CN118265108A

CN118265108A - Communication method, device, equipment and system

Info

Publication number: CN118265108A
Application number: CN202211675223.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王刚; 丁国治; 余贵堂; 张武雄; 刘康; 刘烨
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Filing date: 2022-12-26
Publication date: 2024-06-28

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, a device, equipment and a system. The method comprises the following steps: the first device transmits broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks over a first time period, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network; the first equipment receives access request information, wherein the access request information is used for a second equipment to access a second network; the first device sends third broadcast information for characterizing a first network in a second time period, wherein the third broadcast information is used for the second device to access the second network of the first device; the second time period is not earlier than the first time period and does not overlap each other. The first device configures the third broadcast signal according to the network name in the access request signal, so that the first device can utilize a single hardware resource channel to realize the transmission of broadcast information of a plurality of virtual networks, and after responding to the access request information of the second device, an actual network is created, thereby saving hardware resources.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment and system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communications method, apparatus, device, and system.

Background

In a wireless network, a network element is typically formed by a network access point and one or more terminal devices. The network access point transmits a broadcast signal in the form of a broadcast, announcing the existence of a network. For example, a common wireless Wi-Fi router is an Access Point (AP), and a client (STA) device, which can discover APs existing around and Access the APs by scanning.

The broadcast signal sent by the network access point, the information carried by the broadcast signal, can characterize the network type of the broadcast signal, for example, in practical application, when a plurality of networks need to be created, a plurality of broadcast information needs to be sent for access control of users with different authorities, for example, a home network and a visitor network. To implement multiple networks requires that the device implement multiple sets of the same hardware resources, thereby increasing the cost of the network device.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, a device, equipment and a system, which are used for solving the problem that the existing multi-network needs to support a plurality of sets of hardware resources on hardware. For example, in the field of internet of things (Things of Internet, ioT), for IoT Wi-Fi chips and systems, because of power consumption and cost factors, ioT device system hardware resources are limited, chips and operating systems thereof generally do not have resources supporting multiple hardware, and the scheme provided by the embodiment of the application can utilize limited chip resources to realize virtual multiple networks.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

The first device transmits broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks over a first time period, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

The first equipment receives access request information for second equipment, wherein the access request information is used for accessing the terminal equipment to a second network;

The first device transmits third broadcast information for characterizing a second network in a second time period;

The third broadcast information is used for accessing the second network of the first device by the second device;

The second time period is not earlier than the first time period and does not overlap each other.

Before receiving the access request information of the second device, the first network and the second network are networks virtualized by the first device, only the corresponding first broadcast information and second broadcast information are sent before receiving the access request information of the second device, after receiving the access request information, the first device sends updated third broadcast information, a plurality of networks are virtualized by the broadcast information, and the virtual network sending is realized by using a single set of hardware devices.

In one possible implementation, the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

The beacon frames are sent out in a periodic mode, and the second device can receive the beacon frames through searching to obtain first broadcast information, second broadcast information and third broadcast information.

In one possible implementation, the first broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

The second broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the second network; or (b)

The third broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the second network.

The network identifier represents a MAC address corresponding to the hardware address of the physical device. The network identifier is represented by a character string for identifying a network type, and the second device can distinguish different networks and network types thereof by analyzing the network identifier or the network name, so that the second device can conveniently access the corresponding network.

In one possible implementation, the first broadcast information includes a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information includes a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information includes the second network name and the first network identifier.

Because the network name is a character string, the character string is convenient for identifying a network type, after the first device receives the access request, according to the network which is expected to be accessed by the access request, the transmitted new broadcast information comprises the network name which is consistent with the network name which is included in the previously transmitted broadcast information which characterizes the network which is expected to be accessed by the second device, and the second device is convenient to access the expected network.

In one possible implementation, the driving layer of the first device includes a first driving entity and a second driving entity; the first driving entity is used for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network; or (b)

The second driving entity is for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network.

In one possible implementation manner, after the first device receives the access request, the first device configures configuration information of the second network to the first driving entity, where the configuration information of the second network includes at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration; or (b)

The first device configures configuration information of the second network to the second driving entity, the configuration information of the second network including at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration.

The configuration information of the network requesting access is called through the access request, and the network is configured through any one driving entity, so that the hardware cost is reduced.

In one possible implementation, the network identifier identifies a BSSID for the basic service set, and the network name is a service set identification SSID. One implementation provided by the present aspect may be applied to various types of networks as long as it needs to transmit broadcast information. For example, the method can be applied to a Wi-Fi network, wherein the BSSID is a basic service set carried by a beacon frame in the Wi-Fi network and used for representing the network type.

By the method, the first device can transmit a plurality of broadcast information to virtualize a plurality of networks by utilizing a single set of hardware resources before receiving the access request information. After receiving the access request information of the second device, reconfiguring network configuration information of the network device, sending updated broadcast information, receiving new broadcast information by the second device, completing network access, and reducing hardware resources of the first device.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

The second device receives broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks over a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

the second equipment sends access request information which is used for the second equipment to access a second network;

The second device receives third broadcast information characterizing a second network for a second time period, the third broadcast information being for the second device to access the second network of the first device, the second time period not being earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

The second device determines the network to be accessed according to the received broadcast information, receives new broadcast information after sending an access request of the corresponding network, and accesses the expected network, thereby realizing the access of the expected network in the multi-network.

The second broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or network name being used to characterize the second network; or (b)

The third broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or network name being used to characterize the second network.

In one possible implementation, after the second device sends an access request, the receiving of the first broadcast information characterizing the first network is stopped. After the second device sends the access request, the second device stops receiving the first broadcast information, which is helpful for reducing the power consumption of the second device.

In one possible implementation, the network identifier identifies a BSSID for the basic service set, and the network name is a service set identification SSID.

By the method, after receiving the broadcast information representing the multiple networks, the second equipment selects one of the networks to be accessed and sends the corresponding access request, and the second equipment receives the new broadcast information, completes network access, stops receiving other broadcast information, and reduces equipment power consumption.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including:

A transmitting unit configured to transmit broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks in a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

A receiving unit, configured to receive access request information of a second device, where the access request information is used for the second device to access a second network;

The transmitting unit transmits third broadcast information for characterizing the first network in a second period; the second time period is not earlier than the first time period and does not overlap each other;

in one possible design, the communication device further comprises:

a processing unit for the first device to generate the first broadcast information characterizing the first network, the first broadcast information characterizing the second network, and the third broadcast information characterizing the second network;

and the storage unit is used for storing the first broadcast information, the second broadcast information and the third broadcast information generated by the processing unit.

In one possible design, the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame and the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame

In one possible design, the first broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

In one possible design, the first broadcast information includes a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information includes a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information includes the second network name and the first network identifier.

In one possible design, the receiving unit stops transmitting the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after receiving an access request of a second device.

In one possible design, the driver layer of the first device includes a first driver entity and a second driver entity; the first driving entity is used for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network; or (b)

In one possible design, after the receiving unit receives the access request, the receiving unit configures configuration information of the second network to the first driving entity after receiving the access request information, where the configuration information of the second network includes at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration; or (b)

In one possible design, the network identifier identifies a BSSID for the basic service set, and the network name is a service set identification SSID.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including:

A receiving unit configured to receive, by a second device, broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks in a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

a sending unit, configured to send access request information, where the access request information is used to access the second network of the first device;

the receiving unit receives third broadcast information characterizing the second network for a second device to access the second network of the first device within a second time period, the second time period being not earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

In one possible design, the communication device further comprises:

a processing unit, configured to generate the access request information;

And the storage unit is used for storing the access request information generated by the processing unit.

In one possible design, the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

In one possible design, the receiving unit stops receiving the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after the sending unit sends the access request information.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including:

A transmitter for transmitting broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks over a first time period, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

A receiver, configured to receive access request information of a second device, where the access request information is used for the second device to access a second network;

The transmitter transmitting third broadcast information characterizing the first network for a second period of time; the second time period is not earlier than the first time period and does not overlap each other;

in one possible design, the communication device further comprises:

A processor for the first device to generate the first broadcast information characterizing the first network, the first broadcast information characterizing the second network, and the third broadcast information characterizing the second network;

and a memory for storing the first broadcast information, the second broadcast information, and the third broadcast information generated by the processing unit.

In one possible design, the receiver stops transmitting the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after receiving an access request of a second device.

In one possible design, after the receiver receives the access request, the receiver configures configuration information of the second network to the first driving entity after receiving the access request information, where the configuration information of the second network includes at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration; or (b)

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including:

A receiver for receiving, by a second device, broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks within a first time period, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

a transmitter configured to transmit access request information, where the access request information is used to access the second network of the first device;

The receiver receives third broadcast information characterizing the second network for a second device to access the second network of the first device within a second time period, the second time period not being earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

In one possible design, the communication device further comprises:

A processor for generating the access request information;

and the memory is used for storing the access request information generated by the processing unit.

In one possible design, the receiver stops receiving the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after the transmitter transmits the access request information.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a communication device according to the fifth aspect and a communication device according to the sixth aspect.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for the first device described above.

In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for the second device described above.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to implement the method according to the first aspect or to implement the method according to the second aspect. In a possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing a computer program. The chip system may be formed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising: computer program code which, when run, causes the method of the first or second aspect described above to be performed.

Advantageous effects of the above third to eleventh aspects and implementations thereof reference may be made to the description of the advantageous effects of the first or second aspects and implementations thereof.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an apparatus frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a hardware device structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a hardware device structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a chip structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application described below may be applied to a communication system, for example, a Wi-Fi communication system, where the communication system may include a network side Access Point (AP) and a user equipment (Station, STA) that communicates with a network side device, and the user equipment may send and receive data on an operating channel where the network device is located. Fig. 1 is an example of the communication system, and the communication system shown in fig. 1 includes one network side device (AP) and a plurality of user devices (STA 1 to STA6 shown in fig. 1) in communication therewith.

The network-side device in the present application may be, in addition to an Access Point (AP) in Wi-Fi, a base station (macro base station, small/micro base station, home base station, etc.), or a relay station, as long as it is a network that transmits periodic broadcast information, for example, a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (global system for mobile communication, GSM) or a code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) network, an NB (NodeB) in wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA), an eNB or eNodeB (Evolutional NodeB) in long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE), or a gNB in a future 5G network or a new air interface (new radio, NR). The network-side device may also be a wearable device or an in-vehicle device.

The user equipment may be other access terminals, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents, user devices, or the like, in addition To Stations (STAs) in Wi-Fi. An access terminal may be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol) telephone, a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Television (TV) or other handheld device having wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, etc.

The architecture of the multi-network device framework is described below in connection with fig. 3.

In the conventional multi-network system, the network device needs to transmit a broadcast signal corresponding to the number of networks in order for the terminal device to identify surrounding networks through the received broadcast signal. Network devices can be generally divided into an application layer, a driver layer, and a physical layer according to a functional division. To send broadcast signals of multiple networks, the network device needs to configure corresponding amounts of entity resources at the application layer, the driver layer, and the physical layer, for example, more than two networks are to be generated in fig. 3, there are two application layer programs at the application layer, application 1 and application 2, and two driver entities are configured at the driver layer: drive entity 1 and drive entity 2, there are two physical layer chip hardware at the physical layer: physical hardware 1 and physical hardware 2 such that broadcast signals characterizing both networks can be transmitted.

In particular, for Wi-Fi systems, the broadcast signal is sent out in a certain period through a Beacon (Beacon) frame, in which a network identifier (Basic SERVICE SET IDENTIFIER, BSSID) and a network name (SERVICE SET IDENTIFIER, SSID) are carried, the network identifier is the MAC address of the network device, which is usually unchanged, and the network name is a string used by the terminal device to distinguish between different network types, such as public networks, private networks, etc. The terminal device can determine a network by receiving the network beacon frame, parsing to obtain a network identifier and a network name.

It can be seen that in the above multi-network system, the network device configures several networks, and a corresponding amount of software and hardware resources need to be configured, which increases the cost of the network device.

For this purpose, the embodiment of the application provides a communication scheme. The scheme can reduce the high hardware cost of the network equipment in a multi-network environment.

The present embodiment will be described in further detail below based on the above-described common aspects of the present application.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 provides a transmission flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, including steps 201, 202, 203, and 204.

Step 201, a first device transmits first broadcast information characterizing a first network in a first time period;

Step 202, the first device transmits second broadcast information characterizing a second network in a first time period;

Optionally, in the first period, the first device may send, in addition to the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information, fourth and fifth … broadcast information, where the number of actually sent broadcast information is determined by the number of virtual network devices that the first device simulates according to needs, and for convenience of description, this embodiment uses two networks as an example.

Step 203, the first device receives an access request of the second device, where the access request is used to instruct the second device to request to access a second network of the first device;

Optionally, the number of the access requests sent by the second device may be greater than 1, and under the condition that the channel interference is greater, the first device may combine and process the multiple access requests, so as to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the reception, or improve the probability of successful reception due to the loss of the reception of the access requests caused by other reasons, and send the multiple access requests.

The first device transmits a third broadcast message characterizing the second network for a second time period for the second device to access the second network, step 204. Wherein the second time period is not earlier than the first time period, and the second time period and the first time period do not overlap each other.

Optionally, in the second period, the number of the third broadcast information sent by the first device may be greater than one, so as to improve the second device to combine and process a plurality of third broadcast information, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal.

Through the steps, before the first device receives the access request information of the second device, the first network and the second network are networks which are virtualized by the first device, only the corresponding first broadcast information and second broadcast information are sent before the access request information of the second device is received, after the access request information is received, the first device sends updated third broadcast information, a plurality of networks are virtualized through the broadcast information, and the virtual network sending is realized by using a single set of hardware equipment.

Optionally, the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

In this embodiment, the beacon frame includes at least one of the following fields:

Timestamp (Timestamp): 8 bits, the terminal device can be used to synchronize time in the network in microseconds, and when the counter reaches a maximum value, it will count from scratch;

A frame period (Beacon Interval) of 2 bits, this field is used to set how many time units are separated between Beacon signals. Time units, commonly abbreviated as TU, represent 1024 microseconds (microsecond), corresponding to 1 millisecond (millisecond);

Capability information (Capability Info): 16 bits, which is used to inform the terminal device which capabilities the network has when the Beacon frame is sent. Each bit represents a flag and corresponds to a specific function of the network;

Service Set Identification (SSID): the SSID is between 0 and 32 bytes in length;

basic Service Set Identification (BSSID): an 8-bit Mac address, which uniquely identifies each BSS;

rate support (Supported Rates): 8 bits, specifying the rate supported by the network.

Optionally, the first broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; the second broadcast information and the third broadcast information likewise include corresponding network identifiers and/or network names to characterize the corresponding networks.

Wherein the network identifier represents a MAC address corresponding to the hardware address of the physical device. The network identifier is represented as a string.

For example, the network that the second device desires to access is the second network.

When the broadcast information does not include a network name, the first broadcast information includes a first network identifier, the second broadcast information includes a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information includes a second network name.

When the broadcast information does not include the network identifier, the first broadcast information includes a first network name, the second broadcast information includes a second network name, and the third broadcast information includes a second network name.

When the broadcast information includes both a network name and a network identifier, the first broadcast information includes the first network name and the first network identifier, the second broadcast information includes the second network name and the second network identifier, and the third broadcast information includes the second network name and the first network identifier or the second network identifier. The adoption of the network name to represent one network type is more convenient for the second equipment to directly judge the network type according to the character string content of the network name and determine the network to be accessed.

In one possible implementation, the first device stops sending the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after receiving the access request of the second device. The second device expects to access to the second network, and after the first broadcast information representing the first network stops sending, the sending frequency of the second broadcast information is improved, so that the second device can receive the second broadcast information faster.

In one possible implementation, the driver layer of the first device includes a first driver entity for the first device to create and/or configure the first network, and a second driver entity for the first device to create and/or configure the second network. Or a first driving entity for the first device to create and/or configure the second network and a second driving entity for the first device to create and/or configure the first network.

Optionally, the first device driver layer may further include third, fourth or even more driver entities, where the number of specific driver entities is determined by the number of actual virtual networks. Each driving entity creates and/or configures a corresponding network. The present embodiment illustrates a system frame of a first device by taking two driving entities as examples:

Referring to fig. 4, the first device configures the application 1 to create a plurality of networks in the application, the application layer 1 determines network parameters including network bandwidth, supported protocols, encryption protocols, etc. according to the number of networks to be generated, the network type, and sends the configuration information to a plurality of driving entities on the driving layer: the physical hardware 1 and the physical hardware 2 drive the physical hardware 1 to generate corresponding broadcast information, and the broadcast information is sent out in a beacon frame mode. Each network beacon frame carries BSSID and SSID information of a corresponding network, the first network corresponds to BSSID1 and SSID1, and the second network corresponds to BSSID2 and SSID2.

Referring to fig. 5, for example, the second device desires access to the second network, access request information is transmitted, the access request information including at least one of a second network name or a second network identifier for identifying the second device desiring access to the second network. After receiving the access request of the terminal, the first device reconfigures configuration information such as the second network name, encryption of the second network, and the like to the driving entity 2, and sends third broadcast information (BSSID 1, SSID 2) through the physical hardware 1. And stops transmission of the broadcast information of the first network.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 6, the first device may reconfigure the configuration information such as the second network name, encryption of the second network, etc. to the driving entity 1, and send the third broadcast information (BSSID 1, SSID 2) through the physical hardware 1. And stops transmission of the broadcast information of the first network.

Optionally, fig. 7 shows that the second device requests to access the first network, and the first device may reconfigure the configuration information such as the first network name, encryption of the first network, etc. to the driving entity 1, and send the third broadcast information (BSSID 1, SSID 1) through the physical hardware 1.

Optionally, fig. 8 shows that the second device requests to access the first network, and the first device may reconfigure the configuration information such as the first network name, encryption of the first network, etc. to the driving entity 2, and send the third broadcast information (BSSID 1, SSID 1) through the physical hardware 1.

According to the embodiment, different types of networks can be virtualized by sending broadcast information of a plurality of networks on the same hardware (chip), a new network is created and configured according to the access request, updated broadcast information is sent, the hardware cost that a plurality of hardware (chips) are needed to realize multiple networks in the prior art is reduced, and hardware resources are saved.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a possible configuration of the communication device according to the above embodiment:

The communication apparatus 900 includes a transmitting unit 902 and a receiving unit 903; optionally, a processing unit 901 and a storage unit 904 may be further included. The storage unit 904 is connected to the processing unit 901, the transmitting unit 902, and the receiving unit 903, respectively. Further, the communication device 900 also includes a bus system 905. Wherein the processing unit 901, the transmitting unit 902, the receiving unit 903 and the storage unit 904 may be connected by a bus system 905.

The transmitting unit 902 is configured to transmit broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks during a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network.

The receiving unit 903 is configured to receive an access request of the second device.

The transmitting unit 902 transmits third broadcast information for characterizing the first network for a second period of time.

Optionally, the processing unit 901 is configured to generate first broadcast information characterizing the first network, and first and second broadcast information characterizing the second network. The processing unit 901 is further configured to determine a network name of a desired access of the second device, and generate third broadcast information characterizing the second network.

The storage unit 901 is configured to store the access request received by the receiving unit 903 and the broadcast information generated by the processing unit 901.

The first time period is not later than the second time period, and the first time period and the second time period are not overlapped with each other.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a possible configuration of the communication device according to the above embodiment:

The communication apparatus 1000 includes a transmission unit 1002 and a reception unit 1003; optionally, a processing unit 1001 and a storage unit 1004 may be further included. The storage unit 1004 is connected to the processing unit 1001, and the transmitting unit 1002 and the receiving unit 1003, respectively. Further, the communication device 1000 also includes a bus system 1005. Among them, the processing unit 1001, the transmitting unit 1002, the receiving unit 1003, and the storage unit 1004 may be connected by a bus system 1005.

A receiving unit 1003 is configured to receive broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks during a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network.

The transmitting unit 1002 transmits access request information for accessing a second network of the first device.

The receiving unit 1003 receives third broadcast information characterizing the second network for a second period of time.

Optionally, the processing unit 1001 acknowledges the second network accessing the first device, generating the access information.

The storage unit 1004 is configured to store the broadcast information received by the receiving unit 1003 and the access request generated by the processing unit 1001.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, as shown in fig. 11, where the chip 1100 is configured to implement the function of the first device in the foregoing embodiment, and includes a processor 1101, a communication interface 1102, where the processor 1101 is connected to the communication interface 1102, the communication interface 1102 is configured to receive signals and/or data to be processed, and the processor 1101 obtains the signals and/or data from the communication interface 1102 and processes the signals and/or data. The processor 1101 is configured to invoke and run a computer program stored in the memory to perform the corresponding operations and/or flows performed by the first device in the method of communication provided by the present application. Further, an antenna 1106 is also included in communication with the radio frequency device 1105. The radio frequency device 1105 transmits or signals via the antenna 1106 or transmits the received signals to the baseband device 1104 for processing.

The processor 1101 generates broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks during a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network, and sends the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information to the communication interface 1102, and the communication interface 1102 sends the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information to the baseband 1104, and after up-conversion amplification by the radio frequency device 1105, sends the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information out through the antenna 1106;

After receiving the access request signal of the terminal equipment, the antenna 1106 down-converts the access request signal by the radio frequency device 1105 and transmits the access request signal to the baseband 1104, the baseband 1104 transmits the baseband signal to the processor 1101 through the communication interface 1102, so as to obtain the network name carried by the access request signal of the terminal equipment, and confirm that the network equipment is expected to access to the second network;

the processor 1101 generates third broadcast information characterizing the second network during the second period of time, and sends the third broadcast information to the communication interface 1102, and the communication interface 1102 sends the third broadcast information to the baseband 1104, and after up-conversion amplification by the radio frequency device 1105, the third broadcast information is sent out through the antenna 1106;

The memory 1103 is used for storing the access request received by the communication interface 1102 and the broadcast information generated by the processor 1101.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, as shown in fig. 12, where the chip 1200 is configured to implement the function of the second device in the foregoing embodiment, and includes a processor 1201, a communication interface 1202, where the processor 1201 is connected to the communication interface 1202, the communication interface 1202 is configured to receive signals and/or data to be processed, and the processor 1201 obtains the signals and/or data from the communication interface 1202 and processes the signals and/or data. The processor 1201 is configured to invoke and run a computer program stored in the memory to perform the corresponding operations and/or flows performed by the first device in the method of communication provided by the present application. Further, an antenna 1206 is coupled to the radio frequency device 1205. The radio frequency device 1205 sends or signals through the antenna 1206, or sends received signals to the baseband device 1204 for processing.

After receiving the first broadcast signal representing the first network and the second broadcast signal representing the second network transmitted by the network device in the first period of time, the antenna 1206 is down-converted by the radio frequency device 1205, and then transmitted to the baseband 1204, and the baseband 1204 transmits the baseband signal to the processor 1201 through the communication interface 1203.

The processor 1201 confirms access to the second network, generates an access request signal, and sends the access request signal to the communication interface 1202, and the communication interface 1202 sends the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information to the baseband 1204, and sends the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information through the antenna 1206 after up-conversion amplification of the radio frequency device 1205;

After receiving the third broadcast signal of the network device in the second period, the antenna 1206 performs down-conversion through the radio frequency device 1205 and transmits the third broadcast signal to the baseband 1204, and the baseband 1204 transmits the baseband signal to the processor 1201 through the communication interface 1202.

The memories referred to in the above embodiments may be physically separate units or may be integrated with the processor.

Furthermore, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the respective operations and/or flows performed by the first device or the second device in the respective method embodiments.

The application also provides a communication system comprising the first device and the second device mentioned in the above embodiments.

In the above embodiments, the processor may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program according to the present application. For example, the processor may be a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog to digital converter, a digital to analog converter, or the like. The processor may allocate the functions of control and signal processing of the terminal device or the network device among the devices according to the respective functions of the devices. Further, the processor may have the function of operating one or more software programs, which may be stored in the memory. The functions of the processor may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

The memory may be read-only memory (ROM), other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ-only memory, EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or any other media that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, etc.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application contributing to the prior art or the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, comprising several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions easily contemplated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present application should be included in the present application. The protection scope of the application is subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the first device transmits a plurality of broadcast information characterizing a network during a first time period, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

The first equipment receives access request information, wherein the access request information is used for the second equipment to access the second network;

The first device transmits third broadcast information characterizing the second network for a second period of time, the third broadcast information being used for the second device to access the second network of the first device, the second period of time not being earlier than the first period of time and not overlapping each other.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame and the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or

The third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the first broadcast information comprises at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first broadcast information comprises a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information comprises a second network name and a second network identifier and the third broadcast information comprises the second network name and the first network identifier.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first device stops transmitting the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after receiving the access request information of the second device.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the driver layer of the first device comprises a first driver entity and a second driver entity; the first driving entity is used for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network; or (b)

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

After receiving the access request information, the first device configures configuration information of the second network to the first driving entity, wherein the configuration information of the second network comprises at least one of a network identifier, a network name or an encryption configuration; or (b)

8. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the network identifier identifies a BSSID for a basic service set, the network name being a service set identification SSID.

9. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the second device sends access request information, wherein the access request information is used for the second device to access the second network;

The second device receives third broadcast information characterizing the second network for a second time period, the third broadcast information being for the second device to access the second network of the first device, the second time period being no earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame and the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or

The third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 9-10, wherein the first broadcast information comprises at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first broadcast information comprises a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information comprises a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information comprises the second network name and the first network identifier.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device stops receiving the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after transmitting the access request information.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the network identifier identifies a BSSID for a basic service set, and wherein the network name is a service set identification SSID.

15. A communication device, comprising:

A transmitting unit configured to transmit, by a first device, broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks in a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

a receiving unit, configured to receive, by a first device, access request information, where the access request information is used for the second device to access the second network;

The transmitting unit is further configured to transmit, by the first device, third broadcast information for characterizing the second network in a second period of time; the third broadcast information is for the second device to access the second network of the first device, the second time period being no earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, and the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first broadcast information comprises at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

19. The apparatus of any of claims 15-18, wherein the first broadcast information comprises a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information comprises a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information comprises the second network name and the first network identifier.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the receiving unit stops transmitting the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after receiving the access request information of the second device.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the driver layer of the first device comprises a first driver entity and a second driver entity; the first driving entity is used for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network; or (b)

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the receiving unit, upon receiving the access request information, the first device configures configuration information of the second network to a first driving entity, the configuration information of the second network including at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration; or (b)

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the network identifier identifies a BSSID for a basic service set, and wherein the network name is a service set identification SSID.

24. A communication device, comprising:

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

a processing unit, configured to generate the access request information;

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first broadcast information comprises at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

28. The apparatus of any of claims 24-27, wherein the first broadcast information comprises a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information comprises a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information comprises the second network name and the first network identifier.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the receiving unit stops receiving the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after the transmitting unit transmits the access request information.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the network identifier identifies a BSSID for a basic service set, and wherein the network name is a service set identification SSID.

31. A communication device, comprising:

A transmitter for the first device to transmit broadcast information characterizing a plurality of networks over a first period of time, including first broadcast information characterizing a first network and second broadcast information characterizing a second network;

a receiver, configured to receive, by a first device, access request information, where the access request information is used for the second device to access the second network;

The transmitter is further configured to transmit, by the first device, third broadcast information for characterizing the second network for a second period of time; the third broadcast information is for the second device to access the second network of the first device, the second time period being no earlier than the first time period and not overlapping each other.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising

And a memory for storing the first broadcast information, the second broadcast information, or the third broadcast information generated by the processing unit.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 31-33, wherein the first broadcast information comprises at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

35. The apparatus of any of claims 31-34, wherein the first broadcast information comprises a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information comprises a second network name and a second network identifier, and the third broadcast information comprises the second network name and the first network identifier.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the transmitting unit stops transmitting the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after the receiver receives the access request information of the second device.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the driver layer of the first device comprises a first driver entity and a second driver entity; the first driving entity is used for the first device to create and/or configure the first network or the second network; or (b)

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the receiver, upon receiving the access request information, the first device configures configuration information of the second network to a first driving entity, the configuration information of the second network comprising at least one of a network identifier, a network name, or an encryption configuration; or (b)

39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the network identifier identifies a BSSID for a basic service set, and wherein the network name is a service set identification SSID.

40. A communication device, comprising:

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

A processor for generating the access request information;

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first broadcast information is carried in a first beacon frame, the second broadcast information is carried in a second beacon frame, or the third broadcast information is carried in a third beacon frame.

43. The apparatus according to any one of claims 40-42, wherein the first broadcast information includes at least one of a network identifier or a network name, the network identifier and/or the network name being used to characterize the first network; or (b)

44. The apparatus of any one of claims 40 to 43, wherein the first broadcast information includes a first network name and a first network identifier, the second broadcast information includes a second network name and a second network identifier, or the third broadcast information includes the second network name and the first network identifier.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the receiver stops receiving the first broadcast information characterizing the first network after the transmitter transmits the access request information.

46. A communication system comprising an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 39 and an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 40 to 45.

47. A computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

48. A chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 or to implement the method of any one of claims 9 to 14.