bands.

[0021] (5) In the display processing device described in (4) above, the predetermined period is a time period determined based on the user's usage of the wireless access point.

[0022] Based on the above, it is possible to grasp, for example, the congestion state of the frequency band during the time period when the user frequently uses the wireless access point.

[0023] (6) In the display processing device described in (5) above, the display processing device has a wireless access point function, and the processing circuit includes an SSID assigned to the display processing device so that the display processing device can perform the wireless access point function during the display processing.

[0024] According to the above, for example, a user can have both the SSID of the wireless access point he or she uses and the SSIDs of wireless access points around that wireless access point displayed by a display processing device functioning as the user's own wireless access point, thereby understanding the usage status of frequency bands by the wireless access point he or she uses and the surrounding wireless access points.

[0025] (7) A display processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a display processing method executed by a display processing device for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points, and includes the steps of receiving a signal including an SSID, associating the SSID included in the signal with the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID, determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be assigned to the same wireless access point, and executing display processing to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed.

[0026] Based on the above, it is possible to display the usage status of frequency bands by a plurality of wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation.

[0027] (8) A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to execute a display processing method for displaying the usage status of frequency bands by multiple wireless access points. The display processing method includes the steps of: associating an SSID included in a signal received by a receiving circuit with a frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the SSID; determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be assigned to the same wireless access point; and executing a display process to associate and display the multiple SSIDs with the frequency band to be displayed.

[0028] Based on the above, it is possible to display the usage status of frequency bands by a plurality of wireless access points in accordance with the actual situation.

[0029] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0030] In the following description, the 5 GHz band is used as an example of a communication frequency band for a wireless LAN. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to wireless LANs in the 2.4 GHz band. In the following description, the term "frequency band" refers to the bandwidth of one channel or the bandwidth corresponding to multiple consecutive channels. For example, in the case of the 5 GHz band, available channels are channels that are multiples of four, among channels 36 to 64 and channels 100 to 144, and the bandwidth of one channel is 20 MHz.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an access point 100 and surrounding access points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, access points 200 to 210 are present around the access point 100. Each of the access points 100, 200 to 210 is, for example, an access point installed in a respective home. Each access point can be connected to a wireless LAN client (not shown). Each access point may be realized by a wireless LAN router that integrates an access point function and a router function.

[0032] Each access point is identified by an SSID (Service Set Identifier). For example, the SSID of the access point 100 is "AP00." The SSIDs of the access points 200 to 210 are "AP0" to "AP10," respectively.

[0033] Each of the access points 100, 200-210 searches for an optimal channel and sets the optimal channel for communication between itself and clients, for example, when powered on or restarted. However, if the channels used by a given access point overlap with those of a nearby access point, radio interference occurs. Therefore, each of the access points 100, 200-210 may have a function for searching for a channel during operation and automatically switching to the optimal channel. Furthermore, each of the access points 100, 200-210 may have a function for setting a channel specified by the user as the channel to be used.

[0034] An access point periodically (usually every 100 milliseconds) transmits a radio signal called a beacon on the channel it is using. Generally, a management frame conforming to IEEE802.11 is used for beacons. By receiving the beacon signal, a wireless LAN client obtains information about the channel that the client can use for communication with the access point, as well as information about the access point's SSID.

[0035] When another access point is present around the access point 100, the access point 100 may be able to receive a beacon signal transmitted from that access point. The access point 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure receives a beacon signal 1 from an access point (access points 200 to 210) nearby and acquires SSID information contained in the beacon signal 1. The access point 100 then executes a process for displaying the SSID in association with a frequency band (e.g., a channel used in the 5 GHz band) to be displayed by the access point 100. The "process for displaying" may be a process in which the access point 100 itself displays the channel usage status for each SSID, or a process in which a wireless LAN client displays a screen showing the channel usage status.

[0036] 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an access point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the access point 100 includes an antenna 101, a receiving circuit 102, a transmitting circuit 103, an amplifier circuit 104, a processing circuit 105, and a memory 106. The antenna 101 and the receiving circuit 102 receive signals from wireless LAN clients or beacon signals from access points other than the access point 100. Meanwhile, the antenna 101 and the transmitting circuit 103 transmit signals (including beacon signals) for communication with wireless LAN clients.

[0037] The amplifier circuit 104 includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the reception signal received by the antenna 101 and a power amplifier (PA) for amplifying the transmission signal output from the transmission circuit 103.

[0038] The processing circuit 105 is realized by one or more semiconductor integrated circuits. When the received signal is a beacon signal, the processing circuit 105 collects information about access points located near the access point 100 from the beacon signal. The processing circuit 105 executes processing for displaying the channel usage status based on the collected information. Note that the display processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has the functionality of a wireless access point. That is, the display processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is realized by the antenna 101, the receiving circuit 102, and the processing circuit 105 in the wireless access point 100.

[0039] The memory 106 stores various data, a program 108 executed by the processing circuitry 105, and the like. The program 108 includes a display program for displaying the usage status of the wireless LAN according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the processing circuitry 105 can be said to be a computer that executes the display program according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a display form according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, a client 10 (wireless LAN client) and an access point 100 are connected via a wireless LAN. For example, a user operates the client 10 to launch a web browser. A predetermined URL (which may be an IP address) is entered into the address field of the web browser. This causes the access point 100 to display a login screen for accessing the management screen of the access point 100 on the display unit 12 of the client 10. If the ID and password entered into the login screen are correct, the access point 100 causes the management screen to be displayed on the display unit 12 of the client 10. This allows the user to know the SSIDs of the access point 100 and surrounding access points, as well as the channels used by each SSID.

[0041] 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a display format according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, a program 18 for displaying the frequency band usage status on the display unit 12 is stored in the memory 16 of the client 10. The program 18 may be an application program or a program called a utility program. The processing circuitry 14 reads the program 18 from the memory 16 and executes it.

[0042] In this example, the processing circuitry 14 corresponds to a computer that executes a display processing program. The processing circuitry 14 can display a login screen for accessing the management screen of the access point 100 on the display unit 12 of the client 10 through communication with the access point 100. If the ID and password entered by the user on the login screen are correct, the processing circuitry 14 displays the management screen on the display unit 12 of the client 10.

[0043] 3 and 4, the client 10 and the access point 100 are connected via a wireless LAN. However, even if the client 10 and the access point 100 are connected via a connection method other than a wireless LAN (for example, a wired LAN), the client 10 can use the display function of the access point 100. Furthermore, even if the client 10 and the access point 100 are connected via a wireless LAN, the client 10 and the access point 100 may be connected via another wireless access point (for example, a mesh, a repeater, etc.). Even in this case, the client 10 can use the display function of the access point 100. The connection method of the client 10 to use the display function of the access point 100 can be various methods, and is not limited to the connection methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a diagram that shows a typical example of a display of channel usage. In Fig. 5, the graph shows the channels used by access points around the access point 100 and the signal strength (unit: dbm) of the radio waves (beacon signals) received by the access point 100 from those access points. The channels shown in Fig. 5 are some of the channels in the 5 GHz band.

[0045] In the graph, individual access points (SSIDs) can be distinguished by, for example, differentiating the curves or areas showing signal strength with different colors. For convenience of illustration, in Figure 5, the curves or areas showing signal strength are distinguished by hatching instead of colors.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 5, information about the five access points in descending order of radio wave signal strength is also displayed in the form of a table. Specifically, the color representing the curve or area shown on the graph is displayed, along with the SSID, signal strength, channel used, and bandwidth used of the access point corresponding to that curve or area. Note that the access point with SSID "AP0" (access point 200 in FIG. 1) uses channels 36 to 48. When multiple consecutive channels are used in this way, one channel (for example, the channel with the smallest number) may be displayed as a representative of the multiple channels. The "bandwidth" in the figure corresponds to the product of the "number of channels used by the access point" and the "bandwidth of one channel."

[0047] The user can refer to the display to understand the channel usage status. For example, suppose the channel used by the access point 100 and the channel used by another access point are displayed as overlapping or adjacent. In this case, the user can instruct the access point 100 to perform an automatic channel search. Alternatively, the user can manually set the channel used by the access point 100.

[0048] On the other hand, in the graph shown in Figure 5, the areas representing the reception strength of the SSIDs "AP0," "AP1," "AP3," and "AP4" overlap. In this case, the curves or colors of the areas representing the signal strength overlap, which may make it difficult for the user to grasp the signal strength of each access point.

[0049] Because there may be many access points near one access point, the display example shown in Fig. 5 limits the number of SSIDs displayed based on the signal strength level. This type of display is advantageous in that it allows the user to easily understand the influence of other access points on the channel used by the user's wireless LAN (i.e., the channel used by access point 100). However, limiting the number of SSIDs displayed based on reception strength could cause problems when access points around access point 100 use multiple SSIDs.

[0050] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining multi-SSID. In Fig. 6, SSIDs "AP0", "AP0-1", "AP0-2", and "AP0-3" are a multi-SSID set of access point 200 (Fig. 1). Similarly, SSIDs "AP1", "AP1-1", "AP1-2", and "AP1-3" are a multi-SSID set of access point 201 (Fig. 1).

[0051] Multi-SSID allows you to configure multiple SSIDs that use the same channel on a single access point. Multiple SSIDs are switched between in a time-sharing manner. In other words, the same channel is time-shared among multiple SSIDs. However, this may make the channel appear more congested than it actually is.

[0052] 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying SSIDs including multiple SSIDs. The display example in FIG. 7 corresponds to the SSIDs and signal strengths shown in FIG.

[0053] In the display example of Figure 7, the top 10 SSIDs are displayed in order of signal strength. "AP0," "AP0-1," "AP0-2," and "AP0-3" are multi-SSID sets for the same access point, so their signal strengths are the same. Furthermore, their signal strengths are the highest among SSIDs "AP0" to "AP10." Therefore, "AP0," "AP0-1," "AP0-2," and "AP0-3" are the SSIDs ranked first in signal strength. The SSIDs with the next highest signal strengths are "AP1," "AP1-1," "AP1-2," and "AP1-3." Therefore, "AP1," "AP1-1," "AP1-2," and "AP1-3" are the SSIDs ranked fifth in signal strength. If each SSID is ranked by signal strength in this way, SSIDs "AP2" to "AP10" are ranked 9th to 17th.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, there are, for example, 10 access points surrounding the access point 100. However, if 10 SSIDs are simply displayed based on signal strength, the displayed SSIDs would be the multi-SSID of "AP0" ("AP0" to "AP0-3"), the multi-SSID of "AP1" ("AP1" to "AP1-3"), "AP2" and "AP3". The SSIDs in a multi-SSID group use the same channel and have the same radio wave strength at the access point 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the areas corresponding to the SSIDs in the graph representing the reception strength overlap with each other. For example, if the curves or areas representing the signal strength were colored as in the example shown in FIG. 5, the curves or areas representing the signal strength would overlap with multiple colors in the channels corresponding to the multi-SSIDs, which is likely to be confusing for the user.

[0055] 7, the reception strengths corresponding to the SSIDs "AP2" to "AP10" are shown by hatched areas. However, these areas are shown for the purpose of explanation and are not actually displayed.

[0056] In order to display SSIDs "AP2" to "AP10," the access point 100 must determine that the SSIDs "AP0," "AP0-1," "AP0-2," and "AP0-3" are a multi-SSID set for the same access point. Similarly, the access point 100 must determine that the SSIDs "AP1," "AP1-1," "AP1-2," and "AP1-3" are a multi-SSID set for the same access point. However, it is not easy to determine whether certain SSIDs are a multi-SSID set. The reasons for this are as follows:

[0057] First of all, the SSID name is a name that can be freely set by the user. In the example above, multiple SSIDs are generated by adding subnumbers to a basic SSID (typically the primary SSID), such as "AP0," "AP0-1," "AP0-2," and "AP0-3." However, SSIDs are not always assigned according to these rules.

[0058] Furthermore, although a beacon signal contains information about the MAC address of the access point, the MAC address of a multi-SSID may be initially set by the access point as a virtual MAC address. A virtual MAC address is a MAC address that is automatically set by the access point. As shown in FIG. 6, even if a beacon signal is transmitted from the same access point, the virtual MAC address is different for each SSID. Therefore, even if the access point 100 obtains a MAC address from a received beacon signal, it cannot determine from the MAC address whether the received beacon signal is transmitted from the same access point.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying SSIDs according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 8, for a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point, access point 100 determines a representative SSID that represents the set of multiple SSIDs. Access point 100 then displays the representative SSID in association with the frequency band (5 GHz band channels in the example of FIG. 8) that is the display target of access point 100. As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the display example of FIG. 8, for example, SSIDs "AP0," "AP0-1," "AP0-2," and "AP0-3," "AP0" is displayed as the representative SSID. Similarly, in FIG. 8, for "AP1," "AP1-1," "AP1-2," and "AP1-3," "AP1" is displayed as the representative SSID.

[0060] The method for selecting the representative SSID is not limited, and may be, for example, the SSID indicated by the beacon signal that first arrives at the access point 100. If the signal strengths of multiple SSIDs for the same channel differ, the SSID with the higher signal strength is selected and displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 7, SSID "AP3" and SSID "AP9" are SSIDs that use the same channel (channel 116). The signal strength of SSID "AP3" at the access point 100 is higher than that of SSID "AP9." Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, SSID "AP3" is displayed as the SSID that uses channel 116. In other words, SSID "AP3" is displayed as the representative SSID for channel 116.

[0061] According to the display example shown in FIG. 8, a set of multiple SSIDs is displayed collectively as one representative SSID. For example, there is less overlap of curves or areas representing signal strength on the same channel. Therefore, the frequency band used by the wireless access point represented by the representative SSID can be more easily understood by the user. Furthermore, according to the display example shown in FIG. 8, the SSIDs of more access points can be displayed. Since the ten SSIDs corresponding to the ten access points 200 to 209 can be displayed in order of signal strength, the frequency band usage status of the access points surrounding the access point 100 can be displayed in accordance with the actual situation.

[0062] 9 is a flowchart illustrating a display process executed by an access point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the display process is initiated when the access point 100 receives a request for the display process from a client device on the wireless LAN. Alternatively, the display process may be initiated when a user operates the access point 100 (for example, by pressing a button on the access point 100).

[0063] In step S1, the receiving circuit 102 of the access point 100 receives, via the antenna 101, a beacon signal transmitted by an access point near the access point 100. In step S2, the processing circuit 105 acquires SSID and channel information from the beacon signal. In step S3, the processing circuit 105 measures the signal strength of the beacon signal.

[0064] In step S4, the processing circuit 105 checks the display mode setting. In this embodiment, the display modes include a "representative SSID display mode" and a "full display mode." For example, the default display mode is the full display mode. However, the default display mode may also be the representative SSID display mode. As will be described later, the display mode can be switched.

[0065] If the display mode is set to the representative SSID display mode, the process proceeds to step S5, where the process of displaying the representative SSID is executed. In this case, the SSID is displayed as shown in Fig. 8. That is, if it is assumed that multiple SSIDs on the same channel are a multi-SSID set, the processing circuit 105 displays a representative SSID that represents the multiple SSIDs.

[0066] On the other hand, if the display mode is set to the full display mode, the process proceeds to step S6. In this case, all SSIDs including the multiple SSIDs that make up the multi-SSID set are displayed, as shown in FIG.

[0067] In the representative SSID display mode and the full display mode, the processing circuit 105 may execute processing to display the SSIDs to be displayed together with the signal strengths of the SSIDs. Furthermore, the processing circuit 105 may limit the number of SSIDs to be displayed according to the rank of the signal strength (for example, limiting the displayed SSIDs to the top 10 in terms of signal strength).

[0068] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the display process in the representative SSID display mode. FIG. 10 shows the process of step S5 in detail. In step S11, the processing circuit 105 determines whether multiple SSIDs exist on the same channel. If multiple SSIDs exist on the same channel (YES in step S11), the processing circuit 105 determines in step S12 whether the signal strengths of the multiple SSIDs are the same. Note that "the same level" does not necessarily mean that the signal strength levels are exactly the same. For example, the variation in signal strength among the multiple SSIDs may be equal to or less than a predetermined ratio of the average signal strength for the multiple SSIDs. The signal strength levels in such a case can also be considered to be "the same level."

[0069] If the signal strengths of the multiple SSIDs are the same in step S12 (YES in step S12), the processing circuit 105 infers that the multiple SSIDs are multi-SSIDs and determines a representative SSID from among the multiple SSIDs in step S13. On the other hand, if the signal strengths of the multiple SSIDs are different in step S12 (NO in step S12), the processing circuit 105 selects the SSID with the higher signal strength from among the multiple SSIDs in step S14.

[0070] Following the process of step S13 or step S14, the process of step S15 is executed. In step S15, the processing circuit 105 executes a process of associating the SSID with the channel. Furthermore, even if multiple SSIDs do not overlap on the same channel (NO in step S11), the processing circuit 105 also executes a process of associating the SSID with the channel in step S15.

[0071] In step S16, the processing circuit 105 causes the display unit 12 of the client 10 to display the SSID and the channel in association with each other. As a result, the SSID and the channel are displayed on the display unit 12 of the client 10 as shown in FIG. 8. As described above, in step S15, the processing circuit 105 may execute processing for displaying the signal strength of the SSID in addition to the processing for displaying the SSID and channel to be displayed. As a result, the SSID, the channel in use, and the reception strength are displayed on the display unit 12 of the client 10 in association with each other.

[0072] Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the display process in the full display mode. The flow shown in Fig. 11 corresponds to the flow shown in Fig. 10 in which the processes of steps S11 to S14 are omitted. In step S21, the processing circuit 105 executes a process of associating SSIDs with channels. In the full display mode, even if there are multiple SSIDs on the same channel, the processing circuit 105 does not execute a determination as to whether or not the multiple SSIDs are SSIDs that are presumed to be a multi-SSID set.

[0073] In step S22, the processing circuit 105 displays the SSID and the channel in association with each other on the display unit 12 of the client 10. As a result, the SSID and the channel are displayed on the display unit 12 of the client 10 as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the processing circuit 105 may execute a process for displaying the signal strength of the SSID in addition to the process for displaying the SSID and the channel to be displayed.

[0074] 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing for switching the display mode. In step S31, the processing circuit 105 receives a switching instruction from the user. This instruction may be an instruction to switch the display, or an instruction to specify a display mode.

[0075] In step S32, the processing circuit 105 checks the current display mode. If the current display mode is the representative SSID display mode, in step S33, the processing circuit 105 switches the display mode from the representative SSID display mode to the full display mode and executes display processing in the full display mode. In this case, the processing circuit 105 executes display processing according to the flow shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, if the current display mode is the full display mode, in step S34, the processing circuit 105 switches the display mode from the full display mode to the representative SSID display mode and executes display processing in the representative SSID display mode. In this case, the processing circuit 105 executes display processing according to the flow shown in FIG. 10.

[0076] The access point 100 may have only the representative SSID display mode. However, as described above, if the access point 100 has both the representative SSID display mode and the full display mode, it can provide the user of the access point 100 with more information regarding the SSIDs and channels in use. This improves the display function of the access point 100.

[0077] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the access point 100 can have the following functions related to displaying the SSID.

[0078] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying an SSID according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. In the display example shown in Fig. 13, the display of the SSID (AP00) of access point 100 and the channel used therefor are added to the display of the SSID and channel shown in Fig. 8. The SSID "AP00" corresponds to the SSID assigned so that the display processing device according to this embodiment can perform the function of a wireless access point.

[0079] 13, the user can check whether the channel used by the access point 100 overlaps with the channels used by other access points. Specifically, the channel used by the access point 100 (channel 116) overlaps with the channels used by the access points with SSIDs "AP3" and "AP9" (access points 203 and 209). By checking the display of the channel usage status, the user can change the channel used by the access point 100 to a currently available channel. Note that even in the full display mode, the SSID of the access point 100 can be displayed in association with the channel used by the access point 100 itself.

[0080] Although the above embodiment can grasp the channel usage status at any point in time, the access point 100 may also monitor the channel occupancy status over a predetermined period of time and display the average occupancy status over that period.

[0081] As mentioned above, in the case of a multi-SSID system, the same channel is time-shared among multiple SSIDs. If the channel used by access point 100 overlaps with the channel used by other access points for multi-SSIDs, the other access points will spend a relatively long time using the same channel as the channel used by access point 100. This increases the likelihood of communication being affected (for example, noise being mixed into the signal) in a wireless LAN using access point 100.

[0082] By displaying the channel occupancy status on the client device, the user can understand the radio wave congestion status during that period (especially the impact on the user's own access point 100). For example, if the channel occupancy status display shows that there is an available channel, the user can set that available channel as the channel to be used by the access point 100. This increases the likelihood that communication quality will be stable in a wireless LAN using the access point 100.

[0083] The predetermined period may be a time period during which a user frequently uses a wireless device. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a time period during which the access point 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure monitors the channel usage status.

[0084] 14, for example, users frequently use their wireless devices between 9:00 and 10:00 and between 12:00 and 13:00 of a day. A user can set the access point 100 to monitor the channel usage during the time periods when the wireless LAN is frequently used. The access point 100 may monitor the channel usage during the specified time periods and display the results.

[0085] In the above description, the access point is assumed to be installed in each home. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to wireless access points installed indoors. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to access points that provide public wireless LAN services.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and it is intended to include any modifications within the scope of the claims and meanings equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Beacon Signal 10 clients 12 Display section 14,105 Processing circuit 16,106 memory 18,108 programs 100,200~210 access points 101 Antenna 102 receiving circuit 103 Transmitting circuit 104 Amplifier circuit S1~S6, S11~S16, S21, S22, S31~S34 steps

Claims

1. A display processing device that performs processing to display the usage status of frequency bands by a plurality of wireless access points, a receiving circuit for receiving a signal including an SSID from the wireless access point; a processing circuit that associates the SSID included in the signal with a frequency band used by a wireless access point represented by the SSID; The processing circuit determines a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point; the processing circuit executes a display process for displaying the representative SSID in association with a frequency band to be displayed by the display processing device; the display process includes a process for displaying a graph showing the frequency band; the processing circuit executes a process for displaying the representative SSID selected from the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph in the process for displaying the graph; The display processing device, wherein the processing circuit is capable of switching between a process for displaying the representative SSID on the graph and a process for displaying the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph in response to a switching instruction.

2. The display processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit monitors the usage status of the frequency band for a predetermined period of time and executes processing for displaying an average occupancy status of the frequency band by the plurality of SSIDs.

3. The display processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined period is a time period determined based on a usage status of a wireless device of a user.

4. the display processing device has a function of a wireless access point, The display processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry includes, in the display processing, an SSID assigned to the display processing device in order for the display processing device to perform the function of the wireless access point, among the plurality of SSIDs.

5. A display processing method for displaying a usage status of a frequency band by a plurality of wireless access points, the method being executed by a display processing device, comprising: receiving a signal including an SSID; a step of associating the SSID included in the signal with a frequency band used by a wireless access point represented by the SSID; determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point; and executing a display process for displaying the representative SSID in association with a frequency band to be displayed, the display process includes a process for displaying a graph showing the frequency band; the process for displaying the graph includes a process for displaying the representative SSID selected from the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph; The display processing method further includes a step of switching between a process for displaying the representative SSID on the graph and a process for displaying the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph in response to a switching instruction.

6. A program that causes a computer to execute a display processing method for displaying a usage status of a frequency band by a plurality of wireless access points, the display processing method comprising: a step of associating an SSID included in a signal received by a receiving circuit with a frequency band used by a wireless access point represented by the SSID; determining a representative SSID that represents a set of multiple SSIDs that are presumed to be multiple SSIDs assigned to the same wireless access point; and executing a display process for displaying the representative SSID in association with a frequency band to be displayed, the display process includes a process for displaying a graph showing the frequency band; the process for displaying the graph includes a process for displaying the representative SSID selected from the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph; The display processing method further includes a step of switching between a process for displaying the representative SSID on the graph and a process for displaying the set of multi-SSIDs on the graph in response to a switching instruction.

Images