JP5076409B2 - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device having a wireless communication function, and to a technique for searching for a connection destination candidate by wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a communication device that searches for a base station or the like as a connection destination candidate for wireless communication and performs wireless communication with the base station or the like based on a search result.

  As a method of searching for a base station or the like as a connection destination candidate, a communication device transmits search data including its own information and searches for a base station or the like by receiving response data from the base station or the like for the search data. An active scan that performs communication and a passive scan that searches for a base station or the like by receiving broadcast data transmitted from the base station or the like without transmitting any data are known.

  In such a communication device, there is known an invention that switches between an active scan and a passive scan based on the belonging state of whether the communication device is within or outside the base station. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-12539 A

  Some communication devices do not necessarily use the wireless communication function. For example, a communication device having a wired communication function in addition to a wireless communication function, or a communication device having another function that does not need to use the wireless communication function.

  In such a communication device, if the user does not intend to use the wireless communication function and an active scan is performed, information on the communication device is emitted to the surroundings, which is not preferable in terms of security.

  On the other hand, even if you do not intend to use the wireless communication function at first, suddenly, it may be necessary to use the wireless communication function, and when searching for a base station after such a situation occurs, There is a problem that it takes time until the search result of the base station is obtained.

  In addition, during wireless communication, there may be a situation where it is desired to grasp information about other connectable base stations and information such as communication status with the other base stations as quickly as possible. However, if active scans are frequently executed in order to display them quickly, there may be a problem that a delay occurs in wireless communication.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technique capable of quickly and appropriately searching for a connection destination candidate capable of wireless communication while preventing leakage of information of a communication device. Objective.
Furthermore, it aims at providing the technique which can implement | achieve appropriately the collection of the various information regarding the connection destination candidate at the time of radio | wireless communication, and the maintenance of the communication efficiency of radio | wireless communication appropriately.

  To achieve the above object, the communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention transmits predetermined search data and wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data, and receives response data for the search data. A first search means for executing an active scan for searching for connection destination candidates, a second search means for executing a passive scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving notification data from the surroundings, and When receiving a use instruction for wireless communication means and the use instruction from the user, the active search is repeatedly executed by the first search means, and the use instruction from the user is not received In some cases, the second search means includes search control means for executing the passive scan.

  According to such a communication device, when the use instruction of the wireless communication means is not received, the connection destination candidate can be searched by the passive scan, and the connection destination candidate is appropriately searched without leaking its own information. Can do.

  The communication device may further include a connection destination selection unit that selects a connection destination when communicating actual communication data from the connection destination candidates searched by the first search unit or the second search unit. . According to such a communication device, a connection destination for transmitting actual communication data can be selected from connection destination candidates searched by the first search means or the second search means.

  Further, in the communication device, the search control unit controls the active scan execution interval when the actual communication data is communicated by the wireless communication unit to be longer than the active scan execution interval when the actual communication data is not communicated. You may do it. According to such a communication device, it is possible to quickly search for connection destination candidates at the time of non-communication, and appropriately reduce the occurrence of delay in communication of actual communication data at the time of communication.

  In the communication device, the search control means may have an active scan execution interval when the communication speed of the actual communication data by the wireless communication means is high longer than an execution interval of the active scan when the communication speed of the actual communication data is low. You may make it control so that it may become. According to the communication device, when the communication speed is high, it is possible to appropriately reduce the occurrence of delay in communication of actual communication data, and when the communication speed is low, it is possible to quickly search for connection destination candidates. . Therefore, when the communication speed is low, the connection destination can be changed quickly.

  In the communication device, when the connection with the connection destination is disconnected, the search control unit stops the execution of the active scan by the first search unit and causes the second search unit to execute the passive scan. May be. According to the communication device, since the passive scan is executed when the connection with the connection destination is disconnected, it is possible to appropriately prevent leakage of information regarding the device itself.

  In the communication device, when the search instruction is accepted, the first search unit may repeatedly execute the active scan after starting the communication by the wireless communication unit. In such a communication device, it is possible to appropriately prevent leakage of information related to the own device until wireless communication is actually performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the search control method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data, predetermined search data, and the search data. First search means for executing an active scan for searching for a connection destination candidate by receiving response data to the mobile station, and a second search means for executing a passive scan for receiving connection data and searching for a connection destination candidate. A search control method in a communication device having a reception step of receiving a use instruction of a wireless communication unit from a user, and when receiving a use instruction from a user, an active scan is repeatedly executed by a first search unit Step and a step of causing the second search means to execute passive scan when a use instruction from the user is not accepted. And a flop. According to such a search control method, when the use instruction of the wireless communication means is not received, the connection destination candidate can be searched by the passive scan, and the connection destination candidate is appropriately searched without leaking its own information. be able to.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent.

  First, a multifunction peripheral as an example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the multi function device 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 14, and an input interface unit (input) I / F unit) 15, display processing unit 16, scanner function unit 17, printer function unit 18, wired communication interface unit (wired communication I / F unit) 19, and wireless communication interface unit (wireless communication I / F). F section) 20 is connected via a bus 21.

  The ROM 12 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 13 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 11. The EEPROM 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various types of information that need to be stored even when the multifunction device 1 is not powered on. In the present embodiment, for example, the EEPROM 14 stores information such as SSID (Service Set ID), security information, and communication status of connection destination candidates such as connectable base stations and communication devices.

  A key unit 22 is connected to the input I / F unit 15. The input I / F unit 15 outputs a signal from the key unit 22 to the CPU 11 as data. The key unit 22 includes a start button, a stop button, an OK button, a return button, a numeric keypad, and the like provided on the housing of the multi-function device 1, and inputs a signal corresponding to the pressed button and key. 15 is output. The display processing unit 16 includes, for example, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), generates various image data under the control of the CPU 11, and outputs the image data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 23.

  The scanner function unit 17 reads an image of a document to be read such as paper placed on a document table (not shown) or a document feeder (not shown), and generates digital image data. As the digital image data, for example, image data in a bitmap format may be used. The printer function unit 18 forms an image on an image forming medium such as paper or an OHP sheet.

  The wired communication I / F unit 19 can be connected to a network via a wire, and mediates data exchange with an external device connected to the network. The wireless communication I / F unit 20 includes, for example, a circuit including an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and the like, and includes a scan control unit 20a as an example of search control means and an active as an example of first search means. It includes a scan processing unit 20b, a passive scan processing unit 20c as an example of second search means, and a wireless communication processing unit 20d as an example of wireless communication means.

  The active scan processing unit 20b transmits search data for searching for a connection destination, and executes an active scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving response data for the search data. The passive scan processing unit 20c performs passive scan for searching for a connection candidate destination by receiving notification data from a surrounding base station or communication device without transmitting any data for search. The scan control unit 20a controls execution of active can by the active scan processing unit 20b and passive scan by the passive scan processing unit 20c, and stores the searched connection destination candidate information in the EEPROM 14 via the CPU 11. In the present embodiment, when the scan control unit 20a receives a notification that the connection destination has been selected from the communication control unit 11c described later, the scan control unit 20a repeatedly performs the active scan and notifies that the selection destination has been selected. If not received, a passive scan is executed. Further, the scan control unit 20a performs control so that the execution interval of the active scan when the actual communication data is communicated by the wireless communication processing unit 20d is longer than the execution interval of the active scan when the actual communication data is not communicated. Further, the scan control unit 20a is configured so that the active scan execution interval when the communication speed of the actual communication data by the wireless communication processing unit is high is longer than the active scan execution interval when the communication speed of the actual communication data is low. Control. The wireless communication processing unit 20d wirelessly communicates actual communication data such as image data captured by the scanner function unit 17 and print data of an image to be printed by the printer function unit 18 with the connection destination notified as the setting. connect.

  CPU11 controls operation | movement of each part 12-20. In addition, the CPU 11 reads out the program stored in the ROM 12 to the RAM 13 and executes it, whereby the display control unit 11a, the reception processing unit 11b as an example of the reception unit and the connection destination selection unit, and the communication control unit 11c. To execute various processes.

The display controller 11 a causes the display processor 16 to display various screens on the LCD 23. In this embodiment, the display control unit 11a sets wireless validity / invalidity when receiving a notification from the reception processing unit 11b that there is an instruction to start setting of a wireless connection destination (connection setting start instruction). Wireless confirmation screen 100 is displayed. Further, when the display control unit 11a receives a notification from the reception processing unit 11b that wireless validity is set on the wireless confirmation screen 100, the display control unit 11a, based on the connection destination candidate information stored in the EEPROM 14, A wireless LAN setting screen 110 for setting a wireless communication connection destination is displayed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless confirmation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
On the wireless confirmation screen 100, a selection frame 101 for designating whether to enable or disable wireless communication is displayed. Then, when the user presses the direction button of the key unit 22, the selection frame 101 can be moved to select whether it is valid or invalid. In addition, when the user presses the OK button of the key unit 22, the validity or invalidity selected by the selection frame 101 can be determined.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless LAN setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  On the wireless LAN setting screen 110, a connection destination candidate information display area 111 for displaying information of connectable connection destination candidates is displayed. In the connection destination candidate information display area 111, information such as the SSID of the connection destination candidate, the presence / absence of security, and the communication strength are displayed. Note that nothing is displayed in the connection destination candidate information display area 111 when no connection destination candidates can be searched, and a plurality of connection destination candidates are displayed if a plurality of search is made. In the connection destination candidate information display area 111, a selection frame 112 for selecting a connection destination can be moved and displayed by the user operating a button on the key unit 22. When the user presses the OK button of the key unit 22, the connection destination candidate selected by the selection frame 112 can be selected and set as a connection destination for wireless communication.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the reception processing unit 11 b receives various instructions in response to a user operation on the key unit 22. For example, the reception processing unit 11b receives a wireless connection setting start instruction by operating the key unit 22 of the user, and notifies the display control unit 10a that the instruction has been received. In addition, the reception processing unit 11b receives wireless validity / invalidity by operating the user's key unit 22 on the wireless confirmation screen 100, and notifies the communication control unit 11c of the selected content. The reception processing unit 11b selects a wireless connection destination by operating the user key unit 22 on the wireless LAN setting screen 110, and notifies the communication control unit 11c of the selected content.

  The communication control unit 11 c controls communication of actual communication data such as image data captured by the scanner function unit 17 and print data of an image to be printed by the printer function unit 18. The communication control unit 11c causes the actual communication data to be communicated via the wired communication I / F unit 19 when the wired communication setting is performed, and when the wireless communication setting is performed, The actual communication data is communicated via the wireless communication I / F unit 20. In addition, when the communication control unit 11 c receives a notification of the selected content of the wireless connection destination from the reception processing unit 11 b, the communication control unit 11 c transmits the selected connection destination information to the wireless communication processing unit 20 d of the wireless communication I / F unit 20. And the scan control unit 20a is notified that the connection destination has been selected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of connection setting processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The connection setting process is started, for example, when the multifunction device 1 is turned on. First, the reception processing unit 11b determines whether or not a connection setting start instruction has been given by a user operation on the key unit 22 (step S1). Notify the controller 11a. The display control unit 11a displays the wireless confirmation screen 100 (step S2). Next, it is determined whether or not the reception processing unit 11b has been instructed to enable wireless by an operation on the key unit 22 by the user (step S3). On the other hand, if an instruction to enable the process is issued, the display control unit 11a is notified. The display control unit 11a displays the wireless LAN setting screen 110 based on the latest connection destination candidate information stored in the EEPROM 14 (step S4). Here, the information of the connection destination candidates stored in the EEPROM 14 is searched by a scan control process shown in FIG.

  Next, the reception processing unit 11b determines whether or not a connection destination has been selected by an operation on the key unit 22 by the user (step S5). If the connection destination has not been selected, the step is repeated. On the other hand, when the connection destination is selected, the communication control unit 11c is notified of the selection, and the communication control unit 11c that receives the notification transmits the selected connection destination information to the wireless communication I / O. The wireless communication processing unit 20d of the F unit 20 is notified and set as a connection destination, and a notification that the connection destination has been selected is notified to the scan control unit 20a (step S6), and the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection setting start instruction has not been given (NO in step S1), the process proceeds to the next step S7 without doing anything.

  In step S7, the reception processing unit 11b determines whether or not an end instruction has been issued by the user. If there is no end instruction, the process from step S1 is executed again, while an end instruction is received. Then, the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of scan control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The scan control process is started, for example, when the multifunction device 1 is powered on. First, the scan control unit 20a causes the passive scan processing unit 20c to execute a passive scan, and stores information on connection destination candidates searched by the passive scan in the EEPROM 14 (step S11). Next, the scan control unit 20a determines whether or not there is a notification that the wireless connection destination has been selected (step S12). As a result, when there is no notification of selection (NO in step S12), the processing from step S11 is executed again.

  On the other hand, if there is a notification of selection (YES in step S12), the scan control unit 20a causes the active scan processing unit 20b to execute active scan, and displays information on connection destination candidates searched by active scan. The data is stored in the EEPROM 14 (step S13). Next, the scan control unit 20a determines whether wireless communication by the wireless communication processing unit 20d is in a communication state or a non-communication state (step S14). Here, the non-communication state means a so-called idle state in which the actual communication data is not transmitted although the connection state with the connection destination is maintained. If it is in the communication state, it is further determined whether or not the wireless communication by the wireless communication processing unit 20d is equal to or higher than a predetermined communication rate (step S15).

  As a result, if the communication rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined communication rate (YES in step S15), it is determined that the current communication is appropriate, and the period for executing the active scan is 90 seconds so as to suppress the influence on the communication as much as possible. (Step S16). On the other hand, if the communication rate is lower than the predetermined communication rate (NO in step S15), there is a possibility of switching the connection destination, so that the information on the connection destination candidate can be quickly acquired while suppressing the influence on communication. The period for executing the scan is set to 60 seconds (step S17). On the other hand, when the wireless communication by the wireless communication processing unit 20d is in a non-communication state (non-communication side in step S14), it means that no delay to the wireless communication occurs even if active scanning is performed. The period for executing the active scan is set to 30 seconds so that the connection destination candidate information can be acquired (step S18).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the period time has elapsed since the execution of the active scan (step S19). If the period time has not elapsed, the process from step S14 is executed again, while the period time has elapsed. If it is, the latest connection destination candidate information is searched by executing again the processing from step S13 for executing the active scan.

  As described above, according to the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, when the wireless connection destination is not set, the active scan is not executed, and accordingly, leakage of own information due to the active scan is appropriately prevented. be able to. Even when the active scan is not executed, when setting the wireless connection destination, it is possible to quickly display the information of the connection destination candidates already obtained by the passive scan.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the active scan is started when the wireless communication is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the wireless actual communication is started, the active scan is started. Scanning may be started. According to this, search data including its own information is transmitted only after the radio is actually output, and the occurrence of a situation in which its own information leaks can be suppressed as much as possible.

  In the above embodiment, the connection destination candidate is displayed when the connection setting start instruction is received. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a wireless connection is established, Alternatively, connection destination candidate information may be displayed every predetermined time.

In the above embodiment, the active scan is started when the connection destination is selected and set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the wireless confirmation screen 100, wireless is enabled. When an instruction to do so is accepted, execution of active scan may be started, or may be started at any time when it can be determined that the user has clearly indicated that the wireless connection is to be used. Note that it is possible to more appropriately prevent a situation in which device information is leaked by starting execution of active scan when more specific wireless communication settings are determined.
In the above embodiment, when wireless communication is not executed for a long time, the active scan may be switched to the passive scan. In this way, it is possible to appropriately suppress the occurrence of a situation in which self information leaks.

  In the above-described embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is described as an example of a communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any communication device capable of wireless communication may be used.

  In addition, each functional unit such as the reception processing unit 11b, the communication control unit 11c, and the scan control unit 20a in the above embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be configured by only a CPU, for example. It may be constituted by cooperating with a circuit such as, or may be constituted only by a circuit.

1 is a functional configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless confirmation screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless LAN setting screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the connection setting process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart of scan control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device, 11 CPU, 11a Display control part, 11b Reception processing part, 11c Communication control part, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 EEPROM, 15 Input I / F part, 16 Display processing part, 17 Scanner function part, 18 Printer Function unit, 19 Wired communication I / F unit, 20 Wireless communication I / F unit, 20a Scan control unit, 20b Active scan processing unit, 20c Passive scan processing unit, 20d Wireless communication processing unit, 21 Bus, 22 Key unit, 23 LCD.

Claims (5)

Wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data;
Storage means capable of holding data;
First search means for transmitting predetermined search data, executing active scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving response data for the search data, and holding the connection destination candidates in the storage means;
A second search means for performing a passive scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving notification data from the surroundings, and holding the connection destination candidates in the storage means;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to start using the wireless communication means;
A connection destination selection means for selecting a connection destination when communicating the actual communication data from the connection destination candidates held in the storage means;
Execute the second search means, execute the connection destination selection means when the accepting means receives a use start instruction, and execute the first search means when a connection destination is selected by the connection destination selection means And a search control means for
The search control means controls the execution interval of the active scan when the actual communication data is communicated by the wireless communication means to be longer than the execution interval of the active scan when the actual communication data is not communicated. machine. Wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data;
Storage means capable of holding data;
First search means for transmitting predetermined search data, executing active scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving response data for the search data, and holding the connection destination candidates in the storage means;
A second search means for performing a passive scan for searching for connection destination candidates by receiving notification data from the surroundings, and holding the connection destination candidates in the storage means;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to start using the wireless communication means;
A connection destination selection means for selecting a connection destination when communicating the actual communication data from the connection destination candidates held in the storage means;
Execute the second search means, execute the connection destination selection means when the accepting means receives a use start instruction, and execute the first search means when a connection destination is selected by the connection destination selection means And a search control means for
The search control means makes the execution interval of the active scan when the communication speed of the actual communication data by the wireless communication means is high longer than the execution interval of the active scan when the communication speed of the actual communication data is low To control the communication equipment . The search control means includes
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the connection with the connection destination is disconnected, the execution of the active scan by the first search unit is stopped and the passive scan is executed by the second search unit. Item 3. The communication device according to Item 2. Performing passive scan to search for connection destination candidates by receiving notification data from the surroundings, and holding the connection destination candidates in a storage means capable of holding data; and
Receiving a use start instruction for wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data;
Upon receiving the use start instruction, selecting a connection destination when communicating the actual communication data from connection destination candidates held in the storage unit;
When the connection destination is selected, a predetermined search data is transmitted, and response data for the search data is received to execute an active scan for searching for a connection destination candidate. Executing the active scan execution interval so as to be longer than the active scan execution interval during non-communication of the actual communication data, and holding the connection destination candidate in the storage unit;
A search control method comprising: Performing passive scan to search for connection destination candidates by receiving notification data from the surroundings, and holding the connection destination candidates in a storage means capable of holding data; and
Receiving a use start instruction for wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating predetermined actual communication data;
Upon receiving the use start instruction, selecting a connection destination when communicating the actual communication data from connection destination candidates held in the storage unit;
When the connection destination is selected, the transmission speed of the actual communication data is determined when an active scan is performed to search for connection destination candidates by transmitting predetermined search data and receiving response data for the search data. Executing the active scan execution interval in the case of high so as to be longer than the execution interval of the active scan in the case where the communication speed of the actual communication data is low, and holding the connection destination candidate in the storage unit;
A search control method comprising:

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