Communication device, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

When the communication device (102) communicates a request to establish or a request to cut off a connection that conforms to the same communication standard as the connection through the first frequency channel, through a second frequency channel different from the first frequency channel, with the communication device (103) through the first frequency channel, the communication device (102) establishes or cuts off the connection with the communication device (103) through the second frequency channel.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a plurality of connections in a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] The IEEE 802.11 series is known as a wireless communication standard established by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The IEEE 802.11 series standards include IEEE 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, and ax.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that wireless communication is performed using OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) in the IEEE 802.11ax standard. In the IEEE 802.11ax standard, high peak throughput is achieved by performing wireless communication using OFDMA.

[0004] The IEEE is considering establishing the IEEE 802.11be standard as a new standard in the IEEE 802.11 series to further improve throughput and frequency utilization efficiency. In the IEEE 802.11be standard, a technology is being considered in which one Access Point (AP) establishes a connection with one Station (STA) on each of multiple frequency channels in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands and communicates. Prior art literature

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-50133 The problem to be solved

[0006] As such, the IEEE 802.11be standard considers establishing a connection through multiple frequency channels in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands to perform communication, but conventional APs had to perform, for example, connection or disconnection processing for each connection. Therefore, for example, when an AP establishes a connection with a STA on a first frequency channel and a connection on a second frequency channel, and disconnects the connection on the second frequency channel, it had to transmit a disconnection request signal through the second frequency channel. However, for example, if interference with other communications occurred on the second frequency channel, the AP could not transmit a disconnection request signal to the STA, and there was a concern that the connection on the second frequency channel could not be properly controlled.

[0007] The present invention aims to enable a communication device to appropriately control the connection of another communication device on a frequency channel different from the frequency channel in which the signal was transmitted. means of solving the problem

[0008] Taking the above into consideration, the communication device of the present invention comprises: a means for establishing a connection in accordance with a predetermined communication standard with another communication device; a communication means for communicating information to specify a connection target related to a connection with the other communication device through a second frequency channel different from the first frequency channel, through a first frequency channel; and a control means for controlling a connection with the other communication device through the second frequency channel, which is maintained in parallel with the connection with the other communication device through the first frequency channel established by the means for establishing the connection target, at least based on the information for specifying the connection target, after the information for specifying the connection target is communicated by the communication means; and a control means for controlling such a connection with the other communication device through the second frequency channel to be established by the means for establishing the connection target, in parallel with the connection with the other communication device through the first frequency channel established by the means for establishing the connection target.

[0009] Additionally, a communication device of another aspect of the present invention comprises: a means for establishing a connection in accordance with a predetermined communication standard with another communication device; a communication means for communicating a request to cut off the second connection through the first connection when the first connection with the other communication device established by the means for establishing a connection through a first frequency channel and the second connection with the other communication device established by the means for establishing a connection through a second frequency channel different from the first frequency channel are maintained in parallel; and a cutting means for cutting off the second connection when the request to cut off is communicated by the communication means. Effects of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a communication device can appropriately control the connection with another communication device on a frequency channel different from the frequency channel in which the signal was transmitted. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a network in which a communication device (102) participates. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a communication device (102). Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating the hardware configuration of a communication device (102). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the communication device (102) when performing multi-band communication. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed when a communication device (102) performs multi-band communication with a communication device (103). FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of a frame format of a Multi-band element that a communication device (102) communicates. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an example of a Band ID field that a communication device (102) communicates. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process executed when the communication device (102) disconnects from the communication device (103). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process executed when the communication device (103) disconnects from the communication device (102). FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process performed when a communication device (102) disconnects from a communication device (103). FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating an example of a frame format of a Disassociation element transmitted by a communication device (102). FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of processing performed when a communication device (102) disconnects from a communication device (103). FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating another example of a Band ID field that a communication device (102) communicates. FIG. 14a is a drawing illustrating an example in which a predetermined value is included in the Next band field that the communication device (102) communicates. FIG. 14b is a drawing illustrating another example in which a predetermined value is included in the Next band field that the communication device (102) communicates. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a network in which a communication device (102) according to the present embodiment participates. The communication device (102) is an access point (AP) that has the role of establishing a network (101). Additionally, the network (101) is a wireless network. In the present embodiment, when the communication device (102) establishes multiple networks, the BSSID of each network is all the same. Additionally, BSSID is an abbreviation for Basic Service Set Identifier and is an identifier for identifying a network. Additionally, the SSID that the communication device (102) displays in each network is also all common. Additionally, SSID is an abbreviation for Service Set Identifier and is an identifier for identifying an access point. In the present embodiment, even if the communication device (102) establishes multiple connections, it uses a single SSID.

[0014] Additionally, the communication device (103) is a station (STA) that has the role of participating in the network (101). Each communication device corresponds to the IEEE 802.11be (EHT) standard and can perform wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard through the network (101). Additionally, IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Additionally, EHT is an abbreviation for Extremely High Throughput. Additionally, EHT may be interpreted as an abbreviation for Extreme High Throughput. Each communication device can communicate in frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. Additionally, each communication device can communicate using bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz.

[0015] The communication device (102 and 103) can realize multi-user (MU) communication by multiplexing signals of multiple users by executing OFDMA in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be standard. OFDMA is an abbreviation for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. In OFDMA, a portion of the divided frequency band (RU, Resource Unit) is allocated to each STA so as not to overlap, and the carriers allocated to each STA are orthogonal. Therefore, the AP can communicate with multiple STAs in parallel.

[0016] Additionally, the communication devices (102 and 103) can perform multi-band communication by establishing a connection through multiple frequency channels. For example, the communication device (102) can establish a connection with the communication device (103) through a first frequency channel in the 2.4 GHz range and a second frequency channel in the 5 GHz range, and communicate through both connections. In this case, the communication device (102) maintains the connection through the second frequency channel in parallel with the connection through the first frequency channel. In this way, the communication device (102) can improve the throughput in communication with the communication device (103) by establishing a connection through multiple frequency channels with the communication device (103). Furthermore, when the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) establish multiple connections with the other device, they can perform communication in each connection simultaneously. Also, instead of multi-band communication, it may be referred to as multi-link communication. In addition, the established connection may be referred to as a Link. Furthermore, instead of connections in different frequency bands, multiple connections may be established through different frequency channels in the same frequency band.

[0017] In multi-band communication, communication devices (102 and 103) establish a connection through multiple frequency channels with different frequency bands. In this case, the connection through other frequency channels can be controlled by the transmission and reception of a signal through one connection. Additionally, communication devices (102 and 103) may establish a connection through other frequency channels in the same frequency band, and in this case, the frequency channels do not need to be adjacent to each other. Specifically, communication devices (102 and 103) each establish a connection in two frequency channels spaced apart by more than 20 MHz. For example, when communication devices (102 and 103) establish two connections in the 5 GHz band, one connection is established in channel 36 and the other connection is established in channel 52.

[0018] In FIG. 1, an example is illustrated in which a communication device (102) establishes a connection with a communication device (103) through three different frequency channels. In this case, each connection is established in a frequency channel of a different frequency band, such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. Specifically, for example, the communication device (102) establishes a connection with the communication device (103) in a first frequency channel of the 2.4 GHz band, a second frequency channel of the 5 GHz band, and a third frequency channel of the 6 GHz band. By establishing multiple connections with the communication device (102) in different frequency bands, the communication device (102) can communicate with the communication device (103) in a different band even if a band is congested, thereby preventing a decrease in throughput in communication with the communication device (103).

[0019] In addition, in this embodiment, a connection is established in a different frequency band, but this is not limited to this, and the communication device (102) may establish a connection with the communication device (103) in a different frequency channel. The communication device (102) may establish a connection with the communication device (103) in multiple other frequency channels in the same frequency band. In this case, a connection may also be established in a different frequency band. For example, the communication device (102) may establish a connection with the communication device (103) in each of the first frequency channel in the 2.4 GHz band and the second frequency channel in the 2.4 GHz band. In addition to this, a connection may be established with the communication device (103) in the third frequency channel in the 5 GHz band. By establishing multiple connections with the communication device (102) in a different frequency channel from the communication device (103), the communication device (102) can communicate data through multiple connections, and thus the time required for data communication can be reduced compared to the case where there is only one connection. Additionally, the communication device (102) can perform backup communication simultaneously when communicating data with the communication device (103) by establishing multiple connections on different frequency channels with the communication device (103). For example, the communication device (102) can simultaneously transmit the same data to the communication device (103) through a different frequency channel as the data transmitted to the communication device (103) through a certain frequency channel. By doing so, even if the communication device (103) fails to receive data during communication through one frequency channel, it can receive data through communication through the other frequency channel. In this way, by simultaneously transmitting the same data through another frequency channel as backup communication, data can be communicated through the other frequency channel even if any failure or error occurs during communication through one frequency channel.

[0020] In the present embodiment, when the communication device (102) establishes a plurality of connections with the communication device (103), it controls the connection with the communication device (103) in the second frequency channel by transmitting a signal in the first frequency channel. For example, the communication device (102) disconnects the connection with the communication device (103) in the second frequency channel by transmitting a signal to the communication device (103) requesting the disconnection of the connection in the first frequency channel. Alternatively, for example, the communication device (102) establishes the connection with the communication device (103) in the second frequency channel by performing an association with the communication device (103) in the first frequency channel.

[0021] Furthermore, the signal transmitted on the first frequency channel is, specifically, a management frame conforming to the IEEE 802.11be standard. Specifically, a management frame refers to a Beacon frame, a Probe Request frame / Response frame, and an Association Request frame / Response frame. In addition to these frames, a Disassociation frame, an Authentication frame, a De-authentication frame, and an Action frame are also referred to as management frames. A Beacon frame is a frame that notifies network information. A Probe Request frame is a frame that requests network information, and a Probe Response frame is the response to that request, providing network information. An Association Request frame is a frame that requests a connection, and an Association Response frame is the response to that request, indicating permission for the connection or an error. A Disassociation frame is a frame that terminates a connection. An Authentication frame is a frame that authenticates a counterparty device, and a De-authentication frame is a frame that terminates the authentication of the counterparty device and terminates the connection. An Action frame is a frame intended to perform additional functions other than those mentioned above.

[0022] Additionally, the communication devices (102 and 103) are configured to correspond to the IEEE 802.11be standard, but in addition to this, they may also correspond to at least one of the legacy standards that are prior to the IEEE 802.11be standard. Legacy standards are the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax standards. In addition to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, they may also correspond to other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, and MBOA. Additionally, UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Additionally, OFDM is an abbreviation for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. Additionally, NFC is an abbreviation for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, etc. Additionally, they may also correspond to wired communication standards such as wired LAN.

[0023] Specific examples of the communication device (102) include a wireless LAN router or a PC, but are not limited to these. The communication device (102) may be any communication device capable of performing multi-band communication with other communication devices. Additionally, the communication device (102) may be an information processing device, such as a wireless chip, capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be standard. Additionally, specific examples of the communication device (103) include a camera, tablet, smartphone, PC, mobile phone, video camera, etc., but are not limited to these. The communication device (103) may be any communication device capable of performing multi-band communication with other communication devices. Additionally, the communication device (103) may be an information processing device, such as a wireless chip, capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be standard. Additionally, the network of FIG. 1 is a network composed of one AP and one STA, but the number of APs and STAs is not limited to this. In addition, information processing devices such as wireless chips have an antenna for transmitting the generated signal.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates the hardware configuration of a communication device (102) in the present embodiment. The communication device (102) comprises a memory unit (301), a control unit (302), a function unit (303), an input unit (304), an output unit (305), a communication unit (306), and antennas (307 to 309).

[0025] The memory unit (301) is composed of one or more memories such as ROM or RAM and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations described later or communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory, and RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. In addition, as the memory unit (301), in addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, a storage medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, or DVD may be used. In addition, the memory unit (301) may be equipped with multiple memories.

[0026] The control unit (302) is composed of one or more processors, such as a CPU or an MPU, and controls the entire communication device (102) by executing a computer program stored in the memory unit (301). Additionally, the control unit (302) may control the entire communication device (102) through the cooperation of the computer program stored in the memory unit (301) and the OS (Operating System). Additionally, the control unit (302) generates data or signals to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. Also, CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, and MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit. Additionally, the control unit (302) may be equipped with multiple processors, such as a multi-core, and control the entire communication device (102) by the multiple processors.

[0027] Additionally, the control unit (302) controls the function unit (303) to perform a predetermined process such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, or projection. The function unit (303) is hardware for the communication device (102) to perform a predetermined process.

[0028] The input unit (304) receives various operations from the user. The output unit (305) performs various outputs to the user through a monitor screen or a speaker. Here, the output by the output unit (305) may be a display on the monitor screen, voice output through a speaker, vibration output, etc. Additionally, both the input unit (304) and the output unit (305) may be realized as a single module, such as a touch panel. Furthermore, the input unit (304) and the output unit (305) may each be integrated with the communication device (102) or separate.

[0029] The communication unit (306) controls wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be standard. In addition, the communication unit (306) may control wireless communication in accordance with other IEEE 802.11 series standards in addition to the IEEE 802.11be standard, or control wired communication such as wired LAN. The communication unit (306) controls antennas (307 to 309) to transmit and receive signals for wireless communication generated by the control unit (302). In addition, if the communication device (102) corresponds to NFC standards or Bluetooth standards in addition to the IEEE 802.11be standard, it may control wireless communication in accordance with these communication standards. In addition, if the communication device (102) is capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with multiple communication standards, it may be configured to have a communication unit and antenna corresponding to each communication standard separately. The communication device (102) communicates data such as image data, document data, and video data with the communication device (103) through the communication unit (306). Additionally, at least one of the antennas (307 to 309) may be configured as a separate unit from the communication unit (306), or may be configured as a single module combined with the communication unit (306).

[0030] The antennas (307 to 309) are each antennas capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. In this embodiment, the communication device (102) is configured to have different antennas for each frequency band, but communication in each frequency band may be realized by one or two antennas. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may have four or more antennas. Furthermore, the communication device (102) may have a communication unit (306) corresponding to each of the antennas (307 to 309).

[0031] In addition, the communication device (103) has the same hardware configuration as the communication device (102).

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates the functional configuration of a communication device (102) in the present embodiment. The communication device (102) comprises a wireless communication control unit (201, 208, 210), a frame generation unit (202), a frame analysis unit (203), a UI (User Interface) control unit (204), and a memory control unit (205).

[0033] The wireless communication control unit (201, 208, 210) is configured to include a circuit for transmitting and receiving wireless signals between other communication devices and a program for controlling the circuit. The wireless communication control unit (201, 208, 210) executes wireless communication control based on a frame generated by the frame generation unit (202) described later, in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 series standard. The wireless communication control unit (201, 208, 210) controls the transmission and reception of wireless signals with other communication devices in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band, respectively. In addition, in this embodiment, the communication device (102) is configured to have three wireless communication control units, but is not limited to this and may have two or fewer, or four or more.

[0034] The frame generation unit (202) generates a wireless control frame to be transmitted from at least one of the wireless communication control units (201, 208, 210). The wireless control frame generated by the frame generation unit (202) may be generated based on a setting stored in the memory unit (301). In addition to this, or instead, it may be generated based on a user setting entered by a user.

[0035] The frame analysis unit (203) analyzes a wireless control frame received by the wireless communication control units (201, 208, and 210) and reflects the contents of the received wireless control frame in at least one of the wireless communication control units (201, 208, and 210). For example, if a wireless control frame received through the wireless communication control unit (201) indicates a disconnection of the connection in the 5 GHz band, the wireless communication control unit (208) stops the transmission and reception of wireless signals. By analyzing any wireless control frame received by any wireless communication control unit through the frame analysis unit (203), it becomes possible to control a wireless communication control unit that has not received the corresponding wireless control frame.

[0036] The UI control unit (204) is configured to include a program that controls at least one of the input unit (304) and the output unit (305) of the communication device (102). The UI control unit (204) has a function to present information regarding the communication device (102) to the user, such as displaying images or outputting voice through the output unit (305), for example.

[0037] The memory control unit (205) controls the writing or reading of data to the memory unit (301) that stores programs and data operating in the communication device (102).

[0038] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by reading a computer program stored in a memory unit (301) into a control unit (302) and executing it when a communication device (102) performs multi-band communication.

[0039] In this embodiment, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) are each capable of establishing a connection in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. Additionally, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5, the case in which the communication device (102) establishes a connection with the communication device (103) in the respective frequency bands of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band is described as an example.

[0040] The communication device (102) may begin processing this flow based on the power being turned on to the magnetic device. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may begin processing this flow at predetermined intervals after the power being turned on to the magnetic device or after establishing a connection with the STA. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may begin processing this flow based on the user being instructed to establish a connection with the STA. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may begin processing this flow based on the button provided in the communication device (102) that instructs transitioning to a state of receiving a connection request from the STA being pressed. Specifically, the button that instructs receiving a connection request from the STA is a button corresponding to a button pressing method compliant with the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) standard. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may begin processing this flow based on instructions from an application running on the communication device (102).

[0041] First, the communication device (102) determines which frequency band the device will use for multi-band communication (S401, S5001). The communication device (102) determines the frequency band that the device will use for multi-band communication based on the congestion situation of the surrounding wireless environment. Specifically, the communication device (102) aggregates the number of Probe Requests received in each frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. If the number of Probe Requests received in a certain frequency band is below a predetermined threshold, the communication device (102) determines that the corresponding frequency band will be used for multi-band communication. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may wait for a Beacon for a predetermined time in each frequency band and aggregate the number of Beacons received. In this case, if the number of Beacons received in a certain frequency band is below a predetermined threshold, the communication device (102) may determine that the corresponding frequency band will be used for multi-band communication. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may perform carrier sensing for a predetermined time and count the number of times data transmission by another communication device is detected. In this case, the communication device (102) may perform carrier sensing for a predetermined time in a certain frequency band, and if the number of data transmissions by another communication device detected within that time is below a predetermined threshold, it may decide to use the corresponding frequency band for multi-band communication. Also, in this case, the communication device (102) may detect the time at which data transmission by another communication device is performed, rather than the number of times data transmission is detected. The communication device (102) may calculate the ratio of the time at which data transmission is performed to the time at which carrier sensing is performed in a certain frequency band, and if the ratio is below a predetermined threshold, it may decide to use the corresponding frequency band for multi-band communication.Alternatively, if the communication device (102) has established a wired or wireless connection with another AP other than the device before performing the processing of this step, it may obtain information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication from the other AP.

[0042] The communication device (102) may perform the determination of this step by combining these determination methods. When combining multiple determination methods, the communication device (102) determines that the frequency band measured is used for multi-band communication when it is determined that the frequency band measured is used for multi-band communication for all determination methods. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine that the frequency band measured is used for multi-band communication when it is determined that the frequency band measured is used for multi-band communication for at least one determination method.

[0043] Additionally, when the communication device (102) measures congestion conditions for each frequency band, it may perform measurements only on a predetermined frequency channel (hereinafter referred to as a channel) of each frequency band, or it may perform measurements on multiple channels. Additionally, when measuring on multiple channels, the communication device (102) determines that the frequency band is to be used for multi-band communication when it is determined that at least one channel in a certain frequency band is to be used for multi-band communication. Alternatively, it may determine that the frequency band is to be used for multi-band communication when it is determined that at least half of the multiple channels measured in a certain frequency band are to be used for multi-band communication. Additionally, when the communication device (102) performs measurements on multiple channels in a certain frequency band, it may use non-adjacent channels.

[0044] In the sequence of FIG. 5, the communication device (102) determines that three frequency bands, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, are available.

[0045] When the communication device (102) determines an available frequency band, it transmits information regarding the frequency band (S402, S5011). In this embodiment, the communication device (102) uses a Beacon to notify information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication. Specifically, the communication device (102) notifies the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication by transmitting a Beacon frame containing a Multi-band element shown in FIG. 6 in at least one of the frequency bands to be used for multi-band communication. In this embodiment, the communication device (102) transmits a Beacon frame in the 2.4 GHz band among the frequency bands to be used for multi-band communication. In addition, the Beacon Interval, which is the interval at which the Beacon is transmitted, is 100 milliseconds, but is not limited to this.

[0046] Additionally, the Beacon transmitted in this step includes information regarding all frequency channels determined as "Yes" in S401 as information regarding the frequency bands to be used for multi-band communication. Alternatively, it is not limited to this and may include information regarding only some of the frequency channels.

[0047] Additionally, the information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication included in the Beacon includes information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication other than the frequency band in which the Beacon is transmitted. For example, if the Beacon is transmitted only in the 2.4 GHz band, the information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication in the Beacon includes not only information regarding the 2.4 GHz band but also information regarding the 5 GHz band and the 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may include information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication other than the frequency band in which the Beacon is transmitted in the Beacon. For example, if the Beacon is transmitted in the 2.4 GHz band, the information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication in the Beacon may include only information regarding the 5 GHz band and the 6 GHz band.

[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a frame format of a Multi-band element that a communication device (102) communicates.

[0049] The multi-band element is composed of fields for Element ID (601), Length (602), Multi-band Control (603), Band ID (604), and Operating Class (605). Additionally, the multi-band element is composed of fields for Channel Number (606), BSSID (607), Beacon Interval (608), and TSF Offset (609). Additionally, the multi-band element is composed of fields for Multi-band Connection Capability (610), FSTSession Timeout (611), and STA MAC Address (612). Additionally, the multi-band element is composed of fields for Pairwise Cipher Suite Count (613) and Pairwise Cipher Suite List (614). These fields are transmitted by the communication device (102) and received by another communication device in the order shown in FIG. 6, starting from Element ID (601). The communication device (102) may generate all fields of the Multi-band element and then transmit them to another communication device, or it may generate and transmit each field sequentially starting from the Element ID (601).

[0050] In addition, the order in which each field is transmitted and received is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6, and the order of the fields may differ. Also, some fields may be omitted, and between any fields, fields not shown in FIG. 6 may be added.

[0051] Each field of the multi-band element illustrated in Fig. 6 will be explained.

[0052] The Element ID (601) includes an identifier for identifying the element. In this embodiment, the value 158 is included as an identifier indicating that it is a Multi-band element.

[0053] Length (602) contains information indicating the length of the Multi-band element excluding Element ID (601) and Length (602).

[0054] Multi-band Control (603) includes information such as STA Role, STA MAC Address Present, and Pairwise Cipher Suite Present. STA Role includes information indicating the role of the transmitting device (here, communication device (102)) of the Multi-band element in the frequency band represented by the Multi-band element. Specifically, the information indicating the role is information indicating whether it is an AP or a STA in the frequency band represented by the Multi-band element. Since the communication device (102) is an AP, this embodiment includes information indicating an AP. Additionally, STA MAC Address Present is information indicating whether the STA MAC Address (612), which will be described later, is included in the Multi-band element. Since the STA MAC Address (612) is an optional field, there are cases where it is included in the Multi-band element and cases where it is not included. Pairwise Cipher Suite Present is information indicating whether the Pairwise Cipher Suite Count (613) and Pairwise CipherSuite List (614) are included in the element. PairwiseCipher Suite Count (613) and Pairwise Cipher Suite List (614) are both optional fields, so they may or may not be included in the element.

[0055] Band ID (604) includes information for identifying frequency bands related to the Operating Class (605) and Channel Number (606) described later. In this embodiment, information indicating the frequency band determined by the communication device (102) as the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication in S401 is included. An example of the correspondence between the value included in Band ID (604) and the information represented by the value is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, since the communication device (102) determined the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band as the frequency bands to be used for multi-band communication in S401 (S5001), it transmits a Multi-band element including Band ID=11. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may include Band ID=10, which indicates that the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands are used for multi-band communication, in the Multi-band element included in the Beacon transmitted in the 2.4 GHz band. Likewise, when the communication device (102) transmits the Beacon in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands, it may include Band IDs=8 and 9 in each Multi-band element. Furthermore, the correspondence between the values ​​of the Band IDs and the contents represented by each value is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7.

[0056] In the present embodiment, multiple frequency bands are represented by a single Band ID, but this is not limited to this, and only one frequency band may be represented by a single Band ID. In this case, the Beacon indicating that the communication device (102) can use multiple frequency bands may include multiple Multi-band elements. For example, let us consider the case where the communication device (102) transmits a Beacon indicating that the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band are used for multi-band communication. In this case, the Beacon includes both a Multi-band element containing Band ID=2 and a Multi-band element containing Band ID=4. Furthermore, even if a Multi-band element is included for each frequency band to be used for multi-band communication, the Multi-band element corresponding to the frequency band in which the Beacon is transmitted may or may not be included in the Beacon.

[0057] Operating Class (605) is information indicating a set of channels to be used for multi-band communication among the frequency bands indicated by Band ID (604). Specifically, information indicating a set of channels is information indicating one or more frequency channels to be used for multi-band communication. Operating Class (605) indicates at least one channel that the communication device (102) will use for multi-band communication among the frequency bands indicated by Band ID (604). Specifically, Operating Class (605) includes a value indicating the starting frequency of the channel to be used for multi-band communication, the channel spacing, and a combination of the set of channels. The starting frequency of the channel is a value used to calculate the center frequency of the channel. Also, the channel spacing is a value indicating the spacing between the center frequencies of adjacent, non-overlapping channels. A set of channels is information indicating at least one channel to be used for multi-band communication. Additionally, in the frequency band indicated by Band ID (604), if all channels are used, 0 is included as a value indicating that all channels are used.

[0058] Channel Number (606) is information indicating a channel to be used for multi-band communication. Specifically, it is information indicating one or more channels to be used for multi-band communication among the groups of channels indicated by the Operating Class (605). Additionally, as channel information included in Channel Number (606), channels used for measuring congestion conditions when determining the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication in S401 may be included. Furthermore, in this case, if congestion conditions are measured on multiple channels in S401, channels determined not to be used for multi-band communication may be excluded from the channels designated as Channel Number (606). Alternatively, Channel Number (606) may include channels designated by the user or channels pre-set in the communication device (102).

[0059] In addition, when multiple frequency bands are specified in the Band ID (604), the starting frequency of the channel to be used, the channel spacing, and the combination of channel sets are indicated for each of the multiple frequency bands in a single Operating Class (605). For example, let us consider the case where the Band ID (604) contains information indicating the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. In this case, for each of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, a value corresponding to the starting frequency of the channel to be used for multi-band communication, the channel spacing, and the combination of channels is included as the Operating Class (605). In this case, the Channel Number (606) contains multiple pieces of information for the channels to be used. Specifically, the Channel Number (606) contains at least one piece of channel information to be used for each of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band.

[0060] Alternatively, if multiple frequency bands are specified in Band ID (604), the Operating Class (605) may include multiple Operating Classes as information corresponding to each of the multiple frequency bands. For example, if the Band ID (604) specifies the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, in addition to the Operating Class corresponding to the 2.4 GHz band, the Operating Class corresponding to each of the 5 GHz band and the 6 GHz band may be included. In this case, multiple values ​​are included in the Operating Class (605), but starting from the first included Operating Class, they are considered to correspond to the lower frequency bands in order. For example, if Operating Class=81, 115, and 131 are included, Operating Class=81 is considered to be the Operating Class corresponding to the 2.4 GHz band. Likewise, Operating Class=115 is considered to be the Operating Class corresponding to the 5 GHz band, and Operating Class=131 is considered to be the Operating Class corresponding to the 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the operating class corresponding to a specific frequency band may be determined from at least one of the channel start frequency, channel spacing, and channel set indicated by the included operating class. In this case as well, at least one channel information to be used for multi-band communication in each of the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band is included as the channel number (606).

[0061] Alternatively, if multiple multi-band elements are included to represent multiple frequency bands, an operating class corresponding to a band ID (604) included in the same multi-band element is included. In this case, the channel number (606) includes information on at least one channel to be used for multi-band communication in the frequency band represented by the band ID (604). If multiple channels are available in the same frequency band, the channel number (606) includes information on multiple channels.

[0062] Alternatively, the communication device (102) may set a multi-band element for each channel to be used for multi-band communication. In this case, the beacon will contain a number of multi-band elements for the channel used by the communication device (102), and multiple multi-band elements with the same band ID (604) will be included.

[0063] BSSID (607) is an abbreviation for Basic Service Set Identifier and is information representing the identifier of a network established by a multi-band element transmitting device (here, communication device (102)). Specifically, it represents the identifier of a network established by a multi-band element transmitting device in a channel represented by Band ID (604) and Channel Number (606). In this embodiment, the BSSIDs of the networks established by the communication device (102) are all the same. When the communication device (102) uses a single multi-band element to represent multiple available channels (Channel Number (606)), the BSSID (607) includes the BSSIDs of multiple networks. Additionally, when the communication device (102) uses a single multi-band element to represent a single channel (Channel Number (606)) to be used for multi-band communication, the BSSID (607) includes the BSSID of a single network. Additionally, if the communication device (102) has established multiple networks in a single channel, the BSSID (607) may include the BSSIDs of the multiple networks. Also, in the channel represented by Band ID (604) and Channel Number (606), if the communication device (102) has not yet established a network, the BSSID (607) may include 0, or the BSSID (607) may be omitted. Alternatively, the BSSID (607) may include 1 of the bits allocated to the BSSID (607) to represent a wildcard BSSID.

[0064] The Beacon Interval (608) contains information indicating the transmission interval of a Beacon transmitted in a channel represented by the Band ID (604) and Channel Number (606). Specifically, it is the transmission interval of a Beacon transmitted by a Multi-band element transmitting device (here, communication device (102)) in the corresponding network. Additionally, if a network is not established in the channel represented by the Band ID (604) and Channel Number (606), the Beacon Interval (608) contains 0. Furthermore, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent multiple channels to be used for multi-band communication, the Beacon Interval (608) contains multiple Beacon Intervals corresponding to each channel. On the other hand, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent a single channel to be used for multi-band communication, the Beacon Interval (608) contains a single Beacon Interval corresponding to that channel. Additionally, if the communication device (102) establishes multiple networks in a single channel, the Beacon Interval (608) may include a Beacon Interval corresponding to each of the multiple networks.

[0065] The TSF Offset (609) contains information indicating the offset value of the TSF of the network in which the communication device (102) is transmitting the element and the TSF of the network established in the channel indicated by Channel Number (606). TSF is an abbreviation for Timing Synchronization Function and is a value used to synchronize the AP and STA participating in the network. Additionally, if a network is not established in the channel indicated by Channel Number (606), the TSF Offset (609) contains 0. Furthermore, if the communication device (102) uses a single corresponding element to indicate multiple channels (Channel Number (606)) to be used for multi-band communication, the TSF Offset (609) contains multiple TSF Offsets corresponding to each channel. On the other hand, if the communication device (102) uses a single corresponding element to indicate a single channel (Channel Number (606)) to be used for multi-band communication, the TSF Offset (609) contains a single TSF Offset corresponding to that channel. Additionally, if the communication device (102) establishes multiple networks in a single channel, the TSF Offset (609) may include a TSF Offset corresponding to each of the multiple networks.

[0066] The Multi-band Connection Capability (610) includes information indicating the capability of a communication device (102) to connect to a channel to be used for multi-band communication indicated in the Multi-band element. Specifically, the capability of a transmission device (here, the communication device (102)) of the Multi-band element to connect to a channel indicated in the Channel Number (606) is indicated. Specifically, the capability to connect is information indicating whether the communication device (102) can operate as an AP in the channel indicated in the Multi-band element. In addition, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to indicate multiple channels to be used for multi-band communication, the corresponding field includes information on whether the communication device (102) operates as an AP in each channel. Alternatively, the information for multiple channels indicated in the Multi-band element may be integrated and represented as a single Multi-band Connection Capability. For example, if the communication device (102) operates as an AP on any channel, the Multi-band Connection Capability (610) may include one piece of information indicating that it operates as an AP.

[0067] FST Session Timeout (611) is information indicating the timeout value during the setup process of an FST session. FST stands for fast session transfer and is a process of moving an already established session to another channel. The channel to which it is moved may be in the same frequency band as the channel before the move, or may be in a different frequency band. This field may be omitted.

[0068] The STA MAC Address (612) is information representing the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the communication device (102) in the designated channel of the Multi-band element. Additionally, if the STA MAC Address Present of the Multi-band Control (603) is 0 (indicating that this field is not included), this field is omitted. Furthermore, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent multiple available channels (Channel Number (606)), this field includes multiple MAC addresses corresponding to each channel. On the other hand, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent a single available channel (Channel Number (606)), this field includes a single MAC address corresponding to that channel. Additionally, if the communication device (102) establishes multiple networks in a single channel, this field may include MAC addresses corresponding to each of the multiple networks.

[0069] Pairwise Cipher Suite Count (613) is information indicating the number of pairwise cipher suite selectors included in the Pairwise Cipher Suite List (614) described later. The Pairwise Cipher Suite List (614) includes a series of selectors representing pairwise cipher suites. Specifically, the Pairwise Cipher Suite List (614) includes information indicating cipher suites available for use in a specified channel in a Multi-band element. A cipher suite is information representing a combination of a key exchange algorithm, a key authentication method, a cipher, and a message authentication code. Additionally, if the Pairwise Cipher Suite Present of the Multi-band Control (603) is 0 (indicating that this field is not included), this field is omitted. Furthermore, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent multiple available channels (Channel Number (606)), this field includes multiple cipher suites corresponding to each channel. Meanwhile, if the communication device (102) uses a single Multi-band element to represent a single available channel (Channel Number (606)), this field includes a single Cipher Suite corresponding to that channel. Additionally, if the communication device (102) establishes multiple networks on a single channel, this field may include a Cipher Suite corresponding to each of the multiple networks.

[0070] In summary, by transmitting a Beacon frame containing a Multi-band element as illustrated in FIG. 6, the communication device (102) can transmit information regarding the frequency band that the device will use for multi-band communication. Specifically, the communication device (102) can notify another communication device of the frequency channel that the device will use for multi-band communication by transmitting a Beacon frame containing a Multi-band element. Another communication device that receives the Beacon frame can determine whether to perform multi-band communication with the communication device (102) from the information of the frequency channel indicated in the Multi-band element.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, the Multi-band element includes an Operating Class (605) and a Channel Number (606), but is not limited to this. The Multi-band element of FIG. 6 may not include an Operating Class (605) and may include only a Channel Number (606).

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication is included in the Beacon frame, but instead, or in addition, it may be included in the Probe Request / Response. Alternatively, information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication may be included in the Authentication Request / Response. Alternatively, it may be included in the Association Request / Response or the Reassociation Request / Response. In addition, in this embodiment, the AP (communication device (102)) transmits information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication, but in addition to, or instead, the STA (communication device (103)) may also determine and transmit the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication is represented by a Multi-band element, but is not limited thereto. Information regarding the frequency band to be used for multi-band communication may be represented by another element including at least one of the information included in the Multi-band element shown in FIG. 6.

[0074] Next, the STA communication device (103) transmits a Probe Request based on receiving the Beacon transmitted by the communication device (102) (S5021). In this case, since the Beacon is transmitted in the 2.4 GHz band, the communication device (103) transmits a Probe Request to the communication device (102) in the 2.4 GHz band. Since the communication device (102) has received the Probe Request from the communication device (103), it transmits a Probe Response to the communication device (103) as a response (S5031). Additionally, the communication device (103) can obtain information on the frequency band that the communication device (102) will use for multi-band communication from the Multi-band element included in the Beacon received from the communication device (102). Alternatively, instead of this, or in addition, information on the frequency band that the communication device (102) can use for multi-band communication may be obtained from a multi-band element included in the Probe Response.

[0075] Next, the communication device (102) performs authentication of the other device by exchanging an Authentication Request / Response with the communication device (103) that is not shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, when either the communication device (102) or the communication device (103) transmits an Authentication Request, the other device transmits an Authentication Response as a response.

[0076] The communication device (102) determines whether it has received a connection request (S406). Specifically, it determines whether it has received an Association Request from another communication device. If the communication device (102) has not received an Association Request, it determines "No" in this step and performs the processing of S406 again. On the other hand, if the communication device (102) has received an Association Request, it determines "Yes" in this step and performs the processing of S403.

[0077] In this embodiment, the communication device (103) transmits an Association Request to the communication device (102) (S5041), and in response thereto, the communication device (102) transmits an Association Response to the communication device (103) (S5051). The communication device (102) performs a connection process with the communication device (103) and establishes a connection (S403). In this embodiment, the connection between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) is established on the channel where the Association Request / Response was communicated.

[0078] In this case, the communication device (103) may include information requesting the establishment of a connection in a frequency band different from the frequency band in which the Association Request is to be transmitted in the Association Request to be transmitted. By doing so, the communication device (103) can establish a connection with the communication device (102) in a different frequency band. In this embodiment, the communication device (103) includes information requesting the establishment of a connection in the 5 GHz band and the 6 GHz band in the Association Request to be transmitted in the 2.4 GHz band. When the communication device (103) receives an Association Response as a response, it can establish a connection with the communication device (102) in each of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. Additionally, as information requesting the establishment of a connection in a different frequency band, the Association Request includes at least information about the channel in which the communication device (103) wants to establish a connection. In addition to this, information indicating the frequency band to which the corresponding channel is included may be included. Furthermore, if the MAC address to be used by the communication device (102) in the corresponding channel is known, information regarding the MAC address may be included in addition to, or instead of, the information regarding the channel. In addition to, or instead of, information regarding other channels in the same frequency band may be included. Specifically, when the communication device (103) wishes to connect with the communication device (102) in another channel included in the same frequency band as the channel to which the Association Request was transmitted, it transmits an Association Request containing information regarding the corresponding channel.

[0079] Additionally, the Association Response to be transmitted by the communication device (102) includes information indicating that a connection is permitted. Alternatively, in addition to, or instead of, the Association Request may include information indicating a channel that the communication device (102) permits to connect to among the channels indicated by the information included in the Association Request.

[0080] Additionally, at least one of the Association Request and the Association Response may include an element as information indicating the channel requesting a connection or the channel granting a connection. Alternatively, an element different from the Multi-band element may be included as information indicating the channel requesting a connection or the channel granting a connection.

[0081] Additionally, when the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) establish a secure connection using encryption, they may perform communication processing such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 after S5051. Alternatively, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) may exchange SAE Commit and SAE Confirm when exchanging Authentication Requests in order to perform WPA3 processing. In this case, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) perform a 4-way handshake after the Association Request / Response communication.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) establish a connection in all available frequency bands (2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band) of the communication device (102), but are not limited thereto. When performing multi-band communication, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) may establish a connection through at least two different channels in available frequency bands.

[0083] Additionally, in this embodiment, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) establish a connection in another channel by transmitting and receiving an Association Request / Response in a specific channel, but this is not limited to this. The communication device (102) and the communication device (103) may establish a connection in each channel by transmitting and receiving an Association Request / Response in each channel to which a connection is to be established. Alternatively, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) may, after establishing a connection in a specific channel, transmit and receive an Association Request / Response containing information regarding another channel through the said specific channel. By doing so, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) may establish a connection in another channel through the established connection.

[0084] When a connection is established, the communication device (102) determines parameters regarding transmission and reception in the established connection (S404, S506). In this embodiment, the communication device (102) determines parameters regarding transmission and reception for each of the connections established with the communication device (103).

[0085] Specifically, the parameters regarding transmission and reception are the distribution of data transmitted and received in each connection. For example, the communication device (102) determines the distribution of data for each connection when transmitting data to the communication device (103) through multiple connections. The communication device (102) determines the amount of data distributed for each connection based on the maximum throughput available for each connection with the communication device (103). Alternatively, instead of this, the communication device (102) may determine the amount of data distributed for each connection based on the throughput calculated by actually transmitting packets to the communication device (103) through each connection. Specifically, the communication device (102) may determine a new amount of data distributed based on the throughput or the amount of data transmitted and received in each actual connection after transmitting and receiving data with the communication device (103) for a predetermined period of time. The communication device (102) sets the amount of data allocated to high-throughput connections higher than to low-throughput connections.

[0086] Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine the type of frame to be communicated in an established connection by, instead of or in addition to the amount of data distributed as a parameter for transmission and reception. Specifically, the communication device (102) may divide the connection that communicates management frames and the connection that communicates data frames containing data. For example, the communication device (102) may transmit and receive management frames in the established connection in the 2.4 GHz band, and transmit and receive data frames in the established connection in the 5 GHz band or 6 GHz band.

[0087] Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine the connection to be used according to the type of data, in addition to or instead of the above parameters, as parameters for transmission and reception. For example, the communication device (102) may determine that data regarding position information, attitude information, and delay control information, which are control data among data regarding Mixed Reality or Augmented Reality, be communicated through a 2.4 GHz connection. In this case, the communication device (102) may determine that data with a relatively large amount of data, such as content data or occlusion information indicating mutual shielding relationships between objects, be communicated through a 5 GHz or 6 GHz connection. Alternatively, in the case of data regarding captured images, the communication device (102) may determine that metadata such as the date, parameters at the time of capture (aperture value or shutter speed), and position information be communicated through a 2.4 GHz connection. In this case, the communication device (102) may decide to communicate pixel information through a connection in the 5 GHz band or 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may decide one of the multiple connections as a backup connection. The communication device (102) may notify the communication device (103) of the determined parameters regarding transmission and reception.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the communication device (102) determines parameters regarding transmission and reception in each established connection, but is not limited to this. The communication device (102) may perform data transmission and reception without determining parameters for transmission and reception. In this case, S404 of FIG. 4 and S506 of FIG. 5 are skipped. In addition, the communication device (102) may independently transmit and receive separate streams in each of the multiple connections established with the communication device (103).

[0089] Next, the communication device (102) performs data transmission and reception through an established connection (S405). If the parameters for transmission and reception are determined in S404, the communication device (102) performs data transmission and reception with the communication device (103) according to the determined parameters. In FIG. 5, the communication device (102) performs data transmission and reception (S5071, S5081) through a connection in the 2.4 GHz band and data transmission and reception (S5072, S5082) through a connection in the 5 GHz band with the communication device (103). In addition to this, the communication device (102) also performs data transmission and reception (S5073, S5083) through a connection in the 6 GHz band with the communication device (103).

[0090] Additionally, a communicable connection established between a communication device (102) and a communication device (103) may be referred to as a link or a communication link.

[0091] The communication device (102) determines whether all connections with the communication device (103) have been severed (S407). If at least one of the connections established between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) is maintained, the communication device (102) determines "No" in this step. Additionally, the communication device (102) determines that a connection in which data is communicated again is maintained until a predetermined time has elapsed since the last data was communicated between the communication device (103). Also, the data communicated here may be empty data without content. Alternatively, if the communication device (102) receives or transmits an Action frame containing a Disassociation element described later through a connection with the communication device (103), the corresponding connection is determined to be severed. Alternatively, if a connection to be severed is specified in the Action frame containing a Disassociation element communicated with the communication device (103), the communication device (102) determines that the corresponding connection is severed. In this case, a connection different from the one communicated with the Action frame containing the Disassociation element is disconnected. If the communication device (102) determines "No" in this step, it performs the processing of S405. Additionally, it may be a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame instead of an Action frame. If there is no data being transmitted or received with the communication device (103), the communication device (102) may perform the processing of S407. Alternatively, if the communication device (102) determines "No" in this step, it may perform the processing of S406 in parallel with or instead of S405 and wait for a request for a new connection from the communication device (103). If all connections with the communication device (103) are disconnected, the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step and terminates the processing of this flow.

[0092] In summary, through the processing illustrated in FIG. 4, the communication device (102) establishes a connection with the communication device (103) through multiple channels and performs multi-band communication. By establishing a connection in multiple channels through a single Association Request / Response communication between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103), the amount of frame communication required to establish multiple connections can be reduced. This allows for a reduction in the frequency band occupancy rate required to establish multiple connections. Furthermore, by performing multi-band communication through multiple connections with the communication device (103), the communication device (102) can communicate data more quickly than when communicating data through only one connection.

[0093] Next, the case in which the connection between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) is severed will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by reading a computer program stored in a memory unit (301) into a control unit (302) and executing it when the communication device (102) severed its connection with the communication device (103). FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by reading a computer program stored in a memory unit (301) into a control unit (302) and executing it when the communication device (103) severed its connection with the communication device (102). Additionally, the communication device (103) may execute the process of FIG. 8, and the communication device (102) may execute the process of FIG. 9.

[0094] In this embodiment, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) each established a connection in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, respectively. Here, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 10, the case in which the communication device (102) disconnects the connection with the communication device (103) in the 5 GHz band is described as an example. In this embodiment, after the communication device (102) disconnects the connection in the 5 GHz band, the case in which the communication device (102) disconnects the connection with the communication device (103) in the 6 GHz band is described as an example, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 12.

[0095] When the communication device (102) establishes a connection with the communication device (103), it initiates the processing of FIG. 8. Additionally, when the communication device (103) establishes a connection with the communication device (102), it initiates the processing of FIG. 9.

[0096] The communication device (102) and the communication device (103) transmit and receive data to and from each other (S5071 to S5073, S5081 to S5083).

[0097] The communication device (102) initiates the flow processing of FIG. 8 and determines whether it has received a disconnection instruction (S801). If the communication device (102) receives a disconnection instruction from a user, it determines "Yes" in this step. A disconnection instruction from a user includes not only a disconnection instruction by operating a hard key or soft key by the user, but also a stop instruction for a specific application, a switch instruction for an application, a power stop instruction for the communication device (102), etc. Alternatively, if the communication device (102) receives a disconnection instruction from an application running on the communication device (102), it determines "Yes" in this step. Alternatively, it may determine "Yes" in this step in response to receiving a disconnection instruction from a STA or AP different from the communication device (103) to which the communication device (102) is connected. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine "Yes" in this step in response to the fact that it has not communicated with the communication device (103) for a predetermined amount of time after performing a previous communication. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine "Yes" in this step in response to the fact that the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the radio wave in connection with the communication device (103) has become below a predetermined threshold. The communication device (102) may perform the determination in this step by combining the above determination methods. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine "Yes" in this step in response to the fact that the STA communication device (103) establishes a connection with an AP different from the communication device (102). Furthermore, the connection with the communication device (103) may be established after it has been established or may be established in the future. In this case, the communication device (102) determines the determination in this step as "yes" when at least one determination method is determined as "yes". Additionally, if the communication device (102) has established multiple connections with the communication device (103), it may perform the processing of this step for each connection.If the result of this step is determined to be "Yes", the communication device (102) performs the processing of S804, and if the result is determined to be "No", it performs the processing of S802.

[0098] The communication device (102) determines whether the amount of data transmitted and received with the communication device (103) has decreased (S802). Specifically, the communication device (102) determines whether the amount of data communicated through the connection has decreased for a connection determined as "Yes" in S801. The communication device (102) measures the amount of data transmitted and received with the communication device (103) at predetermined intervals so that the amount of data can be compared in this step. In this case, the communication device (102) compares the most recently measured amount of data with the previous amount of data in this step, and if the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, determines "Yes" in this step. Alternatively, the communication device (102) may determine in this step not based on the amount of decrease in the amount of data, but based on whether the most recent amount of data was below a predetermined threshold. In this case, the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step if the most recent amount of data is below a predetermined threshold. If the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step, it performs the processing of S804, and if it determines "No," it performs the processing of S803. Additionally, the processing of S802 may be skipped, and in this case, the communication device (102) performs the processing of S803 if it determines "No" in S801.

[0099] Next, the communication device (102) determines whether it wants to change the channel for transmitting and receiving management frames (S803). Specifically, if the communication device (102) is transmitting and receiving management frames by designating a specific connection, it determines whether it wants to change the connection for transmitting and receiving management frames from that specific connection. The communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step if the RSSI for the connection transmitting and receiving management frames becomes below a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, if the throughput for the connection transmitting and receiving management frames becomes below a predetermined threshold, it determines "Yes" in this step. Additionally, the threshold used for the determination in S803 is higher than the threshold used for the determination in S801. If it is determined to be "Yes" in this step, the communication device (102) performs the processing in S804, and if it is determined to be "No," it performs the processing in S801. Additionally, if the communication device (102) does not specify a connection for transmitting and receiving management frames, it may skip the processing of this step. In this case, if the communication device (102) determines "No" in S802, it performs the processing of S801. Additionally, if the communication device (102) skips the processing of both S802 and S803, if it determines "No" in S801, it performs the processing of S801 again.

[0100] The communication device (102) determines the connection to be cut (S804). The communication device (102) decides to cut the connection that is determined to be "yes" in any of S801, S802, or S803. Here, an example is given in which the communication device (102) receives a cutting instruction from a user regarding a connection established in the 5 GHz band with the communication device (103). In this case, since the connection established in the 5 GHz band is determined to be "yes" in S801, the communication device (102) decides the connection established in the 5 GHz band as the connection to be cut in this step.

[0101] S1006 in FIG. 10 corresponds to the processing of S801 to S804 in FIG. 8 performed by the communication device (102).

[0102] When the communication device (102) determines a connection to be severed, it transmits a frame requesting the severed connection (S805, S10071). The frame transmitted at this time includes information indicating the connection to be severed. In this embodiment, the communication device (102) transmits an Action frame containing a Disassociation element as a frame requesting the severed connection. Also, in this embodiment, the communication device (102) transmits a frame requesting the severed connection in the 5 GHz band through a connection in the 2.4 GHz band. When the communication device (102) performs the processing of S805, it then performs the processing of S806.

[0103] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a frame format for a Disassociation element included in an Action frame. The Disassociation element is composed of an Element ID (1101), Length (1102), and Multi-band Control (1103). The Disassociation element is also composed of fields for Band ID (1104), Operating Class (1105), and Channel Number (1106). These fields are transmitted by a communication device (102) in the order shown in FIG. 11 starting from the Element ID (1101) and received by another communication device. The communication device (102) may generate all fields of the Disassociation element and then transmit them to another communication device, or it may generate and transmit each field sequentially starting from the Element ID (1101).

[0104] In addition, the order in which each field is transmitted and received is not limited to that shown in FIG. 11, and the order of the fields may differ. Also, some fields may be omitted, and between any fields, fields not shown in FIG. 11 may be added.

[0105] The Element ID (1101) includes an identifier for identifying the element. In this embodiment, a predetermined value is included as an identifier indicating that it is a Disassociation element.

[0106] Length (1102) contains information indicating the length of the Disassociation element excluding Element ID (1101) and Length (1102).

[0107] Multi-band Control (1103) contains the same information as Multi-band Control (603). Additionally, Multi-band Control (1103) may be omitted.

[0108] The Band ID (1104) includes information for identifying the frequency band associated with the Operating Class (1105) and Channel Number (1106) described later. In this embodiment, the Band ID (1104) includes information indicating the frequency band of the connection determined to be cut off at S804.

[0109] The Operating Class (1105) includes information indicating a group of channels including the channel of the connection determined to be cut off at S804 among the frequency bands represented by Band ID (1104).

[0110] Channel Number (1106) contains information indicating the channel of the connection determined to be cut in S804.

[0111] In addition, although the present embodiment is exemplified by the case of disconnecting a single connection, it is not limited to this and multiple connections may be disconnected. In this case, the communication device (102) may include information regarding multiple connections to be disconnected in a single Disassociation element. Specifically, information regarding multiple connections may be included in each of the Band ID (1104), Operating Class (1105), and Channel Number (1106). Alternatively, the communication device (102) may include information regarding one connection per Disassociation element. In this case, the Action frame will contain multiple Disassociation elements.

[0112] In addition, in this embodiment, the Disassociation element includes an Operating Class (1105) and a Channel Number (1106), but is not limited to this. The Disassociation element of FIG. 11 may not include an Operating Class (1105) and may include only a Channel Number (1106).

[0113] In addition, in this embodiment, an Action frame containing a Disassociation element is used as the frame requesting severance, but this is not limited thereto. The communication device (102) may use a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame. In this case, the communication device (102) requests severance by transmitting a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame containing a Multi-band element that includes information regarding the connection to be severed. In addition, the Band ID (604) to Channel Number (606) within the Multi-band element included in this case contain information similar to that of the Band ID (1104) to Channel Number (1106). In addition, each field after the BSSID (607) may be omitted. In addition, when requesting the severance of multiple connections, multiple Multi-band elements may be included, similar to the Disassociation element, or information regarding multiple connections may be included in a single Multi-band element.

[0114] Alternatively, instead of a multi-band element, another element may be included in a deauthentication frame or a disassociation frame. In this case, the element includes an identifier representing the element and information representing the length of the element, in addition to information representing the channel of the connection to be disconnected.

[0115] When the communication device (103) begins processing the flow of FIG. 9, it determines whether it has received information regarding the connection to be severed (S901). Specifically, the communication device (103) determines whether it has received an Action frame containing a Disassociation element. If the Action frame is received, the communication device (103) determines "Yes" in this step. Additionally, the communication device (103) may determine whether it has received a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame containing a Multi-band element in this step. If the communication device (103) has received a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame containing a Multi-band element, it determines "Yes" in this step. Alternatively, it may determine whether it has received a Deauthentication frame or a Disassociation frame containing another element that is different from the Multi-band element and contains information regarding the connection to be severed. If a Deauthentication frame or Disassociation frame containing the corresponding element is received, the communication device (103) determines "Yes" in this step. If the communication device (103) determines "No" in this step, it performs the processing of S901 again. Meanwhile, if the communication device (103) determines "Yes" in this step, it performs the processing of S902.

[0116] The communication device (103) performs an analysis of the received disassociation element (S902). Additionally, if the received element is a multi-band element or another element, the received element is analyzed. In this step, the communication device (103) identifies a connection that is required to be severed. In this embodiment, the communication device (103) identifies a connection established in the 5 GHz band as a connection that is required to be severed.

[0117] Next, the communication device (103) determines whether there is a connection remaining that can transmit and receive data between it and the communication device (102) (S903). The communication device (103) determines whether there is a connection that can transmit and receive data with the communication device (102) other than the connection for which a disconnection request has been issued by the communication device (102). If there is a connection remaining that can transmit and receive data, the communication device (103) determines "Yes" in this step. If the communication device (103) determines "Yes" in this step, it performs the processing of S904, and if it determines "No" in this step, it performs the processing of S905.

[0118] Likewise, after the communication device (102) performs the processing of S805, it determines whether there is a connection remaining that can transmit and receive data between it and the communication device (103) (S806). The communication device (102) determines whether there is a connection that can transmit and receive data with the communication device (103) other than the connection for which a disconnection request was issued. If there is a connection remaining that can transmit and receive data, the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step. If the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in this step, it performs the processing of S807, and if it determines "No" in this step, it performs the processing of S808.

[0119] If a connection capable of transmitting and receiving data remains, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) continue to transmit and receive data through the connection (S807, S904). In this case, the transmission and reception of data through the connection (channel) that is required to be cut between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) is stopped. In this embodiment, since the connection in the 5 GHz band is cut, the transmission and reception of data through the connection in the 5 GHz band is stopped (S10082). Also, in this embodiment, since the connections in the 2.4 GHz band and the 6 GHz band are maintained, the transmission and reception of data in the 2.4 GHz band and the 6 GHz band continue (S10081, S10091, S10083, S10093). When the communication device (102) performs the processing of this step, it performs the processing of S801. The communication device (103) performs the processing of S901 when it performs the processing of this step.

[0120] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, since there is a connection capable of transmitting and receiving data between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103), it is determined to be "yes" in S806 and S903. The communication device (102) performs processing S801 to S804 and decides to cut off the connection in the 6 GHz band (S1206 in FIG. 12). The communication device (102) transmits a frame requesting the cutting off of the connection in the 6 GHz band to the communication device (103) through the connection in the 2.4 GHz band (S805, S12071). When the communication device (103) receives the frame requesting the cutting off from the communication device (102), it performs processing S901 and S902. The communication device (102) and the communication device (103) each perform the determinations S806 and S903. In this embodiment, since there is still a connection in the 2.4 GHz band between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103), it is determined as "yes" in this step. In this case, communication through the connection in the 6 GHz band between the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) is stopped (S12082).

[0121] If the result is determined to be "No" in S806, the communication device (102) does not transmit or receive data with the counterpart device (here, the communication device (103)) that transmitted the cut frame (S808), and terminates the processing of this flow. Likewise, if the result is determined to be "No" in S903, the communication device (103) does not transmit or receive data with the device transmitting the cut frame (here, the communication device (102)) (S905), and terminates the processing of this flow.

[0122] In addition, the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) disconnect the connection through the processing shown in FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9. As described above, by transmitting a frame requesting disconnection through a connection other than the connection to be disconnected, the frame requesting disconnection can be transmitted to the other device even if, for example, interference with other communication occurs in the connection to be disconnected.

[0123] Additionally, if the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in S803 of FIG. 8 and disconnects the connection with the communication device (103), it may establish a new connection with the communication device (103). When the communication device (102) transmits information regarding the connection to be disconnected in S805, it may also transmit information regarding a new channel to be used for transmitting and receiving control frames. Then, it may establish a connection with the communication device (103) through the new channel and use it for transmitting and receiving control frames. Alternatively, when the communication device (102) transmits information regarding the connection to be disconnected in S805, it may also notify the communication device (103) of information indicating a request to change the connection to be used for transmitting and receiving control frames. Upon receiving such a request for change, the communication device (103) may disconnect the connection with the communication device (102) specified in S805, or subsequently, request the communication device (102) to establish a connection through a new frequency channel. Specifically, the communication device (103) transmits an Association Request specifying a new frequency channel to the communication device (102). Alternatively, if the communication device (102) determines "Yes" in S806, it may designate any of the remaining connections with the communication device (103) as a new connection for transmitting and receiving control frames. In this case, the communication device (102) may notify the communication device (103) at any timing after S805 which connection will be designated as a connection for transmitting and receiving control frames.

[0124] In addition, although the present embodiment shows a case where multi-band communication is performed between a communication device (102) (AP) and a communication device (103) (STA), it is not limited to this, and multi-band communication may also be performed between STAs. By doing so, even if there is a connection between multiple STAs that does not go through an AP, communication through multiple connections on different channels can be performed. In addition, when multi-band communication is performed between STAs as in the present embodiment, one STA may have the role of establishing a network as in the communication device (102) (AP) of the present embodiment and may perform processing similar to that of the communication device (102). In addition, the other STA may have the role of participating in the network as in the communication device (103) (STA) of the present embodiment and may perform processing similar to that of the communication device (103).

[0125] In this embodiment, a frame requesting disconnection is transmitted from the AP communication device (102) to the STA communication device (103), but in addition to this, or instead, a frame requesting disconnection from the STA to the AP may be transmitted. If a frame requesting disconnection can be transmitted from both the STA and the AP, disconnection control of each connection can be performed in both directions.

[0126] In addition, in this embodiment, although a case where the connection is cut off after it has been established is shown as an example, it is not limited to this, and the communication device (102) may transmit the occurrence of an error by requesting the disconnection of the corresponding channel through another connection when an error occurs during the connection processing on a certain channel. For example, let us consider a case where the communication device (102) has already established a connection with the communication device (103) on a first channel in the 5 GHz range and is also executing a connection processing to establish a connection on a second channel in the 2.4 GHz range. In such a case, if an error occurs during the connection processing on the second channel, for example, due to interference with another communication, the communication device (102) transmits a frame requesting the disconnection of the connection on the second channel through the connection on the first channel. Upon receiving the frame requesting the disconnection of the second channel, the communication device (103) can detect that an error has occurred during the connection processing on the second channel being executed and terminate the connection processing. In addition, cases where an error occurs during connection processing include, in addition to the above, cases where a frame different from the frame transmitted and received during connection processing is received, or cases where there is an error in the value within the frame. The communication device (102) may notify the communication device (103) of the content or cause of the error by including information indicating the content or cause of the error in a frame requesting the disconnection of the second channel connection.

[0127] In addition, in the case where an error occurs during connection processing, or instead, when a connection request is received from a specific channel where use is restricted in a predetermined area, a connection response notifying the error may be transmitted through a connection established on another channel. For example, let us consider a case where a communication device (102) has already established a connection with a communication device (103) on a 5 GHz channel. When the communication device (102) receives a connection request from the communication device (103) through the 14 channel in an area where the use of the 14 channel in the 2.4 GHz range is restricted, a connection response notifying the error to the communication device (103) may be transmitted through a connection established in the 5 GHz range. In this case, the communication device (102) may transmit an Association Response that includes "UNACCEPTABLE_SUPPORTED_CHANNELS" as an error code.

[0128] In addition, in this embodiment, FIG. 6 and FIG. 11 are shown as examples of frame formats of elements for controlling the connection or disconnection of multi-band communication, but the frame formats of each element are not limited to these.

[0129] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of the Band ID field of the element illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11. Specifically, in the case of a multi-band element, the Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) illustrated in FIG. 13 may be included instead of the Band ID (604) to Channel Number (606) illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, the Operating Class (1303) and Channel Number (1304) in FIG. 13 contain the same information as the Operating Class (605) and Channel Number (606) illustrated in FIG. 6, respectively. Likewise, in the case of a disassociation element, the Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) illustrated in FIG. 13 may be included instead of the Band ID (1104) to Channel Number (1106) illustrated in FIG. 11. In this case, the Operating Class (1303) and Channel Number (1304) of FIG. 13 contain the same information as the Operating Class (1105) and Channel Number (1106) shown in FIG. 11, respectively.

[0130] The Band ID fields illustrated in FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 11 are fields composed of 8 bits each. Therefore, when using the Next Band field and Band ID field instead, the Next Band field may be composed of 1 bit and the Band ID field may be composed of 7 bits.

[0131] FIG. 13 also illustrates the correspondence between the value of the Band ID field and its meaning in the frame format illustrated in FIG. 13. The correspondence illustrated in FIG. 13 does not include values ​​representing multiple frequency bands.

[0132] When using the frame format illustrated in FIG. 13, if the Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) are set as one set, information regarding one connection is included per set. Therefore, when communicating information regarding multiple connections using each element, multiple sets of Next Bands (1301) to Channel Numbers (1304) of the connections are included in the element. For example, if multiple sets are included in a Multi-band element, the Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) of the second set are included following the Channel Number (1304) of the first set. Then, the BSSID (607) field is included following the Channel Number (1304) of the last set. Similarly, if multiple sets are included in a disassociation element, the Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) of the next set are included following the Channel Number (1304) of the first set. And, the Channel Number (1304) of the last set becomes the last field included in the disassociation element.

[0133] Next Band (1301) is information indicating whether the element contains information about a connection different from the connection indicated by the subsequent Band ID (1302) to Channel Number (1304). If 1 is included in Next Band (1301), the element contains a set of other Next Bands (1301) to Channel Numbers (1304) following the subsequent Band ID (1302) to Channel Numbers (1304). On the other hand, if 0 is included in Next Band (1301), a set of other Next Bands (1301) to Channel Numbers (1304) following the subsequent Band ID (1302) to Channel Numbers (1304) is not included in the element. Furthermore, the correspondence between the values ​​included in Next Band (1301) and their meanings is not limited to this.

[0134] In addition, for the element shown in FIG. 13, just like in FIG. 11, it may be configured so that the Operating Class (1303) is not included and only the Channel Number (1304) is included.

[0135] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a frame format of a part of a Multi-band element when a predetermined value is included in the Next Band field. FIG. 14 illustrates only the parts corresponding to the Multi-band Control (603) to BSSID (607) of FIG. 6.

[0136] FIG. 14a illustrates an example where the value of the first Next band field is 0. In this case, the Multi-band element contains only one set of Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304). That is, the Multi-band element contains only information for one connection. Also, the BSSID (607) follows the Channel Number (1304).

[0137] FIG. 14b illustrates an example where the value of the first Next band field is 1 and the value of the second Next band field is 0. In this case, the Multi-band element contains two sets of Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304). Additionally, since the second set of Next Band to Channel Number represents information regarding a channel different from the first set, it is designated as Next Band (1301') to Channel Number (1304'). In this case, the Multi-band element contains information regarding two connections. The first set of Next Band (1301) to Channel Number (1304) represents information regarding the first channel, and the second set of Next Band (1301') to Channel Number (1304') represents information regarding the second channel. Additionally, a BSSID (607) follows the Channel Number (1304').

[0138] Likewise, when including information regarding three connections in the element, the communication device (102) may set the values ​​of the first and second Next Band fields to 1 and the value of the third NextBand field to 0. In addition, the number of connections that can be included in the element is not limited to this and may be four or more.

[0139] Additionally, the communication device (102) may expand the Channel Number field instead of expanding the Band ID field as shown in FIG. 13, or by adding it. In this case, the first bit of the Channel Number field shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 11 is used as the Next Channel field. When the communication device (102) includes information regarding multiple channels included in the same frequency band in an element, it may include multiple Next Channel and Channel Number fields. For example, let us consider the case where the communication device (102) transmits an element containing information regarding a first channel and a second channel in the 5 GHz band. In this case, the communication device (102) transmits an Operating Class field indicating a group of channels including the first channel and the second channel, following the Band ID field containing information indicating the 5 GHz band. Then, first, it transmits a Next Channel field containing 1 as a value, and then transmits a Channel Number field indicating the first channel. Next, a Next Channel field containing 0 as a value is transmitted, followed by a Channel Number field indicating a second channel. In this way, when communicating information regarding multiple channels included in the same frequency band, information regarding multiple channels can be notified by reducing the number of bits by repeating only the Next Channel and Channel Number.

[0140] Alternatively, in addition to this, or instead, the Operating Class field may be extended to include the Next Class field and the Channel Number field. When the communication device (102) includes information regarding a set of multiple channels included in the same frequency band in an element, it may include only the Next Class, Operating Class, and Channel Number fields. For example, let us consider the case where the communication device (102) transmits an element containing information regarding a first channel and a second channel in the 5 GHz band. Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel are considered to belong to different groups in the group of channels represented by the Operating Class. In this case, the communication device (102) first transmits a Next Class field containing 1 as a value, following the Band ID field containing information representing the 5 GHz band. Next, it transmits an Operating Class field representing the group of channels containing the first channel, and transmits a Channel Number field representing the first channel. In addition, a Next Class field containing 0 as a value is transmitted, followed by an Operating Class field indicating a set of channels including the second channel. Subsequently, a Channel Number field indicating the second channel is transmitted. In this way, when communicating information regarding a set of multiple channels included in the same frequency band, information regarding a set of multiple channels can be notified by reducing the number of bits by repeating only the Next Class and Channel Number.

[0141] Above, FIG. 13 illustrates another example of a Band ID field that a communication device (102) includes in each element. By using a frame format as shown in FIG. 13, information regarding multiple channels can be communicated with fewer bits.

[0142] In addition, in this embodiment, channel information is included in each element as information for identifying the connection, but this is not limited to this. Instead of channel information, an association identifier (AID) may be used. An AID is an identifier assigned to a STA by the AP when the STA associates with the AP (communication device (102)). In this embodiment, the connection may be identified by assigning a different AID to the same STA for each connection of a different channel. For example, consider the case where the communication device (102) establishes a connection with the communication device (103) in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. In such a case, the communication device (102) assigns AID=1 to the communication device (103) for the 2.4 GHz band and AID=2 for the 5 GHz band, thereby enabling the connection to be identified using the AID. Therefore, as information identifying the connection included in each element, an AID may be included instead of information regarding the connection channel. By doing so, the communication device (102) can reduce the number of bits when communicating information regarding the connection using each element.

[0143] In addition, in this embodiment, even if multiple connections are established, a common SSID or BSSID is set, but this is not limited to this. The communication device (102) may set a different BSSID for each connection. In addition, the communication device (102) may use a different SSID for other connections.

[0144] In addition, in the present embodiment, the communication device (102 and 103) is configured to control the establishment or disconnection of a connection through the second frequency channel by transmitting or receiving a connection request or a disconnection request through the first frequency channel, but is not limited thereto. The communication device (102 and 103) only needs to be able to perform at least one of the establishment or disconnection of a connection through the second frequency channel by communicating a predetermined signal through the first frequency channel.

[0145] In addition, in this embodiment, the multiple connections established between the communication devices (102 and 103) are all connections compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard, but are not limited to this. Between the communication devices (102 and 103), connections compliant with multiple other standards among the IEEE 802.11 series standards may be established as multi-band communication connections. For example, the communication devices (102 and 103) may establish a connection compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard and a connection compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard as multi-band communication connections.

[0146] In addition, in this embodiment, the communication device (102 and 103) is configured to perform multi-band communication by establishing a connection in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 series standard, but is not limited to this. Multi-band communication may be performed by establishing multiple connections with different frequencies in accordance with communication standards different from the IEEE 802.11 series standard.

[0147] In addition, at least some or all of the flowcharts of the communication device (102) and the communication device (103) illustrated in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 may be realized by hardware. When realized by hardware, for example, by using a specific compiler, a dedicated circuit may be generated on an FPGA from a computer program for realizing each step, and this may be used. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. In addition, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same way as an FPGA and realized as hardware. In addition, it may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0148] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device through a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. In addition, it can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0149] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to disclose the scope of the present invention.

[0150] The present application claims priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2019-233225 filed on December 24, 2019, and incorporates all of its contents herein by reference.

Claims

Claim 1 delete Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A communication device comprising: a setting means for setting a plurality of links including a first link of a first channel and a second link of a second channel based on an Association Request frame and an Association Response frame with another communication device in the first channel; a communication means for communicating a cutting notice with the other communication device; and a cutting means for cutting a link set by the setting means, wherein the communication means communicates the cutting notice with the other communication device in one of the plurality of links set by the setting means, and thereby the cutting means cuts the plurality of links set by the setting means with the other communication device. Claim 11 In Clause 10, the above-mentioned cutting notice is a communication device that is a Disassociation frame. Claim 12 In Clause 10, the above-mentioned cutting notice is a communication device that is a Deauthentication frame. Claim 13 A communication device according to claim 10, wherein the communication means transmits the cutting notice to the other communication device, and the cutting means cuts the plurality of links set by the setting means in accordance with the communication means transmitting the cutting notice to the other communication device. Claim 14 A communication device according to claim 10, wherein the communication means receives the cutting notice from the other communication device, and the cutting means cuts the plurality of links set by the setting means in accordance with the communication means receiving the cutting notice from the other communication device. Claim 15 A communication device according to claim 14, further comprising a means for establishing a first network in the first channel and a second network in the second channel having a common SSID with the first network, wherein the means for establishing a plurality of links including the first link of the first network and the second link of the second network are established with the other communication device. Claim 16 In paragraph 15, the communication means is a communication device that transmits a Beacon frame, a Probe Request frame, and an Association Response frame in the first network, and does not transmit the Beacon frame, the Probe Request frame, and the Association Response frame in the second network. Claim 17 In paragraph 10, the cutting means is a communication device that cuts all links established with the other communication device as the communication means transmits the cutting notice to the other communication device. Claim 18 In Clause 10, the above communication device is a communication device that is a communication device compliant with IEEE 802.

11. Claim 19 In claim 10, when the communication device establishes the plurality of links including the first link and the second link with the other communication device, the communication device communicates the Association Request frame and the Association Response frame on the first channel and does not communicate the Association Request frame and the Association Response frame on the second channel. Claim 20 In paragraph 16, the communication device is a communication device that, after the communication device communicates the Association Request frame and the Association Response frame and establishes the plurality of links including the first link and the second link, performs a 4-way handshake with the other communication device on the first channel. Claim 21 In paragraph 10, the above-mentioned cutting notice is a communication device comprising a Disassociation element. Claim 22 A communication method comprising: establishing a plurality of links including a first link of a first channel and a second link of a second channel based on an Association Request frame and an Association Response frame with another communication device in the first channel; communicating a disconnection notice with the other communication device; and disconnecting the established links, wherein the disconnection notice is communicated on one of the plurality of links established with the other communication device, and thereby the plurality of links established with the other communication device are disconnected. Claim 23 A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program functions as: a setting means for setting a plurality of links including a first link of a first channel and a second link of a second channel based on an Association Request frame and an Association Response frame with another communication device in the first channel; a communication means for communicating a disconnection notice with the other communication device; and a cutting means for cutting a link set by the setting means, wherein the communication means communicates the disconnection notice with the other communication device in one of the plurality of links set by the setting means, and thereby the cutting means cuts the plurality of links set by the setting means with the other communication device.

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