JP7601433B2 - Wireless access point, wireless access controller, wireless access point system, and control method and program for wireless access point system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a wireless access point, a wireless access controller, a wireless access point system, and a control method and program for a wireless access point system.

Conventional wireless access points installed in commercial facilities are fixedly installed on the ceilings of commercial facilities, etc., and have the functionality to automatically change the radio wave output, channel, and bandwidth using software in response to changes in the wireless environment.

One such function is, for example, a load balancing function that, when a large number of wireless terminals connect to a wireless access point, rejects new terminal connections and encourages connections to other access points. This load balancing function makes it possible to equalize the number of terminals connected to a wireless access point (see non-patent document 1).

"How to build a safe wireless LAN - (1) Part 2", [online], Nikkei BP, Inc., [Retrieved January 24, 2023], Internet, <URL: https://xtech.nikkei.com/it/members/NCC/NETPOINT/20021015/2/>

The following analysis was performed by the inventor.

The above prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference.

However, when the number of wireless terminal connections increases rapidly in a local area, even if the load balancing function is used to equalize the connections, if the number of connections itself is excessive, a decrease in wireless throughput will occur.

The objective of the present disclosure is, inter alia, to provide a wireless access point, a wireless access controller, a wireless access point system, and a control method and program for a wireless access point system that contribute to suppressing a decrease in wireless throughput due to changes in the wireless environment.

(1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure,
a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to its own wireless environment (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data");
A position control unit that controls a position of the device itself;
A plurality of wireless access points,
a data collection unit that collects the wireless environment data from the wireless access points;
a determination unit that determines a state of a wireless environment of the wireless access point based on the wireless environment data;
A wireless access controller comprising :
In a wireless access point system ,

The determination unit is
transmits location information on a new location to be moved to the location control unit of a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data is determined to have a margin with respect to the predetermined threshold, so as to approach a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as an "environment-deteriorating wireless access point") whose wireless environment data has exceeded a predetermined threshold by a predetermined distance;
A wireless access point system is provided (mode 1) .
(2 ) According to the second aspect of the present disclosure,
A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
A wireless access point system comprising:
The wireless access controller includes:
Collect data on the wireless environment of each of the wireless access points (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data") acquired by the wireless access points;
determining a wireless environment status of the wireless access point;
transmits location information on a new location to which the wireless access point is to be moved to a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data is determined to be greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the wireless access point approaches the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "deteriorated environment wireless access point") by a predetermined distance;
A method for controlling a wireless access point system is provided (mode 6 ).
( 3 ) According to the third aspect of the present disclosure,
A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
There is provided a program for causing the wireless access controller in a wireless access point system to execute the control method for the wireless access point system of the present disclosure (mode 7 ).

(Mode 1) See the first aspect of this disclosure above.
(Feature 2) In the wireless access point system according to feature 1,
In a rail system in which the wireless access point is configured to be repositionable or movable , the position control unit preferably controls the position of the wireless access point on the rail .
(Feature 3 ) In the wireless access point system according to feature 2 ,
The determination unit is
When the specific wireless access point does not exist, it is preferable to transmit location information about a new location to which the wireless access point should be moved to the location control unit of the deteriorating wireless access point in order to move the deteriorating wireless access point to an intermediate location between the locations of multiple wireless terminals connected to the deteriorating wireless access point or to a location closest to the intermediate location.
(Feature 4 ) In the wireless access point system according to feature 3 ,
The wireless access point further comprises a load balancing function operation unit,
It is preferable that the determination unit transmits a command signal to a load balancing function operation unit of the environmentally degraded wireless access point to operate the load balancing function.
(Mode 5 ) In the wireless access point system according to any one of modes 1 to 4 ,
the wireless environment data is the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as the "number of connections");
the predetermined threshold is an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point,
It is preferable that the determination unit determines the wireless access point as an environment deteriorating wireless access point when the number of connections exceeds the connection upper limit.
(Mode 6 ) See the second aspect of this disclosure above.
(Mode 7 ) See the third aspect of this disclosure above.

The above program can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transient) storage medium. That is, the present disclosure can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program is input to the computer device from an input device or from the outside via a communication interface, stored in a storage device, and drives the processor according to predetermined steps or processes, and can display the processing results, including intermediate states as necessary, at each stage via a display device, or can communicate with the outside via the communication interface. As an example, a computer device for this purpose typically includes a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, which are connectable to each other via a bus.

This disclosure and each of its aspects can contribute, among other things, to preventing a decrease in wireless throughput due to changes in the wireless environment.

1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 4 is a flowchart of an example process of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 6 is a flowchart of a further example process of an embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 1 is a block diagram of an example wireless access point of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 2 is a block diagram of an example wireless access controller of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless environment state in a specific example of processing of an embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 7 is an example of a wireless environment status table in which the wireless environment status in FIG. 6 is recorded. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless environment situation in which congestion occurs locally in a specific example of processing of an embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 9 is an example of a wireless environment status table in which the wireless environment status in FIG. 8 is recorded. 1 is an example of a wireless environment situation in which local congestion is eliminated by the present disclosure, in a specific example of processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 11 is an example of a wireless environment status table in which the wireless environment status in FIG. 10 is recorded. 4 is a flowchart of an example of the processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. 4 is a flowchart of an example of the processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a minimum configuration of a wireless access point according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a minimum configuration of a radio access controller according to the present disclosure. 1 is an example of a hardware resource configuration.

The following provides an overview of the present disclosure. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are intended solely to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated embodiment. The connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. One-way arrows are used to diagrammatically indicate the flow of signals, information, data, etc., and do not exclude bidirectionality. The connections between blocks in each drawing can be wired or wireless. The program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, and the computer device is configured to be able to communicate with devices (including computers) within or outside the device via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless.

Furthermore, in the following description and drawings, elements having the same or common functions are designated by the same drawing reference numbers.

(Embodiment)
1 shows an embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. The wireless access point system includes a plurality of wireless access points 10a to 10c, each of which can be accessed by at least one wireless terminal, and a wireless access controller 20. Although the illustrated wireless access point system includes three wireless access points 10a to 10c, the number of wireless access points constituting the wireless access point system of the present disclosure may be two or four or more. In addition, in the present disclosure, a wireless terminal refers to any terminal that can access a wireless access point, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.

Each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c is configured to be capable of changing (or moving) its position. This change in position is realized, for example, by moving each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c along a rail system arranged, for example, in a grid pattern, on the wall surface or underside of the ceiling of a building such as a commercial facility, by moving each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c as a running body equipped with wheels on the floor surface or upper surface of the ceiling of a building such as a commercial facility, or by moving each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c configured as an air vehicle such as a drone. Note that the bidirectional arrows shown in FIG. 1 merely symbolically indicate that each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c can change its position, and each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c can move in any direction depending on the aspect of the position changing means. The wireless access point system of the present disclosure may also include a fixed-position wireless access point. In this case, the fixed-position wireless access point partially functions as an "environmentally deteriorating wireless access point".

Each of the multiple wireless access points 10a to 10c is connected to a wireless access controller 20 and is configured to acquire data about the wireless environment acquired about itself, i.e., "wireless environment data," and transmit the data to the wireless access controller 20. Examples of the wireless environment data that can be used include the number of wireless terminal connections, channel utilization rate, bandwidth, radio wave strength, and radio wave interference.

Furthermore, each of the multiple wireless access points 10a to 10c may have a load balancing function that refuses connection to at least one wireless terminal that is connected to itself and prompts the wireless terminal to connect to another wireless access point (or attempts to distribute the load evenly among the associated wireless access points).

The wireless access controller 20 is configured to determine the status of the wireless environment of the corresponding wireless access point based on the wireless environment data received from the multiple wireless access points 10a to 10c. In particular, when the wireless environment data of a wireless access point exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, when the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point exceeds the upper connection limit of the wireless access point), the wireless access controller 20 determines that the wireless environment of the wireless access point has deteriorated, and designates it as a "deteriorated environment wireless access point." Note that "exceeding the predetermined threshold" means that the wireless environment data exceeds a predetermined upper limit value or falls below a predetermined lower limit value, depending on the nature of the detected wireless environment.

Furthermore, when the wireless access controller 20 determines that a wireless access point has a margin, it designates it as a "specific wireless access point." Note that "margin" refers to the difference between the actual value of the detected wireless environment data and a predetermined threshold value of that wireless environment data, and is a difference equivalent to at least one unit of wireless environment data (i.e., one unit of load allocated from a wireless access point with a deteriorating environment). For example, for a wireless access point, if the wireless environment is the number of connected wireless terminals (hence "one unit" is "1"), the predetermined threshold is "5," and the actual value of the wireless environment data, i.e., the number of connected wireless terminals at the time the wireless environment data was obtained, is "3," then the "margin" is "2."

When the wireless access controller 20 finds a deteriorating wireless access point, it can move the specific wireless access point closer to the deteriorating wireless access point by a predetermined distance. For example, in FIG. 1, when the wireless access point 10a is a deteriorating wireless access point, the wireless access point 10b has a margin, i.e., is a specific wireless access point, and the wireless access point 10c does not have a margin, the wireless access controller 20 can move the specific wireless access point 10b closer to the deteriorating wireless access point 10a by a predetermined distance. Here, the size of the "predetermined distance", the direction of movement, and the number of movements can be arbitrarily set and arbitrarily adjusted depending on the mode of the position change means of the wireless access point. Note that the white arrow in the figure is merely a symbolic representation of the movement of the specific wireless access point, and is not intended to limit the movement distance or direction to the mode shown in the figure.

In addition, when there are multiple specific wireless access points, the wireless access controller 20 can arbitrarily determine the specific wireless access point to be moved. For example, in FIG. 1, in the case where the wireless access point 10a is a deteriorating wireless access point, and the wireless access points 10b and 10c are specific wireless access points, and the wireless environment is the number of connections of wireless terminals, the predetermined threshold, i.e., the upper limit of connections, is "5", and if the actual number of connections of the wireless access point 10b closer to the wireless access point 10a is "4" (therefore the "margin" is "1") and the actual number of connections of the wireless access point 10c farther from the wireless access point 10a is "1" (therefore the "margin" is "4"), the wireless access controller 20 can prioritize the distance to the deteriorating wireless access point and move the wireless access point 10b closer to the wireless access point 10a first, or can prioritize the margin and move the wireless access point 10c with the larger margin first, and in some cases, it is also possible to move both at the same time.

In addition, when using radio wave strength as radio environment data in particular, instead of directly specifying the travel distance (and travel direction, if necessary) or the location to move to and issuing instructions to move, it is also possible to issue instructions to move based on the radio environment, such as the radio wave strength of other wireless access points. For example, it is possible to instruct to move to a location where the radio wave strength is a specified value (units such as dBm).

On the other hand, if a specific wireless access point does not exist, the wireless access controller 20 can be configured to move the deteriorating wireless access point to an intermediate position between the positions of multiple wireless terminals connected to the deteriorating wireless access point, or to a position that is closest to the intermediate position that may be taken depending on the aspect of the position changing means of the wireless access point.

(Processing example of one embodiment)
2 is a flowchart of a process example of the above embodiment. In the following description, "step" is represented by "S".

First, the wireless access points 10a to 10c acquire their respective wireless environment data, and the wireless access controller 20 receives and collects this wireless environment data from the wireless access points 10a to 10c (S1).

Next, the wireless access controller 20 judges the status of the wireless environment of the corresponding wireless access points 10a to 10c based on the received wireless environment data (S2). Here, the wireless access controller 20 judges whether there are any wireless access points whose wireless environment data exceeds a predetermined threshold, i.e., any wireless access points with a deteriorated environment. If there are no wireless access points with a deteriorated environment (NO), the process returns to S1.

If it is determined in S2 that a deteriorating wireless access point 10a exists (YES), the wireless access controller 20 further determines whether there is a wireless access point with a surplus, i.e., a specific wireless access point (S3).

If it is determined in S3 that there is no specific wireless access point (NO), the wireless access controller 20 moves the deteriorating wireless access point 10a (S4). Specifically, the wireless access controller 20 moves the deteriorating wireless access point 10a to a position that is closest to the intermediate position between the positions of multiple wireless terminals connected to the deteriorating wireless access point 10a, or to a position that is closest to the intermediate position that can be taken depending on the state of the wireless access point position changing means. In this case, it is also possible to return to S1 after that.

If it is determined in S3 that a specific wireless access point 10b exists (YES), the wireless access controller 20 moves the specific wireless access point 10b a predetermined distance closer to the deteriorating wireless access point 10a (S5), and receives and collects the wireless environment data acquired from each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c in that state (S6). At that time, the wireless access controller 20 causes the deteriorating wireless access point 10a to execute a load balancing function. Note that if multiple specific wireless access points exist, the wireless access controller 20 can arbitrarily determine which specific wireless access point to move to.

Next, the wireless access controller 20 judges whether the newly collected wireless environment data, i.e., the actual value of the wireless environment data, for the deteriorating wireless access point 10a exceeds a predetermined threshold (S7). If the actual value of the wireless environment data does not exceed the predetermined threshold (NO), the process ends. In this case, it is also possible to subsequently execute further processes (S8 and onwards) described below.

On the other hand, if the actual value of the wireless environment data exceeds the predetermined threshold (YES), the process returns to S3. If the specific wireless access point 10b that has already been moved still has a surplus, the wireless access controller 20 moves this specific wireless access point 10b again in S5. At this time, if there is a specific wireless access point 10c other than the specific wireless access point 10b, the specific wireless access point 10c may be moved closer to the deteriorating environment wireless access point 10a, or in some cases both. Also, if there are three or more specific wireless access points, any combination of them may be moved closer to the deteriorating environment wireless access point 10a.

Further Processing Examples of an Embodiment
If the result in S7 of the processing example of the above embodiment is NO, the wireless access point system according to the present disclosure can also perform the following further processing as shown in FIG.

The wireless access controller 20 determines whether the actual value of the wireless environment data of the specific wireless access point 10b is less than or equal to the difference between the threshold value and the actual value of the wireless environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point 10a (S8).

If in S8 the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point 10b is less than or equal to the difference between the threshold value and the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point 10a (YES), the wireless access controller 20 instructs the specific wireless access point 10b to return to its original position, and the wireless access controller 20 causes the specific wireless access point 10b to execute a load balancing function (S9), and ends (or returns to S1).

If in S8 the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point 10b is not equal to or less than the difference between the threshold value and the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point 10a (NO), the wireless access controller 20 instructs the specific wireless access point 10b not to change its position (to remain in its current position) (S10), and receives and collects the radio environment data acquired in that state from each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c (S11), returns to S8, and repeats the same process until the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point 10b becomes equal to or less than the difference between the threshold value and the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point 10a.

(Wireless Access Point)
FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a wireless access point 10 in one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure.

The wireless access point 10 includes a position control unit (or a moving means) 11 that controls the position of the wireless access point 10, i.e., makes the wireless access point 10 movable, and a main operation unit 12.

The main operation unit 12 includes a data acquisition unit 13 that acquires wireless environment data about the wireless access point, and a load balancing function operation unit 14 that executes the load balancing function.

(Wireless Access Controller)
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless access controller 20 of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure.

The wireless access controller 20 includes a data collection unit 21 that receives and collects wireless environment data acquired by the data acquisition unit 13 of the multiple wireless access points 10 from the data acquisition unit 13, and a determination unit 23 that determines the status of the wireless environment of the wireless access point 10 corresponding to each of the wireless environment data based on the wireless environment data collected by the data collection unit 21.

The determination unit 23 has a function of transmitting location information about a new location to which a specific wireless access point should move to the location control unit 11 of the specific wireless access point, so that the wireless access point determined to have a margin, i.e., the specific wireless access point, approaches a specific distance from the wireless access point determined to have wireless environment data exceeding a specific threshold, i.e., the deteriorating environment wireless access point.

The determination unit 23 further has a function of transmitting a command signal to the load balancing function operation unit 14 of the wireless access point in the deteriorating environment to operate the load balancing function.

The wireless access controller 20 further includes a memory unit 22 that stores at least the location information (initial location, actual location (location after movement), etc.) for each wireless access point, the number of connections for each wireless access point, and the threshold value of the wireless environment data for each wireless access point. These pieces of information or data are stored, among others, in the form of tables such as those shown in Figures 7, 9, and 11.

(Specific example of processing)
A specific example of the process of an embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 12-2, and also with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Note that this specific example is merely an example and does not limit the present disclosure.

In this specific example, as shown in Figures 6, 8, and 10, each wireless access point 10a to 10c is configured to be able to change its position or move along a rail system including multiple rails arranged in a grid pattern on the underside of the ceiling of a building. In this example, the distance between the rails constituting the rail system is 8m in the x direction shown in the figure and 15m in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction, and the wireless access controller 20 is able to grasp the position on the rail system by calculation based on this rail distance. Also, in the wireless environment status tables 100, 200, and 300 shown in Figures 7, 9, and 11, the positions of each wireless access point 10a to 10c on the rail system are represented based on the positions of the intersections of the rails. Note that each wireless access point is moved 1m at a time on the rail, taking practical aspects into consideration, that is, because moving a wireless access point a large distance at once can have a large impact on the existing wireless environment in practice.

Furthermore, in this specific example, the wireless environment for each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c is the number of wireless terminals connected to each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c, and the threshold, i.e., the upper limit of the number of connections, is set to 5. This number of connections is counted when the data acquisition unit 13 of each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c sends out an SSID (service set identifier) and the wireless terminal connects to the SSID. Furthermore, this number of connections is sent to the data collection unit 21 of the wireless access controller 20 and collected, and then sent to the memory unit 22 and stored.

Figure 6 shows an example of the wireless environment conditions in a specific example of processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure.

In this situation, three wireless access points 10a to 10c are placed at the locations shown in the figure. That is, wireless access point 10a is placed at position B1, the intersection of rails RB and R1, wireless access point 10b is placed at position B3, the intersection of rails RB and R3, and wireless access point 10c is placed at position A2, the intersection of rails RA and R2.

These wireless access points 10a to 10c are managed by a wireless access controller 20, which stores the location information of each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c (see Figure 7). Each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c has a mechanism for moving on rails.

The number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access point 10a and wireless access point 10b is two, and the number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access point 10c is zero.

Figure 7 shows an example of a wireless environment status table 100 in which the wireless environment status in Figure 6 is recorded. In table 100, the location information (initial location and post-movement location) received by the wireless access controller 20 from each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c, the number of actually connected wireless terminals, and the threshold (upper limit) for the number of connectable terminals are mapped as shown. In this situation, for convenience, the same data as the initial location information is recorded in the post-movement location information column.

In the situation shown in FIG. 6, the wireless access controller 20 determines based on the information in table 100 that there are no wireless access points that exceed the threshold value of 5 and are overcrowded, i.e., "environmentally deteriorating wireless access points," and does not send a movement instruction to any of the wireless access points 10a to 10c.

Figure 8 shows an example of a wireless environment situation in which local congestion occurs in a specific example of processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure.

In this situation, as in the case of FIG. 6, wireless access point 10a is located at position B1, the intersection of rail RB and rail R1, wireless access point 10b is located at position B3, the intersection of rail RB and rail R3, and wireless access point 10c is located at position A2, the intersection of rail RA and rail R2.

On the other hand, in this situation, the number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access point 10a is 6, the number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access point 10b is 5, and the number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access point 10c is 0.

Figure 9 shows an example of a wireless environment status table 200 in which the wireless environment status in Figure 8 is recorded. In table 200, the location information (initial location and post-movement location) received by the wireless access controller 20 from each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c, the number of actually connected wireless terminals, and the threshold (upper limit) for the number of connectable terminals are mapped as shown. As with table 100, for convenience, the same data as the initial location information is recorded in the post-movement location information column.

In the situation shown in FIG. 8, the wireless access controller 20 determines, based on the information in the table 200, that there is a wireless access point with a deteriorating environment because the number of connections to the wireless access point 10a exceeds the threshold value of 5 (in this case, it is also possible to determine that the location where the wireless access point 10a is installed is overcrowded).

Next, in this example, the wireless access controller 20 checks the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point 10b that is closest to the wireless access point 10a that exceeds the threshold, and determines whether the load can be distributed using the load balancing function.

In the situation shown in FIG. 8, the number of wireless terminal connections for wireless access point 10b has reached the threshold of 5, i.e., wireless access point 10a is in an overcrowded state, and wireless access point 10b does not have a "surplus" to accept wireless terminal connections as a load. Therefore, wireless access controller 20 cannot determine wireless access point 10b as a "specific wireless access point" that has a "surplus."

Then, the wireless access controller 20 instructs wireless access point 10c, which is the "specific wireless access point" that is located next to wireless access point 10b closest to wireless access point 10a and has a "margin of error", to move 1 m along rail R2 in the direction of rail RB. In response to this instruction, wireless access point 10c moves 1 m along rail R2 in the direction of rail RB, approaching wireless access point 10a. After that, the wireless access controller 20 instructs wireless access point 10a to execute the load balancing function.

Figure 10 shows an example of a wireless environment situation in which local congestion has been eliminated by the present disclosure in a specific example of processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure.

Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 8, in response to an instruction from the wireless access controller 20, wireless access point 10c moves 1 m along rail R2 in the direction of rail RB, and then wireless access point 10a executes the load balancing function. By executing the load balancing function, wireless access point 10a sends a connection refusal packet to any of the connected wireless terminals, prompting them to connect to the approaching wireless access point 20c. In response, the connection destination of this wireless terminal is changed from wireless access point 20a to wireless access point 20c.

The wireless access controller 20 records the location information of the wireless access point 10c after it has been moved, and the number of connections of wireless terminals of the wireless access point 10a and the wireless access point 10c after the load balancing function has been executed, in the memory unit 22. The memory unit 22 also stores the location information of the moved wireless access point 10c before it was moved (see the initial location information column in table 300 in FIG. 11).

Figure 11 shows an example of a wireless environment status table 300 in which the wireless environment status in Figure 10 is recorded. Based on the information in table 300, the wireless access controller 20 determines that the overcrowding at the installation location of the wireless access point 10a has been resolved and that there are no wireless access points with a deteriorating environment.

Figures 12-1 and 12-2 show a flowchart of a specific example of the processing of one embodiment of a wireless access point system according to the present disclosure. In the figures, "access point" is abbreviated as "AP" (access point) and "access controller" is abbreviated as "AC" (access controller).

First, the data acquisition unit 13 of the main operation unit 12 of each wireless access point 10a to 10c acquires (counts) the number of connections of wireless terminals connected to the SSID, and transmits information (such as the actual number of connections) to the data collection unit 21 of the wireless access controller 20 (S700).

Next, the data collection unit 21 collects information (such as the actual number of connections) of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access points 10a to 10c managed by the wireless access controller 20, and transmits this information to the memory unit 22 (S701).

Next, the memory unit 22 maps or records the location of each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c and information about the wireless terminals connected to each of them (such as the actual number of connections) to the corresponding locations in the wireless environment status table (S702).

Next, the determination unit 23 determines whether there is a wireless access point whose number of connections exceeds a threshold based on the information mapped in the memory unit 22 (S703).

If there is no wireless access point with the number of connections exceeding the threshold (NO), the process returns to S700. On the other hand, if there is a wireless access point with the number of connections exceeding the threshold (hereinafter referred to as an "overcrowded access point") (YES), the determination unit 23 determines whether the number of connections of the wireless access point located closest to the overcrowded access point is equal to or greater than the threshold (S705).

If the number of connections is not equal to or greater than the threshold (is less than the threshold) (NO), the determination unit 23 issues an instruction to operate the load balancing function for the congested access point (S716) and returns to S700. If the number of connections is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES), the determination unit 23 checks whether or not there is a wireless access point with a zero number of connections in the vicinity of the wireless access point with a number equal to or greater than the threshold (S706).

If there is no wireless access point with a connection count of 0 (NO), the determination unit 23 issues a movement instruction to the congested access point to move to a position midway between the positions of the wireless terminals connected to it (S715). In this case, since the access point moves to a position midway between the positions of the wireless terminals connected to it, no wireless terminals will be disconnected due to the movement of the wireless access point.

If there is a wireless access point with zero connections (hereinafter referred to as a "surplus access point") (YES), the judgment unit 23 issues a movement instruction to the surplus access point to move 1 m closer to the congested access point (S707).

After the slack access point has moved, the determination unit 23 transmits the location information of the new location to the storage unit 22 (S708). The storage unit 22 holds the location information of the new slack access point before and after the move.

Next, the determination unit 23 issues an execution instruction to the load balancing function operation unit 14 of the congested access point (S709).

Next, the determination unit 23 determines whether the number of wireless terminals connected to the congested access point is below a threshold (S710).

If the number of connections is not equal to or less than the threshold (NO), the determination unit 23 instructs the slack access point to move an additional 1 m closer to the congested access point (S714). Then, after collecting the number of connections of the congested access point, the process returns to S708.

In S710, if the number of connections of wireless terminals connected to the congested access point is equal to or less than the threshold (YES), the determination unit 23 checks whether the total number of connections of wireless terminals connected to the moved slack access point is equal to or less than the difference between the threshold number of connections of the congested access point and the actual number of connections (S711).

If it is not less than the difference (NO), the determination unit 23 instructs the surplus access point that moved to stay where it is, causes the congested access point to execute the load balancing function, and obtains and collects the actual number of connections for each wireless access point (S713), and returns to S711.

If it is less than the difference (YES), the determination unit 23 issues an operation instruction to the moved surplus access point to execute the load balancing function and to return to the initial position (S712), and ends the process or returns to S700.

In this specific example, the threshold for each of the wireless access points 10a to 10c is 5, and as a result of the processing, the number of connections at the overcrowded access point 10a changes from 6 to 5, while the number of connections at the slack access point 10c changes from 0 to 1 (see Figures 9 and 11), so the "difference" is 5-5=0, and the actual number of connections at the slack access point 10c is not less than the "difference." Note that at that time, in addition to the wireless terminal moving from the overcrowded access point 10a, one or more new wireless terminals may connect to the slack access point 10c, but even in this case, the actual number of connections at the slack access point 10c will not be less than the "difference." On the other hand, for example, in S709, when the overcrowded access point 10a activates the load balancing function, if one of the six wireless terminals connected to the overcrowded access point 10a moves to the spare access point 10c as described above, and two more terminate their connections, i.e., if the actual number of connections to the overcrowded access point 10a becomes three, the "difference" becomes 5-3=2, and the actual number of connections to the spare access point 10c (i.e., 1) becomes less than the "difference."

In addition, in S712, instead of returning the moved spare access point to its initial position, it is also possible to move another wireless access point, in particular to the "initial position."

In addition, in the above specific example, the rail spacing is 8 m and 15 m, and the distance the wireless access point moves each time is 1 m, but these values can be changed as desired depending on the environment in which the wireless access point is installed.

Furthermore, in the above specific example, a situation is assumed in which the number of connections to wireless access point 10c is 0, but the present invention is not limited to such a situation. Therefore, in the above specific example, the judgment criterion in S706, i.e., the number of connections of the wireless access point confirmed by judgment unit 23, is 0, but this is not limited to this, and the judgment criterion is that the number of connections is less than a threshold (5 in the above specific example) (i.e., there is enough room for the number of connections: 1 to 4 in the above specific example). Therefore, in this case, the number of connections of "room access points", which are wireless access points with a room for the number of connections, is also less than the threshold (1 to 4 in the above specific example).

Figure 13 shows a block diagram of the minimum configuration of a wireless access point 1000 according to the present disclosure. This minimum configuration of wireless access point 1000 includes a data acquisition unit 1001 that acquires data related to its own wireless environment, and a position control unit 1002 that controls its own position. The data acquisition unit 1001 and the position control unit 1002 operate in substantially the same manner as the data acquisition unit 13 and the position control unit 11 in the above embodiment.

Figure 14 shows a block diagram of the minimum configuration of a wireless access controller 2000 according to the present disclosure. This minimum configuration wireless access controller 2000 includes a data collection unit 2001 that collects data related to the wireless environment of the wireless access point ("wireless environment data") from the wireless access point, and a determination unit 2002 that determines the status of the wireless environment of the wireless access point based on the wireless environment data. The data collection unit 2001 and the determination unit 2002 operate substantially in the same manner as the data collection unit 21 and the determination unit 23 in the above embodiment.

The wireless access point and wireless access controller according to the above embodiment and the above minimum configuration may include a control circuit (not shown) for controlling each of the respective parts, but the control circuit may be configured by so-called hardware resources (information processing device, computer), and may have the configuration shown in FIG. 15. For example, the hardware resource 3000 may include a processor 3001, a memory 3002, a network interface 3003, etc., which are connected to each other by an internal bus 3004.

However, the configuration shown in FIG. 15 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resource 3000. The hardware resource 3000 may include hardware (e.g., an input/output interface) that is not shown. The processor 3001 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The memory 3002 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). Here, the memory 3002 may store a predetermined threshold value related to the above-mentioned predetermined physical quantity, and may also store a control program for performing the above-mentioned control.

Furthermore, the network interface 3003 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, etc.

Furthermore, the functions of the hardware resource 3000 are realized by a processing module. The processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 3001 executing a program stored in the memory 3002. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium on which the program is stored. Furthermore, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. In other words, it is sufficient that the functions performed by the processing module are realized by the execution of software in some kind of hardware.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
[Supplementary Note 1] A data acquisition unit that acquires data related to its own radio environment (hereinafter referred to as "radio environment data"), and a position control unit that controls its own position;
A wireless access point comprising:
[Supplementary Note 2] In the above wireless access point,
The position control unit is
A rail system provided on a structure in which the wireless access point is installed,
The location of the wireless access point is controlled.
[Supplementary Note 3] A data collection unit that collects data related to a wireless environment of a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data") from the wireless access point;
a determination unit that determines a state of a wireless environment of the wireless access point based on the wireless environment data;
A wireless access controller comprising:
[Supplementary Note 4] A plurality of the above wireless access points and the above wireless access controller,
A wireless access point system comprising:
[Supplementary Note 5] In the above wireless access point system,
The determination unit is
In order to approach a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as an "environment-deteriorating wireless access point") whose wireless environment data has been determined to exceed a predetermined threshold by a predetermined distance, location information about a new location to which the wireless access point should be moved is transmitted to the location control unit of a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data has been determined to have a margin relative to the predetermined threshold.
[Supplementary Note 6] In the above wireless access point system,
The determination unit is
If the specific wireless access point does not exist, location information about a new location to which the wireless access point should be moved is transmitted to the location control unit of the deteriorating wireless access point in order to move the deteriorating wireless access point to an intermediate location between the locations of multiple wireless terminals connected to the deteriorating wireless access point or to a location closest to the intermediate location.
[Supplementary Note 7] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless access point further comprises a load balancing function operation unit,
The determining unit transmits a command signal to a load balancing function operating unit of the environmentally degraded wireless access point to operate the load balancing function.
[Supplementary Note 8] In the above wireless access point system,
the wireless environment data is the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as the "number of connections");
the predetermined threshold is an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point,
When the number of connections exceeds the upper connection limit, the determination unit determines that the wireless access point is an environment deteriorating wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 9] A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
A wireless access point system comprising:
The wireless access controller includes:
Collect data on the wireless environment of each of the wireless access points (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data") acquired by the wireless access points;
determining a wireless environment status of the wireless access point;
transmits location information on a new location to which the wireless access point is to be moved to a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data is determined to be greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the wireless access point approaches the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "deteriorated environment wireless access point") by a predetermined distance;
A method for controlling a wireless access point system.
[Supplementary Note 10] A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
a control method for a wireless access point system, the control method comprising:
[Supplementary Note 11] A wireless access point system including a plurality of wireless access points and a wireless access controller.
The wireless access point includes:
A location control unit that controls the location of the wireless access point; and
Includes the main operating section.
The main operation unit includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data relating to a wireless environment for the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data").
The wireless access controller includes:
a data collection unit that collects wireless environment data acquired by the data acquisition units of the plurality of wireless access points from the data acquisition units; and
The wireless communication device further includes a determination unit that determines the state of the wireless environment of the corresponding wireless access point based on the wireless environment data collected by the data collection unit.
The determination unit transmits location information about a new location to which a wireless access point determined to have a margin of error (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") should move to a location control unit of the specific wireless access point so that the specific wireless access point moves a specified distance closer to a wireless access point determined to have wireless environment data that exceeds a specified threshold (hereinafter referred to as a "deteriorating environment wireless access point").
[Supplementary Note 12] In the above wireless access point system,
The position control unit controls the position of the wireless access point on a rail system disposed on a structure on which the wireless access point system is installed.
[Supplementary Note 13] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless access point system includes the rail system.
[Supplementary Note 14] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless access point is configured as an air vehicle, and the position control unit controls the position of the air vehicle in three-dimensional space.
[Supplementary Note 15] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless access point is configured as a running object that runs on a flat surface using its wheels, and the position control unit controls the position of the running object on the floor surface or the underside of the ceiling of a structure in which the running object is disposed.
[Supplementary Note 16] In the above wireless access point system,
The main operation section further includes a load balance function operation section.
The determining unit transmits a command signal to a load balancing function operating unit of the environmentally degraded wireless access point to operate the load balancing function.
[Supplementary Note 17] In the above wireless access point system,
When the specific wireless access point does not exist, the determination unit transmits location information about a new location to which the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point should move to a location control unit of the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point so that the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point moves to an intermediate location between the locations of multiple wireless terminals connected to the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point or to a location closest to the intermediate location.
[Supplementary Note 18] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless environment data is the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as the "number of connections").
The predetermined threshold is an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point.
When the number of connections exceeds the upper connection limit, the determination unit determines that the wireless access point is an environment deteriorating wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 19] In the above wireless access point system,
The radio environment data is channel utilization, bandwidth, signal strength, or signal interference for the wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 20] In the above wireless access point system,
The wireless access controller includes a storage unit that stores at least location information for each wireless access point, a number of connections for each wireless access point, and a threshold value of wireless environment data for each wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 21] A method for controlling a wireless access point system including a plurality of wireless access points and a wireless access controller.
The control method includes:
a step of each of the wireless access points acquiring wireless environment data;
receiving, by the wireless access controller, the wireless environment data from the plurality of wireless access points;
The wireless access controller determines a state of a wireless environment of a corresponding wireless access point based on the received wireless environment data;
The method includes a step of the wireless access controller moving the specific wireless access point so that the specific wireless access point approaches the environmentally degraded wireless access point by a predetermined distance.
[Supplementary Note 22] In the above control method,
The specific wireless access point is repositioned on a rail system disposed on the structure on which the wireless access point system is installed.
[Supplementary Note 23] In the above control method,
The plurality of wireless access points are each configured as an air vehicle, and the specific wireless access point is changed in position within a three-dimensional space.
[Supplementary Note 24] In the above control method,
Each of the plurality of wireless access points is configured as a vehicle that moves on a flat surface using wheels, and the position of the specific wireless access point is changed on the floor surface or underside of the ceiling of a structure in which the vehicle is arranged.
[Supplementary Note 25] In the above control method,
The control method further comprises:
The method includes a step of causing the wireless access controller to operate a load balancing function on the environmentally degraded wireless access points.
[Supplementary Note 26] In the above control method,
The control method further includes a step in which, when the specific wireless access point does not exist, the wireless access controller moves the deteriorating environment wireless access point to an intermediate position between the positions of a plurality of wireless terminals connected to the deteriorating environment wireless access point or to a position closest to the intermediate position.
[Supplementary Note 27] In the above control method,
The wireless environment data is the number of connections to the wireless access point.
When the number of connections exceeds an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point, the wireless access controller determines the wireless access point as a wireless access point in a deteriorating environment.
[Supplementary Note 28] In the above control method,
The radio environment data is channel utilization, bandwidth, signal strength, or signal interference for the wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 29] In the above control method,
The wireless access controller stores at least location information for each wireless access point, the number of connections for each wireless access point, and a threshold value of wireless environment data for each wireless access point.
[Supplementary Note 30] In the above control method,
The control method further comprises:
determining whether the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point is equal to or smaller than the difference between the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorated wireless access point and a threshold value;
When the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point is equal to or smaller than the difference between the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorated wireless access point and the threshold, instructing the specific wireless access point to return to its original position (at this time, making the specific wireless access point execute a load balancing function);
If the actual value of the radio environment data of the specific wireless access point is not less than the difference between the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point and a threshold value, the step of instructing the specific wireless access point not to change its location and receiving and collecting the radio environment data acquired by each of the wireless access points in that state is included.
[Supplementary Note 31] A control program for a wireless access point system including a plurality of wireless access points and a wireless access controller.
The control program includes:
A process in which the plurality of wireless access points acquire respective wireless environment data;
a process in which the wireless access controller receives the wireless environment data from the plurality of wireless access points;
A process in which the wireless access controller determines a state of a wireless environment of a corresponding wireless access point based on the received wireless environment data;
The wireless access controller executes a process of moving the specific wireless access point so that the specific wireless access point approaches the environment deteriorating wireless access point by a predetermined distance.
[Appendix 32] In the above control program,
The specific wireless access point is repositioned on a rail system disposed on the structure on which the wireless access point system is installed.
[Appendix 33] In the above control program,
The plurality of wireless access points are each configured as an air vehicle, and the specific wireless access point is changed in position within a three-dimensional space.
[Appendix 34] In the above control program,
Each of the plurality of wireless access points is configured as a vehicle that moves on a flat surface using wheels, and the position of the specific wireless access point is changed on the floor surface or underside of the ceiling of a structure in which the vehicle is arranged.
[Appendix 35] In the above control program,
The control program further comprises:
The wireless access controller causes a computer to execute a process for causing the environmentally degraded wireless access points to operate a load balancing function.
[Appendix 36] In the above control program,
The control program further causes the computer to execute a process in which, when the specific wireless access point does not exist, the wireless access controller moves the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point to an intermediate position between the positions of multiple wireless terminals connected to the environmentally deteriorating wireless access point or to a position closest to the intermediate position.
[Appendix 37] In the above control program,
The wireless environment data is the number of connections to the wireless access point.
When the number of connections exceeds an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point, the wireless access controller determines the wireless access point as a wireless access point in a deteriorating environment.
[Appendix 38] In the above control program,
The radio environment data is channel utilization, bandwidth, signal strength, or signal interference for the wireless access point.
[Appendix 39] In the above control program,
The wireless access controller stores at least location information for each wireless access point, the number of connections for each wireless access point, and a threshold value of wireless environment data for each wireless access point.
[Appendix 40] In the above control program,
The control program further comprises:
A process of determining whether the actual value of the wireless environment data of the specific wireless access point is equal to or smaller than the difference between the actual value of the wireless environment data of the wireless access point having a deteriorated environment and a threshold value;
When the actual value of the wireless environment data of the specific wireless access point is equal to or smaller than the difference between the actual value of the wireless environment data of the deteriorated wireless access point and the threshold value, instructing the specific wireless access point to return to its original position (at that time, causing the specific wireless access point to execute a load balancing function);
If the actual value of the radio environment data of a specific wireless access point is not less than the difference between the actual value of the radio environment data of the deteriorating wireless access point and the threshold value, the specific wireless access point is instructed not to change its position, and the computer is caused to execute a process of receiving and collecting the radio environment data acquired by each of the specific wireless access points in that state.

Within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the scope of the claims), modifications and adjustments to the embodiments and examples are possible, based on the basic technical ideas. Furthermore, within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of the various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art would be able to make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas.

The present disclosure is particularly applicable to wireless access point systems that include multiple wireless access points installed in spaces where relatively large numbers of people gather, such as medium- to large-sized commercial facilities and medium- to large-sized offices, and where the numbers of people fluctuate both locationally and over time, and where this is particularly a rapidly changing space.

10 Wireless access points 10a to 10c Wireless access point 11 Position control unit (or moving means)
12 Main operation section 13 Data acquisition section 14 Load balance function operation section

20 Wireless access controller 21 Data collection unit 22 Storage unit 23 Determination unit

100 Radio environment status table 200 Radio environment status table 300 Radio environment status table

1000 Wireless access point 1001 Data acquisition unit 1002 Position control unit

2000: Wireless access controller 2001: Data collection unit 2002: Determination unit

3000 Hardware resources 3001 Processor 3002 Memory 3003 Network interface 3004 Internal bus R1 to R3 Rails (x direction)
RA, RB Rail (y direction)

Claims (7)

A data acquisition unit that acquires data related to its own wireless environment (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data");
A position control unit that controls a position of the device itself;
A plurality of wireless access points,
a data collection unit that collects the wireless environment data from the wireless access points;
a determination unit that determines a state of a wireless environment of the wireless access point based on the wireless environment data;
A wireless access controller comprising :
In a wireless access point system ,
The determination unit is
transmits location information on a new location to be moved to the location control unit of a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data is determined to have a margin with respect to the predetermined threshold, so as to approach a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as an "environment-deteriorating wireless access point") whose wireless environment data has exceeded a predetermined threshold by a predetermined distance;
Wireless access point system . The position control unit is
In a rail system in which the wireless access point is configured to be repositionable or movable ,
Controlling the position of the wireless access point on the rail ;
2. The wireless access point system according to claim 1. The determination unit is
if the specific wireless access point does not exist, transmitting location information on a new location to which the wireless access point should be moved to the location control unit of the environmental degradation wireless access point in order to move the environmental degradation wireless access point to an intermediate location between the locations of a plurality of wireless terminals connected to the environmental degradation wireless access point or to a location closest to the intermediate location;
The wireless access point system according to claim 2 . The wireless access point further comprises a load balancing function operation unit,
The determination unit transmits a command signal to a load balancing function operation unit of the environment deteriorating wireless access point to operate a load balancing function.
The wireless access point system according to claim 3 . the wireless environment data is the number of wireless terminals connected to the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as the "number of connections");
the predetermined threshold is an upper limit of connections to the wireless access point,
When the number of connections exceeds the upper connection limit, the determination unit determines that the wireless access point is an environment deteriorating wireless access point.
5. A wireless access point system according to claim 1 . A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
A wireless access point system comprising:
The wireless access controller includes:
Collect data on the wireless environment of each of the wireless access points (hereinafter referred to as "wireless environment data") acquired by the wireless access points;
determining a wireless environment status of the wireless access point;
transmits location information on a new location to which the wireless access point is to be moved to a wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "specific wireless access point") whose wireless environment data is determined to be greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the wireless access point approaches the wireless access point (hereinafter referred to as a "deteriorated environment wireless access point") by a predetermined distance;
A method for controlling a wireless access point system. A plurality of wireless access points;
A wireless access controller;
7. A program for causing the wireless access controller in a wireless access point system to execute the control method for the wireless access point system according to claim 6 .

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