Information transmission method and related apparatus

Abstract

An information transmission method and a related apparatus. In the method, a first AP determines k second APs from m APs, wherein the m APs comprise the first AP, an RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to an STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is an RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from an STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is an RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from an STA. The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, wherein the n fourth APs are APs among the m APs other than the first AP and the k second APs, and the first information is used for instructing the fourth APs to conceal an SSID in a broadcast beacon frame. This manner is beneficial to improving the success rate of switching an STA from the third AP to the second AP having a stronger network signal, thereby improving user experience.

Description

Information transmission method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on June 13, 2023, with application number 202310701382.X and application name “A method for information transmission and related devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an information transmission method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] In a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) network environment, a station (STA) can connect to an access point (AP) to achieve networking. In a whole-home smart home scenario, a STA, acting as a smart home device, can select an AP based on its own connection algorithm and initiate a Wi-Fi network connection to the selected AP. However, to save costs, the Wi-Fi chips (modules) used in smart home devices are typically relatively simple, limiting the STA's ability to actively select a network. This can result in the STA connecting to an AP with a weak Wi-Fi signal, impacting the user experience.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method and related devices, which can improve the success rate of STA switching to an AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal and improve user experience.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a method for information transmission is provided. The method can be applied to a first AP, a chip within the first AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first AP's functions. The method is described below using the first AP as an example. The method includes: the first AP determines k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, and k is a positive integer less than m. The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP being an AP currently connected to a STA. The RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of a signal received from the STA by the second AP, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of a signal received from the STA by the third AP. The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and are not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide their network service set identifiers (SSIDs) in broadcast beacon frames.

[0007] It can be seen that for a STA, the Wi-Fi network signal of the second AP is stronger than the Wi-Fi network signal of the third AP currently connected to the STA. The first AP notifies all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames. This is beneficial for all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames, while the k second APs do not hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames. In this way, after disconnecting from the third AP, the STA can scan the SSID corresponding to the second AP to discover the second AP during SSID scanning, while all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs are invisible. This helps to improve the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP, that is, improves the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, and improves the user experience.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA has successfully connected to one of the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, the first AP transmits second information to n fourth APs, the second information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to unhide the SSID in the beacon frame. In this manner, the first AP promptly notifies the fourth AP to unhide the SSID in the beacon frame after the STA successfully connects to the second AP. This facilitates enabling the remaining STAs to promptly scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP after the STA successfully connects to the second AP, thereby reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP consistently hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, which in turn causes the remaining STAs to be unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the first AP sending third information to n fourth APs, the third information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, the first timer being used to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame. This method facilitates the fourth AP to unhide the SSID in the beacon frame when the first timer expires, regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, thereby facilitating the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, which results in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the first AP transmitting fourth information to n fourth APs, the fourth information being used to instruct the n fourth APs not to respond to management frames from the STA. This approach facilitates the fourth AP not only concealing its SSID in broadcast beacon frames but also not responding to management frames from the STA. Consequently, even if the STA learns the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and sends a management frame to the fourth AP, the fourth AP will not reply to the management frame from the STA. Consequently, the STA and the fourth AP cannot complete the connection negotiation process, preventing the STA from accessing the fourth AP. This further improves the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP, thereby further improving the success rate of the STA handover from the third AP to the second AP.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA has successfully connected to one of the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, the first AP sends fifth information to n fourth APs, the fifth information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to stop not responding to management frames from the STA. In this manner, after the STA successfully connects to the one of the second APs, the first AP promptly notifies the fourth AP to stop not responding to management frames from the STA. This facilitates the fourth AP being able to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the fourth AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP's continued failure to respond to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to access the fourth AP.

[0012] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP sending sixth information to n fourth APs, the sixth information being used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, the second timer being used to time non-response to management frames from the STA. This approach facilitates the fourth AP to release the non-response to management frames from the STA when the second timer expires, regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, thereby facilitating the fourth AP to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the fourth AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to access the fourth AP.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the first AP is not one of the k second APs. The method further includes: the first AP concealing its SSID in a broadcast beacon frame. This approach is advantageous in enabling, in a scenario where the k second APs do not include the first AP, all of the m APs except the k second APs to conceal their SSIDs in their broadcast beacon frames, thereby improving the success rate of a STA connecting to a second AP after disconnecting from a third AP.

[0014] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA has successfully connected to one of the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame. Thus, when the STA successfully connects to the second AP, the first AP promptly unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame, thereby enabling the remaining STAs to promptly scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP and reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the beacon frames it broadcasts.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starting a first timer; and when the first timer expires, the first AP unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame. Thus, the first AP promptly unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame based on the first timer facilitates the timely scanning of the SSID corresponding to the first AP by other STAs, thereby reducing the impact on other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, which results in the other STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0016] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a first timer. The first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, and then the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame; or, the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, and then the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first timer times out, and the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame. This method enables the first AP to promptly unmask the SSID in the beacon frame, which helps the remaining STAs to promptly scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP, and reduces the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frames, resulting in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the first AP is not one of the k second APs. The method further includes: the first AP does not respond to management frames from the STA. This approach facilitates, in a scenario where the k second APs do not include the first AP, all of the m APs except the k second APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames and not respond to management frames from the STA, further improving the success rate of the STA connecting to a second AP after disconnecting from a third AP.

[0018] Optionally, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA has successfully connected to one of the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, the first AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA. Thus, when the STA successfully connects to a second AP, the first AP promptly cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA. This facilitates the first AP being able to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the first AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the first AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to access the first AP.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starting a second timer; and when the second timer expires, the first AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA. Thus, the first AP can promptly cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA based on the second timer, which facilitates the first AP being able to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the first AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the first AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to access the first AP.

[0020] Optionally, the method further includes: the first AP starts a second timer. If the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, and the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, the first AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA; or, if the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, and the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the second timer times out, the first AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA. It can be seen that the first AP will promptly cancel its non-response to management frames from the STA, which is beneficial for the first AP to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA wants to access the first AP later, reducing the impact on the STA caused by the first AP's failure to respond to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to access the first AP.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is smaller than the first value.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, a first AP determines k second APs from m APs, including: the first AP sends seventh information to APs other than the first AP among the m APs, the seventh information being used to instruct the APs other than the first AP among the m APs to listen for signals from a STA; the first AP receives RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP other than the first AP among the m APs, where the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the at least one AP from the STA; and the first AP determines the k second APs based on the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP. Thus, the first AP can notify the remaining APs other than the third AP to listen for signals from the STA, thereby determining a second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal for the STA.

[0023] Optionally, the first AP is not the third AP; the method also includes: the first AP listens to the signal from the STA to obtain the RSSI corresponding to the first AP; the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP, including: the first AP determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the first AP and the RSSI corresponding to at least one AP.

[0024] A second aspect provides an information transmission method that can be applied to a fourth AP, a chip within the fourth AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the fourth AP's functionality. The following description uses the fourth AP as an example. The method includes: the fourth AP receiving first information from a first AP, the first information instructing the fourth AP to hide its SSID in a broadcast beacon frame; and the fourth AP, based on the first information, hiding its SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0025] It can be seen that the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which is beneficial for the STA not to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP during the SSID scan after disconnecting from the third AP, that is, the fourth AP is invisible, thereby improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP (the AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal determined by the first AP from the m APs) and improving the user experience.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the fourth AP receiving second information from the first AP, the second information being used to instruct the fourth AP to unhide the SSID in the beacon frame; and the fourth AP unhide the SSID in the beacon frame based on the second information. This approach helps reduce the impact on STAs caused by the fourth AP consistently hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, resulting in other STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0027] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the fourth AP starting a first timer; and when the first timer expires, the fourth AP unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame. The fourth AP promptly unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame based on the first timer, thereby facilitating the STA's ability to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP consistently hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, resulting in the STA's inability to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0028] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the fourth AP starting a first timer. If the fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires, the fourth AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame; or if the fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires and the first timer expires, the fourth AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame; the second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to unmask the SSID in the beacon frame. This approach allows the fourth AP to promptly unmask the SSID in the beacon frame, facilitating STAs' ability to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and reducing the impact on STAs caused by the fourth AP consistently hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, resulting in STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0029] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the fourth AP receiving third information from the first AP, where the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start a first timer, and the first timer is used to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives fourth information from the first AP, the fourth information is used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA; and the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA according to the fourth information.

[0031] It can be seen that in addition to hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA. In this way, even if the STA learns the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP and sends a management frame to the fourth AP, the fourth AP will not reply to the management frame from the STA. As a result, the STA and the fourth AP cannot complete the connection negotiation process and the STA cannot access the fourth AP. This is conducive to further improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP after disconnecting from the third AP, that is, further improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP.

[0032] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP receiving fifth information from the first AP, the fifth information being used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel its non-response to management frames from the STA; and the fourth AP canceling its non-response to management frames from the STA based on the fifth information. This approach facilitates the fourth AP being able to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the fourth AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA being unable to connect to the fourth AP.

[0033] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP starting a second timer; and when the second timer expires, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA. In this manner, the fourth AP promptly cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA based on the second timer, which facilitates the fourth AP being able to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the fourth AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA being unable to connect to the fourth AP.

[0034] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP starting a second timer. The fourth AP receives a fifth message from the first AP before the second timer expires, and the fourth AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA; or, the fourth AP does not receive the fifth message from the first AP before the second timer expires and the second timer expires, and the fourth AP cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA; the fifth message is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel its non-response to management frames from the STA. In this manner, the fourth AP promptly cancels its non-response to management frames from the STA, which facilitates the STA's ability to respond to management frames from the STA when the STA subsequently attempts to access the fourth AP, thereby reducing the impact on the STA caused by the fourth AP's continued non-response to management frames from the STA, resulting in the STA's inability to connect to the fourth AP.

[0035] Optionally, the method further includes: the fourth AP receives sixth information from the first AP, the sixth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start a second timer, and the second timer is used to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

[0036] A third aspect provides a communication device, which includes: one or more processors and a memory; the memory is coupled to the one or more processors, and is used to store instructions or programs.

[0037] In an optional manner, the one or more processors call instructions or programs stored in the memory to cause the communication device to execute:

[0038] K second APs are determined from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include a communication device, k is a positive integer less than m, a received signal strength indicator RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from the STA.

[0039] The first information is sent to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not communication devices and are not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0040] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0041] In another optional manner, the one or more processors call instructions or programs stored in the memory to cause the communication device to execute:

[0042] Receive first information from a first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the communication device to hide the SSID in a broadcast beacon frame; and hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0043] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0044] It should be understood that the above-mentioned communication device may be a device (such as a router); or, the above-mentioned communication device may be a communication module within a device; or, the above-mentioned communication device may be a chip in a communication module.

[0045] A fourth aspect provides a chip system, comprising a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in the first aspect, or to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in the second aspect. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0046] A fifth aspect provides a program product, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0047] A sixth aspect provides a readable storage medium comprising instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to execute a method as described in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0048] It is understandable that the communication device provided in the third aspect, the chip system provided in the fourth aspect, the program product provided in the fifth aspect, and the storage medium provided in the sixth aspect are all used to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of a whole-house smart scene provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of a whole-house smart apartment provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a connection between an AP and a STA provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG4 is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a first AP determining k second APs provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a STA switching AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of an AP side guiding a STA to switch APs provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The following is a clear and detailed description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the text is only a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" means two or more than two.

[0060] In the following, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to imply or suggest relative importance or implicitly indicate the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0061] First, in order to better understand the information transmission method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, the communication system and scenarios to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable are described.

[0062] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, distributed network systems, etc. For example, the present application can be applied to wireless local area network systems that support the next generation Wi-Fi protocol of IEEE 802.11ax, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi7 or extremely high throughput (EHT), and the next generation of 802.11be, such as Wi-Fi8, ultra-high reliability (UHR), ultra-high reliability and throughput (UHRT) systems, and other wireless local area network systems that support the 802.11 series protocols.

[0063] For example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a whole-house smart scene based on a Wi-Fi network, as shown in Figure 1a. With the rise of whole-house intelligence and smart home technology, home appliances represented by sockets, lamps, curtains, air conditioners, TVs, speakers, etc. are gradually becoming intelligent. While carrying traditional lighting, sunshade, heating and cooling, audio and video entertainment and other functions, these products are also equipped with WLAN communication and intelligent control modules to realize intelligent control functions such as remote control and scene linkage control, thereby improving user experience. For example, in conjunction with Figure 1b, a user home that supports whole-house smart devices usually has multiple sub-routes (for achieving whole-house Wi-Fi network coverage); different smart devices (devices with Wi-Fi functions) are deployed in different rooms according to their functional attributes, such as: sockets, TVs, speakers, curtains in the living room, air conditioners, table lamps, etc. in the bedroom; these smart devices can access appropriate sub-routes through the Wi-Fi network to achieve networking and intelligent control.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes an AP and STAs. Figure 2 is an exemplary illustration of the devices included in the communication system and does not limit the number of APs and STAs. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of APs and STAs in the communication system. For example, the communication system shown in Figure 2 may include a master AP and multiple slave APs connected to the master AP. The master AP can be used to manage all slave APs connected to it.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, the AP is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supports communication using the WLAN protocol, and has the function of communicating with other devices in the WLAN network (such as STAs or other APs). Of course, it can also have the function of communicating with other devices. In the WLAN system, the AP can also be called an AP device or an AP site. The device with wireless communication capabilities can be a device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in the device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. In the embodiment of the present application, the AP is a device that provides services for the STA and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP can be a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, and other devices; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be the chips and processing systems in these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0066] STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supports communication using the WLAN protocol, and has the ability to communicate with other stations or APs in the WLAN network. In a WLAN system, STA can also be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, STA is any device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus communicate with a WLAN. The device can be a device, or a chip or processing system installed in the device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, STA can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone and other devices with Wi-Fi capabilities, or an IoT node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or entertainment equipment, gaming equipment, etc.

[0067] In a Wi-Fi network environment, STAs can connect to APs, enabling device control and networking through the Wi-Fi network. Taking AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, AP#4, and STA#1 as examples, as shown in Figure 3, AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4 each broadcast beacon frames (APs periodically broadcast beacon frames containing their SSIDs to announce the existence of their corresponding Wi-Fi networks). STA#1 can detect Wi-Fi networks in the environment by sending a probe request (probe req) frame. STA#1 receives a probe response (probe rsp) frame from AP#3. AP#3 then authenticates STA#1 by sending an authentication (auth) frame. STA#1 and AP#3 then associate (associate). For example, after STA#1 finds a compatible network and passes authentication, it can send an association request (assoc req) frame to AP#3 to attempt to join AP#3's network. STA#1 then performs a four-way handshake with AP#3 to complete the connection between STA#1 and AP#3.

[0068] In whole-home smart home scenarios, to save costs, the Wi-Fi chips (modules) used in smart home devices are typically simple. This limits the active network selection capability of STAs (STAs) in smart home devices. This can lead to connections to APs with weak Wi-Fi signals, impacting the user experience. For example, a STA might connect to the AP from which it first received a probe RSP frame. However, this AP's Wi-Fi signal may be weak, and connecting to an AP with a weak Wi-Fi signal can impact the user experience.

[0069] The embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method, which is conducive to improving the success rate of STA switching to an AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, thereby improving the user experience.

[0070] The information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Please refer to FIG4 , which is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The information transmission method may include the following steps:

[0072] S101: A first AP determines k second APs from m APs, where an RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, and the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA.

[0073] In this embodiment of the present application, the RSSI corresponding to an AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the AP from a STA. The RSSI corresponding to the first, second, and third APs, respectively, are the RSSIs of signals received by the first, second, and third APs from the same STA. For example, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from a STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from the same STA. In addition, the RSSI of a signal received by an AP from a STA can indirectly reflect the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the AP; the greater the RSSI of a signal received by the AP from a STA, the stronger the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the AP. Understandably, if the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, it can indicate that the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the second AP is greater than the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal received by the STA from the third AP.

[0074] Wherein, m is an integer not less than 2, and the m APs include the first AP; the first AP and the third AP may be the same AP or may not be the same AP. Optionally, the first AP may be a master AP with management functions, and the m APs may include: the first AP and the slave APs managed by the first AP.

[0075] Additionally, the second AP and the third AP are different APs. k is a positive integer less than m. When k is 1, i.e., the number of second APs is one, the second AP determined by the first AP may be the first AP, or the second AP determined by the first AP may be an AP among the m APs that is neither the first AP nor the third AP. When k is greater than 1, i.e., the number of second APs is multiple, the k second APs determined by the first AP include the first AP and k-1 APs among the m APs that are neither the first AP nor the third AP, or the k second APs determined by the first AP do not include the first AP and are k APs among the m APs that are neither the first AP nor the third AP. Additionally, if the first AP and the third AP are the same AP, the k second APs determined by the first AP do not include the first AP.

[0076] In an optional embodiment, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value. Therefore, this information transmission method can be applied to a situation where the RSSI corresponding to the AP currently connected to the STA (i.e., the third AP) is less than the first value. In this scenario, the information transmission method provided in this embodiment of the application can determine a second AP for the STA (the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP) and guide the STA to access the second AP, which is beneficial for improving the signal strength of the Wi-Fi network accessed by the STA, thereby improving the user experience.

[0077] Among them, the first value can be predefined. The first value can also be a demarcation value for characterizing the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal. If the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from the STA is less than the first value, it can be considered that the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP is weak for the STA. Understandably, when the first value is used as the demarcation value for characterizing the strength of the network signal, it can be explained that the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scenario where the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP currently connected to the STA is weak. That is to say, in the scenario where the Wi-Fi network signal of the AP currently connected to the STA is weak, the signal transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to determine a second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal for the STA, and guide the STA to access the second AP, which is conducive to improving the strength of the Wi-Fi network signal accessed by the STA, thereby improving the user experience.

[0078] Optionally, in a scenario where the first AP is the third AP, the first AP may perform an operation of determining k second APs from m APs when or after detecting that the RSSI corresponding to the first AP is less than a first value.

[0079] Optionally, in the scenario where the first AP is not the third AP, the method may further include: the third AP detecting that the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, the third AP sending the RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP; and upon or after receiving the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, the first AP performing an operation of determining k second APs from the m APs. Thus, the third AP can autonomously determine whether the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value, and if so, report the RSSI to the first AP, thereby causing the first AP to perform the operation of determining k second APs from the m APs.

[0080] Optionally, in a scenario where the first AP is not the third AP, the method may further include: the third AP sending an RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP, the first AP determining whether the received RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than a first value, and the first AP determining k second APs from the m APs when or after determining that the received RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value. Thus, the third AP may report the RSSI corresponding to the third AP to the first AP, and the first AP determining k second APs from the m APs when or after determining that the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is less than the first value.

[0081] The following describes optional methods for the first AP to determine k second APs from m APs in two cases where the first AP is the third AP and the first AP is not the third AP, as described in the following optional implementations 1.1 and 1.2.

[0082] In implementation 1.1, the first AP is a third AP. In this case, the first AP determining k second APs from m APs may include: the first AP sending seventh information to APs other than the first AP among the m APs, the seventh information being used to instruct the APs other than the first AP among the m APs to listen for signals from STAs; at least one AP other than the first AP among the m APs respectively listening for signals from STAs, obtaining and sending RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP; and the first AP determining k second APs based on the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP, where the RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP.

[0083] Implementation 1.2, a case where the first AP is not the third AP. In this case, the first AP determining k second APs from m APs may include: the first AP sending seventh information to an AP among the m APs that is neither the first AP nor the third AP, the seventh information being used to instruct the AP among the m APs that is neither the first AP nor the third AP to listen for a signal from a STA; at least one AP among the m APs that is neither the first AP nor the third AP respectively listening for a signal from the STA, obtaining and sending an RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP; the first AP listening for a signal from the STA to obtain an RSSI corresponding to the first AP; and the first AP determining k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP and the RSSI corresponding to the first AP, where the RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP.

[0084] For example, m is equal to 4, and the m APs are AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4 in Figure 3, with AP#2 being the first AP and AP#3 being the third AP. In conjunction with Figure 5, AP#3 can send RSSI#0 to AP#2 when RSSI#0 corresponding to AP#3 is less than the first value. After receiving RSSI#0, AP#2 can send seventh information to AP#1 and AP#4 to notify AP#1 and AP#4 to listen to the signal from STA#1. AP#1 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#1 corresponding to AP#1, and sends RSSI#1 to AP#2. AP#2 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#2 corresponding to AP#2, and AP#4 listens to the signal from STA#1, obtains RSSI#3 corresponding to AP#4, and sends RSSI#3 to AP#2. AP#2 determines that RSSI#1 is greater than RSSI#0, RSSI#2 is less than RSSI#0, and RSSI#3 is less than RSSI#0. Then, AP#2 can determine a second AP, that is, k is equal to 1, and the second AP is AP#1.

[0085] As can be seen, in Implementation 1.1 and / or Implementation 1.2, an AP other than the third AP can monitor the STA's signal, so that the first AP can, based on the RSSI corresponding to the AP other than the third AP, locate a second AP for the STA whose Wi-Fi network signal strength is greater than that of the third AP. Furthermore, in Implementation 1.1 and / or Implementation 1.2, the seventh information can be broadcast by the first AP or sent one by one by the first AP, without limitation.

[0086] S102: The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and are not k second APs. The first information instructs the n fourth APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the first information from the first AP. Here, n is a positive integer less than m. For example, when the k second APs include the first AP, n is equal to mk; when the k second APs do not include the first AP, n is equal to mk-1.

[0087] For example, m is equal to 7, and the m APs include AP#1 to AP#7. AP#1 is the first AP, AP#2 is the third AP, and AP#1 determines two second APs from AP#1 to AP#7. That is, k is equal to 2, and the two second APs are AP#4 and AP#6. Then, there are four fourth APs among AP#1 to AP#7, that is, n is equal to 4, and the four fourth APs are AP#2, AP#3, AP#5, and AP#7.

[0088] Understandably, if the first AP and the third AP are not the same AP, the n fourth APs include the third AP. If the first AP and the third AP are the same AP, the n fourth APs do not include the third AP.

[0089] In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the first AP sending the first information to the n fourth APs. For example, the first AP can broadcast the first information, and the first information can include the identifiers of the n fourth APs. The fourth AP that receives the first information can determine that the first AP instructs the fourth AP to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame by determining that the first information includes its own identifier. For another example, the first AP can send the first information to each of the n fourth APs respectively, and each fourth AP can determine that the first AP instructs the fourth AP to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame by receiving the first information. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the first AP sending any of the second information to the sixth information to the n fourth APs mentioned later. It can be similar to the specific implementation method of the first AP sending the first information to the n fourth APs, and will not be repeated later.

[0090] S103 : Each of the n fourth APs hides its SSID in a broadcast beacon frame.

[0091] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP hiding its SSID in a broadcast beacon frame. This method allows all of the m APs except the second AP to hide their SSIDs in their broadcast beacon frames, even if the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP. This allows the STA, after disconnecting from the third AP, to scan the network for the unhidden SSID in the beacon frame broadcast by the second AP to discover the second AP, while failing to scan the SSIDs corresponding to the first and fourth APs whose SSIDs were hidden in the broadcast beacon frames. Consequently, the STA is invisible to all of the m APs except the second AP, significantly improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP.

[0092] In addition, embodiments of the present application do not restrict the order in which the third AP disconnects from the STA and the fourth AP initiates hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Disconnecting from the STA can occur before the fourth AP initiates hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, or after the fourth AP initiates hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Alternatively, disconnecting from the STA can occur simultaneously with the fourth AP initiating hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. Disconnecting from the STA after the fourth AP initiates hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame facilitates preventing the STA from scanning for the fourth AP immediately after disconnecting from the third AP, thereby further improving the success rate of handover from the third AP to the second AP. Furthermore, the third AP can terminate the authentication relationship between the third AP and the STA by sending a deauthentication (deauth) frame to the STA, thereby disconnecting the STA from the third AP.

[0093] In an optional implementation, the method may further include: the fourth AP unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame. The triggering method for the fourth AP unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame is described below, as described in the following optional implementations 2.1 to 2.3.

[0094] In embodiment 2.1, after a first AP detects that a STA has disconnected from a third AP and successfully connected to one of k second APs, the first AP sends second information to n fourth APs, where the second information instructs the n fourth APs to unhide the SSID in beacon frames. In response, each of the n fourth APs receives the second information from the first AP and unhides the SSID in the beacon frames based on the second information.

[0095] It can be seen that when or after detecting that the STA successfully switches from the third AP to the second AP, the first AP can promptly notify the fourth AP to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, which is beneficial for the remaining STAs to be able to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP in a timely manner after the STA successfully connects to a second AP, reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0096] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from among m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA has successfully connected to one of the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, the first AP unmasking the SSID in the beacon frame. This method can be applied to the case where the first AP has hidden the SSID in a broadcast beacon frame when the k second APs determined by the first AP from among m APs do not include the first AP. This allows the first AP to promptly unmask the SSID in the beacon frame, thereby enabling other STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP, thereby reducing the impact on other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0097] In implementation 2.2, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out. For example, the fourth AP may also start the first timer while starting to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. The first timer is used to time the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, so that the fourth AP can release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out. It can be seen that when the first timer times out, the fourth AP will release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame regardless of whether the STA successfully switches to the second AP, thereby facilitating the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP, and reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, resulting in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0098] Optionally, the fourth AP may start the first timer autonomously, or the operation of the fourth AP starting the first timer may be triggered by the fourth AP receiving third information from the first AP, where the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the first timer.

[0099] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: when a first timer expires, the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame. Exemplarily, the first AP may also start a first timer while initiating the hiding of the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, the first timer being used to time the hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame. Thus, the first AP can promptly unmask the SSID in the beacon frame based on the first timer, thereby enabling the remaining STAs to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP, thereby reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, which results in the remaining STAs being unable to scan the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0100] In embodiment 2.3, the fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires, and the fourth AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame; or, the fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires and the first timer expires, and the fourth AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame. The second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to unmask the SSID in the beacon frame. The second information may be sent by the first AP to n fourth APs when the STA successfully connects to a second AP after detecting that the STA has disconnected from the third AP.

[0101] It can be seen that when the STA successfully switches from the third AP to the second AP before the first timer expires, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; when the first timer expires, even if the STA still fails to successfully switch from the third AP to the second AP, the fourth AP will also release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; thereby reducing the impact on the remaining STAs caused by the fourth AP always hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame, so that the remaining STAs can never scan the SSID corresponding to the fourth AP.

[0102] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame; or, after the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first timer expires, the first AP unmasks the SSID in the beacon frame. This approach helps reduce the impact on other STAs caused by the first AP always hiding the SSID in broadcast beacon frames, which prevents other STAs from scanning the SSID corresponding to the first AP.

[0103] In an optional embodiment, the method may further include: the first AP sending fourth information to n fourth APs, the fourth information being used to instruct the n fourth APs not to respond to management frames from the STA. Accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the fourth information from the first AP, and each fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA based on the fourth information. The STA from which the management frame to which the fourth AP does not respond is the STA connected to the third AP in step S101.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, the AP does not respond to management frames from a STA. That is, upon receiving a management frame from a STA, the AP does not reply to the STA with a response frame corresponding to the management frame, making it impossible for the STA to complete the necessary negotiation process for connection with the AP, thereby achieving the effect of refusing to connect to the STA. For example, a management frame from a STA may be a probe request frame, an authentication frame, an association request frame, etc. The response frame corresponding to a probe request frame is a probe response frame, the response frame corresponding to an authentication frame is an authentication response frame, and the response frame corresponding to an association request frame is an association response (association response, assoc-rsp) frame. In addition, the AP's non-response to management frames from a STA can also be expressed as the AP silently responding to the STA's management frames.

[0105] It can be seen that in addition to hiding the SSID in the broadcast beacon frames, the fourth AP does not respond to management frames from the STA, further reducing the probability of the STA connecting to the fourth AP after disconnecting from the third AP, and improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal.

[0106] Optionally, when the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP does not respond to management frames from the STA. This approach allows all of the m APs except the k second APs to not only hide their SSIDs in their broadcast beacon frames, but also not respond to management frames from the STA. This further reduces the probability of the STA connecting to an AP other than the k second APs after disconnecting from the third AP, thereby increasing the success rate of the STA connecting to a second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal. The management frames from which the first AP does not respond are from the STA connected to the third AP in step S101.

[0107] In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not restrict the order in which the third AP disconnects from the STA and the fourth AP initiates not responding to management frames from the STA. The third AP can disconnect from the STA earlier than the fourth AP initiates not responding to management frames from the STA, or the third AP can disconnect from the STA later than the fourth AP initiates not responding to management frames from the STA, or the third AP can disconnect from the STA and the fourth AP can disconnect from the STA at the same time. The method of disconnecting the third AP from the STA later than the fourth AP initiates not responding to management frames from the STA is beneficial for enabling the fourth AP to immediately refuse to connect to the STA after the STA disconnects from the third AP, thereby further improving the success rate of the STA switching to the second AP.

[0108] In addition, in an optional manner, the fourth information (used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA) and the aforementioned first information (used to indicate that the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast signal frame) can be the same information, and the information has the function of indicating that the fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA and of indicating that the fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast signal frame.

[0109] Optionally, the method may further include: the fourth AP canceling the non-response to the management frame from the STA. In this embodiment of the present application, if the AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA, the AP may reply to the management frame from the STA. In addition, the AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0110] The following describes a triggering method for the fourth AP to release its non-response to management frames from STAs, as described in optional embodiments 3.1 to 3.3. Furthermore, the fourth AP's release of its non-response to management frames from STAs is similar to the fourth AP's release of SSID hiding in beacon frames. For details, please refer to the aforementioned description of the fourth AP's release of SSID hiding in beacon frames.

[0111] Implementation method 3.1: After the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs. The first AP sends fifth information to n fourth APs, and the fifth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to stop not responding to management frames from the STA; accordingly, each of the n fourth APs receives the fifth information from the first AP, and each fourth AP stops not responding to management frames from the STA according to the fifth information.

[0112] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: after the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP, the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels its non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0113] In embodiment 3.2, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA when the second timer times out. Exemplarily, the fourth AP may also start a second timer while starting the non-response to management frames from the STA. The second timer is used to time the non-response to management frames from the STA, so that the fourth AP can cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA when the first timer times out. Optionally, the fourth AP may start the second timer autonomously, or the operation of the fourth AP starting the second timer may be triggered by the fourth AP receiving sixth information from the first AP, the sixth information being used to instruct the fourth AP to start the second timer.

[0114] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP canceling the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer expires. Exemplarily, the first AP may also start the second timer while initiating the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0115] In embodiment 3.3, the fourth AP receives the fifth message from the first AP before the second timer expires, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA; or the fourth AP does not receive the fifth message from the first AP before the second timer expires and the second timer expires, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA. The fifth message is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA. The fifth message may be sent by the first AP to the n fourth APs when the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after detecting that the STA is disconnected from the third AP.

[0116] Optionally, in the case where the k second APs determined by the first AP from the m APs do not include the first AP, the method further includes: the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, and the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA; or, the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, and the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the second timer expires, and the first AP cancels the non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0117] In addition, in an optional manner, in the above-mentioned implementation 3.1 and / or implementation 3.3, the fifth information (used to instruct the fourth AP to lift the non-response to the management frame from the STA) and the aforementioned second information (used to instruct the fourth AP to lift the SSID hiding in the signal frame) can be the same information, and the information has the function of instructing the fourth AP to lift the non-response to the management frame from the STA and to instruct the fourth AP to lift the SSID hiding in the signal frame.

[0118] In an optional manner, in the above-mentioned embodiment 3.2 and / or embodiment 3.3, the second timer (used to time the non-response to the management frame from the STA) and the aforementioned first timer (used to time the SSID hiding in the beacon frame) can be the same timer, which has the function of timing the SSID hiding in the beacon frame and timing the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0119] In summary, in this information transmission method, a first AP determines k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, and k is a positive integer less than m. The RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than the RSSI corresponding to a third AP, where the third AP is the AP currently connected to a STA. The RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA. The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames. Based on the first information, each of the n fourth APs hides its SSID in the broadcast beacon frames.

[0120] It can be seen that for a STA, the Wi-Fi network signal of the second AP is stronger than the Wi-Fi network signal of the third AP currently connected to the STA. Compared to the method in which only the third AP does not respond to management frames from the STA for a certain period of time after disconnecting from the STA, the information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in which the first AP notifies all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames, is advantageous in that all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames, while the k second APs do not hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames. In this way, the STA can scan the SSID corresponding to the second AP during the SSID scan after disconnecting from the third AP, while the SSIDs corresponding to all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs are invisible, thereby improving the success rate of the STA connecting to the second AP, that is, improving the success rate of the STA switching from the third AP to the second AP with a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, thereby improving the user experience.

[0121] The following example illustrates an information transmission method, as shown in Figure 6, using m equal to 4, the m APs being AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4 in Figure 3 (where AP#2 is the master AP and AP#1, AP#3, and AP#4 are all slave APs corresponding to AP#2), AP#2 as the first AP, AP#3 as the third AP currently connected to STA#1, and k equal to 1. In the information transmission method shown in Figure 6, the RSSI corresponding to the AP refers to the RSSI of the signal received by the AP from STA#1. The information transmission method shown in Figure 6 includes the following steps.

[0122] In step S201, AP#2 determines a second AP from AP#1, AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4. This second AP is AP#1, and the RSSI corresponding to AP#1 is greater than the RSSI corresponding to AP#3. Therefore, the number of fourth APs, n, is 2, and the two fourth APs are AP#3 and AP#4.

[0123] S202: AP#2 sends first and fourth information to AP#3 and AP#4. The first information instructs AP#3 and AP#4 to hide their SSIDs in broadcast beacon frames, and the fourth information instructs AP#3 and AP#4 not to respond to management frames from STA#1. In response, AP#3 and AP#4 receive the first and fourth information from AP#2, respectively.

[0124] S203. AP#3 disconnects from STA#1.

[0125] S204: During the expiration of timer #1, AP#2 conceals its SSID in broadcast beacon frames and does not respond to management frames from STA#1. During the expiration of timer #1, AP#3 conceals its SSID in broadcast beacon frames and does not respond to management frames from STA#1. During the expiration of timer #1, AP#4 conceals its SSID in broadcast beacon frames and does not respond to management frames from STA#1.

[0126] Timer #1 is used to time the hiding of the SSID in beacon frames and the non-response to management frames from STA #1. If AP #2 fails to detect a successful connection between STA #1 and AP #1 before timer #1 expires and timer #1 expires, AP #2 clears the hiding of the SSID in beacon frames and clears the non-response to management frames from STA #1. If AP #3 fails to receive the second and fifth information from AP #2 before timer #1 expires and timer #1 expires, AP #4 clears the hiding of the SSID in beacon frames and clears the non-response to management frames from STA #1. The second information instructs AP #3 and AP #4 to clear the hiding of the SSID in beacon frames, and the fifth information instructs AP #3 and AP #4 to clear the non-response to management frames from STA #1.

[0127] S205 , STA#1 performs a network scan and finds the SSID of AP#1.

[0128] Because AP#1 does not hide its SSID in the beacon frames it broadcasts, while AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4 all hide their SSIDs in the beacon frames they broadcast. Therefore, for STA#1, the SSID corresponding to AP#1 is visible, while the SSIDs corresponding to AP#2, AP#3, and AP#4 are invisible.

[0129] S206. STA#1 connects to AP#1.

[0130] Because AP#1 can respond to management frames from STA#1, STA#1 can initiate access to AP#1, and AP#1 can respond to STA#1, thus completing the connection between STA#1 and AP#1. However, AP#2 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns AP#2's SSID and initiates access to AP#2, AP#2 will not respond, preventing the necessary connection between STA#1 and AP#2. Similarly, AP#3 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns AP#3's SSID and initiates access to AP#3, AP#3 will not respond, preventing the necessary connection between STA#1 and AP#3. AP#4 does not respond to management frames from STA#1. Even if STA#1 learns AP#4's SSID and initiates access to AP#4, AP#4 will not respond, preventing the necessary connection between STA#1 and AP#4.

[0131] S207: AP#2 detects that STA#1 has established a connection with AP#1. AP#2 then sends a second message and a fifth message to AP#3 and AP#4. The second message instructs AP#3 and AP#4 to remove the SSID hiding in the beacon frame, and the fifth message instructs AP#3 and AP#4 to remove the non-response to management frames from STA#1. In response, AP#3 and AP#4 receive the second message and the fifth message, respectively, from AP#1.

[0132] S208: AP#2 clears the SSID from beacon frames and stops not responding to management frames from STA#1. AP#3 clears the SSID from beacon frames and stops not responding to management frames from STA#1. AP#4 clears the SSID from beacon frames and stops not responding to management frames from STA#1.

[0133] As can be seen, when STA#1 is connected to AP#3, which has a weaker Wi-Fi network signal, the information transmission method shown in Figure 6 allows the AP to guide STA#1 to switch from AP#3 to AP#1, which has a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, compared to the method shown in Figure 8, in which only AP#3 disconnects from STA#1 and then does not respond to management frames from STA#1 during the timer period to guide STA#1 to switch (in which STA#1 is more likely to connect to an AP other than AP#1 or reconnect to AP#3, which has a weaker Wi-Fi network signal after the timer expires), the information transmission method shown in Figure 6, in which all APs from AP#1 to AP#4, except for AP#1, which has a stronger Wi-Fi network signal, hide their SSIDs in their broadcast beacon frames and do not respond to management frames from STA#1, improves the success rate of STA#1 connecting to AP#1 and, in other words, the success rate of STA#1 switching from AP#3 to AP#1, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0134] It is understood that to implement the functions of the above-described method, the first and fourth APs include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the respective functions. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the various exemplary units and method steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0135] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 900, as shown in Figure 9. Communication device 900 can be a first AP or a fourth AP, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first AP in implementing the above-mentioned method. Alternatively, it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the fourth AP in implementing the above-mentioned method. This device can be used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0136] The communication device 900 may include one or more processors 901. The processor 901 may be used to implement part or all of the functions of the above-mentioned network device or terminal device through logic circuits or running computer programs. The processor 901 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0137] Optionally, the communication device 900 may include one or more memories 902, on which instructions 904 or programs may be stored. The instructions or programs may be executed on the processor 901, causing the communication device 900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 902 may also store data. The processor 901 and memory 902 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0138] The memory 902 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0139] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 905 and an antenna 906. The transceiver 905 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 905 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0140] In one possible design, the communication device 900 has the function of the first AP in the above method embodiment:

[0141] Processor 901 is used to determine k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is greater than the RSSI corresponding to the third AP, the third AP is the AP currently connected to the STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the third AP from the STA.

[0142] Transceiver 905 is used to send first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not communication devices 900 and are not k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0143] In an optional embodiment, the processor 901 detects that the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after the STA disconnects from the third AP. The transceiver 905 is further configured to send second information to the n fourth APs, where the second information is configured to instruct the n fourth APs to unhide the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0144] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to send third information to the n fourth APs, where the third information is configured to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, where the first timer is configured to time hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0145] In an optional implementation manner, the transceiver 905 is further configured to send fourth information to the n fourth APs, where the fourth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs not to respond to the management frame from the STA.

[0146] In an optional embodiment, the processor 901 detects that the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after the STA disconnects from the third AP. The transceiver 905 is further configured to send fifth information to the n fourth APs, where the fifth information is configured to instruct the n fourth APs to cancel their non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0147] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to send sixth information to the n fourth APs, where the sixth information is configured to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, where the second timer is configured to time management frames that do not respond to the STA.

[0148] In an optional implementation, the communication device 900 is not one of the k second APs. The processor 901 is further configured to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0149] Optionally, the processor 901 detects that the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

[0150] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer; and the processor 901 is further configured to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out.

[0151] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer. The processor 901 is further configured to detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires and that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, thereby releasing the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, the processor 901 is further configured to detect that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires and that the first timer expires and that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs.

[0152] In an optional implementation, the communication device 900 is not one of the k second APs. The processor 901 is further configured to not respond to a management frame from a STA.

[0153] Optionally, the processor 901 detects that the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

[0154] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer; and the processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out.

[0155] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer. The processor 901 is further configured to, if it is detected before the second timer expires that the STA is disconnected from the third AP and then the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs, then cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA; or, if it is not detected before the second timer expires that the STA is disconnected from the third AP and then the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs and then the second timer expires, cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0156] In an optional implementation, the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is smaller than the first value.

[0157] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further configured to send seventh information to an AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs, the seventh information being used to instruct the AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs to listen for signals from a STA. The transceiver 905 is further configured to receive RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP other than the communication device 900 among the m APs, where the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP is the RSSI of the signal received by the at least one AP from the STA. The processor 901 is specifically configured to determine k second APs from the m APs based on the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP.

[0158] Optionally, the communication device 900 is not a third AP. The processor 901 is further configured to monitor a signal from a STA and obtain an RSSI corresponding to the communication device 900. The processor 901 determines k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP. Specifically, the processor 901 determines the k second APs based on the RSSI corresponding to the communication device 900 and the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP.

[0159] In another possible design, the communication device 900 has the function of the fourth AP in the above method embodiment:

[0160] The transceiver 905 is configured to receive first information from a first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame. The processor 901 is configured to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0161] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further used to receive second information from the first AP, where the second information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; the processor 901 is further used to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information.

[0162] In an optional implementation, the processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer; the processor 901 is further configured to release the SSID hiding in the beacon frame when the first timer times out.

[0163] In an optional embodiment, processor 901 is further configured to start a first timer. Processor 901 is further configured to, if transceiver 905 receives second information from the first AP before the first timer expires, unmask the SSID in the beacon frame; or, if transceiver 905 does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires and the first timer expires, unmask the SSID in the beacon frame. The second information is used to instruct communication device 900 to unmask the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0164] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive third information from the first AP, where the third information is configured to instruct the communication device 900 to start a first timer, where the first timer is configured to time hiding of the SSID in the beacon frame.

[0165] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive fourth information from the first AP, the fourth information being used to instruct the communication device 900 not to respond to management frames from the STA. The processor 901 is further configured to not respond to management frames from the STA based on the fourth information.

[0166] Optionally, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive fifth information from the first AP, the fifth information being used to instruct the communication device 900 to cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA. The processor 901 is further configured to cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA according to the fifth information.

[0167] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer; and the processor 901 is further configured to release the non-response to the management frame from the STA when the second timer times out.

[0168] Optionally, the processor 901 is further configured to start a second timer. The processor 901 is further configured to, if the transceiver 905 receives fifth information from the first AP before the second timer expires, cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA; or, if the transceiver 905 does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer expires and the second timer expires, cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA. The fifth information is used to instruct the communication device 900 to cancel the non-response to management frames from the STA.

[0169] Optionally, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive sixth information from the first AP, where the sixth information is configured to instruct the communication device 900 to start a second timer; the second timer is configured to time management frames that are not responded to from the STA.

[0170] In another possible design, processor 901 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0171] In another possible design, processor 901 may optionally store instructions 903. Instructions 903, when executed on processor 901, may cause communication device 900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Instructions 903 may be fixed in processor 901. In this case, processor 901 may be implemented by hardware.

[0172] In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), a device, etc.

[0173] Embodiments of the present application also provide another communication device, which may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0174] In one embodiment, the communication device has the function of the first AP in the above method embodiment:

[0175] A processing unit is configured to determine k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, an RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from a STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from the STA.

[0176] A communication unit is used to send first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not communication devices 1100 and are not k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

[0177] In another embodiment, the communication device has the function of the fourth AP in the above method embodiment:

[0178] The communication unit is configured to receive first information from a first AP, where the first information is configured to instruct the communication device to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame; and the processing unit is configured to hide the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

[0179] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and no further details will be given.

[0180] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0181] The present application also provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0182] The present application also provides a program product for storing instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0183] The present application also provides a computer program that, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0184] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first access point AP determines k second APs from m APs, where m is an integer not less than 2, the m APs include the first AP, k is a positive integer less than m, a received signal strength indicator RSSI corresponding to each of the k second APs is greater than an RSSI corresponding to a third AP, the third AP is an AP currently connected to a workstation STA, the RSSI corresponding to the second AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the second AP from the STA, and the RSSI corresponding to the third AP is the RSSI of a signal received by the third AP from the STA; The first AP sends first information to n fourth APs, where the n fourth APs are all APs among the m APs that are not the first AP and not the k second APs, and n is a positive integer less than m. The first information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to hide the network service set identifier SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after being disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP sends second information to the n fourth APs, where the second information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP sends third information to the n fourth APs, where the third information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a first timer, where the first timer is used to time SSID hiding in a beacon frame.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP sends fourth information to the n fourth APs, where the fourth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs not to respond to a management frame from the STA.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after being disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP sends fifth information to the n fourth APs, where the fifth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to stop not responding to management frames from the STA.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP sends sixth information to the n fourth APs, where the sixth information is used to instruct the n fourth APs to start a second timer, where the second timer is used to time management frames that are not responded to from the STA.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first AP is not one of the k second APs; and the method further includes: The first AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP releases SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a first timer; When the first timer times out, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a first timer; After the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer times out, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or After the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the first timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first timer expires, the first AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP does not respond to a management frame from the STA.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP detects that the STA is successfully connected to one of the k second APs after the STA is disconnected from the third AP, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a second timer; When the second timer times out, the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first AP starts a second timer; After the first AP detects that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer times out, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the first AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or After the first AP does not detect that the STA is disconnected from the third AP before the second timer expires, the STA successfully connects to one of the k second APs, and the second timer expires, the first AP stops responding to the management frame from the STA.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The first AP determines k second APs from m APs, including: The first AP sends seventh information to an AP other than the first AP among the m APs, where the seventh information is used to instruct the AP other than the first AP among the m APs to listen to a signal from the STA; The first AP receives RSSIs corresponding to at least one AP among the m APs except the first AP, where the RSSIs corresponding to the at least one AP are RSSIs of signals received by the at least one AP from the STA; The first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSIs respectively corresponding to the at least one AP.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first AP is not the third AP; and the method further includes: The first AP monitors a signal from the STA and obtains an RSSI corresponding to the first AP; The first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP, including: the first AP determines the k second APs according to the RSSI corresponding to the first AP and the RSSI corresponding to the at least one AP.

17. An information transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The fourth access point AP receives first information from the first AP, where the first information is used to instruct the fourth AP to hide a network service set identifier SSID in a broadcast beacon frame; The fourth AP hides the SSID in the broadcast beacon frame according to the first information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives second information from the first AP, where the second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame; The fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame according to the second information.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a first timer; When the first timer times out, the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a first timer; The fourth AP receives the second information from the first AP before the first timer expires, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; or, The fourth AP does not receive the second information from the first AP before the first timer times out and the first timer times out, and the fourth AP releases the SSID hiding in the beacon frame; The second information is used to instruct the fourth AP to release SSID hiding in the beacon frame.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives third information from the first AP, where the third information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the first timer, where the first timer is used to time SSID hiding in a beacon frame.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives fourth information from the first AP, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the fourth AP does not respond to a management frame from the workstation STA; The fourth AP does not respond to the management frame from the STA according to the fourth information.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives fifth information from the first AP, where the fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA; The fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA according to the fifth information.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a second timer; When the second timer expires, the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein The method further comprises: The fourth AP starts a second timer; The fourth AP receives the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer expires, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; or The fourth AP does not receive the fifth information from the first AP before the second timer times out and the second timer times out, and the fourth AP cancels the non-response to the management frame from the STA; The fifth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to cancel the non-response to the management frame from the STA.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth AP receives sixth information from the first AP, where the sixth information is used to instruct the fourth AP to start the second timer, where the second timer is used to time a management frame that is not responded to from the STA.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: including memory and processor; The memory is used to store programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute the program or instruction stored in the memory, so as to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 17 to 26.

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