JP2011176704A - Content reproducing apparatus, integrated circuit, communication setting method, and communication setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content reproducing apparatus and the like, with which a plurality of kinds of communication can be effectively utilized. <P>SOLUTION: A control section 110 determines whether or not both a wireless link for performing wireless communication and a wired link for performing wired communication with a content reproducing apparatus 200 are established. In the case where it is at least determined that both the wireless link and the wired link are established, the control section 110 controls a wireless communication section 101 and a wired communication section 102 so as to construct a communication path for the content reproducing apparatus 200 to perform communication utilizing wireless communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus, an integrated circuit, a communication setting method, and a communication setting program having a plurality of types of communication functions.

  In recent years, information home appliances such as digital TVs and DVD recorders are also increasing in number having a network function. In addition, a wired network connection requires troublesome work such as routing a cable to a place where information home appliances are installed.

  Therefore, there is an increasing expectation for a wireless local area network (LAN) that can use a network without a cable, and a plurality of network interfaces for connecting to a home network are also being installed in information home appliances. Here, the wireless LAN is a network according to a wireless communication standard such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, or IEEE802.11n.

  In such information home appliances, in general, when using a network service, the procedure is such that one is selected from a plurality of network interfaces according to the user's judgment and the network service is used.

  However, there is a danger that a user with poor network knowledge cannot determine which network interface should be used, and impairs the convenience of the information home appliance.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology (hereinafter, referred to as Conventional Technology A) that performs communication by selecting a network interface with the highest throughput without bothering the user. This technology improves user convenience.

JP 2004-253974 A

  However, in the method of the prior art A, even when a network interface that is not selected can perform communication, the communication is not effectively used. That is, in a device that can use multiple types of communication, the multiple types of communication are not effectively used.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus and the like that can effectively use a plurality of types of communication.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a content reproduction device according to an aspect of the present invention communicates with an external device. The content reproduction apparatus has a first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication and a function of establishing a second link for performing second communication which is communication with an external apparatus. A second communication unit; and a control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit. Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the control unit further determines whether or not the first link and the second link are established. And when the control unit determines at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. Thus, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled.

  That is, the control unit determines whether both the first link for performing the first communication and the second link for performing the second communication with the external device are established. When the control unit determines at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device constructs a communication path for performing communication using the first communication, The first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled.

  Thereby, since the second link is established, it is possible to cause an external device capable of performing the second communication to perform communication using the first communication. That is, a plurality of types of communication can be used effectively.

  Preferably, the control unit determines that both the first link and the second link are established, and the external device does not have a function of performing the first communication. If so, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled so as to construct the communication path.

  Accordingly, an external device that does not have the function of performing the first communication can perform communication using the first communication.

  Preferably, the control unit determines that both the first link and the second link are established, and a request for the external device to perform communication using the first communication is made. When there is an external device, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled so as to construct the communication path.

  Preferably, the first communication is communication with an external network, and the communication path is communication from the external device to the network via at least the second communication unit and the first communication unit. This is the route.

  Preferably, the communication path includes a first communication path and a second communication path, and the first communication path receives data addressed to the external device received by the first communication unit through the first communication. And the second communication unit is constructed by transferring the data addressed to the external device to the external device, and the second communication path is configured by the second communication unit. It is constructed by transferring the data addressed to the network received by two communications to the first communication unit, and the first communication unit transferring the data addressed to the network to the network.

  Preferably, the first communication is either wireless communication or wired communication, and the second communication is either wireless communication or wired communication.

  Preferably, the first communication is wireless communication, and the second communication is wired communication.

  Preferably, the second communication unit has an MDIO (Management Data Input / Output) interface defined by the wired communication standard of IEEE Std 802.3.

  Preferably, the second communication is wired communication, and the request is made using an extended message when the auto-negotiation function according to the wired communication standard of IEEE Std 802.3 is valid.

  An integrated circuit according to another aspect of the invention communicates with an external device. The integrated circuit has a first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication and a second function of establishing a second link for performing second communication that is communication with an external device. 2 communication units, and a control unit for controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit. Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the control unit further determines whether or not the first link and the second link are established. And when the control unit determines at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. Thus, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled.

  A communication setting method according to still another aspect of the present invention is executed by a content reproduction device that communicates with an external device. The content reproduction device has a function of establishing a second link for performing a second communication, which is a communication with an external device, and a first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing a first communication. And a second communication unit. Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the communication setting method determines whether the first link and the second link are established. And when it is determined at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. And controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

  A communication setting program according to still another aspect of the present invention is executed by a content reproduction device that communicates with an external device. The content reproduction device has a function of establishing a second link for performing a second communication, which is a communication with an external device, and a first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing a first communication. And a second communication unit. Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the communication setting program determines whether or not the first link and the second link are established. And when it is determined at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. And controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

  In the present invention, all or some of a plurality of components constituting such a content reproduction apparatus may be realized as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration).

  In addition, the present invention may be realized as a communication setting method in which the operation of a characteristic component included in the content reproduction apparatus is a step. The present invention may also be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute each step included in such a communication setting method. Further, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable recording medium that stores such a program. The program may be distributed via a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  According to the present invention, multiple types of communication can be used effectively.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV (Audio Visual) system according to a first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a content reproduction apparatus. It is a table for explaining a PHY device register. It is a table for demonstrating an ANLPA register. It is a table for demonstrating a LPNPA register. It is a figure which shows the link information as an example. It is a flowchart of a communication determination process. It is a flowchart of a communication setting process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an AV (Audio Visual) system 1000 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the communication device 50, the external network 70, and the like are shown for explanation.

  The AV system 1000 includes content reproduction apparatuses 100 and 200. Each of the content playback devices 100 and 200 has a function of playing back content. Here, the content is content including at least one of video content and audio content, for example.

  The content reproduction apparatus 100 is, for example, a television receiver. Note that the content reproduction apparatus 100 is not limited to a television receiver, and may be another apparatus as long as the apparatus has a function of reproducing content.

  The content reproduction device 200 is, for example, a BD (Blu-ray Disc) player. The content playback device 200 is not limited to a BD player, and may be another device as long as it has a function of playing back content. For example, the content reproduction device 200 may be a television receiver, and the content reproduction device 100 may be a BD player.

  The content reproduction apparatus 100 has a wireless communication function and a wired communication function. The wireless communication function is a function for performing wireless communication in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, or IEEE802.11n.

  The wired communication function is a function for performing wired communication in accordance with, for example, the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard.

  A communication device 50 shown in FIG. 1 is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. The communication device 50 has the same wireless communication function as the content communication device 100 has. Each of the communication device 50 and the content reproduction device 100 performs wireless communication with each other. The communication device 50 is connected to the external network 70 by a communication cable. The external network 70 is a network such as the Internet.

  The communication device 50 and the external network 70 constitute a network N10. That is, the content reproduction apparatus 100 performs wireless communication with the network N10. In the network N10, the communication device 50 functions as an access point.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 200 has only the same wired communication function as the wired communication function of the content reproduction apparatus 100 as a communication function. That is, the content reproduction apparatus 200 is an apparatus that has only a wired communication function without a wireless communication function as a communication function.

  Note that the content reproduction device 200 is not limited to a device having only a wired communication function as a communication function. For example, the content reproduction device 200 may be a device having only one type of communication function (for example, a wireless communication function) as a communication function.

  Each of the content reproduction apparatus 100 and the content reproduction apparatus 200 performs wired communication with each other. The content playback device 100 and the content playback device 200 are connected by a communication cable. The communication cable is a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. Note that the communication cable is not limited to a LAN cable, and may be, for example, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable.

  Note that the content reproduction apparatus 100 and the content reproduction apparatus 200 may not be connected by a communication cable. In this case, wired communication is not performed between the content reproduction apparatus 100 and the content reproduction apparatus 200.

  Note that the communication device 50 may have the same wired communication function as that of the content reproduction device 100. In this case, the communication device 50 performs wired communication with the content reproduction device 100. In this case, the communication device 50 is connected to the content reproduction device 100 via a communication cable.

  Different content MAC addresses are assigned to each of the content reproduction apparatuses 100 and 200 and the communication apparatus 50. Hereinafter, the MAC address assigned to the content reproduction apparatus 100 is referred to as a MAC address A. In the following, the MAC address assigned to the content reproduction device 200 is referred to as MAC address B. In the following, the MAC address assigned to the communication device 50 is referred to as a MAC address C.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the content reproduction apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a reproduction unit 120, a wireless communication unit 101, and a wired communication unit 102.

The control unit 110 performs processing for controlling each unit in the content reproduction apparatus 100.
The wireless communication unit 101 is a WNIC (Wireless Network Interface Card) having the above-described wireless communication function. The wireless communication function is a function for performing wireless communication in accordance with wireless communication standards such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, and IEEE802.11n. The wireless communication function is not limited to the wireless communication standard described above, and may be a function for performing wireless communication according to another wireless communication standard (for example, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)).

  The playback unit 120 plays back content. Note that when the content reproduction apparatus 100 is a television receiver and the content to be reproduced is video content, the reproduction unit 120 includes a display device that displays the reproduced video content.

  The wireless communication unit 101 performs wireless communication with the communication device 50 as an access point. That is, the wireless communication unit 101 performs wireless communication with the network N10. In the wireless communication, for example, transmission / reception of frame data is performed. In the wireless communication, a data transmission process to the network N10 performed by converting an electrical signal into a radio signal, and a reception process that converts a radio signal received from the network N10 into an electrical signal are performed.

  The wireless communication unit 101 has a function of establishing a link for performing wireless communication that is communication with the network N10. Hereinafter, a link for performing wireless communication is also referred to as a wireless link.

  The wireless communication unit 101 is connected to the content reproduction apparatus 100 via a communication interface. The communication interface is an interface that conforms to standards such as PCMCIA, SDIO, PCI, mini PCI, and PCIe (PCI Express).

  The wired communication unit 102 is a NIC (Network Interface Card) having the above-described wired communication function. The wired communication function is a function for performing wired communication according to the wired communication standard of IEEE Std 802.3. In the following, IEEE Std 802.3 is also simply referred to as IEEE 802.3. Specifically, the wired communication function is a function for performing wired communication in accordance with a wired communication standard such as IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab, or the like.

  The wired communication function is not limited to the above-described wired communication standard, and may be a function for performing wired communication according to another wired communication standard (for example, HDMI standard).

  The wired communication unit 102 is connected to the content reproduction device 200 via a communication cable (for example, a LAN cable).

  Note that the wired communication unit 102 may not be connected to the content reproduction device 200 by a communication cable.

  The wired communication unit 102 performs wired communication in the MAC layer and the PHY layer defined by the wired communication standard of IEEE Std 802.3. In the wired communication, for example, transmission / reception of frame data is performed.

  Since the configuration and function of the wired communication unit 102 are the same as those of the NIC according to the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard, detailed description will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the wired communication unit 102 will be briefly described.

  The wired communication unit 102 has a function of establishing a link for performing wired communication that is communication with the content reproduction device 200 as an external device. Hereinafter, a link for performing wired communication is also referred to as a wired link.

  The wired communication unit 102 has an auto-negotiation function. Since the auto-negotiation function is a function in accordance with the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard, detailed description will not be repeated. Briefly, the auto-negotiation function is a function for automatically determining a difference in communication standards and communication modes corresponding to a communication partner apparatus and performing communication with an optimum setting.

  Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other via the communication control unit 114 (control unit 110).

  The wired communication unit 102 includes a PHY (physical layer) device and an MDIO (Management Data Input / Output) interface (not shown). A register is provided in the PHY device. The MDIO interface is used to monitor the settings and status of the PHY device. The MDIO interface is an interface defined by the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard.

  The register provided in the PHY device is a register conforming to the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard. Therefore, detailed description of the register will not be repeated. Hereinafter, a register provided in the PHY device is referred to as a PHY device register.

  The wired communication unit 102 has a function of accessing the PHY device register using the MDIO interface. Hereinafter, the PHY device register will be briefly described.

  FIG. 3 is a table for explaining the PHY device register. In the following description, regarding the PHY device register, the registers related to the present embodiment will be mainly described.

  In FIG. 3, “address” is an address of the PHY device register. “Name” is the name of the register. A plurality of registers are arranged in the PHY device register. Each register arranged in the PHY device register can store 16-bit data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the PHY device register, a Control register is arranged at address “0”. The Control register is a register for controlling the validity / invalidity setting of the power supply, reset, link speed, auto-negotiation function, etc. of the PHY device.

  In the PHY device register, an ALPPA (Auto-Negotiation Link Partner Ability) register is arranged at address “5”. The ANLPA register defines items of basic functions that are notified from a PHY device provided in a connection destination apparatus by wired communication when the auto negotiation function is valid.

  FIG. 4 is a table for explaining the ANLPA register. In the following, among the ANLPA registers, the registers related to the present embodiment will be mainly described.

  In FIG. 4, “bit” indicates the n-th (0 or greater) bit. In the bit item, “j (natural number): k (an integer greater than or equal to 0)” indicates the kth to jth bits. In FIG. 4, “name” is the name of the bit in the corresponding register.

  In FIG. 4, an NP (Next Page) bit is the 15th bit of data stored in the ANLPA register. The NP bit is a bit for determining the presence or absence of the function of the next page.

  In the present embodiment, the NP bit is used as a bit for indicating whether or not a later-described wired link establishment apparatus has a function for using an extended message (hereinafter referred to as an extended function).

  When the NP bit is “1”, it indicates that the wired link establishment device has an extended function. When the NP bit is “0”, it indicates that the wired link establishment device does not have an extended function. The NP bit is “0” in the initial state.

  A TAF (Technology Ability Field) bit is the 5th to 12th bits of data stored in the ANLPA register. The TAF bit is a bit for determining whether there is a pause function and a supported link speed.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, an LPNPA (Link Partner Next Page Ability) register is arranged at address “8” in the PHY device register. The LPNPA register is a register for storing an extension message or the like notified from a PHY device provided in a connection destination apparatus by wired communication when the auto-negotiation function is valid.

  FIG. 5 is a table for explaining the LPNPA register. In the following description, among the LPNPA registers, the registers related to the present embodiment will be mainly described.

Since each item in FIG. 5 is the same as each item in FIG. 4, detailed description will not be repeated.
In FIG. 5, the NP (Next Page) bit is the 15th bit of data stored in the LPNPA register. The NP bit is a bit for determining the presence or absence of the next page.

  The Message bit is the 0th to 10th bits of data stored in the LPNPA register. The Message bit is an extended message stored in the LPNPA register. The extended message is composed of 11-bit binary data.

  In the present embodiment, the NP bit is used as a bit for determining whether or not an extended message is stored in the LPNPA register. When the NP bit is “1”, this indicates that an extended message is stored in the LPNPA register. When the NP bit is “0”, it indicates that no extended message is stored in the LPNPA register. The NP bit is “0” in the initial state.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, control unit 110 includes a link state acquisition unit 111, an information acquisition unit 112, a communication setting unit 113, and a communication control unit 114.

  The communication control unit 114 has a function of controlling the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102. The communication control unit 114 is middleware executed by a processor (not shown). The communication control unit 114 always knows the link state of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102.

  When the link state of at least one of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 changes, the communication control unit 114 displays link information indicating the latest link state of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 as the link state acquisition unit 111. Send to. The link information indicates the link state of the wireless communication unit 101 and the link state of the wired communication unit 102. The link state of the wireless communication unit 101 is a link establishment state or a link non-establishment state. The link establishment state is a state in which a link is established. The link non-established state is a state where a link is not established.

  For example, the link establishment state in the wireless communication standard such as IEEE 802.11 is that the communication unit (for example, the wireless communication unit 101) is connected to the communication device 50 as an access point (Association), and the authentication process (Authentication) is completed. The communication unit can communicate with the communication device 50.

  Further, for example, the link establishment state in the wired communication standard such as IEEE Std 802.3 is such that the communication unit (for example, the wired communication unit 102) is physically connected to an external communication device by a communication cable (for example, a LAN cable). The communication unit is connected and is in a state where the communication unit can communicate with the communication device.

  In the following, a device capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 101 when the link state of the wireless communication unit 101 is a link established state is referred to as a wireless link establishment device. The wireless link establishment device is, for example, the communication device 50. When the link state of the wireless communication unit 101 is the link established state, a wireless link for the wireless communication unit 101 to perform wireless communication is established.

  Hereinafter, a device that can communicate with the wired communication unit 102 via a communication cable when the link state of the wired communication unit 102 is a link established state is referred to as a wired link establishment device. The wired link establishment device is, for example, the content reproduction device 200. When the link state of the wired communication unit 102 is the link established state, a wired link for the wired communication unit 102 to perform wired communication is established.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating link information as an example.
In FIG. 6, when the value of “link state” is “1”, it indicates that the corresponding communication link has been established. When the value of the “link state” is “0”, it indicates that the corresponding communication link is not established.

  For example, a link state “1” corresponding to “wireless communication” indicates that a wireless link for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 101 is established. A link state “1” corresponding to “wired communication” indicates that a wired link for the wired communication unit 102 to perform wired communication is established.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, link state acquisition unit 111 further has a function of periodically acquiring the link state. Specifically, the link state acquisition unit 111 transmits a link state request to the communication control unit 114 every elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Here, the link status request is a request for the link status of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102.

  When receiving the link state request, the communication control unit 114 transmits link information indicating the latest link state of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 to the link state acquisition unit 111. The transmitted link information is, for example, the link information in FIG.

  Thereby, the link state acquisition unit 111 periodically acquires link information from the communication control unit 114. The link information is information indicating the link state between the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102.

  The link state acquisition unit 111 acquires link information by receiving link information transmitted from the communication control unit 114 due to a change in the link state of at least one of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102.

  The information acquisition unit 112 controls the communication control unit 114 to acquire device information from devices that can communicate with each of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 via the communication control unit 114.

  Here, it is assumed that the device information is a link speed. The device information is not limited to the link speed and may be other information. For example, the device information acquired from a device with which the wireless communication unit 101 can communicate may be information such as a used frequency band, a channel, and an access point name.

  Although details will be described later, the communication setting unit 113 sets the communication operation of the content reproduction apparatus 100 according to various information received from the information acquisition unit 112.

  Here, the content reproduction apparatus 100 has a bridge mode as a communication mode. Details of the bridge mode will be described later. The bridge mode is a mode for causing the content reproduction apparatus 100 to operate as a bridge. A bridge is a communication device or a communication module that transfers data received from the outside to a destination of the data.

  The communication setting unit 113 sets the bridge mode to valid or invalid. In the initial state, the bridge mode is disabled. The communication control unit 114 performs processing to be described later when the bridge mode is valid.

  Further, the content reproduction apparatus 100 has a single communication mode as a communication mode. Details of the single communication mode will be described later. The single communication mode is a mode for performing one type of communication.

  The communication setting unit 113 sets the single communication mode to be valid or invalid. In the initial state, the single communication mode is disabled.

(Operation of content playback device)
Next, processing (hereinafter referred to as communication determination processing) performed by the content reproduction apparatus 100 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the auto-negotiation function of the wired communication unit 102 is disabled in the initial state.

  The content reproduction apparatus 200 includes a wired communication unit A (not shown) having the same configuration and function as the wired communication unit 102 described above. In the following, the state where the content reproduction apparatus 100 and the content reproduction apparatus 200 are connected by a communication cable is referred to as a wired connection state. Specifically, the wired connection state is a state in which the wired communication unit 102 and the wired communication unit A of the content reproduction apparatus 200 are connected by, for example, a LAN cable.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the communication determination process.
First, the communication control unit 114 enables the auto-negotiation function that the wired communication unit 102 has. Specifically, the communication control unit 114 enables the auto-negotiation function by changing the information in the register for setting the auto-negotiation function valid / invalid included in the wired communication unit 102 (S501).

  When the state of the content playback apparatus 100 and the content playback apparatus 200 is in a wired connection state and the auto-negotiation function is enabled, each of the wired communication unit 102 and the wired communication unit A is wired according to IEEE Std 802.3. Auto-negotiation is performed according to communication standards. Since the auto-negotiation is a well-known technique, detailed description will not be repeated. By the auto-negotiation, various types of information are written in the PHY device register included in each of the wired communication unit 102 and the wired communication unit A.

  In the auto-negotiation in the present embodiment, it is further assumed that the content reproduction device 200 performs a process (hereinafter referred to as a bridge request process) for causing the content reproduction apparatus 100 to operate as a bridge.

In the bridge request process, the above-described extended message is used.
Hereinafter, an extension message for causing the device A to operate the device B as a bridge of the device A is referred to as a bridge request message. The bridge request message is a message in which the most significant bit of the extended message is set to “1”.

  The bridge request message indicates device specifying information. The device specifying information is information for specifying the device (for example, the content reproduction device 200) that is the transmission source of the bridge request message.

  The device specifying information is, for example, the model name and model number of the content reproduction device 200. The device specifying information is, for example, the lower 2 bits of the bridge request message. For example, when the device identification information is expressed as “11”, the bridge request message is expressed as “100000000011” as an example.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each of content reproduction device 100 and content reproduction device 200 is configured in advance so that a bridge request message can be identified. That is, each of the content playback apparatus 100 and the content playback apparatus 200 stores information on the definition of the most significant bit of the bridge request message and the definition of the lower 2 bits of the bridge request message.

The bridge request message is not limited to the above, and may be expressed by other codes.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each of content reproduction device 100 and content reproduction device 200 has the extended function described above.

  Specifically, in the bridge request process, the wired communication unit A of the content reproduction device 200 transmits a bridge request message to the wired communication unit 102. In this case, the transmitted bridge request message is a request for the content reproduction device 200 as an external device to perform communication using wireless communication.

  When receiving the bridge request message, the wired communication unit 102 stores the bridge request message as an extension message in the above-described LPNPA register. In this case, the wired communication unit 102 sets the NP bit of the ANLPA register included in the PHY device register to “1”. In this case, the wired communication unit 102 sets the NP bit of the LPNPA register included in the PHY device register to “1”.

  If the content reproduction device 200 does not have an extended function, the content reproduction device 200 does not perform a process of transmitting a bridge request message as an extended message. In this case, the bridge request message (extended message) is not stored in the above-described LPNPA register during auto-negotiation.

  Next, the link state acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the link state has changed (S502). Specifically, the link state acquisition unit 111 uses the link information transmitted from the communication control unit 114 to determine whether or not the link state has changed. As described above, the link information is link information transmitted from the communication control unit 114 when the link state of at least one of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 changes. Further, as described above, the link information is also link information transmitted from the communication control unit 114 every predetermined time.

  More specifically, the link status acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the link status indicated by the received latest link information is different from the link status indicated by the link information received immediately before the latest link information. judge.

  If the link state has changed (YES in S502), the link state acquisition unit 111 transmits the latest link information to the information acquisition unit 112. Thereby, the link state acquisition unit 111 notifies the information acquisition unit 112 of the link states of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 (S503). If the link state has not changed (NO in S502), the process of step S502 is performed again.

  Upon receiving the link information, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether a wired communication link has been established (S504). That is, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the link state of the wired communication unit 102 is a link establishment state. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not the value of the link state corresponding to “wired communication” indicated by the received link information is “1”.

  If YES in step S504, the process proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, if NO at step S504, the process proceeds to step S508 described later.

  If a wired communication link has been established (YES in S504), the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not the content reproduction device 200 as a wired link establishment device has an extended function (S505). Specifically, the information acquisition unit 112 refers to the NP bit of the ANLPA register included in the PHY device register in the wired communication unit 102 via the communication control unit 114, and whether the NP bit is “1”. Determine whether or not.

  If YES in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506. On the other hand, if NO at step S505, the process proceeds to step S508 described later.

  In step S506, it is determined whether an extended message has been received. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 112 refers to the NP bit of the LPNPA register included in the PHY device register in the wired communication unit 102 via the communication control unit 114, and whether the NP bit is “1”. Determine whether or not.

  If YES in step S506, the process proceeds to step S507. On the other hand, if NO at step S506, the process proceeds to step S508 described later.

  In step S507, the information acquisition unit 112 reads the bridge request message as an extension message stored in the LPNPA register included in the PHY device register in the wired communication unit 102 via the communication control unit 114, thereby Get bridge request message. Then, the process proceeds to step S507A.

  In step S507A, the information acquisition unit 112 transmits the acquired bridge request message to the communication setting unit 113. Then, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S508, the information acquisition unit 112 determines that there is no message. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 112 determines that no bridge request message is stored in the LPNPA register. Then, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S509, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether a wired communication link is established. That is, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the link state of the wired communication unit 102 is a link establishment state. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not the value of the link state corresponding to “wireless communication” indicated by the received link information is “1”.

  If YES in step S509, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if NO at step S509, the process proceeds to step S511.

  In step S510, the information acquisition unit 112 uses the wireless communication unit 101 to acquire device information from the communication device 50 as a wireless link establishment device via the communication control unit 114 and the wireless communication unit 101. The device information is, for example, the link speed between the wireless communication unit 101 and the communication device 50.

  The device information is not limited to the link speed. For example, the device information may be information such as a used frequency band, a channel, and an access point name. Then, the process proceeds to step S510A.

  In step S <b> 510 </ b> A, the information acquisition unit 112 transmits the acquired device information to the communication setting unit 113. Then, the process proceeds to step S511.

  In step S <b> 511, the information acquisition unit 112 transmits the received link information to the communication setting unit 113. Thereby, the link information is notified to the communication setting unit 113.

  Next, processing performed by the communication setting unit 113 (hereinafter referred to as communication setting processing) will be described. The communication setting process is performed when the communication setting unit 113 receives link information. Note that the communication setting unit 113 receives at least one of the bridge request message and the device information when the link information is received when at least one of the above-described steps S507A and S510A is performed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the communication setting process.
In step S601, the communication setting unit 113 determines whether or not a plurality of links (wireless links and wired links) are established by referring to two link state values indicated by the received link information. That is, it is determined whether there are a plurality of communication units (network interfaces) with which a link has been established.

  For example, when the link information is the link information in FIG. 6, the communication setting unit 113 determines that both the wireless link and the wired link are established. That is, in this case, the communication setting unit 113 determines that a plurality of links are established.

  Further, when the link information to be determined is, for example, the link information in FIG. 6 and at least one of the two link state values is “0”, the communication setting unit 113 has established a plurality of links. Judge that there is no.

  If YES in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if NO at step S601, the process proceeds to step S605 described later.

  In step S602, the communication setting unit 113 determines whether the device specifying information has been received. Specifically, the communication setting unit 113 determines whether or not a bridge request message indicating device specifying information has been received. If YES in step S602, the process proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, if NO at step S602, the process proceeds to step S605 described later.

  In step S603, it is determined whether the wired link establishment device is a predetermined device. The wired link establishment device is a device specified by the device specifying information. Here, the predetermined device is a device having only a wired communication function as a communication function. In other words, the predetermined device is a device having only a wired communication function without a wireless communication function as a communication function.

  Specifically, the communication setting unit 113 determines whether or not the device specified by the device specifying information is a predetermined device. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined device is the content reproduction device 200. In this case, the communication setting unit 113 determines whether or not the device specified by the device specifying information is the content reproduction device 200.

  If YES in step S603, the process proceeds to step S604. On the other hand, if NO at step S603, the process proceeds to step S605.

  Here, the device specifying information is information for specifying the content reproduction device 200. In this case, the process proceeds to step S604.

  Note that the method of determining whether the device is a predetermined device is not limited to the above method. For example, a method may be used in which the device specifying information indicates information unique to the device, and it is determined whether the device is a predetermined device. That is, any method may be used as long as it can uniquely identify the wired link establishment device.

  In the case of YES in step S603, for example, a wireless link has been established for the wireless communication unit 101 to perform wireless communication with the network N10, and the wired communication unit 102 has been disconnected from the network N10. This is a case where a wired link for performing wired communication with a LAN is established. Here, the wired link for performing wired communication with the LAN is, for example, a wired link for the wired communication unit 102 to perform wired communication with the content reproduction device 200 via the LAN cable.

  Note that the predetermined device in step S603 is not limited to a device having only a wired communication function as a communication function. The predetermined device may be, for example, a device having only one type of communication function (for example, a wireless communication function) as a communication function. In this case, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the wireless link establishment device that does not have a wired communication function is a predetermined device.

In step S604, the communication setting unit 113 sets the bridge mode to be valid.
Here, it is assumed that the wired link establishment device is the content reproduction device 200. In this case, when the bridge mode is set to be valid, in step S604, the communication control unit 114 causes the content reproduction device 200 to pass through the wired communication unit 102, the communication control unit 114 (control unit 110), and the wireless communication unit 101. The wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 are controlled so as to establish a communication path from the network N10 to the network N10.

  The communication path includes a first communication path and a second communication path. The first communication path is a communication path from the network N10 to the content reproduction device 200. The second communication path is a communication path from the content reproduction device 200 to the network N10.

  In the content reproduction apparatus 100, each of the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 may be configured to be able to directly communicate with each other without using the communication control unit 114 (control unit 110).

  In this case, when the bridge mode is set to be valid, in step S604, the communication control unit 114 constructs a communication path from the content reproduction device 200 to the network N10 via the wired communication unit 102 and the wireless communication unit 101. As described above, the wireless communication unit 101 and the wired communication unit 102 are controlled.

The communication channel includes the first communication channel and the second communication channel described above.
Under the control of the communication control unit 114, in step S604, the wireless communication unit 101 transfers the data addressed to the content reproduction device 200 received by wireless communication to the wired communication unit 102, and the wired communication unit 102 includes the content reproduction device. The data addressed to 200 is transferred to the content reproduction apparatus 200. Thereby, the first communication path is constructed.

  Further, the MAC address B assigned to the content reproduction device 200 is added to the data addressed to the content reproduction device 200 received by the wireless communication unit 101 by wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 101 determines whether or not the MAC address A assigned to the content reproduction device 100 is added to data received by wireless communication.

  When the wireless communication unit 101 receives data to which the MAC address A assigned to the content reproduction apparatus 100 is added, the wireless communication unit 101 determines that the received data is data addressed to the content reproduction apparatus 100. In this case, data received by the wireless communication unit 101 is received by the content reproduction device 100. When the wireless communication unit 101 receives data to which the MAC address B assigned to the content reproduction device 200 is added, the wireless communication unit 101 transfers the received data to the wired communication unit 102.

  Also, under the control of the communication control unit 114, in step S604, the wired communication unit 102 transfers the data addressed to the network N10 received by wired communication to the wireless communication unit 101, and the wireless communication unit 101 transmits to the network N10. Data is transferred to the network N10 (communication device 50). Thereby, the second communication path is constructed. Here, the data addressed to the network N10 is data addressed to an external communication device connected to the external network 70, for example. In this case, the communication device 50 transmits the received data addressed to the network N10 to the communication device connected to the external network 70 via the external network 70.

  In addition, a MAC address other than the MAC address A assigned to the content reproduction apparatus 100 is added to the data addressed to the network N10 received by the wired communication unit 102 by wired communication. For example, when the content reproduction device 200 communicates with the communication device 50, the MAC address C assigned to the communication device 50 is added to the data addressed to the network N10. The wired communication unit 102 determines whether or not the MAC address A assigned to the content reproduction apparatus 100 is added to data received by wired communication.

  When the wired communication unit 102 receives data to which the MAC address A assigned to the content reproduction apparatus 100 is added, the wired communication unit 102 determines that the received data is data addressed to the content reproduction apparatus 100. In this case, the content reproduction apparatus 100 receives the data received by the wired communication unit 102. When the content reproduction device 200 receives data to which the MAC address C, which is data at the time of communication with the communication device 50, is received, the wired communication unit 102 transfers the received data to the wireless communication unit 101.

  By the above process, a communication path composed of the first communication path and the second communication path is constructed. The communication path configured by the first communication path and the second communication path is a communication path for the content reproduction device 200 to perform communication using wireless communication.

  By constructing a communication path composed of the first communication path and the second communication path, the content reproduction device 100 operates as a bridge of the content reproduction device 200. That is, the content reproduction apparatus 100 operates as a bridge for the content reproduction apparatus 200 to perform communication using wireless communication.

  Therefore, when the content reproduction apparatus 100 operates as a bridge, the content reproduction apparatus 200 is connected to the network N10 using the content reproduction apparatus 100 having the wireless communication function even if the content reproduction apparatus 200 does not have the wireless communication function. It is possible to communicate with an external communication device.

  In step S605, the communication setting unit 113 sets the single communication mode to be valid. Note that the content of the single communication mode differs depending on which of steps S601, S602, and S603 is NO.

  When it determines with NO by step S601, the communication setting part 113 sets to the single communication mode using the communication which the link has established. For example, when only the wired link is established among the wireless link and the wired link, the single communication mode using the wired link is set. In this case, the wired communication unit 102 performs wired communication with the content reproduction device 200, for example.

  Moreover, when only the wireless link is established among the wireless link and the wired link, the single communication mode using the wireless link is set. In this case, the wireless communication unit 101 performs wireless communication with the communication device 50 as an access point, for example.

  When it is determined NO in step S602 or step S603, that is, when both the wireless link and the wired link are established, the communication setting unit 113 selects an optimal one type of communication from the wireless communication and the wired communication. And set to single communication mode using the selected communication.

  For example, when a single communication mode using wired communication is set, the wired communication unit 102 performs wired communication with, for example, the content reproduction device 200.

  A method for selecting one type of optimal communication (hereinafter referred to as a communication selection method) is, for example, a method for selecting communication with a high link speed in the physical layer. Further, for example, the communication selection method is a method of measuring communication throughput and selecting communication with high communication throughput. Further, for example, the communication selection method is a method in which priority is given to a plurality of types of communication and communication with high priority (for example, wired communication) is selected. The priority may be specified by the user.

  In the communication setting process, the process of step S602 may not be performed. That is, even if the bridge request message indicating the device specifying information is not received, both the wireless link and the wired link are established, and the wired link establishment device is a predetermined device in advance or another If it is determined by the method, the process of step S604 may be performed.

  In this case, when the communication setting process is performed, the content reproduction apparatus 100 has established both the wireless link and the wired link even if the bridge request message has not been received, and the wired link establishment apparatus has a predetermined value. If it is determined in advance or by another method, the wired link establishment device constructs a communication path for performing communication using wireless communication.

  In this case, by performing the communication setting process, the communication operation of the content reproduction device 100 can be changed according to the state of the communication link and the type of device with which the communication link is established.

  In the communication setting process, the process of step S603 may not be performed. That is, when both the wireless link and the wired link are established and the bridge request message indicating the device specifying information is received, the step is performed regardless of whether the wired link establishment device is a predetermined device. The process of S604 may be performed.

  In the communication setting process, the processes in steps S602 and S603 may not be performed. That is, in the communication setting process, when both the wireless link and the wired link are established, the process of step S604 may be performed. In this case, when the communication setting process is performed, the content reproduction device 100 does not receive the bridge request message. However, if both the wireless link and the wired link are established, the content reproduction device 200 performs the wireless communication. Build a communication path for communication using.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, content reproduction apparatus 100 performs communication for performing communication using wireless communication when content reproduction apparatus 200 establishes both a wireless link and a wired link. Build the road.

  As a result, since the wired link is established, the content reproduction apparatus 200 capable of performing wired communication can perform communication using wireless communication. That is, a plurality of types of communication can be used effectively. Further, by constructing the communication path, the content reproduction apparatus 200 that does not have a wireless communication function can perform communication using wireless communication.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the content reproduction apparatus 100 operates as a bridge or operates as a communication apparatus that performs one type of communication, depending on the state of the communication link and the type of apparatus with which the communication link is established. You can make it. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use a network interface that has been wasted in the past, and to provide a more versatile system that does not require the user's hands.

  Note that the wireless communication in the present embodiment is communication according to the wireless communication standard of IEEE 802.11, but is not limited to this. The wireless communication may be communication according to another standard wireless communication standard (for example, WiMAX).

  In addition, the wired communication in the present embodiment is communication in accordance with the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard, but is not limited thereto. The wired communication may be communication according to another standard wired communication standard (for example, HDMI standard).

  In the present embodiment, the content reproduction apparatus 200 has been described as having only a wired communication function as a communication function, but the present invention is not limited to this. The content reproduction device 200 may have only a wireless communication function as a communication function, for example, without a wired communication function. Further, it is assumed that the wireless communication unit 101 of the content reproduction device 100 performs wireless communication with the content reproduction device 200, and the wired communication unit 102 is connected to the communication device 50 via a communication cable (LAN cable). That is, the wired communication unit 102 communicates with the network N10 by performing wired communication with the communication device 50. That is, the wired communication unit 102 performs wired communication with the network N10. In this case, the content reproduction device 200 is a wireless link establishment device.

  Hereinafter, a communication configuration in which the wireless communication unit 101 of the content reproduction device 100 performs wireless communication with the content reproduction device 200 and the wired communication unit 102 performs wired communication with the network N10 is referred to as a communication configuration A.

  In the communication configuration A, the content reproduction device 200 does not have a wired communication function but has only a wireless communication function. In the communication configuration A, the wired communication unit 102 is connected to the communication device 50 by a communication cable (LAN cable).

  In the case of the communication configuration A, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the wireless link establishment device is a predetermined device.

  In the case of the communication configuration A, the communication path established in step S604 is a communication path for the content reproduction device 200 to perform communication using wired communication.

  Specifically, through the above-described control by the communication control unit 114 in step S604, the wired communication unit 102 transfers the data addressed to the content reproduction device 200 received by wired communication to the wireless communication unit 101, and the wireless communication unit 101 transfers the data addressed to the content reproduction apparatus 200 to the content reproduction apparatus 200. Thereby, the first communication path is constructed.

  Further, through the above-described control by the communication control unit 114 in step S604, the wireless communication unit 101 transfers the data addressed to the network N10 received from the content reproduction device 200 by wireless communication to the wired communication unit 102, and the wired communication unit 102 Transfers the data addressed to the network N10 to the network N10 (communication device 50). Thereby, the second communication path is constructed.

  Thereby, a communication path composed of the first communication path and the second communication path is constructed. That is, a communication path is constructed for the content reproduction apparatus 200 having only a wireless communication function without a wired communication function to perform communication using wired communication. Thereby, the content reproduction apparatus 200 which does not have a wired communication function can perform communication using wired communication.

  In the case of the communication configuration A, the process of step S602 may not be performed in the communication setting process. That is, even if the bridge request message indicating the device specifying information is not received, both the wireless link and the wired link are established and the wireless link establishment device is a predetermined device in advance or another If it is determined by the method, the process of step S604 may be performed.

  In the case of the communication configuration A, the process of step S603 may not be performed in the communication setting process. That is, when both the wireless link and the wired link are established and the bridge request message indicating the device specifying information is received, the step is performed regardless of whether the wireless link establishment device is a predetermined device or not. The process of S604 may be performed.

  Further, in the case of the communication configuration A, the processing of steps S602 and S603 may not be performed in the communication setting process. That is, in the communication setting process, when both the wireless link and the wired link are established, the process of step S604 may be performed.

  The content playback apparatus 100 according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, the form which carried out various deformation | transformation which those skilled in the art can think to this embodiment, or the structure constructed | assembled combining the component in different embodiment is also contained in the scope of the present invention. .

  Further, all or some of the plurality of components constituting the content reproduction apparatus 100 may be configured by hardware. Further, all or part of the components constituting the content reproduction apparatus 100 may be a program module executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. For example, each of the link state acquisition unit 111, the information acquisition unit 112, the communication setting unit 113, and the communication control unit 114 may be a program module.

  Further, all or some of the plurality of components constituting the content reproduction apparatus 100 may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on one chip. Specifically, a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. It is a computer system comprised including.

  For example, the content reproduction apparatus 100 may be configured with one system LSI. Further, for example, the control unit 110 in FIG. 2 may be configured by one system LSI.

  In addition, the present invention may be realized as a communication setting method in which the operation of a characteristic component included in the content reproduction device 100 is a step. The present invention may also be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute each step included in such a communication setting method. In this case, the content reproduction apparatus 100 corresponds to a computer.

  Further, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable recording medium that stores such a program. The program may be distributed via a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The present invention can be used as a content reproduction apparatus that can effectively use a plurality of types of communication.

100, 200 Content playback device 101 Wireless communication unit 102 Wired communication unit 110 Control unit 111 Link state acquisition unit 112 Information acquisition unit 113 Communication setting unit 114 Communication control unit 120 Playback unit 1000 AV system

Claims (12)

A content playback device that communicates with an external device,
A first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication;
A second communication unit having a function of establishing a second link for performing second communication which is communication with an external device;
A control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit,
Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other,
The control unit further determines whether or not the first link and the second link are established,
When the control unit determines at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device constructs a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. , Controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit,
Content playback device. When the control unit determines that both the first link and the second link are established, and the external device is a predetermined device that does not have a function of performing the first communication, Controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit so as to construct a communication path;
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit determines that both the first link and the second link are established, and a request for the external device to perform communication using the first communication is received from the external device. If so, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are controlled so as to construct the communication path.
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. The first communication is communication with an external network,
The communication path is a communication path from the external device to the network via at least the second communication unit and the first communication unit.
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The communication path is composed of a first communication path and a second communication path,
The first communication path transfers data addressed to the external device received by the first communication unit through the first communication to the second communication unit, and the second communication unit transmits data addressed to the external device. Is transferred to the external device,
The second communication path transfers data addressed to the network received by the second communication unit by the second communication to the first communication unit, and the first communication unit transfers data addressed to the network to the network. Built by transferring to
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first communication is either wireless communication or wired communication,
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication is one of the wireless communication and the wired communication. The first communication is wireless communication,
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication is wired communication. The second communication unit has an MDIO (Management Data Input / Output) interface defined by the wired communication standard of IEEE Std 802.3.
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 7. The second communication is wired communication,
The request is made using an extended message when the auto-negotiation function according to the IEEE Std 802.3 wired communication standard is valid.
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 3. An integrated circuit that communicates with an external device,
A first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication;
A second communication unit having a function of establishing a second link for performing second communication which is communication with an external device;
A control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit,
Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other,
The control unit further determines whether or not the first link and the second link are established,
When the control unit determines at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the external device constructs a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. , Controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit,
Integrated circuit. A communication setting method executed by a content reproduction device communicating with an external device,
The content playback device
A first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication;
A second communication unit having a function of establishing a second link for performing second communication that is communication with an external device,
Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other,
The communication setting method is:
Determining whether the first link and the second link are established;
When it is determined at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the first device is configured so that the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. And a step of controlling the communication unit and the second communication unit,
Communication setting method. A communication setting program executed by a content reproduction device communicating with an external device,
The content playback device
A first communication unit having a function of establishing a first link for performing first communication;
A second communication unit having a function of establishing a second link for performing second communication that is communication with an external device,
Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with each other,
The communication setting program is
Determining whether the first link and the second link are established;
When it is determined at least that both the first link and the second link are established, the first device is configured so that the external device establishes a communication path for performing communication using the first communication. And a step of controlling the communication unit and the second communication unit,
Communication setting program.

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