JP2008278522A - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof, and radio communication environment setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for facilitating initial setting of a radio communication system. <P>SOLUTION: When a digital camera and a printer including a wireless communication function and a wired connection function are wired-connected (S1,001), the digital camera acquires radio setting information from the printer (S1,005) and registers the acquired radio setting information in a flash ROM. When printing a picked-up image thereafter, a radio communication environment is set in accordance with the radio setting information registered in the stored flash ROM, and the picked-up image is transmitted to the printer identified in accordance with the radio setting information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for setting wireless communication between devices having a wireless communication function.

  In recent years, in wire communication, a standard that can be used immediately by connecting various devices with a cable (cable), and a product that implements the standard have appeared. For example, PictBridge (CIPA DC-001) has been standardized, which enables printing by connecting a digital camera and a printer with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. With digital cameras and printers that use this standard, the printer is ready for printing when it is connected via USB, and then the user interface of the digital camera (the digital camera has a liquid crystal display and a monitor for confirming captured images) It is possible to perform a printing operation simply by designating an image to be printed in (provided with various keys).

  On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for wireless transmission of information that has been performed by wire, and wireless communication has begun to be used for communication between peripheral devices such as digital cameras, storages, and printers. Wireless communication eliminates the need for cable laying, increases the degree of freedom of the setting location of each device, and improves portability.

  Hereinafter, a conventional wireless communication apparatus connection method will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system that enables data transmission using wireless communication means. In the figure, digital cameras (101 to 103) are equipped with a wireless communication function, and perform data transmission between digital cameras or printers (104 to 105) using wireless communication means. It is possible.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, when a wireless LAN ad-hoc mode (mode in which direct communication is not performed via a relay station) using IEEE802.11 is used as a wireless communication unit, a printer to transmit data from a digital camera is searched. The conventional method at that time is shown as a flowchart in FIG. Here, a flowchart in the case of bringing a new digital camera into an existing ad hoc mode wireless LAN communication system and connecting to a printer is shown.

  In FIG. 28, when the digital camera is connected to the printer in the ad hoc mode, first, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) is set in the digital camera (step S2801) to prevent eavesdropping by wireless communication as necessary. Is set (step S2802), an ad hoc mode as a wireless communication mode is set (step S2803), and a device on the wireless network is searched (step S2804). Then, a printer desired to be printed is selected from devices on the wireless network (step S2805), and wireless communication is established.

  Further, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, even when an IEEE802.11-compliant wireless LAN infrastructure mode (indirect communication mode via a relay station) is used as a wireless communication means, step S2803 is set to the infrastructure mode. By doing so, it is possible to similarly search and select a printer.

  In the method used in recent OSs such as Windows (registered trademark) XP of Microsoft, the user creates one list by scanning the network instead of setting the SSID by the user. select. FIG. 29 illustrates a procedure for connecting the digital camera to the printer in the ad hoc mode.

  First, the digital camera sets a list of SSIDs by network scanning (step S2901), and selects one SSID from the list (step S2902). If necessary, an encryption key for preventing wiretapping in wireless communication is set (step S2903), and a device on the wireless network is searched (step S2904). Then, a printer to be printed is selected from devices on the wireless network (step S2905), and wireless communication is established.

In addition, as in Patent Document 1, there is also a proposal of a method in which a user creates a preference in advance and automatically tries to connect to an SSID discovered by performing a network scan based on the preference.
JP 2002-344458 A

  However, in the above conventional example, since the setting of the SSID and the encryption key is complicated, there is a problem that the initial setting of the wireless communication system is not easy.

  Even in the method of using the preference proposed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to know in advance which SSID and encryption key to use, and the preference is created based on that knowledge. In order to establish a communication path, the user needs to set an encryption key.

  The present invention addresses this issue and aims to provide a technique for simplifying the initial setting of a wireless communication system.

In order to solve this problem, for example, an imaging apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An imaging device comprising wireless communication means for transmitting image information obtained by imaging to a predetermined image processing device by wireless communication,
Storage means for storing information necessary for temporarily performing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus itself in a portable storage medium for storing captured images with respect to the image processing apparatus;
Standby means for waiting for communication from the image processing device based on the information after detecting removal of the portable storage medium;
Storage means for receiving and storing wireless setting information after communication by communication from the image processing apparatus is established;
A wireless communication control unit configured to set a wireless communication environment according to the setting information and transmit the image information to the image processing apparatus when an instruction to process image information by wireless communication is given ;

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the initial setting of a radio | wireless communications system can be made simple, and the burden given to a user can be reduced.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In each embodiment, a method for simplifying the initial setting of a wireless communication system including an imaging apparatus (such as a digital camera) and an image processing apparatus (such as a printer or a storage device) will be described in detail. In the first embodiment, a method for simplifying the initial setting of a wireless communication system using a communication cable will be described. In the second embodiment, a method for simplifying the initial setting of a wireless communication system using a removable storage medium (for example, a memory card) will be described. In the third embodiment, a method for simplifying the setting of the wireless communication system using both the storage medium and the wireless communication will be described. In each embodiment, setting information necessary for initial setting of the wireless communication system is referred to as “wireless setting information”.

<First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, a method for simplifying the initial setting of a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11 composed of a digital camera and a printer or a storage device using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable will be described. In IEEE802.11, there are a plurality of communication modes (ad hoc mode and infrastructure mode) depending on the communication form. Hereinafter, each communication mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system that enables data transmission using wireless communication means. In FIG. 1, digital cameras 101 to 103 have a wireless communication function, and can directly transmit data between digital cameras or printers 104 and 105 using wireless communication means. Is possible. A communication mode having such a configuration is called an ad hoc mode.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a wireless communication system that enables data transmission using wireless communication means. In FIG. 2, the digital cameras 201 to 203 have a wireless communication function, and can perform data transmission between digital cameras or between the printer 205 and the storage device 206 using wireless communication means. Although possible, data communication takes place via the access point 204. A communication mode having such a configuration is called an infrastructure mode.

  First, the digital camera, printer, and storage in the first embodiment will be described in order.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the digital camera 301 in the first embodiment, which can function as any of the digital cameras 101 to 103 or 201 to 203 in FIGS.

  The operation unit 310 of the digital camera 301 is connected to the CPU 315 via the system controller 311, and the operation unit includes a shutter switch and various keys of the digital camera 301. The imaging unit 302 is a block that captures an image when the shutter is pressed, and is processed by the imaging processing unit 303. The display unit 306 is a block that displays information for the user, such as LCD display, LED display, audio display, and the like, and the display processing unit 307 performs control processing of the display contents. Further, an operation such as selecting from information displayed on the display unit 306 is performed in conjunction with the operation unit 310. That is, the display unit 306 and the operation unit 310 constitute a user interface.

  The wireless communication function unit 304 is a block that performs wireless communication, and the RF unit 305 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices. The memory card I / F 308 is an interface for connecting the memory card 309, the USB I / F 312 is an interface for connecting to an external device using USB, and the audio I / F 314 is for connecting a sound signal to the external device. It is an interface to do. The functional parts shown in these block diagrams are processed by the control from the CPU 315, and the program controlled by the CPU is stored in the ROM 315 or the flash ROM 313. Data processed by the CPU 315 is written to and read from the RAM 317 or the flash ROM 313. The flash ROM 313 is a non-volatile storage area that stores wireless setting information and the like. Note that the captured digital image is written (stored) in the memory card 309 via the memory card I / F 308 through a known compression process.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the printer 401 according to the first embodiment. The printer 401 can also function as the printers 104 and 205 in FIGS.

  The operation unit 410 of the printer 401 is connected to the CPU 415 via the system controller 411. The print engine 402 is a functional block that actually prints an image on paper, and is processed by the print processing unit 403. Although any print engine may be used, in the embodiment, an ink jet printer that ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium such as recording paper by thermal energy is used.

  The display unit 406 is a block that displays information for the user, such as LCD display, LED display, audio display, and the like, and the display content is controlled by the control of the display processing unit 407. Further, an operation such as selecting from information displayed on the display unit 406 is performed via the operation unit 410. That is, the display unit 406 and the operation unit 410 serve as the user I / F of the printer 401 in the embodiment.

  The wireless communication function unit 404 is a block that performs wireless communication, and the RF unit 405 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices. A memory card I / F 408 is an interface for connecting a removable memory card 409, and a captured image can be printed by inserting a memory card mounted on the digital camera 301.

  The USB I / F 412 is an interface for connecting to an external device using USB, and the parallel I / F 414 is an interface for connecting to an external device (mainly a host computer) using parallel communication. The functional parts shown in these block diagrams are processed by the control from the CPU 415, the program controlled by the CPU is stored in the ROM 415 or the flash ROM 413, and the data processed by the CPU is the RAM 417 or the flash. Writing to and reading from the ROM 413 are performed. The flash ROM 413 is a non-volatile storage area, and stores wireless setting information and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing functional blocks of the storage device 501 in the first embodiment. It also functions as the storage device 206 in FIG.

  The operation unit 510 of the storage 501 is connected to the CPU 515 via the system controller 511. The storage 502 is a functional block that stores and reads data, and is processed by the storage processing unit 503. The storage 502 is preferably a large-capacity storage device, that is, a hard disk device. However, in some cases, a relatively large-capacity portable storage medium such as a CD-R, a CD-RW medium, a writable DVD medium, or an MO medium. It may be a media writing drive such as. The display unit 506 is a block that displays information for the user, such as an LCD display, an LED display, and an audio display, and is processed by the display processing unit 507. Further, an operation such as selecting from information displayed on the display unit 506 is performed via the operation unit 510. That is, the display unit 506 and the operation unit 510 constitute a user I / F of the storage 501 in the embodiment.

  The wireless communication function unit 504 is a block that performs wireless communication, and the RF unit 505 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices. A memory card I / F 508 is an interface for connecting a memory card 509 (which allows the memory card of the digital camera 301 to be inserted and stored directly), and a USB I / F 512 connects an external device and a USB. An interface for connecting using ETHERI / F 514 is an interface for connecting to an external device using ETHER communication. The functional parts shown in these block diagrams are processed under the control of the CPU 515, the program controlled by the CPU is stored in the ROM 515 or the flash ROM 513, and the data processed by the CPU is the RAM 517 or the flash. Writing to and reading from the ROM 513 are performed. The flash ROM 513 is a non-volatile storage area that stores wireless setting information and the like.

  The configurations of the digital camera 301, the printer 401, and the storage device 501 in the embodiment have been described above. In addition, although an antenna is provided in each RF part, it does not necessarily have in the form which protrudes outside. In particular, in the case of the digital camera 301, since portability is an important factor, it is desirable that the antenna is built in or mounted on the surface rather than protruding outside.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a mode in which an initial setting of a wireless communication system including a digital camera 301 and a printer 401 is performed will be described.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the processing procedure of the printer 401 in the first embodiment will be described.

  After detecting that the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 via the USB cable (step S701), the CPU 415 sends a request command for confirming whether the digital camera 301 holds the wireless communication unit to the USB I / F 312. To the printer 401 (step S702). As an example of this request content, for example, the digital camera 301 executes means for confirming whether or not there is predetermined information (information indicating that it has a wireless communication function) in the flash ROM 313 or ROM 316 of the digital camera 301. It is done by telling you to get it. Then, it waits for a predetermined time until a response from the other party is received (step S703). If there is no response even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the connected device (digital camera 301) does not support at least wired or wireless direct printing, and the process ends. If there is a response, it is determined whether or not the connected device (in this case, the digital camera 301) has a wireless communication means by checking the response content (step S704). If it is determined that the wireless communication unit is included, the printer 401 transmits wireless setting information to the digital camera 301 (step S705).

  A processing procedure of the digital camera 301 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 10, when the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 with a USB cable (step S1001), the CPU 315 waits for reception of a request for inquiring about the presence or absence of wireless communication means (step S1002). When this request is received, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless communication means is provided (step S1003), and if it is present, a response including information indicating that the wireless communication means is provided is transmitted (step S1004). Thereafter, the CPU 315 acquires wireless setting information from the printer 401 (step S1005), registers the acquired wireless setting information in the flash ROM 313, and performs initial setting according to the registered wireless setting information (step S1006). As a result, the digital camera 301 can selectively execute the wireless communication in the ad hoc mode and the wireless communication in the infrastructure mode.

  Next, the wireless setting information will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 11A. The figure shows an example of wireless setting information stored in the flash ROM 313 in the digital camera 301. That is, according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 10, wireless setting information is transmitted from the printer 401 (or the storage device 501) to the digital camera 301 via a wired cable called a USB cable, and the digital camera 301 is a nonvolatile storage called a flash ROM 313 in itself. The information stored in the means is shown.

  The wireless setting information 1101 is roughly divided into ID information 1102 and network information 1103. The ID information 1102 includes device-specific information such as a printer name 1104 and a serial number 1105. The network information 1105 includes ad hoc mode information 1106 and infrastructure mode information 1107, which are communication mode information necessary for connecting to a wireless network. Each of the ad hoc mode information 1106 and the infrastructure mode information 1107 includes information such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and an encryption key.

  The first device has the name “PIXUS 50I” as the printer name (not limited to the printer name, but the digital camera name and storage name can be freely set by the user), and the serial number is “890456”. It has a number. The network information includes ad hoc mode information and infrastructure mode information, and the ad hoc mode information includes an SSID and an encryption key. Similarly, the infrastructure mode information has an SSID and an encryption key. Information on both communication modes need not be registered, and either one of them may be registered. The printer 401 transmits such ID information and network information to the digital camera 301 (step S705), and the digital camera 301 acquires the information from the printer 401 (step S1005). The digital camera 301 displays a list based on the ID information. Remember as.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of a result of USB (wired) connection between one printer 401 installed at home, one storage device 501 installed at work, and one printer 401. Is shown.

  As described above, according to the digital camera 301 of the first embodiment, wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A) can be obtained from the printer 401 simply by connecting to the printer 401 using a USB cable. It is possible to automatically acquire and perform initial setting according to the acquired wireless setting information.

  Next, image transmission processing executed in the digital camera 301 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13A.

  First, the user selects an image to be output on the operation screen of the digital camera 301 and issues an output instruction (step S1300).

  Next, if a plurality of output devices (three in the case of FIG. 11A) are registered, which device to use is selected (step S1301). The operations in step S1300 and step S1301 are performed by the user using the user interface of the digital camera 301, and the digital camera 301 performs processing according to the user operation.

  If there is only one registered device, it may be considered as a selection target. That is, the number of registered devices is counted to determine whether the number is one or more. If there are a plurality of registered devices, the list is displayed on the display unit 306 and the user selects the list. If there is only one, the selection process by the user in step S1301 is skipped, and the following process is performed assuming that the device is selected.

  Next, either the ad hoc mode or the infrastructure mode is selected as the communication mode (step S1302). This selection is not performed by the user, but by selecting a preset higher priority order or a mode set by default. However, since it is rare that the installation environment of the printer 401 and the storage device 501 owned by a general user is frequently changed, the communication mode connected and output last time is stored in the flash ROM 313, and The communication mode was given priority.

  In any case, when one communication mode is selected, network connection and device search in that mode are attempted (step S1303). For example, when the currently selected device is “PIXUS 50I” and the selected communication mode is the infrastructure mode, the SSID “Home” in the infrastructure mode and the encryption key “Sesami” are used to connect to the network. Try to connect.

  In IEEE 802.11, the devices forming the network hold the SSID. The SSID is included in broadcast information called a beacon, and is transmitted from the access point in the infrastructure mode. A communication device newly trying to connect can check whether a network exists by looking at the beacon information. Then, authentication is performed using an access point and an encryption key as necessary.

  When it is determined that this has failed (when there is no acknowledgment within an appropriate time), it is determined that the currently selected communication mode is not correct, and the process proceeds to step S1308 to determine whether there is another unselected mode. If it exists, it is selected (step S1302), and the above processing is performed.

  If the connection fails in the two modes and the connection fails, the determination in step S1308 is NO and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection is successful, a request for searching for a communication device having ID information is broadcast to the network of the SSID that has been successfully connected (step S1305). At this time, the information on the corresponding position in the flash ROM 313 is updated with the mode information of successful connection so as to be useful for the next communication. However, it is needless to say that the update is unnecessary in the same case as the previous time.

  If there is a response to this broadcast, the process proceeds to step S1307, and the digital image selected in step S1300 is transmitted to the device that has responded.

  In step S1306, if there is no response after an appropriate time, the process proceeds to step S1308 to change the current communication mode.

  Thus, according to the wireless communication system in the first embodiment, the initial setting can be easily performed using the USB cable. As a result, the user does not need to be aware of the SSID and does not need to set an encryption key.

  Note that the first embodiment is not limited to a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the printer 401, and can also be implemented in a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the storage device 501. . Further, any protocol for wireless communication may be used. For example, in the case of NetBEUI proposed by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, the identification name (product name + serial number would be good) can be used as an address on the network, which makes it very easy. In addition, when the TCP / IP protocol is adopted, each device has a unique IP address. For example, in the case of the infrastructure mode, if the DHCP server exists on the network, Each device functions as a DHCP client, and the product name + serial number information which is the partner device ID information described above is placed on the protocol, and the existence of the device can be inquired to the network. In some cases, a unique IP dress can be obtained by using the AutoIP function.

<Variation 1 of the first embodiment>
In the first embodiment, when the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 via USB (wired), the wireless setting information of the printer 401 is transmitted to the digital camera 301 to be registered. Absent. In particular, this is a suitable example when using a plurality of digital cameras 301 such as companies. An example of this will be described with reference to FIGS.

  8 shows the processing procedure of the printer 401, and FIG. 9 shows the processing procedure of the digital camera 301.

  First, the processing of the printer 401 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the digital camera 301 is connected to the USB I / F 412 (detects connection) (step S801), a request for confirming whether the digital camera 301 holds wireless communication means is transmitted via the USB I / F 412 (step S801). S802). Then, it waits for a response from the other party to be received (step S803). If there is no response, it is determined that the connected digital camera 301 does not support wired / wireless direct printing, and the process is terminated. If there is a response, it is determined whether the wireless communication means is provided by checking the response content (step S804). If it is determined that the wireless communication unit is included, wireless setting information is acquired from the digital camera 301 (step S805), and the acquired wireless setting information is registered in the flash ROM 413 (step S806).

  Next, processing of the digital camera 301 will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when connecting to the printer 401 via the USB I / F 312 (detection of connection) (step S901), it waits to receive a request for inquiring about the presence or absence of wireless communication means (step S902). When the request is received, a process for confirming whether the wireless communication means is present is performed (step S903). If so, a response including information indicating that the wireless communication means is provided is transmitted (step S904). Then, the wireless setting information of the digital camera 301 is transmitted to the printer 401 (step S905).

  8 and 9, the printer 401 and the storage device 501 store data in the format shown in FIG. 11B (the data structure itself is the same). However, the target device to be stored is different from that shown in FIG. That is, the wireless setting information of the plurality of digital cameras 301 is stored in the printer 401 and the storage device 501.

  Accordingly, the processing for printing or saving the image captured by the digital camera 301 wirelessly is as follows. In order to simplify the description, here, printing will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. 13B. However, substantially the same processing as in FIG. 13A is denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When performing this wireless printing, the user may turn on the digital camera 301 and use the user interface to set the wireless communication mode (ad hoc or infrastructure). Set to communication mode). At this time, since the connection with the printer 401 has not been established, a message such as “waiting for connection” is displayed on the display unit 306.

  When the user uses the user interface of the printer 401 to instruct wireless printing (step S1300 ′), a list of registered digital cameras 301 using the user interface configured by the display unit 406 and the operation unit 410 is used. Is displayed and one of them is selected (step S1301). When the number of registrations is one, it is assumed that the selection instruction is useless and one of them is selected.

  Next, either the ad hoc mode or the infrastructure mode is selected as the communication mode (step S1302). This selection is not performed by the user, but by selecting a preset higher priority order or a mode set by default. However, the communication mode used last time may be stored for each digital camera 301, and the previous communication mode of the selected digital camera 301 may be verified first.

  In any case, when one communication mode is selected, network connection and search for the digital camera 301 in that mode are attempted (step S1303). For example, when the currently selected device is “CAMERA1” and the selected communication mode is the infrastructure mode, the device is connected to the network using the infrastructure mode SSID “EIGYO” and the encryption key “Sesami”. Try.

  In IEEE 802.11, the devices forming the network hold the SSID. The SSID is included in broadcast information called a beacon, and is transmitted from the access point in the infrastructure mode. A communication device newly trying to connect can check whether a network exists by looking at the beacon information. Then, authentication is performed using an access point and an encryption key as necessary.

  If it is determined that this has failed (when there is no acknowledgment within an appropriate time), it is determined that the currently selected communication mode is not correct, and the process advances to step S1308 to determine whether there is another unselected mode. If it exists, it is selected (step S1302), and the above processing is performed.

  In addition, even if the connection processing in the two modes is performed, if the connection fails, the determination in step S1308 is No, and this processing ends, that is, returns to the state before the wireless printing instruction as a connection failure.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection is successful, a request for searching for the digital camera 301 having ID information is broadcast to the network of the SSID that has been successfully connected (step S1305).

  If there is a response to this broadcast, the process proceeds to step S1307 ′ to enter a waiting state for receiving a digital image from the digital camera 301 with which the connection has been established.

  On the other hand, on the digital camera 301 side, if the content of notification in step S1305 is the same as its own ID, an acknowledgment is returned. That is, since this establishes the establishment of communication with the printer 401, instead of the message “Waiting for connection” that has been displayed, the message “Connection established. Select an image to print, Please press the xx button "message to select the image to be printed and output it. When there is an output instruction, the selected image is transmitted to the printer 401.

  As described above, also according to the first modification of the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment.

  The above example is the processing of the printer 401, but when applied to the storage device 501, only “image reception / storage” is performed in step S1307 ′ of FIG. 13B. Further, in the storage 502 included in the storage device 501, a directory may be prepared for each camera name + serial number and stored therein. The file name for saving may be the use of the received date / time information or the like, or a subdirectory may be created for each date / time information, and the file name notified from the digital camera 301 may be saved therein. .

  In the above example, the example in which the user designates the communication partner device (the printer 401 or the storage device 501) when the captured image is output by the digital camera 301 has been described. At this time, the printer 401 is selected for printing, and the storage device 501 is selected for saving, but this order may be reversed. For example, when the user gives an instruction for printing, if there is only one printer 401 among registered devices, the device selection operation is eliminated. The same applies to storage. For this purpose, information indicating whether the device is a printer or a storage device (which may be 1 bit) may be newly added as the type of each device registered in the table shown in FIG. 11A. I will. When the printer 401 and the storage device 501 are connected via USB, the information to be notified to the digital camera 301 may be included.

  The advantage of this point is that in the case of personal use, since there will be at most one printer 401 and storage device 501, the purpose of outputting the captured image and the selection of the device can be performed simultaneously.

<Modification 2 of the first embodiment>
Next, according to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the acquired ID information and network for the step (step S1005 or S805) of acquiring the wireless setting information of FIG. 10 or FIG. 8 and the step of storing the setting information (step S1006 or S806). An example will be described in which extra data transfer is reduced and data storage processing is omitted by checking whether information values are stored in its own list.

  In the following, description will be made according to this flowchart, but in order to simplify the description, an example in place of FIG. 10 will be described (the processing changed to FIG. 8 is easily inferred by those skilled in the art from the following description). Let ’s)

  In FIG. 12, the process until the confirmation response is transmitted (step S1204) is the same as that in the flowchart (step S1004) in FIG.

  After this transmission, ID information is acquired (step S1205), and it is confirmed whether the ID information is already stored in its own list (step S1206). If it is determined that it does not exist, that is, it is a new device, network information is acquired (step S1207). The acquired setting information is stored in the flash ROM. Here, a step (step S1208) for confirming with the user is performed before storing. If storage is selected, setting information is stored (step S1213). If ID information is stored, information indicating whether to end the process as it is or to confirm whether it matches the network information of the communication partner is displayed (step S1209). When confirming the change of the network information, the network information is acquired (step S1210), and it is confirmed whether there is any change (step S1211). If the value is different from the value stored in the self-list, a warning to overwrite is displayed on the screen (step S1212). If the user selects overwrite, the network information of the same ID information in the list is overwritten (S1208).

  By performing a series of operations shown in FIG. 12, when reconnecting to a partner device to which a USB cable has been connected once (including when printing by wire), the process of overwriting the same information is saved. It can be simplified.

<Modification 3 of the first embodiment>
Next, an example of registering wireless setting information of a plurality of communication devices by further classifying ID information will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a list table stored in the flash ROM 313 expanded so that the digital camera 301 can set the attribute value (ID attribute) after acquiring the ID information of the printer 401. The ID attribute includes information such as whether it is temporary use, normal use, or normal use and default use. For example, ID attributes with printer names “PIXUS 50I” and “BJ850” are normally used, and “PIXUS 50I” also has a default ID attribute. Thus, if there is something that matches the ID attribute, the network information matches and is saved. Here, all the communication modes are stored so as to have the same value, but it is also possible to match only some communication modes.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart regarding a control sequence in the digital camera 301 until the ID attribute is determined and registered in the list as shown in FIG.

  ID information and network information are acquired via the USB in accordance with the control described so far (step S1501). The attribute value is determined from the ID information. The specific means for making the determination may be performed by the user using the user interface of the digital camera 301, or when the ID information is registered for the first time on the digital camera 301 or the printer side, such as default for normal use. The digital camera 301 can also automatically turn on (step S1502). After determining the ID attribute, it is confirmed whether the setting information having the ID attribute is stored in the list (step S1503). If not stored, it is stored as it is (step S1504). If it is stored, a part or all communication modes of the stored network information of the setting information are copied to the newly registered network information (step S1505), and the setting information is flashed. It memorize | stores in ROM313 (step S1506). Further, the changed network information is also transmitted to the printer 401 or the digital camera communicating with the USB (step S1507).

  A plurality of wireless communication devices can be grouped by the processing shown in FIG. Normally, different SSIDs are more efficient when building networks in different frequency bands. For this reason, if the SSID is different, the digital image captured by the digital camera 301 is printed using the printer 401, and then the frequency is switched in a situation where the image is to be stored in the storage device 501. Work to occur. However, in the series of operations described in FIG. 15, it is not necessary to use different SSIDs in the same group, and processing for frequency switching can be reduced. In addition, by setting the default, when communicating with the default wireless communication device, it is possible to omit even the designation of which communication device to communicate with on the display unit, so it is more like a wired cable. Can be used.

<Modification 4 of the first embodiment>
16 and 17 show a control sequence in the case where a plurality of applications are displayed by connecting the digital camera 301 and the printer 401 with a USB cable, and one of them is set for wireless communication.

  In the description so far, when two devices (the printer 401 and the digital camera 301) are connected with a USB cable, processing for wireless setting is immediately executed. In a digital camera 301 or printer 401 having a function of printing with a USB cable, only the connection of the USB cable cannot be determined whether it is desired to perform wireless settings or to perform a printing operation. A means for solving this will be described below.

  FIG. 16 describes a case where an application for acquiring setting information is started after determining the presence or absence of wireless communication means after connecting a USB cable.

  First, when the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 with a USB cable (step S1601), the digital camera 301 waits to receive a request for inquiring about the presence or absence of wireless communication means (step S1602). When this request is received, it is confirmed whether or not it has wireless communication means (step S1603), and if it is present, selection means for setting wireless communication is displayed on the screen (S1604). If setting is selected (S1605), ID information and network information are acquired from the printer 401 (step S1606), and the setting information is stored (step S1607).

  FIG. 17 shows another example. In the figure, a case will be described in which after the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 with a USB cable, not only the presence / absence of wireless communication means but also ID information is confirmed and an application for acquiring setting information is started.

  First, when the digital camera 301 is connected to the printer 401 with a USB cable (step S1701), the digital camera 301 waits for reception of a request for inquiring about the presence or absence of wireless communication means (step S1702). When this request is received, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless communication means is provided (step S1703). If so, a confirmation response including information indicating that the wireless communication means is provided is transmitted (step S1704). Subsequently, ID information is acquired from the printer 401 (step S1705), and it is confirmed whether the ID information is stored in its own list (step S1706). If it has already been saved, the process is terminated, and if it has not been saved, a selection means for setting wireless communication is displayed on the screen (step S1707). If it is selected (step S1708), network information is acquired from the printer 401 (step S1709), and the setting information is stored (step S1710).

  When the print and the digital camera 301 are connected with the USB cable by the series of processes described in FIGS. 16 and 17, the user selects whether the purpose is printing or wireless communication setting. This makes it possible to reduce extra processing.

<Modification 5 of the first embodiment>
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the timing for storing the ID information and the network information in the flash ROM is the initial stage at the time of USB connection, but is performed after the wireless printer search process and the printout are completed. It is also possible.

  FIG. 27 illustrates a flowchart for selecting whether to store wireless setting information after the printout process is completed.

  In FIG. 27, first, steps SS1001 to S1005 in FIG. 10 are performed to acquire wireless setting information (step S2701). Thereafter, printer search processing as shown in FIG. 13 is performed (step S2702). If the search is successful and a desired printer is found (step S2703), printout processing is performed (step S2704). After confirming that the printer can be used normally, it is selected whether to store the used wireless setting information (step S2705). In the case of storing, it may be further possible to select whether to store the settings of both the infrastructure mode and the ad hoc mode or only the communication mode that has been successfully connected (step S2706).

  With the series of processes shown in FIG. 27, it is possible to write in the flash ROM after confirming whether wireless communication can be really established with the information set by USB. Further, since only the necessary communication mode can be selected, the flash ROM area can be saved.

  Further, as in the case of the temporary use with the ID attribute in the flowchart of FIG. 15, it is possible to select not to store in step S <b> 2705 even if it is not desired to leave the data in the flash ROM after the temporary use process is completed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment and the modifications thereof, the method for easily performing the initial setting of the wireless communication system using the USB cable has been described. In the second embodiment, a method for simply performing initial setting of a wireless communication system using a removable storage medium (for example, a memory card) will be described.

  With reference to FIG. 18 (A) and FIG. 18 (B), the outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system in 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. 18A, the memory card 1801 is inserted into the printer 401, and wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) is written by the printer 401. Then, as shown in FIG. 18B, the wireless setting information is now transmitted by being inserted into the digital camera 301. It will be understood that this corresponds to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 in the first embodiment. First, the memory card 1801 is inserted into the digital camera 301, wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11B) is written, and then the memory card 1801 is inserted into the memory card slot of the printer 401. 401 may be registered. This corresponds to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  Hereinafter, an example will be described in which wireless setting information necessary on the printer 401 side is written in the memory card 1801, read out by the digital camera 301, and registered in the flash ROM 313 of the digital camera 301.

  Next, the processing procedure of the printer 401 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  After detecting that the memory card 1801 is connected to the memory card I / F 408 (step S1901) and detecting a user instruction (step S1902), the CPU 415 stores the memory card 1801 via the memory card I / F 408. Wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) is written (step S1903). Note that the processing in step S1902 can be changed to processing that is automatically performed when the memory card 1801 is inserted.

  Next, a processing procedure of the digital camera 301 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  After detecting that the memory card 1801 is connected to the memory card I / F 308 (step S2001), the CPU 315 determines whether wireless setting information exists in the memory card 1801 (step S2002). When the wireless setting information exists in the memory card 1801, the CPU 315 reads the wireless setting information (step S2003), registers the read wireless setting information in the flash ROM 313, and performs the initial setting according to the registered wireless setting information (step S2004). ). When the writing is completed, it is desirable to delete the wireless setting information stored in the memory card 1801. This is because when the memory card 1801 is set in another digital camera that supports the wireless communication function, the printer 401 can be used wirelessly even by that digital camera. After registering the wireless setting information in the flash ROM 313, the CPU 315 performs initial setting according to the wireless setting information.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system in the second embodiment, the initial setting can be easily performed using the memory card 1801. As a result, the user does not need to be aware of the SSID and does not need to set an encryption key.

  Note that processing such as printing and storage in the second embodiment is in accordance with the first embodiment or its modification. Therefore, those descriptions are omitted in the second embodiment. Further, the second embodiment is not limited to a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the printer 401, and can also be realized in a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the storage device 501. .

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
A modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 315 of the digital camera 301 writes a write request (information requesting the printer 401 to write wireless setting information to the memory card 2101) in the memory card 2101 in accordance with a user instruction. When the memory card 2101 is attached to the printer 401, the CPU 415 determines whether or not there is a write request, and if there is a write request, the wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14). In addition to writing to the memory card 2101, the write request is deleted from the memory card 2101 (in other words, the wireless setting information is not written when there is no write request). When the memory card 2101 in which the wireless setting information is written is inserted into the digital camera 301 again, the CPU 315 registers the wireless setting information read from the memory card 2101 in the flash ROM 313 and performs initial setting according to the registered wireless setting information. .

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22, a processing procedure of the digital camera 301 in the modification of the second embodiment will be described.

  After detecting the connection of the memory card 2101 (step S2201) and accepting a user instruction (step S2202), the CPU 315 writes a write request to the memory card 2101 (step S2203). After detecting the connection of the digital camera 301 again, the CPU 315 reads wireless setting information (including the ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) from the memory card 2101 (step S2205), and reads the read wireless setting information. Registration is performed in the flash ROM 313, and initial setting is performed according to the registered wireless setting information (step S2206). Further, the CPU 315 deletes the wireless setting information from the memory card 2101.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23, the processing procedure of the printer 401 in the modification of the second embodiment will be described.

  After detecting the connection of the memory card 2101 (step S2301), the CPU 415 determines whether the write request information exists in the memory card 2101 (step S2302). If there is a write request, the CPU 415 writes the wireless setting information (including the ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) to the memory card 2101 and deletes the write request from the memory card 2101 (step S2303). .

  Thus, according to the wireless communication system in the modification of the second embodiment, the initial setting can be easily performed using the memory card 1801. As a result, the user does not need to be aware of the SSID and does not need to set an encryption key. 19 and FIG. 20, the necessary processing procedure increases. However, when the memory card 2101 is inserted into the printer 401, the wireless setting information only needs to be written into the memory card when there is a write request. So the processing load is reduced. Further, in the digital camera 301, after the write request is written, only when the memory card 2101 is inserted next, the process of reading the wireless setting information is performed, so the process is reduced.

  Note that the modification of the second embodiment is not limited to a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the printer 401, and is also realized in a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the storage device 501. Is possible.

<Third Embodiment>
In the first embodiment and the modifications thereof, the method for easily performing the initial setting of the wireless communication system using the USB cable has been described. Further, in the second embodiment and the modifications thereof, the method for simply performing the initial setting of the wireless communication system using a removable storage medium (for example, a memory card) has been described. In the third embodiment, a method for simply performing initial setting of a wireless communication system using both a removable storage medium (for example, a memory card) and wireless communication will be described.

  With reference to FIG. 24, an outline of a communication system according to the third embodiment will be described. First, a memory card 2401 that is a removable storage medium is connected to the memory card I / F 308 of the digital camera 301. The CPU 315 of the digital camera 301 records the first wireless setting information that can be used only temporarily in the memory card 2401. Next, the memory card 2401 is connected to the memory card I / F 408 of the printer 401. The CPU 415 of the printer 401 reads the first wireless setting information stored in the memory card 2401, establishes a temporary connection between the digital camera 301 and the printer 401 according to the read first wireless setting information, and establishes the established connection. The second wireless setting information necessary for the initial setting is transmitted to the digital camera 301 via After the transmission of the second wireless setting information is normally completed, the CPU 415 deletes the first wireless setting information from the memory card 2401 and temporarily releases the connection. The digital camera 301 receives the second wireless setting information transmitted from the printer 401 and registers the received second wireless setting information in the flash ROM 313. Further, the digital camera 301 performs initial setting according to the second wireless setting information. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and is performed using the second wireless setting information.

  Next, the processing procedure of the digital camera 301 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  After detecting that the memory card 2401 is connected to the memory card I / F 308 (step S2501), the CPU 315 records the first wireless setting information that can only be used temporarily on the memory card 2401 (step S2502), and the printer. The wireless communication from 401 is awaited (step S2503).

  The CPU 315 establishes a temporary connection between the digital camera 301 and the printer 401, and then the second wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) necessary for initial setting from the printer 401. (Step S2504), the received second wireless setting information is registered in the flash ROM 313, and initial setting is performed according to the second wireless setting information (step S2505).

  Next, a processing procedure of the printer 401 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  After detecting that the memory card 2401 is connected to the memory card I / F 408 (step S2601), the CPU 415 determines whether or not the first wireless setting information exists in the memory card 2401 (step S2602). When the first wireless setting information exists, the CPU 415 reads the first wireless setting information from the memory card 2401 (step S2603), and temporarily stores the first wireless setting information between the digital camera 301 and the printer 401 according to the read first wireless setting information. A connection is established (step S2604). When the temporary connection is successfully established (step S2605), the CPU 415 transmits the second wireless setting information (including ID information and network information shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 14) necessary for the initial setting to the digital camera 301. (Step S2606). After the transmission of the second wireless setting information is normally completed, the CPU 415 deletes the first wireless setting information from the memory card 2401 and temporarily releases the connection.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system of the third embodiment, the initial setting can be easily performed using both the memory card 2401 and the wireless communication. As a result, the user does not need to be aware of the SSID and does not need to set an encryption key.

  Note that the third embodiment is not limited to a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the printer 401, and can also be realized in a wireless communication system including the digital camera 301 and the storage device 501. .

  In FIG. 24, the relationship between the digital camera 301 and the printer 401 may be reversed.

  In the first to third embodiments, the digital camera, the printer, and the storage device are described as examples of devices capable of wireless and wired communication. However, the device that transmits information to be processed and the information are received. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the digital camera, printer, and storage device as described above.

  In the above description, the three embodiments have been described. However, it goes without saying that each of them may be regarded as a single technique and that all the functions described in the first to third embodiments may be included. is there.

  For example, when realizing the functions of the first embodiment, it is necessary to connect the digital camera 301 and the printer 401 by wire, but it happens to have no cable (USB cable in the embodiment). The second embodiment and the third embodiment can be realized by functions. That is, it is desirable to adaptively function any of the functions in the first to third embodiments.

As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, the wireless communication apparatus has means for confirming the presence or absence of the wireless communication means by using a wired communication means or a storage means in a removable storage medium. If there is a wireless means, the wireless setting information can be acquired by wired communication or a removable storage medium, so that simple operations can be performed without performing complicated settings and operations between specific wireless communication devices. Thus, the initial setting for performing wireless communication can be performed.

  In addition, by using network connection information necessary for network connection and device-dependent ID information as wireless setting information, the user is not aware of the presence of an SSID or encryption key that is a network identifier when detecting a wireless communication device. In addition, when using wireless communication between two specific parties such as a printer and a digital camera, it is possible to eliminate the designation of the other device, and wirelessly only with the same operation as that performed with a USB cable. It has the effect that the advantage of can be used.

  Furthermore, as an additional effect when using wired communication, each other has wireless communication means in an environment where other applications are operated using wired communication for purposes other than initial setting of wireless communication. As long as this is done, there is an advantage that the wireless communication is automatically set.

  Furthermore, connecting a specific two parties who want to communicate with each other by a wired cable means that the user intuitively connected the two, and is easy to understand.

It is an ad hoc network block diagram of a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is an infrastructure network block diagram of a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a block block diagram of the digital camera in 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment. It is a block block diagram of the printer in 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment. It is a block block diagram of the storage device in 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the printer according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer according to a first modification of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information memorize | stored in the digital camera in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information memorize | stored in the printer in the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the registration process in the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating image transmission processing of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image printing process of the printer in the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information memorize | stored in the digital camera in the modification 3 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the registration process in the modification 3 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the digital camera in the modification 4 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence in the digital camera in the modification 4 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure on the printer side in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system in the modification 1 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in the modification 1 of 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer according to a first modification of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the digital camera in the modification 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing procedure of the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing procedure of the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus.

Claims (3)

An imaging device comprising wireless communication means for transmitting image information obtained by imaging to a predetermined image processing device by wireless communication,
Storage means for storing information necessary for temporarily performing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus itself in a portable storage medium for storing captured images with respect to the image processing apparatus;
Standby means for waiting for communication from the image processing device based on the information after detecting removal of the portable storage medium;
After communication is established from the image processing apparatus, when wireless setting information is received and stored and a storage unit and an instruction to process image information by wireless communication are given, a wireless communication environment is set according to the setting information. An imaging apparatus comprising: a wireless communication control unit that transmits image information to the image processing apparatus. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including wireless communication means for transmitting image information obtained by imaging to a predetermined image processing apparatus by wireless communication,
A storage step of storing information necessary for temporarily performing wireless communication with the imaging apparatus itself in an image processing apparatus in a portable storage medium for storing captured images;
A standby step of waiting for communication from the image processing device based on the information after detecting removal of the portable storage medium;
After establishing communication by communication from the image processing device, when a storage step for receiving and storing wireless setting information and an instruction to process image information by wireless communication are made, a wireless communication environment is set according to the setting information. And a wireless communication control step of transmitting image information to the image processing apparatus. One of the first and second electronic devices stores setting information necessary for wireless communication in a portable storage medium, and shifts to a wireless communication standby state based on the stored setting information.
The other electronic device temporarily sets the communication environment of the wireless communication means of the wireless communication means according to the wireless setting information stored in the portable storage medium, and the wireless setting information of the other electronic device is set to the one electronic device. To wireless communication means,
When the one electronic device receives wireless setting information from the other electronic device in a standby state, stores the received wireless setting information;
When wirelessly communicating between the first and second electronic devices, the electronic device on the side storing the wireless setting information sets a communication environment of wireless communication means,
A wireless communication environment setting method, comprising: transmitting information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device.

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