JP4961910B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radio communication equipment, a computer program and a radio communication system. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication equipment for performing radio communication with wireless USB-compatible equipment is provided with a beacon generation part 140 for generating a beacon including attribute information capable of specifying which of a device attribute and a host attribute is provided in itself. Alternatively, the computer program makes a computer function as the radio communication equipment for performing the radio communication with the wireless USB-compatible equipment, and the radio communication equipment is provided with the beacon generation part 140 for generating the beacon including the attribute information capable of specifying which of the device attribute and the host attribute is provided in itself. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a computer program, and a wireless communication system.

  Conventionally, most information processing apparatuses have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal. Such an information processing apparatus can transmit and receive various types of information to and from other information processing apparatuses via a USB cable connected to a USB terminal. Such information processing apparatuses are roughly classified into a USB host that manages wireless communication such as transmission / reception of various types of information and a USB device that performs wireless communication under the management of the USB host.

  On the other hand, in recent years, there has been proposed a wireless USB system that can transmit and receive various types of information wirelessly without a cable connection between information processing apparatuses. Such a wireless USB system can eliminate cables that are complicated to handle as the number of peripheral devices increases. An information processing apparatus that does not have a wireless communication function is connected to a wireless relay apparatus that has a wireless communication function with a USB cable, and can perform wireless communication with a desired communication partner via the wireless relay apparatus. The wireless relay device is effective in that a wireless USB system can be easily constructed using an existing information processing device.

  Here, examples of the wireless relay device include a host wire adapter connected to a USB host via a USB cable, and a device wire adapter connected to a USB device via a USB cable. In Patent Document 1, a host wire adapter is disclosed as a device that converts a signal input via a USB cable into information for optical communication. In Patent Document 2, a device wire adapter is disclosed as a device that converts information for optical communication into a signal of a USB cable.

Also, in Patent Document 3, in a network assuming a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network), whether it operates as a control station or a terminal station based on whether or not a control station exists as a communication partner. There has been proposed a wireless communication apparatus that determines the above. Here, in the wireless PAN, since only the control station is configured to transmit a beacon, the determination as to whether or not the control station exists as a communication partner by the wireless communication device is based on whether or not the beacon is transmitted. Could be done.
JP 2005-129008 A JP 2005-129010 A Patent No. 3700839

  However, in the wireless USB system, not only the host side but also the device side is configured to transmit a beacon. Therefore, it has not been possible to determine whether a device functioning as a host exists in the vicinity based on whether or not a beacon is transmitted as in a conventional wireless communication device.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily notify whether the device is operating as the host side or the device side without using a specific command. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wireless communication device, computer program, and wireless communication system that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication with a wireless USB compatible device is provided. The wireless communication apparatus includes a beacon generation unit that generates a beacon including attribute information that can identify whether the wireless communication apparatus has a device attribute or a host attribute.

  According to such a configuration, the beacon generation unit can determine whether the wireless communication device is on the upstream host side that manages wireless communication with the wireless USB compatible device, that is, has a host attribute, or wirelessly communicates from the wireless USB compatible device. A beacon including attribute information on the downstream device side that is managed, that is, whether the device attribute can be specified is generated. Therefore, wireless USB compatible devices around the wireless communication device do not need to exchange complicated commands, and simply know whether the wireless communication device is operating as a device-side device or a host-side device by simply receiving a beacon. Can do.

  You may make it further provide the USB connection part connected with a USB corresponding apparatus by wire. According to this configuration, the wireless communication apparatus can relay wireless communication between the USB compatible device connected via the USB connection unit and the wireless USB compatible device. Accordingly, when viewed from the USB compatible device side, wireless communication in the wireless USB system can be performed simply by connecting a wireless communication device.

  An operation mode in which an operation mode is set based on attribute information of a wireless USB compatible device included in a beacon transmitted by the wireless USB compatible device and attribute information of the USB compatible device input by wired connection via the USB connection unit. A setting unit may be further provided. According to this configuration, the operation mode setting unit can appropriately set the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus based on whether the USB compatible device and the wireless USB compatible device are operating on the host side or the device side.

  The operation mode setting unit is connected to a device wire adapter mode for operating the wireless communication device as a device wire adapter connected to a wireless USB compatible device having a device attribute, and the wireless communication device is connected to a wireless USB compatible device having a host attribute. The operation mode may be set to either a host wire adapter mode that operates as a host wire adapter or a wireless USB host mode in which the wireless communication apparatus operates as a wireless USB host having a host attribute.

  When the operation mode setting unit determines that the wireless USB compatible device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device, and determines that the USB compatible device has the device attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device The operation mode may be set to the device wire adapter mode.

  The operation mode setting unit may set the operation mode to the host wire adapter mode when it is determined that the USB compatible device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device.

  The operation mode setting unit determines that the wireless USB compatible device has a device attribute based on the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device, and determines that the USB compatible device has a device attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. The operation mode may be set to the wireless USB host mode. According to such a configuration, the problem that the wireless communication does not function when the host-side device does not exist in the wireless USB system can be solved by the wireless communication device itself operating as a wireless USB host.

  When the USB compatible device is a USB device, the USB connection unit receives connection information indicating a specific connection destination from the USB compatible device, and relays wireless communication with the USB compatible device based on the connection information. You may make it further provide the control part which specifies the wireless USB corresponding | compatible apparatus which becomes. According to this configuration, even when there are a plurality of host-side devices in the communication area of the wireless communication device operating as the device side, it is possible to identify the host-side device to communicate and operate normally. .

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to function as a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with a wireless USB compatible device. There is provided a computer program comprising a beacon generation unit that generates a beacon including attribute information having device attributes or host attributes that can be specified.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses compatible with wireless USB, wherein one wireless communication apparatus has a device attribute. Or a beacon including attribute information that can specify whether the host attribute is included, and another wireless communication device receives the beacon including the attribute information and determines the attribute of the one wireless communication device. A wireless communication system is provided.

  Another wireless communication apparatus may further include a USB connection unit that is connected to a USB compatible device in a wired manner, and attribute information of the USB compatible device may be input via the USB connection unit.

  The other wireless communication apparatus determines that one wireless communication apparatus has a host attribute based on the attribute information of the one wireless communication apparatus, and that the USB compatible apparatus has a device attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible apparatus. If determined, the device may operate as a device wire adapter.

  Other wireless communication devices may operate in the host wire adapter mode when it is determined that the USB compatible device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device.

  The other wireless communication apparatus determines that one wireless communication apparatus has a device attribute based on the attribute information of the one wireless communication apparatus, and the USB compatible apparatus has a device attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible apparatus. If it is determined, the wireless USB host mode may be operated.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device, the computer program, and the wireless communication system according to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the wireless communication device is operating as the host side or the device side without using a specific command. Can be notified.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, a wireless USB system related to the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. And after pointing out the problem of the wireless USB system relevant to this application, the structure of the radio relay apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. Next, the configuration and operation of a wireless USB system to which a wireless relay device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless USB system 80 related to the present application. The wireless USB system 80 includes a USB host 91, a host wire adapter 92, a USB device 93, and a device wire adapter 94. In this application, a USB host or USB device refers to a USB-compatible device that transmits and receives information to and from other devices via a USB cable, and indicates a host wire adapter, a device wire adapter, a wireless USB host, or a wireless USB device. In this case, it means a wireless USB compatible device that transmits / receives information to / from other devices by wireless communication.

  The USB host 91 is equipped with a driver for a host function in wireless USB. The USB host 91 is connected to a host wire adapter 92 as a wireless relay device via a USB cable.

  On the other hand, the USB device 93 has a USB device function. The USB device 93 is connected to a device wire adapter 94 as a wireless relay device via a USB cable.

  Such a host wire adapter 92 and device wire adapter 94 can be wirelessly connected by wireless USB. That is, the USB host 91 and the USB device 93 can perform wireless communication based on the wireless USB standard via the host wire adapter 92 and the device wire adapter 94.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 81 related to the present application. The wireless USB system 81 includes a USB device 93, a device wire adapter 94, and a wireless USB host 95. The USB device 93 is connected to the device wire adapter 94 via a USB cable.

  The wireless USB host 95 is an information processing apparatus in which a wireless USB host module is mounted. The wireless USB host module is a module that enables wireless communication directly as a host in the wireless USB without connecting the host wire adapter 92. For example, the wireless USB host module has a function of writing a time stamp on an MMC described later. The wireless USB host module is not necessarily required to function as a USB host.

  Such a wireless USB host 95 and USB device 93 can perform wireless communication in wireless USB via the device wire adapter 94.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless USB system 82 related to the present application. The wireless USB system 82 includes a USB host 91, a host wire adapter 92, and a wireless USB device 96. The USB host 91 is equipped with a driver for a host function in wireless USB. The USB host 91 is connected to a host wire adapter 92 as a wireless relay device via a USB cable.

  The wireless USB device 96 is an information processing apparatus in which a wireless USB device module is mounted. The wireless USB device module is a module that enables wireless communication directly in the wireless USB without connecting to the device wire adapter 94.

  Such USB host 91 and wireless USB device 96 can perform wireless communication in wireless USB via the host wire adapter 92. That is, the wireless USB device 96 is recognized from the USB host 91 side in the same manner as the USB device 93 or the same as the USB device 93 connected to the device wire adapter 94. Note that the wireless USB device 96 does not need to be equipped with the function of the device wire adapter 94, so that the configuration can be simplified.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless USB system 83 related to the present application. The wireless USB system 83 includes a wireless USB host 95 and a wireless USB device 96. In such a configuration, the wireless USB host 95 and the wireless USB device 96 can directly perform wireless communication in the wireless USB. Further, there is an advantage that the host wire adapter 92 and the device wire adapter 94 are not required.

  With the configuration described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a wireless USB system can be constructed. However, when there is no USB host or wireless USB host in the wireless USB system, there is a problem that wireless communication in the wireless USB is not established.

  In view of the above problems, it is possible to easily determine whether a USB host or a wireless USB host exists in the wireless USB system, and it is possible to switch the operation mode based on the presence or absence of the USB host. Has come to be proposed as an embodiment of the present invention.

  The detailed configuration and operation of the wireless relay device according to this embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless relay device 10 as an example of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment. The wireless relay device 10 includes a USB cable connection unit 104, an enumeration processing unit 108, a communication unit 112, a wireless processing unit 120, an operation mode setting unit 128, a control unit 130, and a beacon generation unit 140.

  The USB cable connection unit 104 functions as a USB connection unit that is connected to the USB compatible device 22 via a USB cable. The USB compatible device 22 may be a USB host or a USB device. Specific examples of the USB compatible device 22 include a PC (Personal Computer), a home video processing device (DVD recorder, VCR, etc.), a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a portable music playback device, and a portable video processing. Examples thereof include information processing devices such as devices, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), home game devices, portable game devices, and home appliances, and peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, modems, and joysticks.

  The enumeration processing unit 108 executes enumeration processing on the USB compatible device 22 connected to the USB cable connection unit 104. The enumeration process includes a process of exchanging a descriptor (Descriptor) with the USB compatible device 22 and identifying an attribute of the USB compatible device 22. Data can be transmitted and received between devices that have performed enumeration processing. The descriptor includes a configuration descriptor indicating the power supply type and maximum power consumption, an interface descriptor indicating the class code and the number of endpoints, an endpoint descriptor indicating the data transfer rate and transfer method, and whether the device is the device side or the host An example is a device descriptor that includes attribute information indicating whether the device is a side.

  The communication unit 112 is an interface that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the wireless USB compatible device 24. Radio signals include beacons, MMC frames, data signals, and the like. The wireless USB compatible device 24 wirelessly connected to the wireless relay device 10 may be the above-described information processing device or peripheral device that implements a wireless communication function in wireless USB, or may be a device wire adapter or a host wire adapter. .

  The wireless processing unit 120 performs signal processing and signal conversion for transmitting and receiving wireless signals via the communication unit 112. The wireless processing unit 120 includes, for example, a timing processing unit 122, a wireless access processing unit 124, and a wireless high frequency processing unit 126.

  The timing processing unit 122 processes time synchronization inside the wireless relay device 10 and synchronization of the superframe period when performing wireless communication with the wireless USB compatible device 24. The wireless access processing unit 124 transmits and receives signals in accordance with a wireless access standard based on the wireless USB standard, for example.

  The radio frequency processing unit 126 converts information to be transmitted into a multiband OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) ultra-wideband radio signal that enables short-range high-speed radio communication. Alternatively, the radio high-frequency processor 126 decodes the received multiband OFDM ultra-wideband radio signal signal.

  The operation mode setting unit 128 sets the operation mode of the control unit 130 based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device 22 and the wireless USB compatible device 24. The attribute information of the USB compatible device 22 can be grasped when the enumeration processing unit 108 receives the device descriptor. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device 24 can be grasped based on a beacon transmitted by the wireless USB compatible device 24. Hereinafter, a beacon received by the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a super frame in the wireless USB. A predetermined time is defined as a superframe period, and the superframe is further subdivided into 256 media access slots (MAS) from MAS-0 to MAS-255. The wireless relay device 10 and the wireless USB compatible device 24 can communicate with each other using any of the MAS periods. The period of the MAS can be set to 256 μs, for example.

  In the superframe, a beacon period and a data transmission area are arranged as shown in FIG.

  During the beacon period, beacon slots are set at predetermined intervals, and various parameters as management information are exchanged with peripheral devices using a unique beacon slot for each device compatible with wireless USB. It is configured. The required length of the beacon period is determined depending on the number of devices existing around the beacon period. In the present embodiment, a total of nine beacons from beacon slot BS0 to beacon slot BS8 are prepared using MAS-0 to MAS-2.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a beacon frame transmitted to the above-described beacon slot. The beacon frame is transmitted from each device during the beacon period of the super frame, and various parameters as management information are exchanged with surrounding devices by receiving the beacon frame.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the beacon frame includes MAC header information 61, a header check sequence (HCS) 62, beacon payload information 63, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 64.

  Further, the MAC header information 61 includes frame control information 161, a destination address 162 that is a destination address, a source address 163 that is a source address, sequence control information 164 such as a sequence number, and necessary for access control. And access control information 165 in which parameters are described. Here, when transmitting a beacon, the address for broadcast that does not specify the destination is described in the destination address 162.

  Also, the beacon payload information 63 is added when operating in the hibernation mode, the unique information 166 that is a device-specific parameter, the beacon usage information 167 that indicates the use of the beacon slot, the capability information 168 that indicates the capability of the device. Sleep mode information 169, DRP reservation information 170 indicating a MAS position where a DRP (Distributed Reservation Protocol) reservation is made, DRP usage information 171 indicating a MAS position available for DRP reservation, wireless USB (WUSB) ) Includes WUSB attribute information 172 indicating its own attribute information. Note that a beacon frame may be configured by adding or deleting these various parameters as necessary.

  Here, the attribute information means that the device is operating as a host-side device having a host attribute such as a wireless USB host, a USB host, or a host wire adapter, or a wireless USB device, a USB device, a device wire adapter, or the like. This is information that can specify whether the device is operating as a device on the device side having device attributes. Therefore, even if the host attribute or device attribute is simply described in the WUSB attribute information 172, it is described whether the device is operating as a USB host, a host wire adapter, a wireless USB device, a USB device, or a device wire adapter. You may do it.

  As described above, the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment can grasp the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device 24 only by receiving the beacon from the wireless USB compatible device 24 and referring to the WUSB attribute information 172. That is, the wireless relay device 10 can easily grasp the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device 24 without exchanging complicated commands other than the beacon period of the super frame. Therefore, the operation mode setting unit 128 of the wireless relay device 10 can set the operation mode of the control unit 130 based on the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device 24 and the attribute information of the USB compatible device 22.

  Returning to the description of the configuration of the wireless relay device 10 with reference to FIG. 5, the control unit 130 performs overall control of the wireless relay device 10. Further, based on the setting of the operation mode by the operation mode setting unit 128, it functions as any of the host wire adapter mode 12, the device wire adapter mode 16, or the wireless USB host mode 14. When functioning as the host wire adapter mode 12, the control unit 130, for example, determines the time stamp information (SOF: Start Of Frame) based on the reception time of the start-of-frame (SOF) transmitted from the USB compatible device 22 as the host. Timestamp) is described in the MMC frame, and the MMC frame is transferred to the wireless USB compatible device 24. The operation can also be realized by an inexpensive built-in microcomputer.

  Here, the MMC frame and time stamp information will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of access control in the set MAS. In the access control in each MAS, first, the MMC frame 71 is transmitted from the host side in the wireless USB. The MMC frame 71 includes information for identifying the host side, the start time of downlink data transmitted from the host side, the start time of uplink data from the device side to the host, the transmission time of the next MMC frame 75, etc. The parameters are listed.

  Therefore, when the MMC frame 71 is received, the subsequent transmission / reception timings of the downlink data 72, the uplink data 73, the uplink ACK 74, and the next MMC frame 75 can be set.

  In accordance with the timing set in this way, downlink data 72, uplink data 73, uplink ACK 74, and repeated data 75 to 78 of the cycle are transmitted and received.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the MMC frame 71. The MMC frame 71 includes MAC header information 174, HCS (header check sequence) 175, MMC payload information 176 and FCS (frame check sequence) 177.

  Since the MAC header information 174 is substantially the same as the MAC header information 61 of the beacon frame, description thereof is omitted. The HCS 175 is information added to detect an error in the MAC header information 174.

  The MMC payload information 176 includes a WUSB code 181, an MMC code 182, next MMC information 183, reservation information 184, time stamp information 185, a WUSB host information element 186 and a WUSB channel time allocation element 187.

  The WUSB code 181 is a code indicating that the MMC frame 71 is a wireless USB frame. The MMC code 182 is a code indicating that the frame 71 is an MMC frame. The next MMC information 183 is information indicating the time until the next MMC frame to be transmitted.

  Reservation information (Reserved) 184 is a space for adding information prepared for future expansion. The time stamp information (WUSB Time Stamp) 185 is information indicating the synchronization time of the wireless USB, as will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The WUSB host information element 186 (WUSB Host Information IE) is a host identifier for identifying the host side of the wireless USB. The WUSB channel time allocation element 187 (WUSB Channel Time Allocation IE) is information describing time division multiple access control time in the MAS. Note that each of the above information may be added or deleted according to necessity or purpose.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a time synchronization method using time stamp information in the wireless USB. In FIG. 10, a method of time synchronization when the USB host 20 and the USB device 30 communicate with each other via a device wire adapter (DWA: Device Wire Adapter) 40 and a host wire adapter (HWA: Host Wire Adapter) 60. Is shown. The operation as the device wire adapter 40 can also be executed by the control unit 130 that operates in the device wire adapter mode 12 of the wireless relay device 10. The operation as the host wire adapter 60 can also be executed by the control unit 130 that operates in the host wire adapter mode 16 of the wireless relay device 10.

  The USB host 20 generates a start of frame 200 at a predetermined time interval, and transmits the start of frame 200 to the host wire adapter 60 via the USB cable. Therefore, all the devices connected by the USB cable can be synchronized based on the time when the start of frame 200 is transmitted.

  The host wire adapter 60 stores the time of the start of frame 200 received from the USB host 20. When the host wire adapter 60 wirelessly transmits the MMC frame, the host wire adapter 60 describes the difference between the time at which wireless transmission is to be performed and the stored time in the MMC frame 210 as time stamp information. Then, the MMC frame 210 in which the time stamp information is described is transmitted to the device wire adapter 40.

  When the device wire adapter 40 receives the MMC frame 210 in which the time stamp information is described, the device wire adapter 40 acquires the time stamp information from the MMC frame 210. Then, the time indicated by the time stamp information is subtracted from the start of frame period to calculate the time of the start of frame 201 that the USB host 20 will transmit next time. Next, the device wire adapter 40 transmits a start of frame 221 to the USB device 30 via the USB cable at the calculated time.

  Thereafter, the USB host 20 transmits start of frames 202 to 206 at a predetermined cycle, and the device wire adapter 40 transmits start of frames 222 to 226 to the USB device 30 so as to synchronize with the start of frames 202 to 206.

  The USB device 30 can thus synchronize with the USB host 20 by receiving the start of frames 221 to 226 from the device wire adapter 40 and using the reception time as a reference.

  Returning to the description of the configuration of the wireless relay device 10 with reference to FIG. 5, the beacon generation unit 140 generates a beacon for informing the surrounding wireless USB compatible device 24. The beacon generation unit 140 according to the present embodiment describes the attribute information of the wireless relay device 10, for example, the operation mode of the control unit 130, in the beacon to be generated.

  With this configuration, the wireless relay device 10 can exchange attribute information with each other by simply transmitting and receiving beacons without exchanging complicated commands with surrounding wireless USB compatible devices 24.

  Next, the configuration and operation of a wireless USB system to which the above-described wireless relay device 10 is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless USB system 1 as a wireless communication system to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the wireless USB system 1 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB host 20 connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a device wire adapter that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 40 and a USB device 30 connected to the device wire adapter 40 via a USB cable.

  Such a wireless USB system 1 operates as shown in FIG. That is, when the wireless relay device 10 and the USB host 20 are connected via a USB cable (S300), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB host 20 (S304). Since the wireless relay device 10 is connected to the USB host via the USB cable, the wireless relay device 10 operates as a host wire adapter in the host wire adapter mode (S308). In FIG. 11, the operation modes other than the activated operation mode are indicated by shading.

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB host 20 that it operates as a host wire adapter by the descriptor (S312). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the device wire adapter 40 (S316). The beacon includes attribute information indicating that the wireless relay device 10 is operating as a host wire adapter. Further, the wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information of the device wire adapter 40 from the device wire adapter 40 (S320).

  Then, the USB host 20 transmits a start of frame to the wireless relay device 10 (S324). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the device wire adapter 40 (S328). Next, the device wire adapter 40 transmits a start of frame to the USB device 30 based on the time stamp information of the MMC frame (S332). In this way, the USB device 30 and the USB host 20 are synchronized.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 2 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the wireless USB system 2 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB host 20 connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a wireless USB device that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 50.

Such a wireless USB system 2 operates as shown in FIG. That is,
When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB host 20 are connected via a USB cable (S350), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB host 20 (S354). Since the wireless relay device 10 is connected to a USB host via a USB cable, the control unit operates in the host wire adapter mode, and the wireless relay device 10 operates as a host wire adapter (S358).

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB host 20 by the descriptor that the wireless relay device 10 operates as a host wire adapter (S362). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the wireless USB device 50 (S366). The beacon includes attribute information indicating that the wireless relay device 10 is operating as a host wire adapter. Further, the wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information of the wireless USB device 50 from the wireless USB device 50 (S370).

  Then, the USB host 20 transmits a start of frame to the wireless relay device 10 (S374). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the wireless USB device 50 (S378). Next, the wireless USB device 50 manages the time of the start of frame based on the time stamp information of the MMC frame (S382).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 3 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 3.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the wireless USB system 3 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB device 30A connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a device wire adapter that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 40 and a USB device 30B connected to the device wire adapter 40 via a USB cable.

Such a wireless USB system 3 operates as shown in FIG. That is,
The wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information from the device wire adapter 40, and recognizes that the communication partner has a device-side function (S400). When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB device 30A are connected via a USB cable (S404), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB device 30A (S408). Based on the received attribute information, the wireless relay device 10 determines that there is no device having a host function in the wireless USB system 3, and operates as a wireless USB host in the wireless USB host mode (S412).

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB device 30A by the descriptor that it is operating as a wireless USB host (S416). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the device wire adapter 40 (S420). The beacon includes attribute information indicating that the wireless relay device 10 is operating as a wireless USB host.

  Then, the wireless relay device 10 generates a start of frame (SOF) (S424), and transmits the start of frame to the USB device 30A (S428). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the device wire adapter 40 (S432). Next, the device wire adapter 40 transmits a start of frame to the USB device 30 based on the time stamp information of the MMC frame (S436). In this way, even when the USB host or the wireless USB host 70 does not exist in the wireless USB system 3, the USB device 30A and the USB device 30A can perform wireless communication in synchronization.

  If the USB host or the wireless USB host enters the wireless USB system 3 while the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the wireless USB host mode, the wireless relay device 10 switches the operation to the device wire mode. With this configuration, the entered USB host or wireless USB host can perform control as a more advanced host in the wireless USB system 3.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 4 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, the wireless USB system 4 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB device 30 connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a wireless USB device that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 50.

Such a wireless USB system 4 operates as shown in FIG. That is,
The wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information from the wireless USB device 50, and recognizes that the communication partner has a device-side function (S450). When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB device 30 are connected via the USB cable (S454), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB device 30 (S458). Then, based on the received attribute information, the wireless relay device 10 determines that there is no device having a host function in the wireless USB system 4, and operates as a wireless USB host (S462).

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB device 30 that it operates as a wireless USB host by using a descriptor (S466). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the wireless USB device 50 (S470). The beacon includes attribute information indicating that the wireless relay device 10 is operating as a wireless USB host.

  Then, the wireless relay device 10 generates a start of frame (SOF) (S474), and transmits the start of frame to the USB device 30 (S478). Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the wireless USB device 50 (S482). Then, the wireless USB device 50 internally manages the time of the start of frame based on the time stamp information included in the received MMC frame (S486). In this way, even when the USB host or the wireless USB host 70 does not exist in the wireless USB system 4, the USB device 30 and the wireless USB device 50 can perform wireless communication in synchronization.

  If the USB host or the wireless USB host enters the wireless USB system 4 while the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the wireless USB host mode, the wireless relay device 10 switches the operation to the device wire mode. With this configuration, the entered USB host or wireless USB host can perform control as a more advanced host in the wireless USB system 4.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 5 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 5.

  As illustrated in FIG. 19, the wireless USB system 5 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB device 30 connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a host wire adapter that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 60, and a USB host 20 connected to the host wire adapter 60 via a USB cable.

  Such a wireless USB system 5 operates as shown in FIG. That is, the wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information of the host wire adapter 60 from the host wire adapter 60 (S500). Then, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the host wire adapter 60 (S504). However, since the operation mode of the wireless relay device 10 is in an indeterminate state, attribute information is not included in the transmitted beacon.

  When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB device 30 are connected via the USB cable (S508), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB device 30 (S512). The wireless relay device 10 is connected to the USB device 30 via the USB cable, and since the USB host 20 exists at the wireless communication destination, the wireless relay device 10 operates as a device wire adapter in the device wire adapter mode (S516).

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB device 30 that it operates as a device wire adapter by using a descriptor (S520). Subsequently, the USB host 20 transmits a start of frame to the host wire adapter 60 (S524). Next, the host wire adapter 60 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the wireless relay device 10 (S528).

  Further, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a start of frame to the USB device 30 based on the time stamp information of the MMC frame (S536). In this way, the USB device 30 and the USB host 20 are synchronized.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless USB system 6 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system 6.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the wireless USB system 6 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB device 30 connected to the wireless relay device 10 via a USB cable, and a wireless USB host that performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 10. 70.

  Such a wireless USB system 6 operates as shown in FIG. That is, the wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon including attribute information of the wireless USB host 70 from the wireless USB host 70 (S550). Then, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the wireless USB host 70 (S554). However, since the operation mode of the wireless relay device 10 is in an indeterminate state, attribute information is not included in the transmitted beacon.

  When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB device 30 are connected via the USB cable (S558), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB device 30 (S562). The wireless relay device 10 is connected to the USB device 30 via the USB cable, and since the wireless USB host 60 exists at the wireless communication destination, the wireless relay device 10 operates as a device wire adapter in the device wire adapter mode (S566).

  Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB device 30 that it operates as a device wire adapter by the descriptor (S570). Subsequently, the wireless USB host 70 transmits an MMC frame including time stamp information to the wireless relay device 10 (S574).

  Further, the wireless relay device 10 performs time management of the start of frame based on the time stamp information of the MMC frame (S578) and transmits it to the USB device 30 (S582). In this way, the USB device 30 and the wireless USB host 70 are synchronized.

  Next, processing when a plurality of devices having a host function exist in the wireless communication area (radio wave reachable range) of the wireless relay device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the wireless USB system 7 to which the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. The wireless USB system 7 includes a wireless relay device 10, a USB device 30 connected to the wireless relay device via a USB cable, a wireless USB host 70A and a wireless USB host 70B that exist within the radio wave reach of the wireless relay device. including.

  First, the wireless relay device 10 receives beacons including attribute information from each of the wireless USB host 70A and the wireless USB host 70B (S600, S604). At this time, the wireless relay device 10 recognizes that there are a plurality of host side devices operating as a plurality of host sides in the vicinity.

  When the wireless relay device 10 and the USB device 30 are connected via the USB cable (S608), the wireless relay device 10 acquires a descriptor including attribute information of the USB device 30 (S612). The wireless relay device 10 operates as a device wire adapter in the device wire adapter mode because the host side device exists in the vicinity and is connected to the USB device 30 on the device side (S616). Next, the wireless relay device 10 notifies the USB device 30 that it operates as a device wire adapter by the descriptor (S620).

  Thereafter, the wireless relay device 10 acquires connection destination information indicating the connection destination of the host-side device that establishes wireless communication from the USB device 30 (S624). Examples of the connection destination information include the MAC address of the host side device and host identification information (CHID). Then, the control unit 130 of the wireless relay device 10 determines a host side device to be wirelessly connected based on the connection destination information (S628). Thereafter, the wireless relay device 10 operates to relay wireless communication between the USB device 30 and the wireless USB host 70A or the wireless USB host 70B that is determined to be wirelessly connected. Then, when its own beacon period arrives, the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon including attribute information indicating that it is operating as a device wire adapter to the surroundings (S632, S636).

  In FIG. 23, the timings at which the wireless USB host 70A and the wireless USB host 70B receive beacons are shifted, but in practice they are almost simultaneously. In addition, each wireless USB compatible device may transmit a beacon when the beacon period arrives, but in the timing chart diagram in this application, a part of beacon transmission is extracted and shown from the viewpoint of clarity of the drawing. ing.

  As described above, when there are a plurality of host-side devices within the radio communication range of the wireless relay device 10, the identification is performed by acquiring information identifying the host-side device to be wirelessly connected from the USB device 30. Relay of wireless communication between the host-side device and the USB device 30 is realized.

  Next, an operation flow of the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment. The wireless relay device 10 performs a predetermined beacon scan process and searches for the presence or absence of a wireless connection destination (S701). Here, if the existing beacon period (Beacon Period) exists (S702), the wireless relay device 10 determines the empty beacon slot (Beacon Slot) (S703), and self-assigns one of the empty slots. Beacon transmission slot (S704). If there is no beacon period, the wireless relay device 10 sets a beacon transmission slot with an arbitrary timing as the head of the beacon period (S704).

  Subsequently, the wireless relay device 10 determines whether or not the current time is the beacon period in the superframe cycle (S705). When it is determined that the current time is the beacon period, the wireless relay device 10 performs a beacon signal reception process (S706). Then, when its own beacon transmission slot arrives (S707), the wireless relay device 10 transmits a beacon to the surroundings (S708). In other words, beacons from surrounding communication devices are received in a beacon period other than its own transmission slot.

  If the wireless relay device 10 determines in S705 that the current time is not the beacon period of the superframe period, and detects the presence of a new beacon (S709), the wireless relay device 10 (the wireless USB compatible device that transmits the new beacon ( The attribute information of the partner device is acquired (S710). Then, for example, based on the attribute information and whether or not the wireless USB compatible device is in a state of transmitting a micro schedule management command (MMC), it is determined that the wireless USB compatible device is operating as the host side. If so (S711), the wireless relay device 10 sets its own operation mode to operate as the device wire adapter mode (S712).

  If the wireless relay device 10 detects that it is connected to the USB compatible device via the USB cable (S713), the attribute information of the USB compatible device (connected device) is set to, for example, the device descriptor information. It is acquired by exchange or the like (S714). If the USB compatible device has an attribute to operate as a wireless USB host (S715), the wireless relay device 10 sets its own operation mode to the host wire adapter (HWA) in order to make the USB compatible device function as a wireless USB host. ) Is set so as to operate (S716).

  On the other hand, if the USB compatible device and the wireless USB compatible device are not attributes that operate as the host side (S717), the wireless relay device 10 sets itself to operate as a wireless USB host (S718). The operation mode of the wireless relay device 10 is set in this way, but the once set operation mode can also be configured so as to be appropriately changeable according to changes in surrounding connection conditions.

  Here, when the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the wireless USB host mode (S719), the start of frame (SOF) timing is generated at a predetermined cycle (S720), and the micro schedule management command (MMC) Is allocated as channel time allocation (CTA) (S721).

  If the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the host wire adapter mode (S722), a start of frame is received from the USB host via the USB cable (S723). Further, the wireless relay device 10 further acquires CTA parameters described in the MMC, which are separately transmitted from the USB host (S724).

  When the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the wireless USB host mode or the host wire adapter mode and the MMC transmission timing arrives (S725), the time difference between the current time and the start of frame is described as time stamp information. (S726), MMC is transmitted (S727).

  When the wireless relay device 10 is operating in the device wire adapter mode (S728), the time stamp information described in the MMC sent from the host wire adapter (HWA) or the wireless USB host is acquired (S728). S729). Then, the wireless relay device 10 specifies the timing of the next start of frame based on the time stamp information, and transmits the start of frame (S730).

  In addition, after these series of operation | movements are complete | finished, it has the structure which returns to S705, respectively, and when the setting of the radio relay apparatus 10 switches, it is the structure by which a process is performed according to the newest state.

  As described above, according to the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment, the surrounding wireless USB compatible device is a device by simply transmitting and receiving a beacon without passing complicated commands with the surrounding wireless USB compatible device. It is possible to grasp whether it is operating as a host side or a host side. Similarly, peripheral wireless USB compatible devices can grasp whether the wireless relay device 10 is operating as a device side or a host side by simply transmitting / receiving a beacon without passing complicated commands with the wireless relay device 10. be able to.

  In addition, when there is no device having a host function around the wireless relay device 10, the wireless USB system can be validated by the wireless relay device 10 functioning as a simple host. That is, the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment can connect the devices on the device side by wireless USB even if the original host (USB host, wireless USB host) does not exist. When an original host is found around the wireless relay device 10, the wireless relay device 10 operates as a device wire adapter. Therefore, the control as an advanced host is realized by the original host as compared with the wireless relay device 10.

  A program for causing an information processing apparatus to perform the wireless relay method as described above and a storage medium storing the program are also provided.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the wireless relay device 10 is connected to only one USB compatible device via the USB cable has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the wireless relay device 10 may be connected to a plurality of USB devices via a USB cable. Further, the wireless relay device 10 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of wireless USB compatible devices.

  The wireless relay device 10 does not need to have the device wire adapter mode, the wireless USB host mode, and the host wire adapter mode, and may have one or two of these operation modes.

  In addition, each step in the processing of the data recording apparatus of the present specification does not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and processing that is executed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or Object processing) may also be included.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the wireless USB system relevant to this application. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system relevant to this application. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system relevant to this application. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system relevant to this application. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the radio relay apparatus as an example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the super frame in wireless USB. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the beacon frame transmitted to a beacon slot. It is explanatory drawing which showed the flow of access control in MAS. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the MMC frame. It is explanatory drawing which showed the method of the time synchronization using the time stamp information in wireless USB. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the wireless USB system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of another wireless USB system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of another wireless USB system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of another wireless USB system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of another wireless USB system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other structural example of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay apparatus concerning the embodiment is applied. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of another wireless USB system. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the wireless USB system to which the wireless relay device according to the embodiment is applied. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the wireless relay device according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless relay apparatus 20 USB host 30 USB device 40 Device wire adapter 50 Wireless USB device 60 Host wire adapter 70 Wireless USB host 104 USB connection part 128 Operation mode setting part 130 Control part 140 Beacon generation part

Claims (6)

A wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with a wireless USB compatible device,
A beacon generator that generates a beacon including attribute information that can identify whether the device has a device attribute or a host attribute;
A USB connection unit that is connected to a USB-compatible device in a wired manner;
An operation for setting an operation mode based on attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device included in the beacon transmitted by the wireless USB compatible device and attribute information of the USB compatible device input via the USB connection unit. A mode setting section;
With
The operation mode setting unit determines that the wireless USB compatible device has the device attribute based on the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device, and the USB compatible device is based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. A wireless communication apparatus that sets the operation mode to a wireless USB host mode when it is determined that an attribute is included . The operation mode setting unit determines that the wireless USB compatible device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the wireless USB compatible device, and the USB compatible device is based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when it is determined that the device has an attribute, the operation mode is set to a device wire adapter mode. The operation mode setting unit, when said USB enabled device is determined to have the host attributes, and sets the operation mode to a host wire adapter mode based on the attribute information of the USB-compatible device, wherein Item 2. The wireless communication device according to Item 1 . A wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless communication devices compatible with wireless USB, wherein:
One wireless communication apparatus transmits a beacon including attribute information that can specify whether the device has a device attribute or a host attribute.
The other wireless communication device receives the beacon including the attribute information, determines the attribute of the one wireless communication device,
The other wireless communication device further includes a USB connection unit that is connected to a USB compatible device by wire, and the attribute information of the USB compatible device is input via the USB connection unit,
The other wireless communication device determines that the one wireless communication device has the device attribute based on the attribute information of the one wireless communication device, and the USB compatible device based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. When it is determined that the device has the device attribute , the wireless communication system operates as a wireless USB host mode .   The other wireless communication device determines that the one wireless communication device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the one wireless communication device, and the USB compatible device based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication system operates as a device wire adapter when it is determined that the device has the device attribute.   The other wireless communication device operates as a host wire adapter mode when it is determined that the USB compatible device has the host attribute based on the attribute information of the USB compatible device. The wireless communication system described.

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