JP2003304253A - Communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To enable communication with another AP via another STA without interfering with other communication even when an error occurs in the AP and communication becomes impossible. Provide a communication method. SOLUTION: A communication I / F 103 for communicating between an access point device and a station device 102, and a control unit 106 for controlling to receive a frame from the station device 102 in an ad hoc mode and to transmit the frame to the access point device. Have.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly relates to access point devices (APs) or station devices (STAs) wirelessly connected to APs via a wired or wireless line connected to each other. Communication method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical conventional wireless communication system will be described.

There are two conventional connection modes of a typical wireless communication system, an ad hoc mode shown in FIG. 8 and an infrastructure mode shown in FIG.

In the connection form of the ad hoc mode shown in FIG. 8, station devices (STA) 801, 802,
Reference numerals 803 are connected by wireless lines.

STAs already participating in the network cooperate with each other to generate a beacon which is a signal for synchronizing communication on the network. STAs participating in the network are
It synchronizes by receiving a beacon and updating its own timer.

Also, the STA receives the beacon, obtains information for joining the network from the information included in the beacon, and newly joins the network. Alternatively, the STA that newly joins the network generates and transmits a signal called a probe request, receives a signal called a probe response returned by the STA that receives the probe request, and outputs the information described in the probe response. By using it, it may join the network.

When the STA 101 transmits a data signal in the ad hoc mode, it is first confirmed that no signal is transmitted on the wireless medium. When it is confirmed that the signal is transmitted, the wireless medium is detected again after waiting for a predetermined time. If it is confirmed that the signal is not transmitted, RTS (re
quest to send) signal is sent. The RTS signal describes the time required from the transmission of the RTS signal to the end of the transmission of an Ack (Acknowledge) signal described later.

The STA that is the destination of the RTS signal, that is, the STA that receives the data signal, receives the RTS signal and then clears the CTS (Clear to Sen
d) Send a signal. The CTS signal describes the time required from the transmission of the CTS signal to the end of the transmission of the Ack signal. Each of the other STAs that has received the RTS signal and / or the CTS signal does not transmit the signal until the data transmission / reception process ends. The STA that receives the CTS signal, that is, the STA that transmits the RTS signal to transmit the data signal, transmits the data signal after receiving the CTS signal. The STA that has received the data signal, that is, the STA that has transmitted the CTS signal, transmits the Ack signal to the STA that is the data signal transmission source after the reception of the data signal is completed.

The above communication method is called competitive communication.

In the infrastructure mode connection form shown in FIG. 9, APs connected to distribution system (DS) 901 and DS 901 which are wired or wireless communication lines.
STAs 904 and 905 connected to 902, 903 and AP 902 by wireless lines, STA 906 connected to STA 905 and AP 903 by wireless lines, and portal 907 and portal 907 which are repeaters connected to DS 902
And a terminal 908 connected to.

In the infrastructure mode, beacons are independently generated by the APs 902 and 903. S
The TA newly joins the network by receiving a beacon generated by the AP or by transmitting a probe request signal to the AP and receiving a probe response signal returned by the AP.

[0012] In the infrastructure mode, the STA newly joining the network exchanges a predetermined frame with the AP to perform a predetermined association process and an authentication process, and then can communicate with the AP. Become.

The AP sends a polling signal to the STA under its control. The polling signal is transmitted together with the data addressed to the STA that receives the polling signal, if any. Upon receiving the polling signal, the STA receives an Ack signal if it receives data together with the polling signal, a data signal if it has data to send, and a Null signal if it does not have data to send. It responds by sending to.

The AP that received the data transmitted the data
Send an Ack signal to the STA. STAs other than the STA that has received the AP and the polling signal do not send out signals. The above communication method is called non-competitive communication.

When transmitting data from STA904 to STA905 by non-contention communication, first, STA904 and AP9
The data signal is transmitted and received between the AP 902 and the STA 905 by non-contention communication, and the data signal is transmitted and received between the AP 902 and the STA 905 by non-contention communication.

When transmitting data from the STA 904 to the STA 906 by non-contention communication, first, the STA 904
Data transmission / reception is performed between the AP and the AP902 by non-competitive communication, and after the data signal is transferred from the AP902 to the AP903 using the DS901, the data signal is transmitted / received by non-competitive communication between the AP903 and the STA906. Done.

In infrastructure mode,
Competitive communication and non-competitive communication are alternately performed every predetermined time.

The APs connected to the DS901 are IEEE80
Data can be exchanged by the method specified in the 2.3 standard. Therefore, S under the control of different APs 902 and 903, respectively.
Communication between TAs, that is, STAs 904 and 905 and STA 906 is also possible. Further, in the infrastructure mode, it is possible to communicate with the terminal 908 via the portal 907 connected to the DS 901.

[0019]

In the above conventional technique, when the AP cannot communicate with the DS due to a failure or other reasons,
The STA under the control of an AP that cannot communicate with the DS cannot communicate with the STA under the control of another AP without changing the AP.

Conventionally, in an ATM cell network, a method of connecting to a fixed station via another mobile device has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-1999.
However, this method cannot deal with a fixed station failure.

Conventionally, in relaying communication between wireless terminals, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-36916 proposes a communication system capable of relaying communication even when the wireless terminals are out of order. By setting the actual relay distance shorter than the relayable distance of, the signal can reach each terminal from multiple terminals,
Although it can be applied to wireless LAN (Local Area Network), it requires a large cost for infrastructure maintenance.

Further, the relay function in the conventional optical communication system has been disclosed in JP-A-5-336115 and JP-A-5-315115.
Although proposed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 336116 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-336117, these are all inventions relating to a method of extending a transmission distance while preventing interference, and do not deal with a device failure.

The method proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-101498 is a method of extending a transmission distance in the ad hoc mode by preparing a relay station and relaying communication by the relay station.

Further, the method proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-349787 detects that an AP which has become incapable of communicating with the DS has become incapable of communication, and the STA under its control.
The STA separated from the AP is also a method that enables unconstrained communication by passing through the STA under the control of another AP in the ad hoc mode.

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-349787, the AP disconnects the STA by detecting that it cannot communicate with the DS. Therefore, if there is a failure in the communication between the AP and the STA, In some cases, the STA could not restore communication because it could not disconnect the STA from the side.
In addition, the communication between the separated STA and the STA that relays the communication and the communication between the STA and the AP that relays the communication may interfere with each other to reduce the communication efficiency.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to communicate with other communication even when the AP becomes abnormal and communication is impossible. Other APs via other STAs without interference
A communication method and a communication system capable of communicating with the communication system, a control program for the communication system, and a storage medium storing the control program.

[0027]

In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention is a communication method in which communication is performed by a communication system including a plurality of access point devices and a plurality of station devices. And a first communication step of performing communication with the station apparatus, and a control step of controlling the station apparatus to receive a frame in an ad hoc mode and transmit the frame to the access point apparatus.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention is a communication method for performing communication by a communication system comprising a plurality of access point devices and a plurality of station devices, wherein the access point device and the station device are A first communication step for communicating with
And a control step of controlling to receive a frame transmitted from the access point device to the station device and transmit the frame to another station device in an ad hoc mode.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a station device (STA) in a communication system for carrying out the communication method according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 101 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer. , 102 are station devices (STA).

The information processing terminal 101 is connected to the STA 102 and generates data to be transmitted by the STA 102 or performs processing such as calculation using the data received by the STA 102. The STA 102 sends and receives data.

The STA 102 is a communication interface (communication
The I / F) 103, radio units 104 and 105, a control unit 106, a memory 107, a timer 108, and a bus 109.

Communication interface (communication I / F) 103
Is for connecting the information processing terminal 101 and the STA 102. The radio units 104 and 105 perform framing, error correction coding, modulation, etc. on the input data according to a predetermined wireless LAN protocol, and then transmit or receive the received signal according to a predetermined wireless LAN protocol for demodulation and error correction decoding. , Deframing, etc., to obtain data. The control unit 106 controls each constituent element of the STA 102 according to a program stored in a memory 107, which will be described later, to operate in cooperation with each other. The memory 107 is a ROM (ReadOnlyMemor) in which a program is stored.
y), or a RAM (Random Access Memory) used for temporary storage of data during program execution and the like.
The timer 108 measures time. Bus 10
9 is used by each component for communication.

Here, one radio section 104 is dedicated to the infrastructure mode, and uses the same frequency and modulation method as the access point apparatus (AP) that is a communication partner. The other wireless unit 105 is dedicated to the ad hoc mode and uses the same frequency and communication method as the wireless unit for the ad hoc mode of the STA that is a communication partner. Further, the wireless unit 104 and the wireless unit 105 have different channels and / or wireless communication methods for wireless communication,
Therefore, the signal transmitted / received by one wireless unit 104 and the signal transmitted / received by the other wireless unit 105 do not interfere with each other.

Next, the operation of the STA 102 in the communication system according to this embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, STA1 is AP1 and STA2 is STA2.
Is under the influence of AP2, STA3 is under the influence of AP3, and communication of STA1 is
AP1 and STA2 are communicated via AP2, and STA3 is communicated via AP3.

In FIG. 2, first, at 201, STA3 is A
A connection request is made to P3, and then at 202, AP3 gives connection permission to STA3. The 201 and 202 are, for example, IE
It is performed according to a wireless LAN standard such as the E802.11 standard. Similarly, in the next step 203, the STA2 makes a connection request to the AP2, and in the next step 204, the AP2 gives the connection permission to the STA2.

Similarly, at the next 205, STA1 changes to AP1.
However, since the AP1 does not permit the connection request, the predetermined maximum waiting time is exceeded in the next 206, and the timeout occurs. Further, there is a case where a frame indicating connection refusal is received without timing out at 206.

Here, not permitting the connection request means
For example, a beacon cannot be received, a probe response corresponding to a probe request cannot be received, authentication is not permitted, and association cannot be performed.

Regarding the beacon, probe request, probe response, authentication, and association, IEEE802.
Since it is described in the 11 standard, the description is omitted.

After the time-out in 206, according to a predetermined wireless LAN standard, in the next 207, the STA1 requests the connection with the broadcast address in the ad hoc mode. Next, at 208, the STA3 permits the connection to the STA1. When the connection is permitted not only by the STA3 but also by a plurality of STAs, the STA1 selects the connection with the STA to which the strongest signal is returned. Here, it is assumed that the STA1 has selected the connection with the STA3.

Next, in 209, STA1 transmits a frame indicating a transfer request to STA3. The data feed of the transfer request frame includes information such as a common key for predetermined association processing and authentication processing necessary for the STA1 to connect to the AP3. Also, after that, as a result of association or authentication processing, it is rejected, or STA1 and STA
3 or AP3 or the connection between STA3 and AP3 is terminated, STA3 receives the frame addressed to STA1 and the frame addressed to STA3.

Next, at 210, the STA3 that has received the transfer request frame from the STA1 transmits a connection request frame to the STA1 to the AP3. The connection request to the STA1 is configured based on the transfer request frame, and the STA3 transmits the STA1 and the AP.
The predetermined association and authentication procedures with
Execute instead of STA1.

Next, at 211, the AP 3 receives the association request and the authentication request of the STA 1 transmitted from the STA 3, and performs the connection process such as the association process and the authentication process of the STA 1 by a predetermined procedure. In AP3, STA1
When STA1 is permitted, it remembers that STA1 is under its control.

Next, at 212, when the STA1 is permitted to connect, the STA3 transmits a predetermined transfer permission frame to the STA1. When the STA1 cannot receive the transfer permission frame from the STA3, the STA1 may disconnect the connection with the STA3, select the connection with the next strongest signal in 208, and perform the transfer request process.

As described above, S from the STA1 in the ad hoc mode
The data sent to TA3 passes through AP3,
It can be delivered to other STAs, such as being transmitted to STA2 via AP2.

Here, each sequence is shown by a single block, but a plurality of frame exchanges may be used.

Next, in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to the present embodiment, S
The frame flow and conversion when data is transmitted from TA1 to STA2 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in STA1, from STA1 to AP1 and
The same frame 301 as the frame transmitted to STA2 via AP2 is generated.

Next, a frame 302 having the entire frame in a data field and having header information for transmitting from STA1 to STA3 added to the frame in the ad hoc mode is generated and transmitted to the STA3 in the ad hoc mode. .

When the STA3 receives the data from the STA1, the header information for transmission from the STA1 to the STA3 in the ad hoc mode is removed, and the data part of the frame is set as a new frame. Furthermore, STA3 changes the destination of the new frame to AP3, and transmits it to AP3 as frame 303.

In the communication with the AP3, the STA3 receives a frame issued by the AP3 to the STA1 in a predetermined communication protocol, and responds on behalf of the STA1. AP3 is
When the frame 303 is received, the other AP is inquired to confirm that the STA2 is under the control of the AP2, and the AP2 is the frame transmission destination, the AP3 is the frame transmission source, the STA2 is the data transmission destination, and the data transmission is Originally STA1
The frame 304 having each address is generated and transmitted to the AP2.

The AP 2 modifies the received frame 304 so that it can be transmitted to the STA 2 in the infrastructure mode, generates the frame 305, and transmits it to the STA 2. STA
In the frame 305 received by 2
Address, the AP2 address as the transmission source, the STA1 address as the data transmission source, and the like.

Next, delivery of a frame from STA2 to STA1 via STA3 will be described with reference to FIG.

Frame 401, A transmitted by STA2 to AP2
The frame 402 transmitted by P2 to AP3 and the frame 403 transmitted by AP3 to STA3 are S under the control of STA2 to AP3.
The frame is the same as the frame transmitted to the TA, and the transmission process is performed in the same manner as the transmission process from the STA2 to the STA under the control of the AP3.

At the time of frame generation, AP2 confirms that STA1 is under the control of AP3 by inquiring of another STA, and generates frame 402.

The frame 403 transmitted by the AP3 has the destination address of STA1, but the STA3 receives it instead.

The STA3 uses the received frame as a data field, the destination address is STA1, and the transmission source address is S.
A header for transmission in the ad hoc mode, which is TA3, is added, and the frame 404 is transmitted to STA1.

The STA1 deframes the data field of the received frame and receives the data as a frame 405.

In the above description of each frame, only each address is described, but each frame may have a data field in addition to the address field, and may also have a management frame used for frame transmission / reception.

Next, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the processing operation when the STA1 establishes a connection with the AP1 or SAT3 for communication will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing operations when establishing a connection with AP1 or SAT3 for communication by STA1 in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to the present embodiment. is there.

In FIG. 5, first, in step S501.
STA1 first tries to connect to AP1. Next, in step S502, it is determined whether the connection in step S501 has been successful. When it is determined that the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step S508, and the STA3
Communication is performed via the AP1 in a normal sequence using a predetermined channel.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the connection has failed, the process proceeds to step S503, and the STA1 counts up a counter for counting the number of connection failures. Next, in step S504,
It is determined whether the value of the counter is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. When it is determined that the value of the counter is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the process returns to step S501 and the connection to AP1 is retried.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S504 that the value of the counter has reached the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S505 to connect to STA3 as described with reference to FIG. Issue a transfer request to the STA that established the request and connection.

As described above, when a plurality of STAs can be connected, the STA having the strongest signal is connected. If the connected STA does not permit the transfer, the transfer request may be issued to the STA having the next strongest signal.

Then, in step S506, it is determined whether or not the transfer is permitted to all the connectable STAs. When it is determined that the transfer is not permitted to all the connectable STAs, the process proceeds to step S509, the data transmission is stopped, and then the present processing operation is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the transfer is permitted to any STA (here, STA3 as an example), the process proceeds to step S510.
After transmitting the data via STA3, this processing operation ends.

The method of transmitting and receiving data is as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which communication is performed via another STA when the connection to the AP is not permitted in step S501 of FIG. 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. not,
In step S501, if the "communication with AP" fails repeatedly for a predetermined number of times instead of connecting to the AP, another STA
An STA that communicates via via can be easily realized.

Next, in the communication system for carrying out the communication method according to the present embodiment, the processing operation of STA3 relaying the communication from another STA1 and transmitting it to AP3,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of the processing operation of STA3 that relays the communication from another STA1 and transmits it to AP3 in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to the present embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows the flow of the processing operation when the wireless unit 104 or the wireless unit 105 of FIG. 1 receives a signal, and does not include the processing related to the transmission, but the processing related to the transmission is publicly known, and ST
It is implemented in A3.

In FIG. 6, first, step S601.
Then, the wireless unit 104 or the wireless unit 105 of the STA3 receives the frame. Next, in step S602, it is determined whether or not the frame received in step S601 is a transfer request. When it is determined that the received frame is not a transfer request, the process proceeds to step S603, and a predetermined frame reception sequence (normal reception process)
After executing, the process returns to step S601.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that the received frame is a transfer request,
Proceed to step S604, and as described above, STA3
By sending and receiving frames instead of 1, the AP3 is requested to associate and authenticate STA1 (STA
Request a connection).

Next, in step S605, STA1 and AP3
Whether or not the association and authentication of the
Judge whether the connection is OK or not). If it is determined that the association and authentication of STA1 and AP3 are not established (STA connection is not OK), transfer is impossible, and the process proceeds to step S606, and a predetermined transfer-disabled frame Transfer NG), and then step S
Return to 601.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the association and authentication have been established (STA connection is OK), the process proceeds to step S607.
When the transfer is OK, it is recorded in the memory 107 that the STA1 frame is "transferring", and a predetermined transferable frame is transmitted to the STA1.

Next, in step S608, the STA3 receives the next frame. Next, in step S609, it is determined whether or not the frame received in step S608 is a predetermined transfer stop request. If it is determined that the received frame is a predetermined transfer stop request, the process advances to step S610 to erase the "transfer in progress" record recorded in the memory 107, and after stopping the transfer. Then, the process returns to step S601.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S609 that the received frame is not the predetermined transfer stop request, the process proceeds to step S611, and the received frame is the frame from STA1 (data from the transfer source). ) Is determined. When it is determined that the received frame is the frame from STA1 (data from the transfer source), the process proceeds to step S612,
As described with reference to FIG. 3, after the data transfer process is performed, the process returns to step S608.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S611 that the received frame is not the frame from STA1 (data from the transfer source), step S6
In step 13, it is determined whether the received frame is a frame addressed to STA1 (data to the transfer source). If it is determined that the received frame is a frame addressed to STA1 (data to the transfer source), step S6
14, the data transfer process is performed as described with reference to FIG. 4, and the process returns to step S608.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S613 that the received frame is not the frame addressed to STA1 (data to the transfer source) but another frame, the process proceeds to step S615 and a predetermined frame After the reception sequence (normal reception process) is executed, the process returns to step S608.

In the present embodiment, AP1, 2, 3
Since the conventional access points can be used for each of the above and are publicly known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The configuration of the STA in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to the present embodiment is the same as the STA1 in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment described above.
The other configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 except that the other wireless unit 105 is deleted, and therefore the configuration of FIG.

In the above-described first embodiment, an example using a plurality of radio units 104 and 105 has been described. However, the present embodiment shows a case where AP3 and STA1 communicate with each other using the same channel. However, it can be realized by using only the single wireless unit 104 without using the wireless unit 105.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the AP 3 and the STA 1 are communicating using the same channel in the communication system for implementing the communication method according to the present embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation flow of STA3 that transfers a frame from STA1 to AP3, which is realized by using only a single wireless unit 104 without using 5.

In FIG. 7, steps S701 to S707 are the same as steps S601 to S607 of FIG. 6 in the above-described first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted and processing specific to this embodiment will be omitted. Only explained.

After the processing of step S707 is completed, the process proceeds to step S708, and the STA3 transmits a CTS frame including a predetermined communication time to the AP3 to notify it.
The predetermined communication time is a preset time used for communication between STA1 and STA3. STA1 is R
Communication with the STA3 is performed within the communication time by referring to the TS frame. The AP 3 transmits an RTS frame in response to a CTS frame according to a wireless LAN sequence which is a conventional technique. STAs other than STA3 under the control of AP3 do not perform transmission within the predetermined time by referring to the RTS frame, and do not interfere with the communication between STA1 and STA3.

Next, in step S709, STA1 and STA3
Determines whether communication (STA transmission or reception) has been performed according to a predetermined ad hoc mode communication sequence or a transfer stop request has been received. The frame exchanged here is as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 above. When it is determined in step S709 that the transfer stop request is received from the STA1, the process proceeds to step S710, the recorded contents of "transferring" recorded in the memory 107 are deleted, and the transfer is stopped. And then step S7
Return to 01.

On the other hand, in step S709, ST
A If it is determined that the data has been transmitted or received and the communication time has ended, the process proceeds to step S711, and the STA3 uses the AP3 in the ad hoc mode or the infrastructure mode.
After communicating with the STA other than STA1 (AP transmission or reception), the process returns to step S708.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, AP1, 2, 3
Since conventional access points can be used and are well known, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the basic structure of the STA according to this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 in the above-described first embodiment, the same drawing will be used for the description.

In this embodiment, by using the wireless unit 104 capable of communicating by switching a plurality of channels, the STA 3 switches the communication channel of the wireless unit 104 at every predetermined time so that the communication between the AP 3 and the STA 1 is performed. By performing them alternately, the same communication as the STA3 in the above-described first embodiment can be realized.

In this embodiment, APs 1, 2, 3
Since conventional access points can be used and are well known, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Other Embodiments) A communication program that realizes the above communication method, a computer-readable storage medium that stores the communication program, and the like are also included in the scope of the present invention.

That is, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium having a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply the computer (or CPU or M of the system or apparatus).
It is needless to say that it is also achieved by (PU or the like) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

A storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-
RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described respective embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the system) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an AP on the communication system fails, when there is no other AP within the communicable range with the STA under the failed AP,
If it is in a range where it can communicate with STAs under the control of other APs, when it is possible to communicate by passing through the STAs under the control of other APs, the STA side detects an AP abnormality and the APs If it is abnormal, it is possible to communicate via the STA under the control of another AP.

In the STA that performs the above-mentioned relay, use communication equipment that does not interfere with different channels, and
In the STA that performs the relay, the communication efficiency is not deteriorated by separately performing the communication with the AP and the communication with the separated STA depending on the time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a station device STA in a communication system for implementing a communication method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence in a communication system for implementing the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a request for transfer of communication in a communication system for implementing the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of conversion of the frame transmitted from STA.

FIG. 4 is a request for transfer of communication in a communication system for implementing the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of conversion of the frame transmitted to STA.

FIG. 5 requests transfer of communication in a communication system for implementing the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows a flow of processing operation of STA.

FIG. 6 is a STA that transfers communication in a communication system for implementing the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing operation of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a STA that transfers communication in a communication system for implementing a communication method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing operation of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating communication in an ad hoc mode, which is one of the forms of general wireless LAN communication.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating communication in infrastructure mode, which is one of the forms of general wireless LAN communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Information processing terminal 102 station equipment (STA) 103 Communication interface (communication I / F) 104 radio section 105 radio section 106 control unit 107 memory 108 timer 109 bus

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A communication method for performing communication by a communication system comprising a plurality of access point devices and a plurality of station devices, comprising: a first communication step of communicating between the access point device and the station device; And a control step of controlling so that a frame is received from the device in an ad hoc mode and transmitted to the access point device. 2. A communication method for communicating by a communication system comprising a plurality of access point devices and a plurality of station devices, comprising: a first communication step of communicating between the access point device and the station device; And a control step of controlling a frame transmitted from the point device to the station device and transmitting the frame to another station device in an ad hoc mode. 3. The station device has a timer for measuring a communication time, and the control step has a communication time indicating a length of time for which a wireless medium is used for communication at a predetermined timing. 3. The time reservation frame is issued, and the communication time is measured using the timer, whereby communication with the station device in the ad hoc mode is performed during the communication time. Communication method. 4. The communication according to claim 2, wherein the communication time reservation frame is an RTS (Request To Send) frame for notifying the start of communication when communicating with the access point device. Method. 5. The first communication step comprises switching a plurality of channels at predetermined time intervals, communicating with the access point device on a first channel, and communicating with the station device on a second channel. Claim 1 characterized by
Or the communication method according to 2. 6. A second communication step of performing communication on a channel different from that of the first communication step, the first communication step communicating with the access point device, and the second communication step comprising: The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed with a station device. 7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the control step controls to communicate with the station device in an ad hoc mode when communication with the access point device cannot be performed. 8. A station device communicating with an access point device, comprising: receiving means for receiving a frame from another station device; and transmitting means for transmitting a frame received by the receiving means in an ad hoc mode to the access point device. A station device having. 9. A station device communicating with an access point device, comprising: receiving means for receiving a frame transmitted from the access point device to another station device; and a frame received by the receiving means in the ad-hoc mode. A station device, comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting to the station device. 10. A communication time reservation frame having a communication time indicating a length of time for using a wireless medium for communication is issued at a predetermined timing, and an ad hoc communication with the other station device is performed during the communication time. The station device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein communication is performed in a mode. 11. The station according to claim 10, wherein the communication time reservation frame is an RTS (Request To Send) frame for notifying the start of communication when communicating with the access point device. apparatus. 12. A plurality of channels are switched at predetermined time intervals, a first channel communicates with the access point device, and a second channel communicates with the other station device. Or the station device according to item 9. 13. A first communication means for communicating with the access point apparatus, and a second communication means for communicating with the other station apparatus on a channel different from that of the first communication means. The station device according to claim 8 or 9. 14. The station device according to claim 8, wherein communication is performed with another station device in an ad hoc mode when communication with the access point device is not possible. 15. A computer-readable communication program for executing the communication method according to claim 1. 16. A storage medium having the communication program according to claim 15 stored therein.