JP2005236828A - Image processor and setting method for wireless connection information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor in which the setting regarding its wireless communication is simple when each device such as an image pickup device and a device for printing an image is provided with a wireless communication function. <P>SOLUTION: When the image pickup device and the image processor are connected by wire, the connection state of the wireless communication is held if the image pickup device and the image processor are connected by wireless communication. If the image pickup device and the image processor are not connected by wireless communication, the non-connection state of the wireless communication is held. If the connection state is held, the setting information of the wireless communication is acquired from the image pickup device or the image processor. While, if the non-connection state is held, the setting information of the wireless communication is acquired by the image pickup device or the image processor through wired communication. The acquired setting information of the wireless communication is stored and held. The wireless communication environment is set on the basis of the stored and held setting information. The wireless communication between the image pickup device and the image processor is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  In recent years, in wired communication, a standard that can be used immediately by simply connecting various devices with a cable (cable) and a product that implements the standard have appeared (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  For example, a digital bridge camera (hereinafter referred to as “DSC”) and a printer are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and PictBridge (CIPA DC-001) that can be printed by the printer has been standardized.

  When a DSC using this standard and a printer are connected by USB, the printer can perform printing, and thereafter, by simply specifying an image to be printed on the user interface of the DSC, a printing operation is executed. be able to. The DSC is provided with a liquid crystal display and various keys for confirming captured images and the like.

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

  Next, a conventional method for connecting a wireless communication device will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional wireless communication system CS11 that can transmit data using wireless communication means.

  In a conventional wireless communication system CS11, DSCs (digital still cameras) 101 to 103 are equipped with a wireless communication function, and printers 104 and 106 are mounted with a DSC or a wireless communication function using wireless communication means. Data can be transmitted to and from the storage device 105.

  FIG. 13 shows a printer to which data is transmitted when a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE 802.11 is used in an ad hoc mode (a mode in which direct communication is not performed via a relay station) as a wireless communication unit in the conventional wireless communication system CS11. Is a flowchart showing an operation of searching for the DSC.

  Here, a new DSC is brought into an existing ad hoc mode wireless LAN communication system and connected to a printer.

  When connecting the DSC to the printer in the ad hoc mode, first, set the SSID (Service Set Identifier) in the DSC (S301), and set the encryption key to prevent eavesdropping in wireless communication as necessary. (S302) The ad hoc mode is set as the wireless communication mode (S303), and a device on the wireless network is searched (S304). Then, a printer to be printed is selected from devices on the wireless network (S305), and wireless communication is established. The operation when a wireless connection is attempted with the storage device 105 is the same as the above operation.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional radio communication system CS12.

  In the conventional wireless communication system CS12, the steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 are used even when the wireless LAN infrastructure mode (indirect communication mode for communication via the relay station 117) conforming to IEEE 802.11 is used as the wireless communication means. By setting the infrastructure mode in S303, the printers 114 and 116 can be searched and selected in the same manner as described above.

  A method is conceivable in which the above two means are combined, the DSC and the printer are directly connected by wireless communication, and the captured images are directly output to the printers 114 and 116. In this case, setting information necessary for wireless communication must be set in the DSC and printer by some method. In this case, for example, an SSID or encryption key may be registered in advance in a printer or DSC at the time of product shipment, and the DSC and printer may be wired by a USB cable and an SSID and encryption key may be set in the DSC. It is done.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of controlling a printer in the conventional wireless communication system CS12.

  First, the printer and DSC are connected by USB (S401). The printer transmits the wireless communication setting information of the printer to the DSC (S402). The DSC registers the setting information received from the printer as setting information for wireless communication with the printer (S403).

By such a method, setting information for common wireless communication is set between the printer and the DSC, whereby the printer and the DSC can be wirelessly connected, and output processing is performed.
JP 2003-008576 A

  In the above conventional example, when the printer is shipped, the SSID and the encryption key are registered in the printer in advance, and the DSC and the printer are wired with a USB cable so that the SSID and the encryption key are set in the DSC. If an incorrect DSC and printer are connected, an undesired SSID and encryption key are set in the DSC, and the valid SSID and encryption key set in the DSC are overwritten, and the valid SSID and encryption are deleted. There is a problem that it sometimes happens.

  In the above conventional example, every time the DSC and the printer are wired with a USB cable, the wireless information such as the SSID and encryption key of the printer is set in the DSC. Even if it is desired to communicate with the selected printer, if the information of another printer is set thereafter, the same printer and DSC must be re-wired to reset the wireless information. .

An object of the present invention is to simplify settings related to wireless communication when each device such as an imaging apparatus or an apparatus that prints a captured image has a wireless communication function.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information, a determination means that determines a wireless connection state of a first device connected by wire, and a determination by the determination means An image processing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting wireless connection information of the first apparatus as wireless connection information of the image processing apparatus.

  In addition, in the image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information, according to the determination by the determination means for determining the wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire, and the determination by the determination means, An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit wireless connection information set in the image processing apparatus as wireless connection information set in the first apparatus.

  Further, in a setting method for setting wireless connection information for wireless communication in an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information, the wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire is determined. And a setting step of setting the wireless connection information of the first device as the wireless connection information of the image processing device in accordance with the determination in the determination step.

Further, in a setting method for setting wireless connection information for wireless communication in an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information, the wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire is determined. And a transmission step of transmitting wireless connection information set in the image processing device as wireless connection information set in the first device according to the determination in the determination step. This is the setting method.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that the wireless communication environment setting between the devices which have a wireless communication means is simple, and can reduce the burden given to a user.

  A common point between the embodiments of the present invention is that a DSC (digital still camera) as an imaging device and a processing device that processes (prints and saves) a captured image, such as a printer or a storage device (storage device). The setting information necessary for wireless connection between the devices and printing and saving of the captured image is easily changed to common setting information between the devices.

  In each embodiment, devices are connected once by wire, and at this time, the setting information is shared (shared).

  The first embodiment is a method in which a DSC (digital still camera) is connected to a printer or storage device with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and an initial setting of a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE 802.11 is performed.

  In IEEE 802.11, there are a plurality of communication modes depending on the communication mode. Hereinafter, each communication mode will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system that enables data transmission using wireless communication means.

  The DSCs 1 to 3 directly transmit data between the DSCs 1 to 3 using the wireless communication means, or directly between the DSCs 1 to 3 and the printer 4, 6, or the storage device 5 using the wireless communication function. A communication mode for performing data transmission is referred to as an “ad hoc mode”.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a wireless communication system that enables data transmission using wireless communication means.

  The DSCs 11 to 13 transmit data between the DSCs via the access point 17 using wireless communication means, or data between the DSCs 11 to 13 and the printers 14, 16, or the storage device 15 via the access point 17. A communication mode for transmitting and communicating data is referred to as an “infrastructure mode”.

  That is, a communication mode in which data is directly transmitted between devices without using an access point is called an ad hoc mode, and a communication mode in which data is transmitted between devices through an access point is called an infrastructure mode.

  First, the DSC, printer, and storage device used in the first embodiment will be described in order.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the DSC 1 in the above embodiment.

  The DSC 1 includes an imaging unit 22, an imaging processing unit 23, a wireless communication function unit 24, an RF unit 25, a display unit 26, a display processing unit 27, a memory card I / F 28, a memory card 29, and a DSC. The operation unit 30, system controller 31, USB I / F 32, flash ROM 33, audio I / F 34, CPU 35, ROM 36, and RAM 37.

  The imaging unit 22 is a block that captures an image when the shutter is pressed, and the captured image is processed by the imaging processing unit 23.

  The wireless communication function unit 24 is a block that performs wireless communication. The RF unit 25 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices.

  The display unit 26 is a block that displays information for the user, such as an LCD display, an LED display, and a voice display. The display processing unit 27 controls the display contents. Further, an operation such as selecting from information displayed on the display unit 26 is performed in conjunction with the operation unit 30. That is, the display unit 26 and the operation unit 30 constitute a user interface. The memory card I / F 28 is an interface for connecting the memory card 29.

  The operation unit 30 of the DSC is connected to the CPU 35 via the system controller 31 and includes a shutter switch and various keys of the DSC 1. The USB I / F 32 is an interface for connecting to an external device via USB.

  The flash ROM 33 is a non-volatile storage area, and stores wireless communication setting information and the like. The captured image data is written (stored) in the memory card 29 via the memory card I / F 28 through a known compression process. The audio I / F 34 is an interface for communicating sound signals with external devices.

  Each functional part is processed under the control of the CPU 35, and a program controlled by the CPU 35 is stored in the ROM 36 or the flash ROM 33. Further, data processed by the CPU 35 is written into and read from the RAM 37 or the flash ROM 33.

  The configurations of DSCs 2, 3, 11 to 13 are the same as the configuration of DSC1.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the printer 4 in the above embodiment.

  The printer 4 includes a print engine 42, a print processing unit 43, a wireless communication function unit 44, an RF unit 45, a display unit 46, a display processing unit 47, a memory card I / F 48, a memory card 49, The operation unit 50, the system controller 51, the USB I / F 52, the flash ROM 53, the parallel I / F 54, the CPU 55, the ROM 56, and the RAM 57 are included.

  The print engine 42 is a functional block that actually prints an image on paper, and prints the image processed by the print processing unit 43. The print engine 42 may be any type, and in the above-described embodiment, the print engine 42 is an ink jet printer that ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium such as recording paper by thermal energy.

  The wireless communication function unit 44 is a block that performs wireless communication, and the RF unit 45 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices.

  The display unit 46 displays information for the user, such as LCD display, LED display, audio display, and the like, and the display content is controlled by the control of the display processing unit 47. Operations such as selection from information displayed on the display unit 46 are performed via the operation unit 50. That is, the display unit 46 and the operation unit 50 are user I / Fs of the printer 4.

  The memory card I / F 48 is an interface for connecting a removable memory card 49, and a captured image can be printed by inserting a memory card mounted in the DSC 1.

  The operation unit 50 is connected to the CPU 55 via the system controller 51.

  The USB I / F 52 is an interface for connecting to an external device via USB, and the parallel I / F 54 is an interface for connecting to an external device (mainly a host computer) using parallel communication. These functional parts are processed by the control of the CPU 55, the program controlled by the CPU 55 is stored in the ROM 56 or the flash ROM 53, and the data processed by the CPU 55 is written to and read from the RAM 57 or the flash ROM 53.

  The flash ROM 53 is a non-volatile storage area and stores wireless communication setting information and the like.

  The configurations of the printers 6, 14, and 16 are the same as the configuration of the printer 4.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the storage device 5 in the above embodiment.

  The storage device 5 includes a storage device 62, a storage device processing unit 63, a wireless communication function unit 64, an RF unit 65, a display unit 66, a display processing unit 67, a memory card I / F 68, and a memory card 69. An operation unit 70, a system controller 71, a USB I / F 72, a flash ROM 73, an ETHERI / F 74, a CPU 75, a ROM 76, and a RAM 77.

  The storage device 62 is a large-capacity memory, and stores and reads data by processing by the storage device processing unit 63. The storage device 5 is preferably a large-capacity storage device, that is, a hard disk device, but in some cases, a relatively large-capacity portable storage medium such as a CD-R, a CD-RW medium, a writable DVD medium, It may be a media writing drive such as MO media.

  The display unit 66 is a block that displays information for the user, such as an LCD display, an LED display, and an audio display, and is processed by the display processing unit 67. In addition, an operation such as selecting from information displayed on the display unit 66 is performed via the operation unit 70. That is, the display unit 66 and the operation unit 70 constitute a user I / F of the storage device 5 in the embodiment.

  The wireless communication function unit 64 is a block that performs wireless communication, and the RF unit 65 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from other wireless communication devices. The memory card I / F 68 is an interface for connecting a memory card 69 (a DSC memory card is inserted and directly stored).

  The operation unit 70 is connected to the CPU 75 via the system controller 71.

  The USB I / F 72 is an interface for connecting to an external device via USB, and the ETHER I / F 74 is an interface for connecting to an external device using ETHER communication.

  The functional parts shown in these block diagrams are processed by the control of the CPU 75, the program controlled by the CPU is stored in the ROM 76 or the flash ROM 73, and the data processed by the CPU is the RAM 77 or the flash ROM 73. Are written and read. The flash ROM 73 is a non-volatile storage area, and stores wireless communication setting information and the like.

  The configurations of the DSC 1, the printer 4, and the storage device 5 in the present embodiment have been described above.

  Note that the RF units 25, 45, and 65 of the DSC 1, the printer 4, and the storage device 5 are each provided with an antenna and do not necessarily have a form protruding outward. In particular, in the case of DSC1, since portability is an important factor, it is desirable that the antenna is not built in, but mounted on the surface or mounted on the surface.

  The configuration of the storage device 15 is the same as the configuration of the storage device 5.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example for performing initial setting of wireless communication according to the first embodiment.

  When performing the initial setting of the wireless communication in the first embodiment, the DSC 1 and the printer 4 or the storage device 5 are connected by a wired cable (USB).

  Next, the operation in the radio communication system CS1 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing control of each communication device coupled with each USB cable and image data output processing.

  The DSCs 1, 2, and 3 are not connected to the wireless network, and this fact is stored in the flash ROM 33. The printers 4 and 6 and the storage device 5 are also in a “wireless disconnected state” that is not connected to the wireless network, and this fact is stored in the flash ROM 33.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communication setting information set as an initial value in the printers 4 and 6 in the first embodiment.

  This setting information is, for example, communication mode information (ad hoc, infrastructure mode), SSID, and operation channel information necessary for connecting to a wireless network.

  Although not described in FIG. 10, information for identifying devices such as a DSC, a printer, and a storage device may be provided. These pieces of identification information may be rewritten using the operation units 50 and 70 and the display units 46 and 66.

  In the sequence shown in FIG. 7, first, the printer 4 and the DSC 1 are connected by USB (wired connection) (901). In the printer 4, for example, an initial setting operation is started by pressing a power button while pressing a reset button, or providing an “initialization start button” and pressing the button.

  First, the printer 4 transmits, via the USB I / F 52, a request command “wireless function confirmation request” for confirming that the DSC 1 has a wireless communication means (902). The contents of the requested wireless function include, for example, means for confirming that predetermined information (information indicating that the wireless communication function is provided) is stored in the flash ROM 33 or the ROM 36 of the DSC 1. It is a function that tells to execute.

  If no response is received in the printer 4 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the connected device (DSC1) does not support at least wired or wireless direct printing, and the process ends.

  The DSC 1 that has received the “wireless function confirmation request” includes wireless communication means as shown in FIG. 1, and this fact is indicated as “wireless function confirmation response” via the USB I / F 32 via the printer 4. (903).

  The printer 4 determines whether or not the connected device (DSC 1 in this case) has wireless communication means by confirming the content of the “wireless function confirmation response”. 903) is received and the response content is analyzed, so that the DSC 1 can obtain information having the wireless communication means.

  Next, the printer 4 transmits a “connection state confirmation request” for confirming the connection state to the wireless network by the DSC 1 via the USB I / F 52 (904). This request content is, for example, a request to inform DSC 1 to confirm predetermined information (whether it is connected or not connected to the wireless network) stored in flash ROM 33 of DSC 1.

  Here, since the connection state to the wireless network is still unconnected, that is, the DSC 1 is “wireless unconnected state”, this is referred to as a “connection state confirmation response” via the USB I / F 32. It responds to the printer 4 (905).

  Upon receiving the response, the printer 4 sets “wireless item setting information” having the wireless communication setting information as a parameter to the DSC 1 in order to set the wireless communication setting information shown in FIG. Transmission is performed via F52 (906). This request content is, for example, a request to inform DSC 1 to store the wireless communication setting information transmitted as a parameter in flash ROM 33 of DSC 1.

  Upon receiving the request, the DSC 1 stores the wireless communication setting information in the flash ROM 33 and responds to the printer 4 that the setting is completed via the USB I / F 32 (907).

  As described above, the wired connection (USB connection) is experienced once between the printer 4 in the first embodiment and the device that supports wireless communication, and information necessary for wireless communication between them is obtained. Can be shared or common.

  After the wireless communication setting information is transmitted from the printer 4 to the DSC 1, when the USB cable is disconnected and output from the DSC 1 to the printer 4 using the wireless communication, based on the acquired wireless communication setting information, the printer 4 Is searched for and wirelessly connected (908).

  At this time, since the DSC 1 and the printer 4 are in the wireless connection state, “flash connection state” is stored in the flash ROMs 33 and 53, respectively. Thereafter, when a “connection state confirmation request” is received, this state is returned to the request source.

  Thereafter, the DSC 1 transmits output data via wireless communication (909), and the printer 4 that has completed the output completes the output process by notifying completion of output similarly via wireless communication. (910).

  Next, an operation when the DSC 1 tries output processing to the printer 6 via wireless communication will be described.

  The DSC 1 and the printer 6 process a sequence up to “wireless function confirmation response” via the USB I / F 32 and the USB I / F 52 in the same procedure as described above (911 to 913).

  Here, since the DSC 1 is connected to the printer 4 in response to the “connection state confirmation request” performed by the printer 6, the USB I / F 32 indicates that the wireless connection state is “connection state confirmation response”. Through 915 to the printer 6 (915).

  The printer 6 that has received the response recognizes that the DSC 1 is already connected to another wireless network and cannot change the wireless setting information. Since the printer 6 is in a “wireless unconnected state”, the printer 6 uses the USB I / F 52 to acquire the wireless communication setting information registered in the DSC 1 in order to update the wireless communication setting information of the own device. Then, a “wireless item transmission request” is transmitted to DSC 1 (916).

  Upon receiving the request, the DSC 1 sends a “wireless item setting request” via the USB I / F 32 using wireless communication setting information (in this case, the same setting information as the printer 4 stored in the flash ROM 33 in S907) as a parameter. Then, it responds to the printer 6 (917).

  Upon receiving the response, the printer 6 stores the wireless communication setting information from the DSC 1 in the flash ROM 53 and sends a “wireless item setting response” to notify the printer 6 that the setting has been completed, and the USB I / F 52. To the DSC1 through the network (918).

  Thereafter, by performing the same operation as described above in the DSC 1, output processing using wireless communication can be performed in the printer 6 (919 to 921).

  Furthermore, here, it is assumed that the DSC 3 that is in a “wireless connection state” with another wireless network wirelessly connects to the printer 4 and attempts output. The sequence up to “wireless function confirmation response” is processed via the USB I / F 32 and the USB I / F 52 in the same procedure as above (922 to 924).

  When receiving the “connection state confirmation request” from the printer 4, the DSC 3 responds via the USB I / F 32 as “connection state confirmation response” via the USB I / F 32 (925, 926). ).

  The printer 4 that has received the response transmits a “not connectable notification” to the USB I / F 52 because the own device (printer 4) and the DSC 3 are already connected to other wireless networks. 927).

  These processes can prevent the wireless communication setting information from being easily rewritten even if the DSC 1 and the printer 4 are erroneously connected to the USB and the initial setting is performed.

  FIG. 7 shows the operation of the DSC 1 and the printer 4, but the DSC 1 and the storage device 5 may operate in the same manner as the operation shown in FIG. 7.

The first embodiment has the system configuration in the ad hoc mode shown in FIG. 1, but the same applies to the system configuration in the infrastructure mode shown in FIG. However, in this case, the item “communication mode” in FIG. 10 is “infrastructure”.

  In the first embodiment, when the DSC 1 is connected to the printer 4 via USB (wired connection), the wireless communication setting information of the printer 4 is transmitted to the DSC (digital still camera) 1 and stored / registered. However, the second embodiment of the present invention is the reverse embodiment.

  That is, the second embodiment is an embodiment in which the wireless communication setting information of the DCS 1 is transmitted to the printer 4 and stored / registered. The second embodiment is a preferable example particularly when a plurality of DSCs are used by a company or the like.

  Next, in the second embodiment, an operation for transmitting the wireless communication setting information of the DSC 1 to the printer 4 and storing / registering it will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration for performing the initial setting of wireless communication is the configuration shown in FIG. 8, and the DSC 1 and the printer 4 or the storage device 5 are connected by a wired cable (USB).

  FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing operations when DSCs 1 and 2 and the printer 4 are coupled with each other with a USB cable in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The DSC 1, 2, printer 4, and storage device 5 in the second embodiment have the same configurations as those shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, respectively.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communication setting information set as an initial value in the DSCs 1, 2, and 3 in the second embodiment.

  First, the DSCs 1, 2, and 3 are not connected to the wireless network, and this fact is stored in each flash ROM 33, and setting information necessary for wireless communication as shown in FIG. It is stored in each flash ROM 33. The printers 4 and 6 and the storage device 5 are also in a “wireless disconnected state” that is not connected to the wireless network, and this fact is stored in the flash ROM 33.

  The wireless communication setting information set as an initial value in the DSC 1 is, for example, communication mode information (ad hoc, infrastructure mode), SSID, operation channel information, and the like necessary for connection to a wireless network.

  Although not shown in FIG. 11, information for identifying devices such as the DSC 1, the printer 4, and the storage device 5 may be provided. These pieces of information may be rewritten using the operation unit 30 and the display unit 26.

  In FIG. 8, the printer 4 and DSC 1 are connected by USB (wired connection) (1001). In DSC 1, for example, the power button is pressed while pressing the shutter button, or an “initialization start button” is provided, and the initialization start button is pressed to start the initial setting operation.

  First, the DSC 1 transmits a request command “wireless function confirmation request” for confirming that the printer 4 holds the wireless communication means via the USB I / F 32 (1002). This request content is, for example, a request to inform the printer 4 to confirm whether or not there is predetermined information (information indicating that it has a wireless communication function) in the flash ROM 53 or ROM 56 of the printer 4. .

  If the DSC 1 does not respond even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the connected device (printer 4) does not support at least wired or wireless direct printing, and the process ends.

  The printer 4 that has received the “wireless function confirmation request” includes wireless communication means, and responds this to the DSC 1 via the USB I / F 52 as a “wireless function confirmation response” (1003).

  The DSC 1 determines whether or not the connected device (in this case, the printer 4) has wireless communication means by confirming the content of the “wireless function confirmation response”. The DSC 1 that has received “1003” can analyze the response content and obtain information that the printer 4 has wireless communication means.

  Next, the DSC 1 transmits a “connection state confirmation request” for confirming the connection state of the printer 4 to the wireless network via the USB I / F 32 (1004). This request content is, for example, a request to inform the printer 4 to confirm predetermined information (whether it is connected or not connected to the wireless network) stored in the flash ROM 53 of the printer 4.

  Here, since the printer 4 is not yet connected to the wireless network, the printer 4 responds to the DSC 1 via the USB I / F 52 with “wireless unconnected state” as “connection state confirmation response” (1005). .

  Upon receiving the response, the DSC 1 sets the wireless communication setting information shown in FIG. 11 to the printer 4 by using the wireless communication setting information shown in FIG. 11 as a parameter and the USB I / F 32. To the printer 4 (1006). This request content is, for example, a request to inform the printer 4 that the flash ROM 53 of the printer 4 stores the wireless communication setting information transmitted as a parameter.

  Upon receiving the request, the printer 4 stores the wireless communication setting information in the flash ROM 53 and responds to the DSC 1 via the USB I / F 52 as a “wireless item setting response” to the effect that the setting has been completed (1007). .

  As described above, the DSC 1 according to the second embodiment and a device that supports wireless communication are connected once by wired, so that information necessary for wireless communication between them is shared or common. It can be.

  After the wireless communication setting information is transmitted from the DSC 1 to the printer 4, when the USB cable is disconnected and the DSC 1 outputs to the printer 4 using the wireless communication, the printer 4 is based on the set wireless communication setting information. Are searched for and wirelessly connected (1008).

  At this time, since the DSC 1 and the printer 4 are in the “wireless connection state”, this fact is stored in the flash ROMs 33 and 53, respectively. Thereafter, when a “connection state confirmation request” is received, this state is returned to the request source.

  Thereafter, the DSC 1 transmits the output data via wireless communication (1009), and the printer 4 that has completed the output completes the output process by notifying completion of output similarly via the wireless communication ( 1010).

  Next, an operation in which the DSC 2 tries to cause the printer 4 to output via wireless communication will be described.

  The DSC 2 and the printer 4 process a sequence up to “wireless function confirmation response” via the USB I / F 32 and the USB I / F 52 in the same procedure as described above (1011 to 1013).

  Here, in response to the “connection state confirmation request” from the DSC 2, the printer 4 is currently connected to the DSC 1, so that the “connection state confirmation response” indicates “wireless connection state” via the USB I / F 52. To respond (1015).

  The DSC 2 that has received the response recognizes that the printer 4 is already connected to another wireless network and the wireless setting information of the printer 4 cannot be changed. The DSC 2 transmits a “wireless item transmission request” via the USB I / F 32 in order to acquire the wireless communication setting information registered in the printer 4 in order to update the wireless communication setting information of the own device (DSC 2). (1016).

  Upon receiving the request, the printer 4 sends a “wireless item setting request” via the USB I / F 52 using wireless communication setting information (in this case, the same setting information as DSC 1 stored in the flash ROM 53 in S1007) as a parameter. And responds to DSC2 (1017).

  Upon receiving the response, the DSC 2 stores the wireless communication setting information from the printer 4 in the flash ROM 33, and responds to the printer 4 via the USB I / F 32 with a “wireless item setting response” indicating that the setting has been completed. (1018).

  Thereafter, the same operation as described above is performed in the DSC 1, so that the DSC 2 can perform processing to output to the printer 4 using wireless communication (1019 to 1021).

  Although not shown in FIG. 8, the DSC 3 can perform the same processing as described above. As a result, the DSC 1, DSC 2, and DSC 3 can share the printer 4.

  In FIG. 8, an example of operation in the DSC 1 and the printer 4 is shown. However, in the processing in the DSC 1 and the storage device 5, processing similar to the above can be performed.

Further, the second embodiment has the system configuration in the ad hoc mode shown in FIG. 1, but the same applies to the system configuration in the infrastructure mode shown in FIG. However, in that case, the item “communication mode” in FIG. 11 becomes “infrastructure”.

  The first embodiment and the second embodiment are embodiments in which the DSC 1 wirelessly communicates with the printer 4 used as a default and enables output processing. The third embodiment of the present invention, for example, This is an embodiment in which output processing is temporarily performed by wireless communication at an outside location or the like, and output processing by temporary wireless communication between the DSC 1 and the printer 4 is possible.

  The system configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment.

  Next, the control processing operation in the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a control processing operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the wireless communication system CS1 shown in FIG. 1, processing similar to that described in the first embodiment is executed, the DSC 1 and the printer 4 are set to a state in which output is possible in the wireless communication state, and the DSC 3 and the printer 4 are connected. Then, the wireless communication state is set so that output is possible.

  Here, it is assumed that the DSC 3 tries to temporarily output to the printer 4. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 8, the DSC 3 and the printer 4 are connected by a wired cable (USB) (1101).

  In DSC 3, for example, the power button is pressed while pressing the reset button, or a “temporary connection button” is provided, and the operation state is changed to the temporary connection state by pressing the temporary button (1102).

  Thereafter, the same processing as described in the first embodiment is performed (1103 to 1107), and the DSC 3 records the acquired wireless communication setting information in the flash ROM 33 as “temporary connection state wireless communication setting information”. Then, a response to the effect that the setting has been completed is sent to the printer 4 via the USB I / F 32 (1108).

  Thereafter, when the DSC 3 operates in the “temporary connection state”, the DSC 3 searches the printer 4 based on the “temporary connection state wireless communication setting information” stored in the flash ROM 33, detects the printer 4, By performing the same operation as in the first embodiment, output processing in the printer 4 becomes possible (1109 to 1111).

  When the DSC 3 performs output processing to the printer 6 that is set as default, the DSC 3 provides a “temporary connection state release button” or a “temporary connection state release button” while holding down the reset button, for example. The temporary connection state is canceled by pressing a release button or the like (1112), and the operation state is changed to the “wireless connection state” that is the previous state of the temporary connection state (1113).

  The DSC 3 searches for the printer 6 based on the wireless communication setting information stored in the flash ROM 33, detects the registered printer 6, and enables output processing (1114 to 1116).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation example in the DSCs 1 and 3 and the printer 4 has been shown. However, in the processing in the DSCs 1 and 3 and the storage device 5, processing similar to the above can be performed.

  Further, the third embodiment has the system configuration in the ad hoc mode shown in FIG. 1, but the same applies to the system configuration in the infrastructure mode shown in FIG. However, in that case, the item “communication mode” in FIG. 10 becomes “infrastructure”.

  The third embodiment is an embodiment in which the DSC 3 is provided with a temporary connection state, and the wireless communication setting information of the printer 4 is transmitted to the DSC 3 to be stored and registered. The wireless communication setting information of the DSC 3 may be transmitted to the printer 4 to be stored / registered. In this case, in the case shown in FIG. 9, the DSC 3 obtains wireless communication setting information from the printer 4 in the “wireless connection state”. By using the initial value of the printer 4, wireless communication is enabled.

  Further, when the DSC 1 and the printer 4 are operating in the “temporary connection state”, the wireless communication setting information may be erroneously updated, so that connection by wireless communication is impossible.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the wireless communication environment setting between devices having wireless communication means is simple, and the burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, depending on the wireless connection status of the wired partner, the wireless connection information of the partner is set on the own device, or the partner is set with the wireless connection information of the own device. Connection information can be set.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which enables data transmission using a radio | wireless communication means. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which enables data transmission using a radio | wireless communication means. It is a block diagram which shows DSC1 in the said Example. It is a functional block diagram which shows the printer 4 in the said Example. It is a functional block diagram which shows the storage device 5 in the said Example. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example for performing initial setting of wireless communication in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a sequence chart which shows control of each communication device couple | bonded with each USB cable, and the output process of image data. In Example 2 of this invention, DSC1 and 2 and the printer 4 are each a sequence chart which shows operation | movement at the time of couple | bonding with a USB cable. It is a sequence diagram which shows the control processing operation | movement in Example 3 of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communication setting information set as an initial value in the printers 4 and 6 in Embodiment 1. FIG. In Example 2, it is a figure which shows the example of the radio | wireless communication setting information set to DSC1, 2, 3 as an initial value. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional radio | wireless communications system CS11 which can transmit data using a radio | wireless communication means. In the conventional wireless communication system CS11, when a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE802.11 is used in an ad hoc mode (a mode in which direct communication is not performed via a relay station) as a wireless communication unit, the DSC determines a printer to which data transmission is to be performed. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which searches. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional radio | wireless communications system CS12. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which controls a printer in the conventional radio | wireless communications system CS12.

Explanation of symbols

CS1, CS2 ... wireless communication system,
1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13 ... DSC,
4, 6, 14, 16 ... printer,
5, 15 ... Storage device,
17: Access point.

Claims (12)

In an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information,
Determining means for determining a wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire;
Setting means for setting wireless connection information of the first apparatus as wireless connection information of the image processing apparatus in accordance with the determination by the determination means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The wireless connection information set in the image processing apparatus is transmitted to the first apparatus in order to set the wireless connection information of the image processing apparatus in the first apparatus according to the determination by the determination means. An image processing apparatus comprising a transmission unit. In claim 1,
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the determination means determines a wireless connection state between the first device and another device.   An image processing apparatus comprising: a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using the wireless connection information set by the setting unit. In claim 1,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the setting unit performs the setting according to a wireless connection state of the image processing apparatus and a wireless connection state of the first apparatus. In claim 5,
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the setting means does not perform new setting of wireless connection information when both the image processing apparatus and the first apparatus are in a wireless connection state. In claim 1,
The wireless connection information set by the setting means is used as a temporary setting, and switching means for switching the setting for wireless connection between the temporary setting and another setting according to a predetermined operation is provided. Image processing device. In claim 1,
The image processing apparatus is an image pickup apparatus, a printer, or a storage device. In claim 1,
The wireless connection information includes any of mode information related to a mode for connecting to a wireless network, identification information for connecting to a wireless network, operation channel information when performing wireless communication, and encryption information when performing wireless communication. An image processing apparatus. In an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information,
Determining means for determining a wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire;
Transmission means for transmitting wireless connection information set in the image processing apparatus as wireless connection information set in the first apparatus in response to the determination by the determination means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In a setting method for setting wireless connection information for wireless communication in an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information.
A determination step of determining a wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire;
A setting step of setting the wireless connection information of the first device as the wireless connection information of the image processing device according to the determination in the determination step;
The setting method characterized by having. In a setting method for setting wireless connection information for wireless communication in an image processing apparatus that includes wired and wireless communication means and processes image information.
A determination step of determining a wireless connection state of the first device connected by wire;
A transmission step of transmitting wireless connection information set in the image processing device as wireless connection information set in the first device according to the determination in the determination step;
The setting method characterized by having.

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