JP2003348095A - Radio communication apparatus and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication apparatus and a method for controlling the same which allows participation in a plurality of networks and allows communication with good transmission efficiency to other radio communication apparatus as many as possible. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication apparatus conducts data communication by using one channel selected from a plurality of channels and makes the specified channel participate in the power saving mode. Now, other channel in an ordinary mode is detected in the power saving mode of the channel. As a result, when the channel in the ordinary mode is detected, the channel in the detected ordinary mode is participated instead of the channel in the power saving mode. The data communication is conducted through the channel in the detected ordinary mode. Meanwhile, after the data communication, the mode of the participating channel is switched to the power saving mode. Priority is given to the data communication through the channel over the data communication through the non-participated channel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus for suitably performing data communication on a plurality of channels and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable computers such as notebook personal computers (PCs) and portable devices such as portable information terminals and portable printers have become widespread. Such a portable device is small and lightweight, and has the aspect of being able to perform data communication utilizing its portability. Therefore, wireless LANs (local area networks) have become widespread as communication media for portable devices. By using a wireless LAN, there is no need to lay cables as in the case of a wired connection, and a portable wireless communication device can be automatically placed in any location within the same wireless area. A network can be configured, and communication between wireless communication devices can be performed immediately.

The conventional wireless LAN has a very low transmission speed and is suitable only for small-capacity data. However, recently, the transmission speed of the wireless LAN has been improved more than before, and a wireless LAN having a transmission speed comparable to that of the conventional wired LAN has appeared. Therefore, it is becoming possible to wirelessly transmit a large amount of data such as image data at a higher speed than before.

Further, a gateway device is interposed between the wireless LAN and the wired LAN in order to expand the communication area of the wireless LAN or to enable communication with a terminal connected to a conventional wired LAN. A communication system can be constructed. This gateway device is called an access point (centralized arbitration control device: hereinafter, referred to as “AP”). However, in this AP, a wired LAN and a wireless L
Since all communication with the AN is processed, communication traffic is concentrated.

[0005] Therefore, a communication system using centralized arbitration control that allows communication of the AP itself with priority over wireless communication devices other than the AP is adopted. The AP having the centralized arbitration control function controls the communication right, gives priority to the communication of the AP itself, and then polls each wireless communication device sequentially (Polling). Transfer the communication right for any period.

[0006] The wireless communication device to which the communication right has been transferred can communicate without being interrupted by the other wireless communication device because the other wireless communication device does not communicate for an arbitrary period of time. Waste can be eliminated.

Here, the wireless communication device to which the communication right has been transferred transmits data to another wireless communication device. In this case, it is possible to directly transmit data to the other wireless communication device. Yes, and it can also send data via the AP. Normally, data is transmitted via an AP to a wireless communication device connected to a wired LAN or a wireless communication device connected to another AP.
The setting is made such that data is directly transmitted to the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication device.
Alternatively, a setting is made to transmit data via the AP when an AP exists, and to directly transmit data to the wireless communication device when an AP does not exist.

[0008] A frequency band usable as a wireless LAN is divided into a plurality of channels. Here, since each channel can form an independent network, a plurality of APs can be located at the same location or near locations.
When it is desired to use, it is convenient to set them to different channels, since each can be used as an independent wireless network. However, when starting up a wireless LAN,
You need to set which channel to use.

[0009]

However, in the data communication of the wireless LAN as in the conventional example described above,
When there is a shared device such as a server or a printer, it is necessary to set and use one of a plurality of channels. Therefore, since a plurality of channels cannot be used, there is a problem that it is not possible to connect to a wireless device set to a channel for which no channel is set.

[0010] There is also a method in which an access point is installed in each of a plurality of channels, and the access points are connected to each other via a wired LAN, thereby ensuring communication with each other's channels via the wired LAN. However, in order to realize this method, there is a problem that it takes time for capital investment and the like, and in order to perform data communication to another channel, the data is transmitted using the above-described route, so that it takes time to transmit. .

Further, when a plurality of channels are used at the same time, it is possible to mount a plurality of radio units on the apparatus. However, the apparatus becomes very expensive. Channel is wasted.

Further, as a method of using a plurality of channels, a time division multiplexing method in which a plurality of channels are sequentially switched can be considered. In this case, regardless of the presence or absence of data and the amount of traffic, Since the channels are switched, there is a problem in efficiently using the channels.

Further, as a method of using a plurality of channels, a time division multiplexing method in which a plurality of channels are sequentially switched can be considered. In this case, switching to a channel having a large data communication traffic volume is performed. It cannot be used, and there is a problem in using channels efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can participate in a plurality of networks, and can communicate with more wireless communication devices with high transmission efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device and a control method thereof.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus for performing data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels. Participation means for participating in the power mode, activation means for switching and activating the channel for each activation period set for each of the channels, and reception of data from another device from the channel activated by the activation means And a control unit for giving priority to the channel receiving the data over the other channels.

In the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention, the activation period is a period during which a beacon of an infrastructure is received.

Further, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention, the activation period is a period for receiving an ad hoc ATIM.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means enables reception of a CF-Poll from an access point in an infrastructure mode.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means shortens a start interval of the station in the ad hoc mode.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means selects and switches a predetermined channel with priority over other channels.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means extends a start interval of a station in an infrastructure mode.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means extends the start-up time of the station in the normal mode in the ad hoc mode.

Still further, the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus for performing data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, and a joining means for joining in a plurality of channels in a power saving mode. Starting means for switching and starting the channel for each starting period set for each of the channels, and a channel started by the starting means,
Data receiving means for receiving data from another device, communication means for communicating in a normal mode on the channel receiving the data, and control means for disabling other channels are provided.

Still further, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention, the activation period is a period during which a beacon of an infrastructure is received.

Still further, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention, the activation period is a period for receiving an ad hoc ATIM.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means disconnects an ad hoc mode network of another channel.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means deletes the registration from the access point list in the infrastructure mode of another channel.

Still further, a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the communication means can perform wireless communication in an infrastructure mode.

Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the communication means can perform wireless communication in an ad hoc mode.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of the present invention will be described.

The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus capable of selecting one channel from a plurality of channels and participating in a network. That is, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention can participate in a plurality of networks by selecting one or more channels from the plurality of channels, and can perform other wireless communication in the network of each channel. This allows access from the device.

As described above, since the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention can participate in a plurality of networks, it can communicate with a larger number of other wireless communication apparatuses. The use of the configured wireless communication system can be greatly improved. And
It is possible to switch and monitor each channel by participating in each network in power saving mode and monitoring each network only during the necessary monitoring period in power saving mode without constantly monitoring each network. It was done. In addition, when data communication is started, the transmission efficiency can be improved by using the channel that started the data communication with priority over other channels.

<First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device includes an antenna 100, a wireless transmitting and receiving unit 10
1. Transmission control unit 104, reception control unit 105, overall control unit 106, I / O (Input / Output) unit 113, display unit 1.
14, an operation unit 115 and a wireless control unit 116.

Here, the radio transmission / reception unit 101 includes the modulation unit 1
02. A demodulation unit 103 is provided. Also, the overall control unit 106
Are a data processing unit 107, a data storage unit 108, a data input / output unit 109, a transmission message display unit 110, a power saving control unit 112, and an operation mode management table 112 of the own device.
a and a channel control unit 120, which includes a management table 111 including a and a channel information management table 112b.
Further, the wireless control unit 116 controls the reception level detection unit 11
7, a modulation scheme setting section 118 and a channel setting section 119.

The configuration of the wireless communication device will be described in more detail. The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 is connected to the antenna 100 and executes transmission and reception to the antenna 100. In wireless transmission / reception section 101, modulation section 102 limits the band of transmission data from transmission control section 104 in the radio frequency domain, and converts the transmission data into a modulated signal based on a predetermined modulation scheme. Further, the demodulation unit 103 includes the antenna 100
And demodulates the modulated signal received from the receiver and converts it to received data.

The transmission control unit 104 assembles the data from the general control unit 106 into a frame configuration of the transmission data, and performs a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) for data check.
k) and error correction bits for correcting data errors are added. On the other hand, the reception control unit 105
Of the received data from the demodulation unit 103 in step (1), and performs analysis of a frame header, data extraction from the frame, CRC check, and error correction for correcting a data error.

The overall control unit 106 controls the entire wireless communication apparatus, and executes a transmission / reception process shown in a flowchart for explaining the operation of the wireless communication apparatus shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later. In the overall control unit 106, a data processing unit 107 performs processing such as data processing, deletion, editing, addition, and calculation. The data storage unit 108 performs writing / reading of a large amount of data and memory management.

Further, the data input / output unit 109 performs input / output processing of voice data and image data, output processing such as printing by a printer outside the wireless communication apparatus, and control. However,
The data input / output unit 109 may be a wireless communication device specialized in some functions or not equipped at all. For example, a shared wireless communication device (shared server, shared printer, access point (A
P) etc.).

The transmission message display unit 110 controls display of a transmission message on the display unit 114.
Further, when the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus is the power saving mode, the power saving control unit 112 is in a power saving mode in which the wireless communication apparatus is in a reception state only for a predetermined period and is in a non-reception state during other periods. Is what you do.

Further, the management table 111 is a table for registering, deleting, recording and managing information of the own radio communication device and information of each channel, and the operation mode information of the own device shown in FIG. It has a management table 112a and a channel information management table 112b. The operation mode information management table 112a of the own device manages device information such as operation mode (infrastructure mode / ad hoc mode, power saving mode / normal mode, etc.) and device ID. It is a list that is referred to when grasping what operation mode is participating in such a network. The channel information management table 112b is a list in which the operation mode and the like of each channel are managed, and is referred to when determining which network of each channel participates.

Further, the channel control section 120 refers to the management table of the operation mode information 112a of the participating network, controls the communication of each channel in which the own apparatus is participating, and controls the radio control section 116. The channel is notified to the channel setting unit 119 and the channel is switched.

The I / O unit 113 is connected to the overall control unit 106, and has an input / output unit for inputting and outputting audio and video of the wireless communication device, an output unit for outputting data such as printing by a printer, and the like. The display unit 114 displays a transmission message based on the control of the transmission message display unit 110 of the overall control unit 106. Further, the operation unit 115 includes various keys for operating the wireless communication device. Operation unit 1
Fifteen key operations are input to the overall control unit 106.

On the other hand, the radio control unit 116 controls the radio transmission / reception unit 101, the transmission control unit 104, and the reception control unit 105. In wireless control section 116, reception level detection section 117 detects a reception level based on a signal from wireless transmission / reception section 101. In addition, modulation scheme setting section 118
Sets the modulation method. Further, the channel setting unit 11
9 tunes the modulation unit 102 and the demodulation unit 103 of the radio transmission / reception unit 101 to the channel specified by the channel control unit 120.

The wireless communication device having the above-described configuration transmits the known communication status of the wireless communication device to other wireless communication devices, and also notifies the wireless communication device when a change occurs in the communication status. It is possible to do.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of demodulation section 103 of radio transmission / reception section 101 in the present radio communication apparatus. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the demodulation unit 103 in the case of wireless communication by the spread spectrum method, and FIG. 2B is by the narrow band method of performing wireless communication by narrowing the normal frequency band as much as possible. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a demodulation unit 103 in the case of wireless communication.

In FIG. 2A, a demodulation unit 103 includes a band pass filter (BPF) 201 and a spread demodulation unit 20.
2, a spreading code generator 203 and a narrow band demodulator 204 are provided. In the case of FIG. 2B, the demodulation unit 103 includes a band-pass filter 205 and a narrow-band demodulation unit 206.

The above configuration will be described in detail. First, FIG.
In (b), a signal modulated into a narrow band (SS signal)
Is received by the antenna 100 and the bandpass filter 205
Then, the modulated signal band-limited to the frequency component of the required band is demodulated by the narrow-band demodulation unit 206, converted back to a digital signal, and transferred to the reception control unit 105.

As the narrow band modulation, analog modulation AM
There are modulation (amplitude modulation) and FM modulation (frequency modulation),
Here, digital modulation is used to modulate digital data. FSK modulation (frequency shift keying modulation), which transmits digital information by switching a plurality of frequencies, and PSK, which transmits digital information by switching a plurality of phases. Modulation (phase shift keying modulation), QAM modulation (quadrature amplitude modulation) in which signal points of quadrature components are arranged at positions where two-dimensional interference is difficult to suppress errors, and the like are used. Here, the reception level can be detected by detecting the power component of the narrow band modulation signal in the effective frequency band.

Next, in FIG. 2A, the spread-spectrum-modulated signal is received by the antenna 100, and the spread-spectrum-modulated signal band-limited by the band-pass filter 201 to the frequency component of the required band is spread. 202
Then, the signal is demodulated into a narrow band modulation signal based on the spread code generated by the spread code generation unit 203, further demodulated by the narrow band demodulation unit 204, returned to a digital signal, and transferred to the reception control unit 105.

The spread spectrum modulation system is different from the narrow band modulation system in that the band can be expanded as much as possible and wireless communication can be performed with a small amount of power. There are roughly two types of spread spectrum modulation systems. One is DS
Method (direct spreading method), and narrowband modulation method uses PS
A K-modulation method is used, and phase modulation by a pseudo-random sequence, which is a wide-band spreading code, is used in spreading modulation. The other is an FH method (frequency hopping method), which uses an FSK modulation method or a PSK modulation method as a narrow band modulation method, and performs spreading by hopping a carrier frequency with a pseudo-random sequence.

In both of the above methods, the DS system selects a pattern of a spreading sequence with a low correlation, and the FH system selects a sequence with a small number of hit frequencies. Simultaneous communication of channels becomes possible. Here, the reception level can be detected by detecting the power component of the spread spectrum modulated signal in the effective frequency band or detecting the power component of the narrow band modulated signal after spread demodulation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system using the wireless communication device of the present invention. 3A illustrates a wireless communication system in an infrastructure mode, and FIG. 3B illustrates a wireless communication system in an ad hoc mode.

The wireless communication system shown in FIG. 3A is an information terminal 30 such as a PC for realizing the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention.
1, 302, 303, AP (access point: centralized arbitration control device) 304, server 305, and printer 306
It has. The AP 304 is connected to the wired LAN 307. That is, the AP 304 is connected to the wired LAN 30
7 and a public network to provide a wireless communication function and a gateway function. The server 305 has a function of sharing files and applications, a mail function, and the like. Further, the printer 306 can be shared and used by devices connected to other networks via the AP 304, information terminals 301 to 303 such as PCs, the server 305, and the like.

On the other hand, the wireless communication system shown in FIG.
Information terminals 308 and 309 such as PCs, a server 310 and a printer 311 are provided. As shown in FIG.
Even in a state where the wireless communication system does not have an AP, a wireless network can be configured by the above devices, communication can be performed between PC terminals, and a server and a printer can be shared.

Here, a procedure for configuring a wireless communication network including the above information terminal will be described.

First, the information terminal is turned on. As a result, the information terminal selects one of the plurality of channels to participate in the wireless LAN, and starts scanning to establish synchronization. Synchronization is established
It is necessary to know the start time of the non-contention period and the hop timing of the frequency hopping method.

Here, there are two types of scanning methods, passive scanning and active scanning. In the case of passive scanning, the information terminal monitors the channel for a certain period of time, and upon receiving a beacon, knows the beacon generation interval from the beacon and establishes synchronization.

Thereafter, the information terminal timer TSF (Ti
ming Synchronization Timer) is compared with a beacon timestamp value, which is a delay time when a beacon cannot be generated at a beacon generation interval, and time is adjusted to maintain synchronization. If a beacon cannot be received after waiting for a certain period, the above operation is repeated by switching to another channel.

On the other hand, in the case of active scanning, the information terminal broadcasts a probe frame by CSMA / CA control and waits for a response for a certain period. The device that responds to the probe frame is the device that broadcasts the AP in the centralized arbitration mode and the last beacon in the distributed arbitration mode. If a probe response frame is received during this period, ACK (acknowledgement) is returned, and synchronization is established using the time stamp of the frame.
If a beacon cannot be received after a certain period, the above operation is repeated by switching to another channel.

As a result of the above scan, if synchronization cannot be established in all the channels, a beacon frame is broadcast to activate a new network. According to the above-described procedure, first, synchronization of the wireless network is established.

Next, in order for the information terminal to use the network, an authentication is required.
It is necessary to provide an information terminal authentication service. IE
In EE802.11, an authentication method using an open system (Open System Authentication) and WEP (Wired
A common (secret) key authentication method (Shared Key Authentication) using an Equivalent Privacy algorithm is defined.

The AP has an interface function between wireless access and a wired network and a wireless signal transmission / reception function, and further has firmware for wireless signal control and the like and MAC (Media Access).
Control) It also has an address authentication function.

The encryption authentication using the WEP algorithm is performed by the MAC of the sub-layer of the data link layer. Note that M
The AC performs first control such as access right control when data transmission requests from a plurality of devices compete on a common transmission line, identification of a physical connection point between the device and the transmission line, frame formation, and error control on the transmission line. This is performed integrally with the physical layer (PHY; Physical Layer).

As a procedure, first, an authentication request is transmitted from the information terminal to the AP. Here, a bit indicating that the request is an authentication request using a common key is provided in the PDU format. And the AP that received the authentication request
Sends a challenge text to the information terminal.

The information terminal receiving the challenge text,
Based on WEP algorithm, own secret key and IV (Initialization Vector; Initialization Vec
tor), and sends the ciphertext and IV to the AP. The AP decrypts the ciphertext using the received ciphertext, the IV, and its own common key, and compares the transmitted challenge text with the received challenge text to determine a match / mismatch.

As a result, if the judgment results match,
The AP transmits a Successful Code to the information terminal as an authentication completion notification assuming that the entire authentication has been completed. Further, the AP that has received the authentication completion notification shifts to an operation of association with the information terminal. The open system authentication method uses A
This is a simple procedure in which when an authentication request is sent to P, the authentication result is sent from the AP to the information terminal without any particular confirmation procedure.

In the above-mentioned authentication, the communication between the AP and the information terminal has been described, but it is also possible to authenticate between the information terminals. However, services with high security as described above are difficult. In addition, in addition to the above, the AP performs SSID setting and MAC
Even higher security can be provided, such as by restricting access by address.

Next, an association is performed between the AP and the information terminal so that roaming and the like can be performed.
Here, the association is a service in which the AP establishes the mapping of the information terminal and starts the information terminal of the distribution system service.

First, the information terminal transmits an association request frame to the AP. The AP that has received the frame assigns an SID (Station ID) to the information terminal, and returns the information terminal as an association response frame.
Upon receiving the response frame, the information terminal returns an ACK, and stores necessary information such as an attribute of the AP. Also, A
Upon receiving the ACK, P is notified to another AP that the information terminal has completed the association setting.

This enables roaming and communication with an information terminal connected to another access point or a terminal connected to a wired LAN. Where SID
Is an ID of 2 octets (Octet) assigned from the AP to the information terminal at the time of association, and is also included in the association response. This SI
D is the Duration I of the PS-Poll frame.
Used as D.

Here, when the above-mentioned two networks are used on different channels, for example, the information terminal connected to the network of FIG. 3A and the information terminal connected to the network of FIG. Although it was not possible to communicate with the information terminal, it becomes possible to communicate by using the wireless communication device according to the present invention.

That is, the radio communication apparatus according to the present invention
The wireless communication is possible in the infrastructure mode. Alternatively, wireless communication is possible in an ad hoc mode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power save mode used in the present embodiment. The power save mode is an effective mode for a portable terminal or the like that wants to minimize power consumption. For example, when the 13th PowerManagement bit of the frame control of the first two bytes of the MAC header of the MAC frame format is 1, it indicates that the information terminal of the transmission source is in the power save mode. When the PowerManagement bit is 0, it indicates the active mode of the normal operation.

FIG. 4A shows an operation at the time of power saving in the infrastructure mode. AP
When a beacon generation period is measured to approach the beacon generation time, the information terminal becomes active and becomes ready to receive, and receives a beacon from the AP. Here, in the received beacon frame, the bit map control in the TIM (traffic display map) and the partial virtual bit map make it possible to know which PS station data is buffered.

Here, if it is determined from the TIM that the information is buffered, the information terminal sends PS-Poll to the AP.
Is transmitted to indicate that the reception is possible. AP is PS
When the Poll is received, the buffered data is transmitted to the information terminal.

In order to set to accept CF-Poll in the power save mode, the MAC header of the management frame (MSDU) of the management type (type 2 bits) of the MAC header of the MAC frame is used. Then, set the CF-Pollable bit in the Capability Information bit of the fixed field following to 1 to 1. If not accepted, set it to 0.

The beacon interval can be determined by the beacon interval of the beacon. Here, it is the listen interval of the association request frame that informs the AP of the interval at which the information terminal goes to see the beacon. For example, if a change is required on the way, this can be achieved by changing the Listen Interval of the reassociation request and sending it.

FIG. 4A shows an example in which the Listen Interval is set to twice the beacon interval, and the beacon is activated and received once every two times. If you are watching multiple channels and prefer other channels,
You can respond by increasing the Listen Interval.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4B, the mode is the ad hoc mode, and it is possible to know whether or not the mode is the power save mode by monitoring the bits of the frame of each station.

A wireless communication apparatus that performs power saving in the ad hoc mode periodically enters a receivable state for a fixed period (ATM window period). When communicating with a wireless communication device in the power save mode, an ATIM frame including an ad hoc traffic indication map (ATM) is transmitted during a receivable period, and data is transmitted when an ACK is received.

When the wireless communication device in the power save mode receives an ATIM frame addressed to itself, it returns an ACK if it can be received, extends the receivable state as it is, receives data, and completes reception. Power save mode is entered. In this manner, the operation in the power save mode can be performed not only in the infrastructure mode but also in the ad hoc mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management table for the operation mode of the own apparatus and the operation mode of the channel. That is, it shows a configuration example of the operation mode information management table 112a of its own device and the channel information management table 112b in the management table 111 of the wireless terminal device.

In the operation mode information management table of the own device shown in FIG. 5A, necessary information of each channel which the wireless communication device is participating in or can participate in is listed. Note that CH5 is in the infrastructure mode, but CH1 is in the infrastructure mode, and is not participating here. Note that C
It is also possible to make H5 participate and make CH1 non-participate.

Further, in the channel operation mode management table shown in (b), the current use status of the channel (CH) and its operation mode are listed, and the degree of congestion is also monitored and listed. It is possible.

Next, the transmission / reception processing operation in the wireless communication apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to the management table shown in FIG. 5 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are flowcharts showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This processing is executed under the control of the overall control unit 106 of the wireless communication device.

First, the operator performs a power-on operation for turning on the power of the own radio communication apparatus (step S601). Then, the overall control unit 106 determines whether or not to connect to the network (Step S602). As a result, if it is not connected to the network (NO), the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, it is determined whether or not the power is to be turned off. If the power is not to be turned off (N
O), and return to step S602 again. Also, turn off the power
If F (YES), the power is turned off (step S604), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that connection to a network is to be made (YES), it is determined whether to search for a channel (step S60).
5). As a result, when the channel is not searched (NO)
Transitions to step S701. When searching for a channel (YES), a channel is set (step S606), and the band of the channel is scanned (step S607).

Next, in order to establish network synchronization, it is determined whether or not a beacon for generating the synchronization timing has been received (step S608). As a result, if no beacon has been received (NO), step S60
Transition to 9. On the other hand, when a beacon is received (YE
S), a beacon generation interval included in the beacon is set and synchronization is established (step S614).

In step S609, the time from scanning the channel is measured, and it is determined whether a timeout has occurred. As a result, when the timeout has not occurred (NO), the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if a timeout has occurred (YES), it is determined that there is no beacon in that channel, and it is determined whether there is any unscanned channel (step S61).
0). As a result, when there is an unscanned channel (Y
ES), change to an unscanned channel (step S)
611). And it changes to step S606. On the other hand, when there is no unscanned channel (NO), the process proceeds to step S612.

Next, after synchronization is established in step S614, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the channel is the infrastructure mode (step S61).
5). As a result, when the operation mode is the ad hoc mode (NO), the process proceeds to step S616. On the other hand, when the operation mode is the infrastructure mode (YE
S), it is determined whether or not it has joined the infrastructure mode and registered with the AP (step S620). As a result, if the infrastructure mode has already been registered (YES), it is not possible to participate in the infrastructure mode, and the process proceeds to step S610.

On the other hand, if the infrastructure mode is not registered in step S620 (NO), authentication is performed with the AP to join the network in the infrastructure mode (step S621). Then, it is determined whether or not the result of executing the authentication is OK (step S62).
2). If the result is NG (NO), it is not possible to participate in this network, so step S610
Transition to. On the other hand, if OK (YES), the association with the AP is executed (step S623).

Then, it is determined whether or not the result of executing the association is OK (step S624). As a result, if the result is NG (NO), an error process starts (step S625), and the process proceeds to step S610. on the other hand,
If the execution result of the association is OK (YE
S), the information of the AP is registered to complete the link with the AP (step S618). Next, it operates in the power save mode used in the infrastructure (step S
619), and transit to step S610. This allows
Data communication with the AP in the power save mode becomes possible.

Next, in step S615, the ad hoc
If it is determined that the mode is the mode, the communication with the wireless communication device participating in the network is started using the ad hoc mode (step S616). Further, it operates in the power save mode used in the ad hoc mode (step S617), and transitions to step S610.

If there is no unscanned channel in step S610 (NO), it is determined whether or not all channels are free channels (step S612). As a result, if all the channels are not empty channels (N
O), transit to step S701. On the other hand, if all channels are free channels (YES),
A beacon is generated in the mode, a new network is activated (step S613), and the process proceeds to step S605.

Next, in step S701, it is determined whether or not there is a channel that enters a period during which the power save mode is activated. As a result, if there is no channel (NO), the process transits to Step S801. On the other hand, if there is a channel (YES), it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of channels (step S702). If there are a plurality of channels (YES), one channel is selected from the plurality of channels (step S703), and step S703 is performed.
Transition to 704. On the other hand, if there is only one channel (NO), that channel is set (step S
704).

Next, the state changes from power save to active, and data can be received (step S70).
5). Here, when selecting one channel from a plurality of channels, prioritize each channel,
There is also a method of selecting a channel having a higher priority. As for the priority order, there is a method in which the channel selected immediately before is set to the lowest order and the channels are evenly allocated. Furthermore, there is a method of prioritizing the channels having a high access frequency in advance.

Next, in the data receiving state, it is determined whether the mode is the infrastructure mode (step S706). As a result, in the case of the ad hoc mode (N
O), it is determined whether or not to receive a beacon (step S715). If no beacon is received (N
O), it is determined whether or not the active period ends (step S716). As a result, if the active period has not ended (NO), the process proceeds to step S715. If the active period has ended (YES), the process proceeds to step S722.

If a beacon has been received in step S715 (YES), it is possible to confirm that synchronization with the network has been established, so that it waits for data reception.
It is determined whether an ATIM addressed to the own device has been received (step S717). As a result, if the ATIM is received, thereafter, data transmitted from the device that has transmitted the ATIM is received (step S719), and step S7 is performed.
Transition to 20.

On the other hand, when the ATIM is not received (N
O), it is determined whether the active period has ended (step S718). As a result, if the active period has not ended (NO), the process transits to Step S717. If the active period has expired (YES), the flow goes to step S720. In step S720, it is determined whether to transmit data. If there is data transmission (YES), data transmission is performed (step S72).
1), proceed to step S722. On the other hand, when there is no data transmission (NO), the process proceeds to step S722. That is, the mode changes from the active mode to the power save mode, and the process proceeds to step S722.

If the mode is the infrastructure mode in step S706 (YES), it is determined whether or not a beacon has been received (step S707). As a result, if no beacon has been received (NO), it is determined whether the active period has ended (step S70).
8). If the active period has not ended (NO), the process proceeds to step S707, and if the active period has ended (YES), the process proceeds to step S714.

If a beacon is received in step S707 (YES), it can be confirmed that synchronization with the network has been established.
It is determined in M whether or not there is data to be transmitted to the own device (step S709). As a result, when there is no data to be transmitted (NO), the process proceeds to step S712. On the other hand, if there is data to be transmitted (YES), the AP that performs beacon generation and performs centralized arbitration is PS-Po
11 is transmitted (step S710). Then, it informs the AP that data can be received, and then receives data transmitted from the AP (step S711),
It transits to step S712.

At step S712, it is determined whether or not there is data transmission. If there is no transmission data (NO), the flow shifts to step S714 to determine if there is transmission data (YE
S), the data is transmitted (step S713). Thereafter, the mode is changed from the active mode to the power save mode (step S714).

Next, in step S801, it is determined whether or not there is a channel that needs to be given a higher priority due to the start of data communication. As a result, if there is no channel (NO), the process moves to step S901.
If there is a channel (YES), a channel is set (step S802), and it is determined whether the channel is an infrastructure (step S803).

As a result, in the case of ad hoc (NO), C
It is determined whether to change the F-Poll to a receivable state (step S810). And, when not changing (N
O), transit to step S812 and, if changed (YES), notify the AP of the registration change to CF-Poll receivable by transmitting a reassociation (step S811) and transit to step S812 I do.

In step S812, it is determined whether the listen interval is to be shortened (step S812). As a result, if not shortened (NO), step S814
If the value is shortened (YES), the AP is notified of the value obtained by shortening the listen interval (step S813), and the process proceeds to step S814. In step S814, it is determined whether to increase the priority of the channel. As a result, if not higher (NO), the process proceeds to step S901, and if higher (YES), the channel is preferentially selected compared to other channels (step S815), and the process proceeds to step S901. Transition.

On the other hand, if it is the infrastructure (YES) in step S803, it is determined whether or not the listen interval in the infrastructure mode is to be lengthened (step S804). As a result, if not long (N
O), the process proceeds to step S806 to extend the length (YE
S), the AP is notified of the value with the longer listen interval (step S805), and the process proceeds to step S806.

In step S806, it is determined whether the active time is to be extended or not. If not (NO),
The process proceeds to step S808 to lengthen (YES)
Set the ad hoc active time longer (step S
807), transit to step S808. In step S808, it is determined whether to increase the priority of the channel (step S808).
O), the process proceeds to step S901 to increase the value (YE
S), the channel is preferentially selected as compared with the other channels (step S809), and step S90
Transitions to 1.

Next, in step S901, it is determined whether or not there is a channel whose priority needs to be returned to the original order due to the end of the data communication. As a result, when there is no channel (NO), the process proceeds to step S916, and when there is a channel (YES), the channel is set (step S916).
902), it is determined whether it is an infrastructure (step S903). If it is ad hoc (NO), it is determined whether or not CF-Poll is being received (step S910).

As a result, if reception is not being performed (N
O), the process proceeds to step S912, and if reception is being performed (YES), a registration change for disabling CF-Poll reception is transmitted to the AP by transmitting a reassociation (step S911), and the process proceeds to step S912. Transition.
In step S912, it is determined whether or not the listen interval is short (step S912). If the interval is not short (NO), the process transitions to step S914. If the interval is short (YES), the AP is notified of the value with the longer listen interval (step S914), and the process transits to step S914.

Next, in step S914, it is determined whether or not the priority of the channel is high. As a result, if the priority is not high (NO), the process transits to step S916. If the priority is high (YES), the channel priority is restored (step S915) and the process transits to step S916.

Next, if it is determined in step S903 that the device is an infrastructure (YES), it is determined whether the listen interval is long (step S90).
4). If the result is not long (NO), step S9
06, and if it is long (YES), the listening interval is notified to the AP of the original value (step S905), and step S905 is performed.
Transition is made to 906.

In step S906, it is determined whether the active time is long. If the active time is not long (NO), the process proceeds to step S908. If the active time is long (YES), the ad hoc active time is reduced. The original value is set (step S907), and the process proceeds to step S908. Next, in step S908, it is determined whether or not the priority of the channel is high. If the priority is not high (NO), the process proceeds to step S916. If the priority is high (YES), the priority of the channel is changed. Return to the original state (step S909), and transition to step S916.

In step S916, it is determined whether or not the power is off. If the power is off (YE
S), the process proceeds to step S604, and if the power is not turned off (NO), it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (step S917). If the power is not turned off (N
O), the process proceeds to step S605, and if the power is turned off (YES), the power is turned off (step S918), and the process proceeds to step S602.

That is, the present invention is a radio communication apparatus for performing data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels. First, it participates in a plurality of channels in the power saving mode, and switches and activates the channel for each activation period set for each of the channels. Then, data from another device is received from the activated channel, and the channel receiving the data is given priority over the other channels.

Further, the radio communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the activation period is a period for receiving a beacon of the infrastructure. Further, the activation period is a period for receiving an ad hoc ATIM.

Further, the radio communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it can receive a CF-Poll from an access point in an infrastructure mode. Further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the start interval of the station in the ad hoc mode is shortened.

Further, the radio communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a predetermined channel is selected and switched over with priority over other channels. Still further, a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a start interval of a station in an infrastructure mode is lengthened. Still further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the start-up time of the station in the normal mode in the ad hoc mode is extended.

As described above, according to the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, by operating each channel in the power save mode, a plurality of channels can be monitored, and a server and a printer can be shared and used. This makes it possible to use a wireless communication device connected to a plurality of channels.

Communication between a plurality of channels of wireless communication devices can be realized by installing an AP on each channel and connecting the AP by a wired LAN. , Through the AP,
Although the communication process takes time, according to the present invention, it can be realized without using the above-described network equipment, so that an effect that it can be constructed at low cost is obtained.

Further, since communication is directly performed with the wireless communication apparatus, there is also an effect that the communication processing time is shortened because no intermediate processing is performed. Further, as another method of using a plurality of channels, there is a method of preparing a plurality of wireless interfaces, but this considerably increases the cost. However, according to the present invention, since a plurality of wireless interfaces are not required, the effect of being economical can be obtained.

Furthermore, when there is a large amount of data communication (for example, print data of a printer, file data of a server, etc.), communication can be performed with priority given to that channel over other channels. The effect of improving data transmission efficiency while maintaining expandability of the use range can be obtained.

<Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment of the present invention, more efficient data transmission is possible by using a channel for data communication in normal operation and disabling other channels. Will be described. Note that the configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the wireless communication device according to the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

Next, the transmission / reception processing operation of the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are flowcharts showing transmission / reception processing of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This processing is executed under the control of the overall control unit 106 of the wireless communication device.

First, the operator performs a power-on operation for turning on the power of the own wireless communication device (step S1601). Then, the overall control unit 106 determines whether to connect to a network (step S1602). As a result, when not connecting to the network (NO), step S16
Transition to 03. In step S1603, the power is turned off.
It is determined whether to set to F or not, and if the power is not turned off (NO), the process returns to step S1602 again. Also,
If the power is to be turned off (YES), the power is turned off (step S1604), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1602 that connection to a network is to be made (YES), it is determined whether to search for a channel (step S160).
5). As a result, when the channel is not searched (NO)
To step S1701. If a channel is searched (YES), the channel is set (step S1606), and the band of the channel is scanned (step S1607).

Next, in order to establish network synchronization, it is determined whether or not a beacon for generating the synchronization timing has been received (step S1608). as a result,
If no beacon has been received (NO), step S1
It changes to 609. On the other hand, when a beacon is received (Y
ES), a beacon generation interval included in the beacon is set, and synchronization is established (step S1614).

In step S1609, the time from scanning the channel is measured, and it is determined whether a timeout has occurred. As a result, if a timeout has not occurred (NO), the process transits to Step S1607.
On the other hand, if a timeout has occurred (YES), it is determined that there is no beacon on that channel, and it is determined whether there is any unscanned channel (step S161).
0). As a result, when there is an unscanned channel (Y
ES), change to an unscanned channel (step S)
1611). And it changes to step S1606.
On the other hand, if there is no unscanned channel (NO), the flow shifts to step S1612.

Next, after synchronization is established in step S1614, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the channel is the infrastructure mode (step S161).
5). As a result, when the operation mode is the ad hoc mode (NO), the process transits to Step S1616. On the other hand, when the operation mode is the infrastructure mode (YE
S), it is determined whether or not it has joined the infrastructure mode and registered with the AP (step S1620).
As a result, if the infrastructure mode has already been registered (YES), it is not possible to participate in the infrastructure mode, and the flow shifts to step S1610.

On the other hand, if the infrastructure mode has not been registered in step S1620 (NO), authentication is performed with the AP to join the network in the infrastructure mode (step S1621). Then, it is determined whether or not the result of the authentication is OK (step S1622). If the result is NG (N
O), since participation in this network is not possible, the process transits to step S1610. On the other hand, if OK (Y
ES), and execute association with the AP (step S1623).

Then, it is determined whether the result of executing the association is OK (step S1624). As a result, if the result is NG (NO), an error process starts (step S1625), and the process proceeds to step S1610.
On the other hand, if the result of executing the association is OK (YES), the information of the AP is registered and the link with the AP is completed (step S1618). Next, it operates in the power save mode used in the infrastructure (step S1619), and transitions to step S1610.
This enables data communication with the AP in the power save mode.

Next, when it is determined in step S1615 that the mode is the ad hoc mode, the communication with the wireless communication apparatus participating in the network is started using the ad hoc mode (step S1616). ).
Further, it operates in the power save mode used in the ad hoc mode (step S1617), and in step S16
Transitions to 10.

If there is no unscanned channel in step S1610 (NO), it is determined whether or not all channels are free channels (step S1612).
As a result, if all the channels are not empty channels (NO), the process transits to Step S1701. On the other hand, if all the channels are free channels (YES), a beacon is generated in the ad hoc mode to start a new network (step S1613), and step S1605
Transition to.

Next, in step S1701, it is determined whether or not there is a channel that enters a period during which the power save mode is activated. As a result, if there is no channel (NO), the process transits to Step S1801. On the other hand, if there is a channel (YES), it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of channels (step S1702). If there are a plurality of channels (YES), one channel is selected from the plurality of channels (step S1703),
It changes to step S1704. On the other hand, if there is only one channel (NO), that channel is set (step S1704).

Next, the state changes from power save to active and data can be received (step S170).
5). Here, when selecting one channel from a plurality of channels, prioritize each channel,
There is also a method of selecting a channel having a higher priority. As for the priority order, there is a method in which the channel selected immediately before is set to the lowest order and the channels are evenly allocated. Furthermore, there is a method of prioritizing the channels having a high access frequency in advance.

Next, in the data receiving state, it is determined whether the mode is the infrastructure mode (step S1706). As a result, in the case of the ad hoc mode (NO), it is determined whether or not to receive a beacon (step S1715). If no beacon is received (NO), it is determined whether or not the active period ends (step S1716). As a result, if the active period has not ended (NO), the process transits to Step S1715, and if it has ended (YES), Step S172
Transition to 2.

If a beacon has been received in step S1715 (YES), it is possible to confirm that synchronization with the network has been established, so that the terminal waits for data reception. Next, it is determined whether an ATIM addressed to the own device has been received. A determination is made (step S1717). As a result, if the ATIM is received, thereafter, the data transmitted from the device that transmitted the ATIM is received (step S1719), and the process transits to step S1720.

On the other hand, when the ATIM is not received (N
O), It is determined whether or not the active period has ended (step S1718). As a result, if the active period has not ended (NO), the process transits to Step S1717. When the active period has ended (YE
S), and transition to the step S1720. Step S17
At 20, it is determined whether to transmit data. If there is data transmission (YES), data transmission is performed (step S1721), and the process proceeds to step S722. On the other hand, when there is no data transmission (NO), step S172
Transition to 2. That is, the mode is changed from the active mode to the power save mode, and the process proceeds to step S1722.

If the mode is the infrastructure mode in step S1706 (YES), it is determined whether a beacon has been received (step S1707).
As a result, if the beacon has not been received (NO), it is determined whether or not the active period has ended (step S).
1708). If the active period has not ended (NO), the process proceeds to step S1707, and if the active period has ended (YES), step S17.
Transition is made to 14.

If a beacon is received in step S1707 (YES), it can be confirmed that synchronization with the network has been established.
It is determined whether there is data to be transmitted to the own device by the IM (step S1709). As a result, if there is no data to be transmitted (NO), the process transits to Step S1712. On the other hand, if there is data to be transmitted (YES), a beacon is generated and PS
Send a Poll (step S1710). Then, it notifies the AP that data can be received, and then receives data transmitted from the AP (step S1711), and transitions to step S1712.

In step S1712, it is determined whether or not there is data transmission. If there is no transmission data (NO),
Transit to step S1714, and if there is transmission data (YES), transmit the data (step S171).
3). After that, power save from active mode
The mode changes to the mode (step S1714).

Next, in step S1801, it is determined whether there is any channel to be set in the active mode.
As a result, if there is no channel to be set in the active mode (NO), the process transits to Step S1605. When there is a channel to be set to the active mode (YE
S), a channel is set (step S1802), and it is determined whether the mode is the infrastructure mode (step S1803).

As a result, in the case of the ad hoc mode (N
O) In the ad-hoc mode network of another channel, a notification that the network is to be disconnected is given (step S1804). Further, in the network in the infrastructure mode of another channel, a disassociation is transmitted to the AP, and the registration is deleted from the list of APs (step S1805). Then, in the set channel, the setting is changed from the power save mode to the active mode (step S1806), and the power save mode is changed to the active mode (step S1807).

Thereafter, data transmission / reception is performed (step S1808), and it is determined whether or not to change to the power save mode again due to completion of transmission of a large amount of data (step S1809). As a result, if there is a change (YES), the setting is changed from the active mode to the power save mode (step S1810), the mode is changed from active to power save (step S1811), and the process transits to step S1605.

On the other hand, if there is no change to power save in step S1809 (NO), it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (step S812). If the power is to be turned off (YES), step S1604
To power off and end. Also, turn off the power
If F is not set (NO), it is determined whether or not to disconnect (step S1813). As a result, when cutting (Y
ES), a disconnection process is performed (step S1814), and the routine goes to step S1602. Also, when not cutting (N
O), transit to step S1808.

Next, in step S1803, when the operation mode of the set channel is the infrastructure mode (YES), it is notified that the network is disconnected in the ad-hoc mode network of another channel (step S1815). . Then, the AP in the infrastructure mode network of the set channel is notified of the registration change from the power save mode to the active mode to the AP (step S1816), and changes from power save to active (step S18).
17).

Thereafter, data transmission / reception is performed (step S1818), and it is determined whether or not to change to the power save mode again due to completion of transmission of a large amount of data (step S1819). As a result, if there is a change (YES), the AP is notified of the registration change from the active mode to the power save mode (step S182).
0), the state is changed from active to power save (step S1821), and the flow shifts to step S1605.

On the other hand, when there is no change to the power save (NO), it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (step S1822). If the power is to be turned off (YES), the process proceeds to step S1604, where the power is turned off.
FF then finish. If the power is not turned off (NO), it is determined whether or not to disconnect (step S18).
23). Then, in the case of cutting (YES), a cutting process is performed (step S1824), and the process proceeds to step S1602, and in the case of not cutting (NO), the process proceeds to step S1818.

That is, the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus that performs data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels. First, it participates in a plurality of channels in the power saving mode, and switches and activates the channel for each activation period set for each of the channels. Then, it receives data from another device from the activated channel, communicates the data-received channel in the normal mode, and makes the other channel non-participating.

The wireless communication device according to the present invention is characterized in that the activation period is a period for receiving a beacon of infrastructure. Further, the activation period is a period for receiving an ad hoc ATIM.

Further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a network in an ad hoc mode of another channel is disconnected. Further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the registration is deleted from the access point list in the infrastructure mode of another channel.

As described above, by using the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, when there is a large amount of data communication (for example, print data of a printer or file data of a server), other channels are disconnected. Then, the communication is performed only on the channel, and the mode is switched from the power save mode to the communication in the normal mode. Therefore, the effect that the transmission range of the network can be greatly expanded while the data transmission efficiency remains unchanged. .

<Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, an example in which an information terminal is used as a wireless communication device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a wireless communication device having a display unit and an operation unit. In a wireless communication system that can be constructed using the wireless communication device, an information terminal, a server,
Any number of printers can be installed.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A medium such as a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the medium in the medium such as a storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus set.

In this case, the program code itself read from a medium such as a storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the medium such as a storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Will be. As a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk,
Optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-
An R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, a download via a network, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS and the like running on the computer are actually executed based on the instructions of the program codes. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where some or all of the above processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read out from a medium such as a storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the instruction of the program code is written. The present invention also includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of actual processing based on the above, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

[0159]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to participate in a plurality of networks, and it is possible to communicate with more wireless communication devices with high transmission efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a demodulation unit 103 of a wireless transmission / reception unit 101 in the wireless communication device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system using the wireless communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power save mode used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management table for an operation mode of the own device and an operation mode of a channel.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6D is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a transmission / reception process of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a flowchart showing a transmission / reception process of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Wireless transceiver 102 Modulation section 103 Demodulation unit 104 Transmission control unit 105 reception control unit 106 Overall control unit 107 Data processing unit 108 Data storage unit 109 Data input / output unit 110 Message display section 111 management table 112 Power saving control unit 112a Operation mode information management table of own device 112b Channel information management table 113 I / O section 114 Display 115 Operation unit 301, 302, 303, 308, 309 Information terminal 304 AP 305, 310 server 306, 311 printer 307 LAN

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication device for performing data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, comprising: means for joining a plurality of channels in a power saving mode; and setting for each of the channels. Activating means for switching and activating the channel for each activating period to be performed; data receiving means for receiving data from another device from the channel activated by the activating means; A wireless communication device comprising: control means for giving priority to a channel. 2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the activation period is a period during which a beacon of an infrastructure is received. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activation period is an ad hoc ATIM.
2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is in a period for receiving the wireless communication. 4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit enables reception of a CF-Poll from an access point in an infrastructure mode. 5. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means shortens a start interval of a station in an ad hoc mode. 6. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means selects and switches a predetermined channel with priority over other channels. 7. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit extends a start interval of a station in an infrastructure mode. 8. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means extends the activation time of the station in the ad hoc mode in the normal mode. 9. A wireless communication apparatus for performing data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, comprising: means for participating in a plurality of channels in a power saving mode; and setting for each of the channels. Activating means for switching and activating the channel for each activating period to be performed; data receiving means for receiving data from another device from the channel activated by the activating means; and setting the channel receiving the data in a normal mode. A wireless communication device comprising: a communication unit that performs communication; and a control unit that causes another channel to not participate. 10. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the activation period is a period for receiving a beacon of an infrastructure. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activation period is an ad hoc ATI.
The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the period is a period in which M is received. 12. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit disconnects the ad-hoc mode network of another channel. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the control unit deletes the registration from the access point list in the infrastructure mode of another channel.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1. 14. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication means is capable of wireless communication in an infrastructure mode. 15. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein said communication means is capable of wireless communication in an ad hoc mode.
Or the wireless communication device according to 9. 16. A method for controlling a wireless communication device that performs data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, comprising: a joining step of joining a plurality of channels in a power saving mode; An activation step of switching and activating the channel for each activation period set respectively; a data reception step of receiving data from another device from the channel activated by the activation means; And a control step of giving priority to other channels. 17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the activation period is a period for receiving an infrastructure beacon. 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activation period is an ad hoc ATI.
17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the period is a period during which M is received. 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the control step is performed in an infrastructure mode, wherein the CF-Poll
17. The control method for a wireless communication device according to claim 16, wherein the control unit is capable of receiving a wireless communication. 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said control step shortens a start interval of a station in an ad hoc mode. 21. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the control step selects and switches a predetermined channel with priority over other channels. 22. The control method for a wireless communication device according to claim 16, wherein said control step extends a start interval of a station in an infrastructure mode. 23. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the control step extends a startup time of the station in the normal mode in the ad hoc mode. 24. A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus that performs data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, comprising: a joining step of joining a plurality of channels in a power saving mode; An activation step of switching and activating the channel for each activation period set respectively; a data receiving step of receiving data from the other device from the channel activated by the activation means; a channel receiving the data And a control step of making other channels non-participating in a normal mode. 25. The control method according to claim 24, wherein the activation period is a period for receiving an infrastructure beacon. 26. The method according to claim 26, wherein the activation period is an ad-hoc ATI.
The control method according to claim 24, wherein the period is a period during which M is received. 27. The control method for a wireless communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said control step disconnects an ad hoc mode network of another channel. 28. The method of claim 2, wherein the controlling step removes registration from a list of access points in another channel's infrastructure mode.
5. The control method of the wireless communication device according to 4. 29. The control method for a wireless communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the communication step enables wireless communication in an infrastructure mode. 30. The communication step according to claim 1, wherein wireless communication is possible in an ad hoc mode.
25. The control method for a wireless communication device according to 6 or 24. 31. A computer program for causing a computer to control a wireless communication device that performs data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, wherein the computer program participates in the plurality of channels in a power saving mode. A joining step, an activation step of switching and activating the channel for each activation period set for each of the channels, and a data receiving step of receiving data from another device from the channel activated by the activation means. A control step of giving priority to the channel on which the data is received over other channels. 32. A computer program for causing a computer to control a wireless communication device that performs data communication using one channel selected from a plurality of channels, wherein the computer program participates in the plurality of channels in a power saving mode. A joining step, an activation step of switching and activating the channel for each activation period set for each of the channels, and a data receiving step of receiving data from another device from the channel activated by the activation means. A computer program for executing a communication step of communicating the data-received channel in a normal mode, and a control step of disabling other channels. 33. A recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 31.