Patent Description:
With the development of the home wireless network, multi-Access Point (AP) are frequently used to extend wireless network coverage.

In a home gateway multi-AP networking, a device has two roles, one is the controller, which serves as a control terminal device, and the other is an agent, which serves as a client. As shown in <FIG>, the controller is the logical control unit of the whole networking, which serves to control the front-end network and back-end link in multi-AP networking, for example, to collect capability data of an AP and a station (STA) in the networking, to control roaming strategy, and to synchronize wireless configuration distribution with the agents, or the like. There is only one controller in one network. Because the controller is the main body for network control, it is generally desired that the controller be located in the network. Agent, is a logical entity of multi-AP networking, which mainly receives multi-AP instructions and performs corresponding operations, including receiving configuration synchronization instructions from the controller. In <FIG>, as an example, only two agents AP2 and AP3, and two STAs are shown. However, in actual networking, there can be one or more agents in a network.

Generally, a role of an AP in a multi-AP network is manually configured by a user. For example, the user may configure the role as the controller or as an agent through a Website User Interface (WebUI) or a mobile application (APP). Therefore, the efficiency of multi-AP networking is relatively low.

Patent literature <CIT> discloses a wireless configuration synchronization method, the method comprising: receiving by a wireless router an automatic configuration message sent by an access point (AP), the automatic configuration message being used for requesting the type of wireless parameter to be configured for the AP; obtaining by the requesting AP a parameter value corresponding to the wireless parameter type, and sending a message carrying the parameter value to the AP to achieve configuration synchronization between the wireless router and the AP. Also provided are a wireless router and an AP implementing the method.

While the above publication may achieve its intended purpose, there is still a need for a new and improved method and device for self-election of a role in multi-access point (AP) network.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for self-election of a role, which is performed in a multi-access point (AP) network, and includes, transmitting an AP automatic configuration search message, by an AP in the multi-AP network, after the AP is initiated; configuring a role of the AP as an agent, by the AP, in response to a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received by the AP within a predetermined period; and configuring a role of the AP as a controller, by the AP, in response to the response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being not received by the AP within the predetermined period; in which, the AP automatic configuration search message includes an AP autoconfig search message in <NUM> protocol, and the AP autoconfig search message is a layer <NUM> multicast message.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a device for self-election of a role, which is deployed in an AP in a multi-AP network, and includes, a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to carry out the method for self-election of a role as described above.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, storing an information processing program thereon, which when executed by a processor associated with an AP, causes the AP to carry out the method for self-election of a role as described above.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be illustrated in the following description, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be understood by practicing the present invention. The objects and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained by the structure particularly set forth in the specification, claims and drawings.

The drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the technical scheme of the present invention, and form a part of the specification, and they are intended to illustrate the technical scheme of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the technical scheme of the present invention.

Some embodiments of the present invention will be described with details below with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to illustrate the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflict.

The steps as shown in the flowchart of the drawings can be performed in a computer system such as a set of computer-executable instructions. Furthermore, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in a different order than the logical order shown in the flowcharts.

<FIG> depicts a flowchart of a method for self-election of a role according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method is performed in a multi-access point (AP) network, and includes the following operations.

In S201, an AP in the multi-AP network transmits an AP automatic configuration search message after being initiated.

In S202, the AP configures its own role as an agent in case that the AP receives a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within a predetermined period.

The method further includes the following operations.

The AP configures its own role as the controller in case that the AP does not receive a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within a predetermined period.

The AP transmits the access point automatic configuration search message repeatedly in case that the AP does not receive a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within a predetermined period.

The AP repeatedly transmits the AP automatic configuration search message for no more than a predetermined number of times until the AP receives a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message during the repeated transmission, then the AP configures its role as an agent.

The AP performs a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected with the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, in case that the AP does not receive a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message that has been transmitted repeatedly for the predetermined number of times.

The AP configures its own role as an agent in response to a determination that the device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device.

The AP configures its own role as the controller in case that the device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is not a <NUM> device.

And the performance of a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected with the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, includes the following operations.

The AP performs a determination as to whether or not a topology discovery message is received via the AP's own WAN port.

The AP performs a further determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device.

The AP determines that, the device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is not a <NUM> device, in response to a determination that, no topology discovery message is received via the AP's own WAN port.

The method further includes the following operations after the AP configures its own role as an agent.

The AP performs a Wi-Fi Simple Configuration (WSC) interaction with the controller device in the multi-AP network, and performs a wireless configuration synchronization.

<FIG> depicts a flow diagram of a method for self-election of a role according to another embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment can be applied to the networking of a multi-AP network as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, AP1 is connected to a Passive Optical Network Home Gateway (PON HGW), and AP2 and AP3 devices are connected to AP1 in a wired or wireless manner.

This embodiment can be applied to the networking of a multi-AP network as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, AP1 is directly connected to an external Wide Area Network(WAN), and AP2 and AP3 devices are connected to AP1 in a wired or wireless manner.

In this embodiment, the technical scheme of this embodiment will be illustrated in detail by way of example in which AP1 serves as the subject for the execution of the method.

As shown in <FIG>, the method is performed in a multi-access point (AP) network, and includes the following operations.

In S301, AP1 transmits an AP automatic configuration search message after being initiated.

The AP automatic configuration search message can be the AP-autoconfig search message in the existing <NUM> protocol, which is a layer <NUM> multicast message.

Specifically, a controller device, if presented in the multi-AP network, would transmit an AP-autoconfig search response message that is a layer <NUM> unicast message to AP1, as a response, after receiving the AP-autoconfig search message as transmitted by AP1. However, AP1 would not receive the AP-autoconfig search response message in case that there is no controller device in the multi-AP network. In addition, a predetermined period can be set in advance in order to improve the accuracy, due to the delay of network transmission. Thereby, AP1 can determine whether there is a controller device in the network based on a determination as to whether or not the AP-autoconfig search response message is received within the predetermined period.

S302 in which AP1 configures its own role as an agent, is performed in case that AP1 receives a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within the predetermined period. And S303 in which AP1 configures its own role as the controller, is performed in case that AP1 does not receive a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within the predetermined period.

This embodiment can be applied to networking of a multi-AP network as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, AP1 is directly connected to an external Wide Area Network (WAN), and AP2 and AP3 devices are connected to AP1 in a wired or wireless manner.

In this embodiment, the technical scheme of this embodiment will be illustrated in detail by way of example in which AP2 serves as the subject for the execution of the method. AP2's Wide Area Network port (WAN port) is connected with the AP1's Local Area Network port (LAN port).

In S601, AP2 transmits an AP automatic configuration search message after being initiated.

A controller device, if presented in the multi-AP network, would transmit an AP-autoconfig search response message that is a layer <NUM> unicast message to AP2, as a response, after receiving the AP-autoconfig search message as transmitted by AP2. However, AP2 would not receive the AP-autoconfig search response message in case that there is no controller device in the multi-AP network. In addition, a predetermined period can be set in advance in order to improve the accuracy, due to the delay of network transmission. Thereby, AP2 can determine whether there is a controller device in the network based on a determination as to whether or not an AP-autoconfig search response message is received.

And in order to avoid errors, a predetermined period can be set in advance. The AP-autoconfig search message may be transmitted repeatedly for a predetermined number of times in case that no response is received within the predetermined period. For example, the predetermined period may be <NUM> seconds (maybe customized), and the AP-autoconfig search message may be transmitted repeatedly for <NUM> times (maybe customized) in case that no response is received within <NUM> seconds.

S602 is performed in case that AP2 receives a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within the predetermined period. And S603 is performed in case that AP2 does not receive a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message within the predetermined period.

In S602, AP2 configures its own role as an agent.

Specifically, device AP2's WAN port is initiated and an AP-autoconfig search message is transmitted. AP2 configures its own role as an agent in case that AP2 receives AP_AUTOCONFIGURATION_RESPONSE message, and the process ends. S603 is performed in case that the AP_AUTOCONFIGURATION_RESPONSE message is not received.

In S603, an AP automatic configuration search message is repeatedly transmitted for no more than a predetermined number of times until a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message is received, then S604 is performed, or S605 is performed in case that no response message for the AP automatic configuration search message is received during the repeated transmission.

For example, AP2 transmits an AP automatic configuration search message, and configures its own role as an agent in case that AP2 receives a response for the AP automatic configuration search message, otherwise, AP2 transmits the AP automatic configuration search message again, and configures its own role as an agent in case that AP2 receives a response for the AP automatic configuration search message, and this procedure repeats. AP2 performs a determination as to whether or not a <NUM> device is connected to AP2's WAN port in case that no response is received during the repeated transmission of the AP automatic configuration search message for <NUM> times. And AP2 configures its own role as an agent in case that a <NUM> device is connected to AP2's WAN port, and the process ends, or AP2 configures its own role as the controller in case that no <NUM> device is connected to AP2's WAN port.

In S604, AP2 configures its own role as an agent.

In S605, AP2 performs a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to AP2's WAN port is a <NUM> device.

And the performance of a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected with AP2's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, includes the following operations.

AP2 performs a determination as to whether or not a topology discovery message is received via the AP's own WAN port.

AP2 performs a further determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to AP2's own WAN port is a <NUM> device.

AP2 determines that, the device directly connected to AP2's own WAN port is not a <NUM> device, in response to a determination that, the topology discovery message is not received via AP2's own WAN port.

And AP2 configures its own role as an agent in case that an AP-autoconfig search response message is received by AP2, since this indicates that there is already a controller device in this network. Otherwise, AP2 performs a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to AP2's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, if no AP-autoconfig search response message is received with the AP-autoconfig search message transmitted repeatedly for e.g., <NUM> times (may be customized) within a period of e.g., <NUM> seconds (maybe customized), since this may indicate that, there is no controller device in the network.

S606 is performed in case that the device is a <NUM> device, and this indicates that AP2 is distal to the network exit. And S606 is performed in case that the device is not a <NUM> device, and this indicates that AP2 is approximal to the network exit.

In S606, AP2 configures its own role as an agent.

In S607, AP2 configures its role as the controller.

Specifically, a determination as to whether or not the device directly connected to the WAN port is a <NUM> device, can be performed based on a discovery message of IEEE <NUM>-<NUM> protocol. For example, AP2 configures its own role as an agent in case that a TOPOLOGY _DISCOVERY message is received via AP2's initiated WAN port.

And a determination of a <NUM> device can be performed based on the topology discovery protocol of IEEE <NUM>. For example, AP2 configures its own role as an agent in case that a Topology discovery message, a Topology query message, a Topology notification message, or the like, is received via AP2's initiated WAN port.

In another embodiment of the present invention, after the role of the AP is configured as an agent by the AP itself, the method includes, in addition to the embodiment as described above, the agent device gets to know a MAC address of the controller device through an AP-autoconfig search response message or a topology discovery message, performs a Wireless Fidelity Simple Configuration (WSC) interaction with the controller device, and performs a wireless configuration synchronization.

By means of the technical scheme according to the above embodiments, an AP device in a multi-AP networking of home gateway (P1905 protocol and multi-AP protocol) performs a self-election of a role through the AP-autoconfiguration of the P1905 protocol, thus reducing manual intervention and improving the installation ability.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing components of a device for self-election of a role according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, an AP which is deployed in the multi-access point AP network, includes the following components.

A transmission unit <NUM>, which is configured to transmit an AP automatic configuration search message after the AP is initiated.

And a configuration unit <NUM>, which is configured to configure a role of the AP as an agent in response to a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received within a predetermined period.

The configuration unit <NUM> is further configured to configure a role of the AP as the controller in response to no response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received within a predetermined period.

And the configuration unit <NUM> is further configured to instruct the transmission unit <NUM> to repeatedly transmit the AP automatic configuration search message for no more than a predetermined number of times, in response to no response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received within a predetermined period by the AP,
until the AP receives a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message, then the AP configures its role as an agent in response to a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received.

The configuration unit <NUM> is further configured to perform a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, in response to no response message being received for the AP automatic configuration search message having been repeatedly transmitted for a predetermined number of times.

And a role of the AP is configured as an agent in response to a determination that the device directly connected to the AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device.

And the configuration unit <NUM> is further configured to configure a role of the AP as the controller in response to a determination that the device directly connected to AP's own WAN port is not a <NUM> device.

And the performance of a determination as to whether or not a device directly connected with AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, includes the following operations.

A determination as to whether or not a topology discovery message is received via the AP's own WAN port, is performed.

A further determination as to whether or not a device directly connected to AP's own WAN port is a <NUM> device, is performed.

It is determined that, the device directly connected to AP's own WAN port is not a <NUM> device, in response to a determination that, the topology discovery message is not received via AP's own WAN port.

And the device further includes the following components.

A setting unit, which is configured to perform a WSC interaction with controller device in the multi-AP network after the AP configures its own role as an agent, and performs a wireless configuration synchronization.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a device for self-election of a role, which is deployed in an AP in a multi-AP network, and includes a memory <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a computer program stored in the memory <NUM> and executable by the processor <NUM>, and when the computer program is executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processor <NUM> to carry out the method for self-election of a role as described in any of the above embodiments.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing an information processing program thereon, and when the information processing program is executed by the processor, causes the processor to carry out the method for self-election of a role as described in any of the above embodiments.

Claim 1:
A method for self-election of a role, performed in a multi-access point, AP, network, comprising,
transmitting an AP automatic configuration search message, by an AP in the multi-AP network, after the AP is initiated (<NUM>); and
configuring a role of the AP as an agent, by the AP, in response to a response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being received by the AP within a predetermined period (<NUM>),
wherein the AP automatic configuration search message comprises an AP autoconfig search message in <NUM> protocol, and the AP autoconfig search message is a layer <NUM> multicast message,
characterized in that, the method further comprises,
configuring a role of the AP as a controller, by the AP, in response to the response message for the AP automatic configuration search message being not received by the AP within the predetermined period (<NUM>).