WIRELESS COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM

• US 20170359846A1
• Filed: 11/05/2015
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: KAWAKAMI, DAISUKE, SUZUKI, HIDEYUKI, ITOH, KATSUTOSHI
• Granted Patent: US 10,813,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

[Object] To provide a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a program being novel and improved by which connection to a network can be made more easily.

[Solution] A wireless communication apparatus including: a first wireless communication unit configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication; and a control unit configured to assist connection, to a second network corresponding to a connection destination selection policy of another wireless communication apparatus received by the first wireless communication unit, by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

Claims

1. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a first wireless communication unit configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication; and

a control unit configured to assist connection, to a second network corresponding to a connection destination selection policy of another wireless communication apparatus received by the first wireless communication unit, by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second wireless communication unit configured to form the second network to perform wireless communication with the wireless terminal,

wherein the control unit controls the second wireless communication unit to form the second network in a case where the connection destination selection policy is received.

3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the connection destination selection policy includes information concerning a communication scheme, priority, and identification information.

4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the control unit controls the second wireless communication unit to form the second network using high-priority identification information included in the connection destination selection policy.

5. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the second wireless communication unit forms the second network as an access point of a wireless LAN or as a P2P Group Owner of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark).

6. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the control unit controls the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit to relay communication between the wireless terminal and the first network.

7. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the control unit selects a connection destination of the wireless terminal on the basis of the connection destination selection policy.

8. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the control unit selects the connection destination of the wireless terminal further on the basis of the connection destination selection policy of the wireless communication apparatus.

9. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the first wireless communication unit receives link information used for establishing a link with the wireless terminal.

10. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein the link information includes identification information for identifying the wireless terminal.

11. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store subscriber identification information for the first network; and

a third wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless terminal using the link information,

wherein the control unit generates authentication information for extensible authentication protocol (EAP) authentication to the second network by the wireless terminal using the subscriber identification information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the authentication information to the wireless terminal by the third wireless communication unit.

12. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first network is a mobile communication network, and

the second network is a public wireless LAN.

13. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a first wireless communication unit configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication; and

a control unit configured to control the first wireless communication unit to transmit a connection destination selection policy via the first network to another wireless communication apparatus that assists connection to a second network by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

14. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein in a case where the second network exists in a neighborhood, the control unit controls the first wireless communication unit to transmit link information used for establishing a link with the wireless terminal.

15. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store subscriber identification information for the first network; and

a third wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless terminal,

wherein the control unit generates authentication information for EAP authentication to the second network by the wireless terminal using the subscriber identification information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the authentication information to the wireless terminal by the third wireless communication unit.

16. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein the control unit controls the first wireless communication unit to transmit positional information of the wireless communication apparatus.

17. A wireless communication method comprising:

with a wireless communication apparatus configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication, assisting connection, to a second network corresponding to a received connection destination selection policy of another wireless communication apparatus, by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

18. A wireless communication method comprising:

with a wireless communication apparatus configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication, transmitting a connection destination selection policy via the first network to another wireless communication apparatus that assists connection to a second network by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as:

a first wireless communication unit configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication; and

a control unit configured to assist connection, to a second network corresponding to a connection destination selection policy of another wireless communication apparatus received by the first wireless communication unit, by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.

20. A program for causing a computer to function as:

a first wireless communication unit configured to connect to a first network to perform wireless communication; and

a control unit configured to control the first wireless communication unit to transmit a connection destination selection policy via the first network to another wireless communication apparatus that assists connection to a second network by a wireless terminal related to the other wireless communication apparatus.