JP2008154165A - Wireless communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively suppress the consumption of a battery during wireless communication. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 108 communicates with a communication object while reducing a radio wave strength of radio waves outputted from a radio module 109 and determines a radio wave strength of predetermined reference quality with which predetermined communication quality can be maintained. A radio wave strength of radio waves outputted from the radio module 109 is then set to the determined radio wave strength of the predetermined reference quality to communicate with the communication object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus for communicating with a wirelessly connected device.

  The following imaging devices are known. This photographing device transmits an image obtained by photographing to the image server wirelessly only when the photographing device is within a communicable area for wireless communication. At this time, as the remaining battery level of the imaging device decreases, the battery consumption when the battery capacity is reduced can be increased by increasing the detection cycle of whether the imaging device is within the wireless communication coverage area. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-260286 A

  However, in conventional imaging devices, battery consumption during wireless communication varies depending on the strength of the output radio wave, but since this point has not been taken into account at all, measures to reduce battery consumption are still in effect. Was insufficient.

The present invention outputs a radio wave, communicates with a communication target while reducing the radio wave intensity of the output radio wave, determines a radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality, and outputs The radio wave intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted is set to the determined radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality, and communication with the communication target is performed.
In this case, it is preferable to reduce the radio wave intensity from the maximum radio wave intensity that can be output. The radio wave receiving environment input from the user is accepted and the radio wave intensity is set according to the received radio wave communication environment. The strength may be decreased by a predetermined amount.
The present invention also outputs a radio wave, performs communication with a communication target while increasing the radio wave intensity of the output radio wave, determines a radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality, The radio wave intensity of the output radio wave is set to the determined radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality, and communication is performed with the communication target.
In this case, it is preferable to increase the radio wave intensity from the minimum radio wave intensity that can be output by the radio wave output means.
Alternatively, the test data is transmitted to the communication target, and the radio field intensity of the predetermined reference quality may be determined based on the ratio of the data indicating the success of communication received as a response to the test data.
Alternatively, the radio wave intensity at which the wireless communication is disconnected may be detected, and the radio wave intensity that is higher than the detected radio wave intensity by a predetermined level may be determined as the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality.
In the present invention, a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption during wireless communication and a quality priority mode for maintaining communication quality during wireless communication can be switched, and the power saving mode is set. If the radio wave strength of the output radio wave is set to the radio wave strength of the specified reference quality, and the quality priority mode is set, the radio wave strength of the output radio wave is set to the predetermined strength or higher. Is preferred.
In this case, if the remaining battery level for supplying power to the wireless communication device is measured and it is detected that the remaining battery level is below the specified level when the quality priority mode is set, Switching to the mode may be performed.
The present invention further outputs a radio wave, measures the remaining amount of a battery that supplies power, determines a radio intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality, and outputs the radio wave intensity of the radio radio wave to be output. Is set to a predetermined strength or higher, and if the remaining battery level is detected to be lower than the predetermined level, the radio strength of the output radio wave is switched to the predetermined standard quality. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress battery consumption by suppressing output radio waves during wireless communication.

-First embodiment-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera according to the first embodiment. The camera 100 is, for example, a digital camera, and includes a lens 101, an image sensor 102, an image processing circuit 103, a memory interface 104, a memory 105, a display device 106, an operation member 107, a CPU 108, and a wireless module. 109, a flash memory 110, a voltage measurement circuit 111, and a battery 112. Each element of 101 to 110 (excluding the memory 105 and the CPU 108) is controlled by the CPU 108.

  The lens 101 is composed of a plurality of optical lens groups, but is represented by a single lens in FIG. The image sensor 102 is, for example, a CCD or CMOS, images a subject image input through the lens 101, and outputs an image signal obtained by the imaging to the image processing circuit 103. Note that the image sensor 103 captures a subject image by pressing a release button included in the operation member 107 by the user.

  The image processing circuit 103 converts an analog image signal input from the image sensor 102 into a digital image signal (A / D conversion). The image processing circuit 103 performs various image processing such as known gradation correction processing and contour enhancement processing on the digital image signal (image data) after A / D conversion, and then performs a predetermined image format. To generate an image file and output it to the memory interface 104. The memory interface 104 is, for example, a memory card slot, and records an image file in a memory 105 stored in the slot, for example, a memory card. Note that the image processing circuit 103 can also output and record an image file in the flash memory 110 as a built-in memory.

  In the camera 100 according to the present embodiment, when the memory 105 is stored in the memory interface 104, priority is given to recording an image in the memory 105. That is, when the memory 105 is stored in the memory interface 104, an image is not recorded in the flash memory 110, but only in the memory 105. On the other hand, when the memory 105 is not stored in the memory interface 104, an image is recorded in the flash memory 110. In the following description, it is assumed that the memory 105 is stored in the memory interface 104.

  The display device 106 is, for example, a TFT monitor mounted on the back surface of the camera 100. Based on an instruction from the CPU 108, a playback image of an image recorded in the memory 105, a menu screen for setting the camera 100, or the like. Is displayed. The operation member 107 includes various switches and buttons operated by the user. For example, the operation member 107 includes a power button, a playback button, a mode switch, a release button, a zoom button, a menu button, a cross button, and the like.

  The CPU 108 controls each element included in the camera 100 as described above. Further, the program recorded in the flash memory 110 is read and various processes described later are executed. The wireless module 109 is, for example, a wireless LAN module, and can be connected to a wireless LAN network that has been built in advance to perform wireless communication (wireless communication) with other devices in the network.

  The voltage measurement circuit 111 measures an output voltage value output from a battery (battery) 112 stored in a battery box (not shown), and outputs the measurement result to the CPU 108. Note that the output voltage value from the battery 112 is highest immediately after replacement with a new battery, and gradually decreases as the battery 112 is consumed.

  In camera 100 capable of wireless communication in the present embodiment, wireless module 109 needs to be supplied with power from battery 112 in order to output wireless radio waves. The power consumed by the wireless module 109 is large when the radio wave intensity of the output radio wave is strong and small when it is weak. For this reason, if priority is given to the communication quality at the time of radio | wireless communication and the radio wave output from the radio | wireless module 100 is maintained in a strong state, the consumption of the battery 112 will become intense. On the other hand, if the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is reduced to such an extent that the radio communication is not interrupted and the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining the predetermined communication quality is maintained, the consumption of the battery 112 is suppressed. Can do.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the camera 100 is provided with a quality priority mode that prioritizes communication quality during wireless communication and an energy saving mode for suppressing the consumption of the battery 112. You can set the mode. Then, the CPU 108 controls the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 according to the mode set by the user. In this embodiment, the range of radio wave intensity that can be output by the wireless module 109 is 10 dB to 15 dB, and the CPU 108 increases or decreases the radio wave intensity by 1 dB within the range, thereby A case where the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from 109 is controlled will be described.

  Specifically, the CPU 108 executes the processing of FIG. 2 described later to set the radio wave intensity set according to the use environment of the camera 100 as the initial radio wave intensity, and communicate with the communication target while reducing the radio wave intensity therefrom. To determine the radio intensity of the predetermined reference quality that can maintain the predetermined communication quality. Then, the radio wave intensity output from the radio module 109 is set to the determined radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality, and communication with the communication target is started. Here, the usage environment of the camera 100 corresponds to a wireless communication environment, and is selected in advance by the user from, for example, “outdoor”, “in-store”, and “indoor”. In addition, the user can start communication without setting the use environment of the camera 100.

  When “outdoor” is set as the wireless communication environment, there are many factors that hinder wireless communication outdoors. Therefore, the CPU 108 can output the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 to the maximum that can be output from the wireless module 109. Is set to 15 dB, that is, 15 dB. When “in-store” is set as the wireless communication environment, there are not as many factors that obstruct wireless communication as “outdoors”, so the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 is higher than in “outdoors”. A small value, for example, “13 dB” is set. When “indoor” is set as the wireless communication environment, there are not as many factors that hinder wireless communication as “outdoor” or “inside the store”, so the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 is “outdoor”. Or a value smaller than the case of “inside the store”, for example, “12 dB”.

  When no wireless communication environment is set, the CPU 108 sets the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 to the maximum value, that is, 15 dB. Note that the initial radio wave intensity set when each of the above wireless communication environments is selected is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The selectable use environment of the camera 100 is not limited to “outdoor”, “in-store”, and “indoor”, and other assumed use environments such as “in-vehicle” may be selected. .

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of radio wave intensity control processing in the first embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 2 is executed as a program that is started when the operation member 107 is operated by the user and an instruction to start communication with a communication target that can be connected via a wireless communication line, such as a personal computer or a network printer, is given. .

  In step S <b> 10, the CPU 108 determines which of the power saving mode and the quality priority mode described above is set as the camera 100 mode. If it is determined that the power saving mode is set, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether or not the use environment of the camera 100 described above is set in advance by the user. If it is determined that it has not been set, the process proceeds to step S30, the initial radio wave intensity described above is set to 15 dB which is the maximum output radio wave intensity of the wireless module 109, and the process proceeds to step S40.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the use environment of the camera 100 is set, the process proceeds to step S130 to determine whether “outdoor” is set. If it is determined that “outdoor” is set, the process proceeds to step S30, the initial radio wave intensity is set to 15 dB, and the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, if it is determined that “outdoor” is not set, the process proceeds to step S140, and it is determined whether “in-store” is set. If it is determined that “in-store” is set, the process proceeds to step S150, the initial radio wave intensity is set to 13 dB, and the process proceeds to step S40. If it is determined that “in-store” is not set, it is determined that “indoor” is set, and the process proceeds to step S160, the initial radio wave intensity is set to 12 dB, and the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S <b> 40, the CPU 108 performs a connection process for starting the wireless communication with the communication target by controlling the wireless module 109. The content of the connection process is the same as the connection process at the start of general wireless LAN communication, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Then, it progresses to step S50 and it is judged whether communication with the communication object was successful. If it is determined that the connection has not been successful, the process proceeds to step S60, where an error message is displayed on the display device 106 to notify the user that the connection has failed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S70, and the CPU 108 determines whether or not reconnection to the communication target is instructed by the operation of the operation member 107 by the user. If it is determined that no instruction has been given, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction has been given, the process returns to step S30.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the communication is successful, the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, the CPU 108 generates a test packet (test data) for confirming the communication status with the communication target, and transmits the test packet to the communication target via the wireless module 109. The test packet includes data defined to transmit data indicating a successful reception (success packet) in response to the communication target normally receiving the test packet. The CPU 108 generates a plurality of test packets, for example, 100 packets, and transmits them to the communication target. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned success packet is received with respect to the number of test packets transmitted over a predetermined ratio indicating that communication with the communication target is established with a predetermined or higher communication quality. to decide. For example, when the CPU 108 receives 40% or more of success packets with respect to the number of test packets transmitted, the CPU 108 determines that communication is established with a communication quality of a predetermined level or higher with a communication target. Therefore, when 100 test packets are transmitted as described above, when 40 or more success packets are received, it is determined that communication is established with a communication quality of a predetermined level or higher with a communication target. .

  If it is determined that a success packet or more has been received, the process proceeds to step S100, and the CPU 108 determines whether or not the current radio field intensity setting value is 10 dB, which is the minimum radio field intensity that can be output from the wireless module 109. Determine whether. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S110, and the CPU 108 lowers the set value of the radio wave intensity by 1 dB and returns to step S80. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, it is determined that the radio field intensity cannot be lowered any further, and the process proceeds to step S120 described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S90 that the reception ratio of successful packets to the transmitted test packet is less than a predetermined ratio, the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the CPU 108 determines that the current set value of the radio wave intensity is the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality that can maintain the predetermined communication quality described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S121, where the current set value of radio wave intensity (radio wave output value) is stored in the flash memory 110, and the process is terminated.

  Next, processing when it is determined in step S10 that the quality priority mode is set as the mode of the camera 100 will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to step S170, and the CPU 108 sets the above-described initial radio wave intensity to a predetermined intensity or higher, for example, 15 dB that is the maximum output radio wave intensity of the wireless module 109, and then proceeds to step S180. In step S180, as in step S40, the CPU 108 performs connection processing for controlling the wireless module 109 and starting wireless communication with the communication target. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S190.

  In step S190, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the communication with the communication target is successful. If it is determined that the communication is successful, the CPU 108 continues the communication with the communication target and ends the processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication is not successful, the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, the CPU 108 displays an error on the display device 106 to notify the user that the connection has failed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210, and it is determined whether or not reconnection to the communication target is instructed by the operation member 107 being operated by the user. If it is determined that the instruction has been given, the process returns to step S180. On the other hand, if it is determined that no instruction has been given, the process ends.

  In the camera 100 according to the present embodiment, wireless communication with a communication target is performed with the radio wave intensity set in the process described above with reference to FIG. At this time, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the quality priority mode, the communication is performed while maintaining the maximum output radio wave intensity (15 dB) of the wireless module 109, so that the battery 112 is consumed significantly. This is not a problem when the remaining amount of the battery 112 is large, but when the remaining amount of the battery 112 is small, the driving time of the camera 100 is shortened.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the quality priority mode, the CPU 108 periodically detects the output from the voltage measurement circuit 111 after starting communication with the communication target. Then, the remaining amount of the battery 112 is monitored. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery 112 is decreasing, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is set to the above-mentioned predetermined reference quality so that the camera 100 can be driven as long as possible. By switching to the radio wave intensity, the power consumed by the wireless module 109 is suppressed.

  That is, when the CPU 108 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 112 has become a predetermined remaining amount, for example, less than 1/3 of the full charge, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the quality priority mode. Switches the mode of the camera 100 to the power saving mode. Specifically, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the quality priority mode, the CPU 108 executes the radio wave intensity switching process shown in FIG. 3 after starting communication with the communication target. In FIG. 3, steps having the same processing content as the processing shown in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 310, the CPU 108 acquires a measurement value by the voltage measurement circuit 111 and measures (monitors) the remaining amount of the battery 112. Then, it progresses to step S320 and it is judged whether the battery remaining amount of the battery 112 is large or small. For example, if the remaining battery level of the battery 112 is 1/3 or more of the full charge, it is determined that the remaining battery level is high, and if it is less than 1/3, it is determined that the remaining battery level is low. If it is determined that the remaining battery level is high, the process ends.

  In contrast, if it is determined that the remaining battery level is low, the process proceeds to step S80. Thereafter, the CPU 108 executes the processes of steps S80 to S121 described above with reference to FIG. At this time, in step S110, the radio field intensity is reduced by 1 dB from the current set value of the radio field intensity.

  Next, a process for performing reconnection when wireless communication with a communication target is disconnected during communication with the communication target will be described. The reason why wireless communication with the communication target is disconnected may be due to deterioration of the communication environment. Therefore, even if reconnection is attempted with the radio wave intensity when communication is disconnected, the possibility of successful connection is low. Therefore, here, a method will be described in which, when a reconnection is instructed by the user after the communication is disconnected, the reconnection is attempted by increasing the radio wave intensity compared to the communication before the communication is disconnected. When the remaining amount of the battery 112 is low, reconnection is attempted without increasing the radio wave intensity in order to give priority to the possession of the battery 112. Specifically, the CPU 108 executes the reconnection process shown in FIG.

  In step S410, CPU 108 determines whether or not wireless communication with the communication target has been disconnected. Here, the communication disconnection based on the disconnection instruction from the user is not a target. If a negative determination is made, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S420. In step S420, an error is displayed on the display device 106 to notify the user that communication has been disconnected, and the process proceeds to step S430.

  In step S430, it is determined whether the user has instructed reconnection to the communication target in response to the error display. If a negative determination is made, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S440, and the CPU 108 measures the remaining amount of the battery 112 based on the output from the voltage measurement circuit 111. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S450, and the CPU 108 reads the current set value of the radio field intensity stored in the flash memory 110 in step S121 of FIG. 2, and proceeds to step S460.

  In step S460, as in step S320 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether the remaining battery level is high or low. When it is determined that the battery capacity is low, in order to give priority to the possession of the battery 112 as described above, reconnection is attempted without increasing the radio wave intensity. Therefore, the CPU 108 sets the current radio field strength setting value read in step S450 to the radio field strength at the time of reconnection, and proceeds to step S490 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that there are many, the process proceeds to step S470.

  In step S470, it is determined whether or not the current radio field intensity setting value read in step S450 is 15 dB corresponding to the maximum output radio field intensity of the wireless module 109. If the determination is affirmative, the radio field intensity cannot be increased any more, so the current radio field intensity setting value is set to the radio field intensity at the time of reconnection, and the process proceeds to step S490. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S480. In step S480, CPU 108 sets a radio field strength that is a predetermined level stronger than the read current radio field strength setting value, for example, a radio field strength that is 1 dB higher, and proceeds to step S490.

  In step S490, similar to step S40 described above with reference to FIG. 2, the CPU 108 performs connection processing for starting communication with the communication target, that is, reconnection processing, and proceeds to step S500. In step S500, it is determined whether or not communication with the communication target is successful. If it is determined that it has not succeeded, the process proceeds to step S510, and it is determined whether or not the set radio wave intensity at the time of reconnection is 15 dB corresponding to the maximum output radio wave intensity of the wireless module 109. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S520.

  In step S520, since the radio field intensity cannot be increased any more, an error is displayed on the display device 106 to notify the user that the reconnection with the communication target has failed, and the process returns to step S430. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S510, the process returns to step S460.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Communicating with the communication target while reducing the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109, determining the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality that can maintain the predetermined communication quality, The radio wave intensity of the output radio wave is set to the determined radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality so that communication is performed with the communication target. Accordingly, the radio wave intensity output from the radio module 109 can be suppressed while maintaining a predetermined communication quality, and the battery 112 can be prevented from being consumed.

(2) The initial radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the wireless module 109 is set according to the usage environment of the camera 100. Accordingly, it is possible to set an optimal initial radio wave intensity in consideration of many factors that hinder wireless communication.

(3) When the use environment of the camera 100 is not set by the user, the initial radio wave intensity output from the radio module 109 is set to the maximum radio wave intensity that can be output from the radio module 109. . As a result, even when the use environment is unknown, the radio wave intensity can be gradually reduced from the maximum radio wave intensity, and the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality can be accurately set.

(4) After the communication with the communication target is successful, the test data is transmitted to the communication target, and based on the ratio of the data indicating the success of the communication received as a response to the test data, the radio wave having a predetermined reference quality The intensity was determined. As a result, the radio wave intensity when communication with the communication target is established with a communication quality of a predetermined level or higher can be set to the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality, and communication can be performed while maintaining high communication quality with the communication target. It can be performed.

(5) When the power saving mode and the quality priority mode are provided as the modes of the camera 100 and the power saving mode is set, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the wireless module 109 is set to the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality. Was set to. In addition, when the quality priority mode is set, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is set to a predetermined intensity or higher. Accordingly, the user can select whether to give priority to preventing the battery 112 from being consumed or maintaining high communication quality.

(6) When the quality priority mode is set as the mode of the camera 100, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery 112 is less than or equal to a predetermined value based on the measurement result by the voltage measurement circuit 111, power saving Switch to mode. As a result, when the remaining amount of the battery 112 is reduced, it is possible to automatically shift to the power saving mode and improve the battery life.

-Second embodiment-
In the first embodiment, the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 is set high, and the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality is determined by communicating with the communication target while reducing the radio wave intensity therefrom. The processing in the case has been described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109 is set low, and communication with the communication target is performed while increasing the radio wave intensity from there, and a predetermined communication quality is obtained. A process for determining the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality that can be maintained will be described.

  The block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the flowchart showing the flow of the radio wave intensity switching process shown in FIG. 3, and the flowchart showing the flow of the reconnection process shown in FIG. 4 are described in the first embodiment. Since it is the same as that, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of radio field intensity control processing in the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same processes as those in FIG. 2 described above in the first embodiment are given the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  In step S31, the CPU 108 sets the initial radio field intensity output from the wireless module 109 to the minimum radio field intensity that can be output from the wireless module 109, that is, 10 dB.

  Thereafter, if it is determined in step S50 that communication with the communication target has not been successful, the process proceeds to step S51, and the CPU 108 determines that the current radio field intensity setting value is the maximum radio field intensity that can be output from the wireless module 109. It is determined whether or not it is 15 dB. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S52, and the CPU 108 increases the set value of the radio wave intensity by 1 dB and returns to step S40. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined that the radio field intensity cannot be increased any more, and the process proceeds to step S102 described later.

  In step S <b> 101, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the current set value of the radio field intensity is 15 dB, which is the maximum radio field intensity that can be output from the wireless module 109. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S111, and the CPU 108 increases the set value of the radio wave intensity by 1 dB and returns to step S80. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, it is determined that the radio field intensity cannot be increased any more, and the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the CPU 108 displays an error on the display device 106 to notify the user that the connection has failed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S103, where it is determined whether or not reconnection to the communication target is instructed by the operation member 107 being operated by the user. If it is determined that the instruction has been given, the process returns to step S40. On the other hand, if it is determined that no instruction has been given, the process ends.

According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment.
(1) Communicating with the communication target while increasing the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109, determining the radio intensity of a predetermined reference quality that can maintain the predetermined communication quality, The radio wave intensity of the output radio wave is set to the determined radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality so that communication is performed with the communication target. Accordingly, the radio wave intensity output from the radio module 109 can be suppressed while maintaining a predetermined communication quality, and the battery 112 can be prevented from being consumed.

(2) The initial radio field intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is set to the minimum radio field intensity that can be output from the radio module 109. As a result, the radio wave intensity is gradually increased from the minimum radio wave intensity, and the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality can be accurately set.

-Modification-
The camera according to the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described first embodiment, the example in which the initial radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is set according to the use environment (wireless communication environment) of the camera 100 has been described. However, the user may be able to designate the initial radio wave intensity numerically. When the use environment of the camera 100 is not specified and “outdoor” is set, the maximum radio wave that can be output from the wireless module 109 as the initial radio wave intensity output from the wireless module 109. The intensity was set. However, it is not limited to the maximum value as long as the radio field intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

(2) In the first and second embodiments described above, the range of radio wave intensity that can be output by the wireless module 109 is 10 dB to 15 dB, and the CPU 108 increases the radio wave intensity by 1 dB within the range. Alternatively, the example in which the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio module 109 is controlled by reducing the frequency has been described. However, the range of the radio wave intensity that can be output by the wireless module 109 may be other than the above range. Further, when changing the radio wave intensity, for example, it may be 0.1 dB or 2 dB, and is not limited to 1 dB.

(3) In the first embodiment described above, the CPU 108 transmits a test packet to the communication target after determining that the communication with the communication target is successful in step S50 of FIG. Based on the ratio of (success packet) to the test packet, an example has been described in which it is determined whether to further reduce the radio wave intensity or to determine the current set value as the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality. However, after the communication with the communication target is successful, the CPU 108 gradually decreases the radio wave intensity from the current radio wave intensity, and detects the radio wave intensity at which the wireless communication with the communication target is disconnected. Then, a radio wave intensity that is higher by a predetermined level than the detected radio wave intensity may be determined as the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality.

  For example, when the radio communication with the communication target is disconnected when the radio wave intensity becomes 11 dB, 12 dB that is 1 dB higher than that at the time of disconnection is determined as the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality. As a result, it is not necessary to transmit / receive test packets and success packets to / from the communication target, and the power consumption of the wireless module 109 can be further suppressed. In addition, it is possible to speed up the process for determining the radio field intensity of the predetermined reference quality.

(4) In the second embodiment described above, the CPU 108 determines that the communication with the communication target is successful in step S50 of FIG. Based on the ratio of (success packet) to the test packet, an example has been described in which it is determined whether to further increase the radio wave intensity or to determine the current set value as the radio wave intensity of a predetermined reference quality. However, the CPU 108 may determine the radio wave intensity at that time as the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality when the communication with the communication target is successful in step S50. As a result, it is not necessary to transmit / receive test packets and success packets to / from the communication target, and the power consumption of the wireless module 109 can be further suppressed. In addition, it is possible to speed up the process for determining the radio field intensity of the predetermined reference quality.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of a camera. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the electromagnetic wave intensity control process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a radio wave intensity switching process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a reconnection process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the electromagnetic wave intensity control process in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Camera, 101 Lens, 102 Image pick-up element, 103 Image processing circuit, 104 Memory interface, 105 Memory, 106 Display apparatus, 107 Operation member, 108 CPU, 109 Wireless module, 110 Flash memory, 111 Voltage measurement circuit, 112 Battery

Claims (10)

Radio wave output means for outputting radio waves;
Determining means for determining a radio intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality by performing communication with a communication target while reducing the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output means;
And a communication control unit configured to communicate with the communication target by setting the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output unit to the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality determined by the determining unit. Communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means reduces the radio wave intensity from a maximum radio wave intensity that can be output by the radio wave output means. The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
A reception unit for receiving a wireless communication environment input from a user;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit decreases the radio field intensity by a predetermined amount from the radio field intensity set according to the radio communication environment received by the reception unit. Radio wave output means for outputting radio waves;
Determining means for determining a predetermined reference quality radio wave intensity capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality by performing communication with a communication target while increasing the radio wave radio wave intensity output from the radio wave output means;
And a communication control unit configured to communicate with the communication target by setting the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output unit to the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality determined by the determining unit. Communication device. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit increases the radio field intensity from a minimum radio field intensity that can be output by the radio wave output unit. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 4,
The determining means transmits test data to the communication target, and determines the radio field intensity of the predetermined reference quality based on a ratio of data indicating successful communication received as a response to the test data. A wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 4,
The determination unit detects a radio wave intensity at which radio communication is cut off, and determines a radio field intensity higher than the detected radio wave intensity by a predetermined level as the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 4,
Further comprising a mode setting means for switching between a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption during wireless communication and a quality priority mode for maintaining communication quality during wireless communication;
The communication control means, when the power saving mode is set by the mode setting means, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output means, the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality determined by the determining means When the quality priority mode is set, the radio communication apparatus sets the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output means to a predetermined intensity or higher. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
Battery level measuring means for measuring the remaining battery level for supplying power to the wireless communication device;
The mode setting means, when the quality priority mode is set, when detecting that the remaining battery level is less than or equal to a predetermined value based on the measurement result by the remaining battery level measuring unit, A wireless communication apparatus that switches to a power saving mode. Radio wave output means for outputting radio waves;
Battery remaining amount measuring means for measuring the remaining amount of the battery supplying power;
Determining means for determining the radio intensity of a predetermined reference quality capable of maintaining a predetermined communication quality;
When the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output unit is set to be equal to or higher than a predetermined strength, the remaining battery level becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined level based on the measurement result by the remaining battery level measuring unit. And a communication control means for switching the radio wave intensity of the radio wave output from the radio wave output means to the radio wave intensity of the predetermined reference quality determined by the determining means. apparatus.

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