JP2006261852A - Radio communications equipment and communication method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radio communications equipment for reducing communication interruption due to sudden switching, because radio communication suppresses switching of network communication mode, until an information processor completes at least the processing request. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communications equipment is connected to the information processor to allow the information processor to communicate with the other radio communications equipment. The radio communications equipment suppresses switching of a network communication mode, until this information processor completes a processing request transmitted from any radio communications equipment, even if the switching instruction of the network communication mode is entered during processing of the processing request by the information processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus in a wireless LAN or the like.

  The wireless LAN system is expected to become more widespread in the future because it is not necessary to install a LAN cable and the mobility of the PC can be easily secured.

  In the IEEE802.11 wireless LAN system that is currently in widespread use, communication can be performed by switching between a basic (infrastructure) mode and an ad hoc mode. The basic mode is a network communication mode in which communication is performed via a relay node such as an access point. The ad hoc mode is a network communication mode in which terminals communicate directly with each other without using a relay node.

By the way, although it does not relate to the network communication mode as in the present invention, the communication mode for transmitting only the image of the conference participant and the communication mode for transmitting the image on the electronic blackboard are set between the own device and the opposite device. A communication mode changing circuit that automatically switches is proposed (Patent Document 1). According to the invention described in this document, when the communication mode is changed by one of the own device and the opposite device, the other automatically follows the communication mode and automatically changes the communication mode. The communication mode can be changed only after a predetermined prohibition period has elapsed.
JP-A-3-207147

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the communication mode of one device is changed between the own device and the opposite device, the communication mode of the other device is changed following the change. In addition, it is assumed that communication partners are the same. Therefore, the premise of the system that switches the communication mode in order to change the communication partner (device or network) as in the wireless LAN system and the invention described in Patent Document 1 are greatly different.

  Incidentally, a wireless communication device (for example, a wireless LAN adapter) for connecting an information processing device such as a printer to a wireless LAN communicates with a PC or the like via an access point in the basic mode, and wirelessly in the ad hoc mode. It can communicate directly with a digital camera or the like with a built-in LAN function. Since such a wireless communication apparatus has a relatively small and simple configuration, it may be desirable to switch between the basic mode and the ad hoc mode using a hardware switch or the like.

  If such a hardware switch is provided, the operator can easily switch the network communication mode. However, if the network communication mode is forcibly changed, the currently running communication can be performed. May cause severe damage such as disruption.

  Moreover, the method (patent document 1) which prevents the change of a communication mode only for a predetermined period is also inadequate. This is because there is no need to wait for a predetermined period if there is no communication currently being executed, and even if there is a communication currently being executed, it is not necessarily terminated after the predetermined period.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve at least one of such problems and other problems. Other issues can be understood throughout the specification.

  The present invention is a wireless communication device that communicates between an information processing device and another wireless communication device by connecting to the information processing device, and receives a processing request transmitted from any other wireless communication device. Even if a network communication mode switching instruction is input while the information processing apparatus is processing, switching of the network communication mode is suppressed at least until the information processing apparatus completes the processing request.

  In addition, by connecting to the information processing device, the wireless communication device that communicates between the information processing device and another wireless communication device, in response to detection of a network communication mode switching instruction applied to wireless communication, The state of the information processing apparatus is determined, and the network communication mode is switched according to the determination result.

  According to the present invention, communication interruption due to unexpected switching will be reduced. For example, since the switching of the network communication mode is suppressed at least until the information processing apparatus completes the processing request, the communication interruption due to the unexpected switching will be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a wireless LAN system will be described as an example of an information processing system according to the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a wireless LAN system according to the embodiment. This wireless LAN system is assumed to be compliant with IEEE 802.11. Of course, the present invention can be applied to any wireless communication standard that defines a plurality of network communication modes.

  The wireless communication device 101 is a so-called wireless LAN adapter, and is connected to an image output device 102 which is an example of an information processing device. The wireless communication device 101 communicates with other wireless communication devices via the wireless LAN access point 104 when the basic mode is applied, and wireless when the ad hoc mode is applied. Wireless communication is performed with another wireless communication device or the like without using the LAN access point 104.

  The image output device 102 wirelessly communicates with the image input device 103 such as a digital camera via the wireless communication device 101 and outputs image data received from the image input device 103. In this example, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 101 and the image input device 103 perform wireless communication in an ad hoc mode. The image output device 102 communicates with the PC 105 on the wired LAN or the PC 106 having the wireless LAN function via the wireless communication device 101 and the wireless LAN access point 104 in order, and outputs image data transmitted from the PC 105 or the PC 106. To do. The image output apparatus 102 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, or an image display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display apparatus.

  Needless to say, the image input device 103 and the PC 106 have a built-in or external wireless LAN adapter.

  FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of the wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment. When receiving wireless data, a wireless signal transmitted from another wireless communication apparatus is taken in from the antenna unit 201 and converted into a baseband signal in the high frequency processing unit 202. The converted baseband signal is converted into a digital signal in the baseband processing unit 203. The converted digital signal is converted into a predetermined data format in the medium access control (MAC) unit 204 and sent to the control unit 205. On the other hand, when wireless data is transmitted, processing is executed in the reverse order.

  The control unit 205 stores the data from the medium access control unit 204 in the memory 206 or transmits the data to a device or unit (such as the above-described image output device 102) connected thereto via the interface 207. . In addition, the control unit 205 holds data from a device or unit connected to the interface 207 in the memory 206 or sends the data to the medium access control unit 204. Further, the control unit 205 sends the data held in the memory 206 to the medium access control unit 204 or sends it to a device or unit connected thereto via the interface 207. In this way, the control unit 205 relays data between the interface 207 and the wireless interface such as the antenna unit 201. The display unit 208 is an output circuit that displays the state of each unit and displays data and messages. The input unit 209 is an input circuit such as a switch.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the wireless communication apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. The connector 301 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface connector which is an example of the interface 207. The light emitting diode 302 is an example or a part of the display unit 208, and a light emitting diode that emits yellow light and a light emitting diode that emits green light are mounted. The control unit 205 executes light emission control of the light emitting diode 302 so as to notify the user or the like of the currently set network communication mode. For example, the control unit 205 causes the light emitting diode 302 to emit yellow light when the wireless communication apparatus 101 is set to the ad hoc mode, and emits green light when the wireless communication device 101 is set to the basic mode. The push button switch 303 is an example or a part of the input unit 209 and functions as an input unit for switching instructions of the network communication mode. Each time the push button switch 303 is pressed, a network communication mode switching instruction is transmitted to the control unit 205.

  FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for controlling the wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment. This flowchart particularly corresponds to a subroutine related to switching of the network communication mode.

  In step S <b> 401, the control unit 205 acquires the state of the switch 303 of the input unit 209. That is, it is confirmed whether or not a network communication mode switching instruction is input.

  In step S <b> 402, the control unit 205 determines whether a switching instruction is input through the input unit 209. If no switching instruction is input, this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is input, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S <b> 403, the control unit 205 recognizes the operation status of the image output apparatus 102 connected via the interface 207. For example, it recognizes whether or not the image output apparatus 102 is processing a processing request transmitted from any other wireless communication apparatus. If processing is in progress (processing is incomplete), it is recognized as busy, and if processing has already been completed, it is recognized as idle.

  In step S404, the control unit 205 determines whether the recognized state is busy. If it is busy, the process proceeds to step S405. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S406, and the control unit 205 changes the network communication mode from the currently applied mode to another mode. For example, if the current basic mode is applied, the mode is switched to the ad hoc mode, while if the current ad hoc mode is applied, the mode is switched to the basic mode. The control unit 205 changes the light emission color of the light emitting diode 302 in order to notify what the network communication mode after switching is. Thereafter, this subroutine is terminated.

  In step S405, the control unit 205 suppresses switching of the network communication mode. For example, even if a switching instruction is issued in the input unit 209, it is ignored and switching is prohibited. Thereafter, this subroutine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless communication apparatus 101 suppresses switching of the network communication mode until the information processing apparatus such as the image output apparatus 102 completes the processing request. Communication disruption due to is reduced.

  In addition, since the information processing apparatus can complete the processing request, it is possible to save time and effort to issue the processing request again after failing to execute the processing request. For example, if the image output apparatus 102 is an image forming apparatus, image formation failure due to communication interruption can be reduced, so that the probability of wasting ink or toner, recording paper, etc. will be reduced. Of course, unnecessary power associated with re-execution will be unnecessary.

  Note that if the control unit 205 holds the switching instruction in the input unit 209 without clearing it, the execution of the switching instruction after the completion of the process can be reserved. As a result, a re-switching instruction to the input unit 209 can be omitted, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced. In the case of a push button type switch, since the instruction cannot be mechanically held, information (reserved information) indicating that the switching instruction is input may be held in the memory 206. The reserved information is deleted when the switching instruction is executed, or is changed to information indicating no reservation.

  In addition, the control unit 205 transmits, for example, a command for inquiring whether the image output apparatus 102 has completed the processing request to the image output apparatus 102 via the interface 207, and receives a response to the command. It is possible to recognize whether the processing request has been completed.

  For example, the control unit 205 controls the light emitting diode 302 of the display unit 208 to output information on the currently used network communication mode. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp the currently used network communication mode. For example, if the color of the light emitting diode 302 does not change even though the switch 303 is operated, it can be understood that the execution of the switching instruction is suppressed. When reservation of a switching instruction is applied, if the color of the light emitting diode 302 does not change even though the switch 303 is operated, the operator can grasp that the switching instruction is reserved. When the reservation process is executed, the control unit 205 can clearly notify the presence / absence of the reservation by causing the light emitting diode 302 to blink temporarily, for example, to emit light in a different manner.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 205 detects a network communication mode switching instruction applied to wireless communication, determines the state of the information processing apparatus according to the detection result, and determines the determination. The network communication mode can be switched according to the result.

[Second Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, a push button switch is applied as means for inputting a network communication mode switching instruction. However, since the push button type switch is configured to be conductive only while being pressed, generally, a switching instruction cannot be held. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example of applying another switch that can hold a switching instruction will be introduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light emitting diode 302 is used as an output unit that outputs information on at least one of the currently used network communication mode, whether a switching instruction can be executed, or a switching instruction reservation. Was. The light emitting diode 302 has an advantage that the mounting area is small and the cost is low, but the amount of information that can be expressed is relatively small. Therefore, an example of applying a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying more diverse information will be introduced.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary appearance of another wireless communication device according to the embodiment. In addition, about the location already demonstrated, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and description is simplified. Instead of the push button switch 303 described in FIG. 3, a switch 503 such as a slide switch or a toggle switch is employed. For example, when the switch 503 is switched to the ad hoc side (the left side in FIG. 5), High is logically input to the control unit 205. On the other hand, when the switch 503 is switched to the main side (the right side in FIG. 5), Low is logically input to the control unit 205. On the contrary, the ad hoc mode and Low may be associated with each other, and the basic mode and High may be associated with each other.

  In such a switch-type switch, once it is switched, the state can be mechanically held, so that a reservation for a switch instruction can be achieved with a simple configuration.

  According to FIG. 5, a liquid crystal display device 502 is further employed as the display unit 208 described above. Since the liquid crystal display device 502 can output images, characters, and the like, the amount of information that can be transmitted at a time is large. Therefore, the current state of the wireless communication device 101 can be expressed in more detail than the light emitting diode 302. For example, “Currently set to core mode.”, “Currently set to ad hoc mode.”, “Cannot perform communication mode switching.” Or “Communication mode switching is reserved. As described above, it is possible to notify the detailed state regarding the wireless communication apparatus 101.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by adopting the switch 503. That is, even if switching from the ad hoc mode to the core mode is instructed by the switch type switch 503, if there is a possibility that the ongoing communication in the image output apparatus 102 may be interrupted, the switching instruction is ignored or invalidated. By doing so, disruption of communication can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by adopting the switch type switch 503, an effect of holding a switching instruction can be obtained. That is, it is possible to reserve a switching instruction. Also, once a switching instruction is input, even if immediate switching is rejected by the control unit 205, it is not necessary to input it again. This will reduce the burden on the user.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by adopting the liquid crystal display device 502 for the display unit 208, it is possible to make the operator know the current state of the wireless communication device 101 in more detail than the light emitting diode 302. Become. Needless to say, the liquid crystal display device 502 is merely an example, and a self-luminous display device may be employed.

  In this embodiment, the switch type switch 503 and the liquid crystal display device 502 are applied at the same time, but only one of them may be replaced with the configuration of FIG. Further, the light emitting diode 302 and the liquid crystal display device 502 may be applied at the same time. When simultaneously applied, the current communication mode may be notified using the light emitting diode 302, and a detailed message at the time of switching may be notified using the liquid crystal display device 502. In order to enhance the power saving effect, the liquid crystal display device 502 may be automatically turned off under the control of the control unit 205 after displaying a message for a predetermined period.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the wireless communication apparatus 101 makes an inquiry to the image output apparatus 102 has been introduced as an example of means for acquiring the operation state of the image output apparatus 102. However, in order to realize the inquiry, it is necessary to mount a function for responding to the inquiry on the image output apparatus 102 side. Therefore, in this embodiment, another example of a unit that acquires the operation state of the image output apparatus 102 will be introduced.

  When transferring image data between the image output apparatus 102 and the image input apparatus 103, the PC 106 or the PC 105, an image transfer protocol (Picture Transfer Protocol, PIMA 15740: 2000, hereinafter referred to as PTP), which is one of information transfer protocols. Can be used. According to PTP, a start command is issued at the start of communication, and an end command is issued at the end of communication. Therefore, the control unit 205 recognizes whether or not the image output apparatus 102 is busy by monitoring the information transfer protocol. For example, it is recognized that the image output apparatus 102 is in a busy state from when the start command is issued until the end command is issued.

  FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart regarding a method for acquiring the state of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment. This flowchart is preferably executed substantially in parallel with the processing shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 601, the control unit 205 monitors the PTP state through the interface 207.

  In step S602, the control unit 205 determines whether a PTP start command is detected. If a start command is detected, the process proceeds to step S603, and the control unit 205 sets a flag. Assume that the flag is stored in the memory 206. Note that while the flag is set, it means that the image output apparatus 102 is in a process incomplete state or busy state.

  On the other hand, if the start command is not detected, the process proceeds to step S604, and the control unit 205 determines whether a PTP end command is detected. If it is not an end command, this subroutine ends. On the other hand, if an end command is detected, the process advances to step S605, and the control unit 205 resets the flag stored in the memory 206. When the flag is reset, it means that the image output apparatus 102 has completed processing and is in an idle state.

  The control unit 205 can recognize whether the image output apparatus 102 is in a busy state or an idle state by reading this flag from the memory 206 in step S403 described above. That is, it can be determined whether or not the network communication mode can be changed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the operation state of the image output apparatus 102 can be estimated from the state of an information transfer protocol such as PTP, there is an advantage that a direct inquiry to the image output apparatus 102 is not necessary.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, when the processing in the image output apparatus 102 is not completed, switching of the network communication mode is suppressed until at least completion. However, even if the image output apparatus 102 is in a switchable state, there are cases where switching should be continued. For example, the setting information of the network communication mode after switching is incomplete. In this case, there is a high possibility that the wireless communication apparatus 101 will not operate correctly even if it is switched. Therefore, in the present embodiment, switching to the network communication mode in which the setting information is incomplete is also suppressed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of setting information according to the embodiment. It is assumed that setting information for each network communication mode is stored in the memory 206 of the wireless communication apparatus 101. According to this example, the ad hoc mode setting information includes information 701 regarding SSID (Service Set ID), information 702 regarding presence / absence of encryption, information 703 regarding encryption key, and information 704 regarding frequency channel. More specifically, “abcabc” is set for the SSID, encryption is set to “ON”, “12345567890” is set for the encryption key, and the frequency channel is “1”. Is set. When the ad hoc mode is set, the control unit 205 reads and uses these values.

  On the other hand, the basic mode setting information includes information 705 regarding SSID, information 706 regarding presence / absence of encryption, and information 707 regarding encryption key. However, in the example of FIG. 7, the setting information for the basic mode is in an incomplete state. Since the basic mode setting information needs to match the setting information set in the access point 104, the initial value is often not set at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for controlling the wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment. In addition, description is simplified by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark to the already demonstrated location. If a switching instruction is detected in step S402, the process proceeds to step S803, and the control unit 205 reads setting information related to the next network communication mode from the memory 206.

  In step S804, the control unit 205 determines whether the read setting information is incomplete. For example, in the case of the current ad hoc mode, since the next mode is the basic mode, the control unit 205 reads the basic mode setting information. As described with reference to FIG. 7, if a part or all of the basic mode setting information is not set, it is determined to be incomplete. If it is incomplete, the process advances to step S405 to invalidate or ignore the switching instruction. On the other hand, if the setting information is complete, the process proceeds to step S406 to switch the network communication mode.

  Note that steps S803 and S804 may be inserted between step S404 and step S405 in the flowchart of FIG. Conversely, step S403 and step S404 may be inserted between step S804 and step S405 in the flowchart of FIG. In any of these cases, it is possible to suppress unnecessary and disruptive switching by considering the state of the image output apparatus and the setting information of the network communication mode.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 205 invalidates the switching instruction to the network communication mode in which the setting information is incomplete, so that it is possible to reduce communication interruption and useless switching processing. it can.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the switch state is first acquired, and then the image output device state, the information transfer protocol state, or the setting information state is acquired. However, it goes without saying that these orders may be reversed. That is, the control unit 205 may confirm the presence / absence of a switching instruction after acquiring the state of the image output device, the state of the information transfer protocol, or the state of the setting information. More specifically, the control unit 205 may confirm the presence / absence of a switching instruction only when the switching to another communication mode is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, a visual output device is used as an output unit that outputs information related to at least one of the currently used network communication mode, whether to execute a switching instruction, or reservation of a switching instruction. The example to use was explained. However, an acoustic output device may be employed instead of or together with the visual output device. Examples of the acoustic output device include a buzzer that outputs a warning sound and a voice circuit that outputs a voice message.

  In the above-described embodiment, the USB has been described as the interface 207, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various connection interfaces such as a parallel interface, a serial interface, IEEE1394, IrDA, or Bluetooth (TM) can be adopted.

1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a wireless LAN system according to an embodiment. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 101 which concerns on embodiment. It is an exemplary flowchart of the control method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example external appearance of the other radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 5 is an exemplary flowchart regarding a method for acquiring a state of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a memory | storage of the setting information which concerns on embodiment. It is an exemplary flowchart of the control method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Claims (12)

A wireless communication device that communicates with the information processing device and another wireless communication device by connecting to the information processing device,
An input means for inputting a network communication mode switching instruction applied to wireless communication;
When the information processing apparatus is processing a processing request transmitted from any other wireless communication apparatus and the switching instruction is input by the input unit, at least the processing request is completed. Is a wireless communication device including suppression means for suppressing switching of the network communication mode.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reservation means for making a reservation to execute the network communication mode switching instruction after the processing request is completed. Recognition means for recognizing completion of the processing request;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a switching execution unit that executes the reserved switching instruction when the recognition unit recognizes completion of the processing request.   4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recognizing means includes inquiry means for making an inquiry as to whether or not the processing request is completed with respect to the information processing apparatus.   The recognizing unit recognizes that the processing request has been completed when an information transfer protocol used between the information processing apparatus and the other wireless communication apparatus that has transmitted the processing request is stopped. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:   6. The output device according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting information on at least one of the network communication mode currently used, whether the switching instruction can be executed, or reservation of the switching instruction. Wireless communication device. Storage means for storing each setting information for a plurality of network communication modes;
Determining means for determining whether the setting information about the network communication mode to be applied when the switching instruction is executed;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising invalid means for invalidating an instruction to switch to the network communication mode in which the setting information is determined to be incomplete. A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus that is connected to an information processing apparatus and causes another wireless communication apparatus to communicate with the information processing apparatus,
Inputting a network communication mode switching instruction applied to wireless communication;
When the switching instruction is input while the information processing device is processing a processing request transmitted from any other wireless communication device, at least until the processing request is completed, the network A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising: suppressing switching of a communication mode. An information processing system comprising: an information processing device that processes information; and a second wireless communication device that is connected to the information processing device and causes the first wireless communication device to communicate with the information processing device,
The second wireless communication device is:
An information processing system comprising the wireless communication device according to claim 1. A wireless LAN system including an image output device for outputting an image and a wireless LAN adapter for connecting the image output device to a wireless LAN,
The wireless LAN adapter is
Connection means for connecting to the image output device;
A wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with another wireless communication device by applying either the basic mode or the ad hoc mode;
Input means for inputting an instruction to switch between the basic mode and the ad hoc mode applied in the wireless communication means;
If the switching instruction is input in the input means while the image output device is executing an image output request transmitted from any wireless LAN device, at least until the image output request is completed Includes a suppression unit that suppresses switching between the basic mode and the ad hoc mode. A wireless communication device that communicates with the information processing device and another wireless communication device by connecting to the information processing device,
Detecting means for detecting a switching instruction of a network communication mode applied to wireless communication;
A discriminating unit for discriminating a state of the information processing device in response to detection by the detecting unit;
A wireless communication apparatus including switching means for switching the network communication mode according to a determination result by the determination means. A method of controlling a wireless communication device that communicates with the information processing device and another wireless communication device by connecting to the information processing device,
A determination step of determining a state of the information processing apparatus in response to detection of a network communication mode switching instruction applied to wireless communication;
A control method for a wireless communication apparatus, comprising: a switching step of switching the network communication mode according to a determination result in the determination step.

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