JP2015076762A - Communication device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable service execution via short-range radio communication for a prescribed time regardless of connection by proximity wireless communication.SOLUTION: An NFC control unit 208 establishes connection by NFC with an opposite device situated in a communication rage of near field wireless communication (NFC) 107. A radio parameter acquisition unit 215 acquires a parameter to establish connection by short-range radio communication (SRC) 108 from the opposite device via the NFC 107. An SRC control unit 210 establishes connection by the SRC 108 with the opposite device on the basis of the radio parameter. An application management unit 216 for providing a service selection screen and executing cooperation service with the opposite device via the SRC 108 executes a service as the cooperation service if the service is selected within a first time after providing the service selection screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that performs near field communication and near field communication.

  There is a wireless communication system in which communication terminals having a close proximity wireless communication interface transfer data using close proximity wireless communication. Wireless communication is possible by making NFC antennas of communication terminals that perform data transfer face each other and further bringing communication terminals close to each other. Proximity wireless communication has a feature that when the communication partner is in a connected state, the communication partner exists at a very close distance.

  In addition, there is a wireless communication system in which communication terminals equipped with a short-range wireless communication interface transfer data using short-range wireless communication. When the short-range wireless communication link is in a connected state, user data such as image data and document data can be transferred from one communication terminal to the other communication terminal using various applications operating on each communication terminal. .

  In recent years, there are many apparatuses having both a close proximity wireless communication interface and a short distance wireless communication interface, and various techniques for controlling connection between them have been proposed. For example, in a communication device having an infrared interface for close proximity wireless communication and a wireless LAN interface for short range wireless communication, a technology for connecting / disconnecting a wireless LAN link in accordance with the connection / disconnection of infrared communication has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1).

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 disconnects a wireless LAN link when infrared communication is interrupted. In communication between mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet PCs, digital cameras, etc., when a user operates a button on the mobile device, for example, the infrared transmission / reception unit is blocked by hand, and infrared communication is interrupted. there is a possibility. If the technology of Patent Document 1 is applied to communication between mobile devices, infrared communication between the devices may be interrupted, and the wireless LAN link may be disconnected unintentionally. In that case, it takes time to reconnect the wireless LAN, and the operability of the user is impaired.

JP 2006-186418 A

  An object of the present invention is to enable execution of a service via short-range wireless communication for a predetermined time regardless of connection by close-range wireless communication.

  The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

  The communication device according to the present invention establishes a connection by the close proximity wireless communication with a counterpart device existing in a communication range of the close proximity wireless communication, and sets parameters for establishing the connection by the close proximity wireless communication as the close proximity wireless communication Via the short-range wireless communication, establishing a connection by the short-range wireless communication with the counterpart device based on the parameter, providing a service selection screen, and the partner device via the short-range wireless communication Execute a linkage service with. At that time, after providing the service selection screen, if a service is selected within a first time, the service is executed as the cooperation service.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to execute a service via short-range wireless communication for a predetermined time regardless of connection by close-range wireless communication.

The figure which shows the structural example of the communication system of an Example. The block diagram which shows the function structural example of a device. The figure which shows an example of a service information list. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication control and service processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication control and service processing according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a service selection screen. The figure which shows the example of time which a timer measures. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service selection screen according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows one English of the table stored in a service information storage part. The figure which shows an example of the service information list which recorded the priority. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication control and service processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication control and service processing according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the service selection information notified when the highest level service is selected. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication sequence according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a device according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of communication control and service processing according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a communication apparatus and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of communication system]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system according to the embodiment. The communication system of the embodiment includes a digital camera 101 and a mobile phone 102. The digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 have display units 103 and 104 and operation units 105 and 106, respectively. A user of the digital camera 101 or the mobile phone 102 can operate the operation unit 105 or 106 to select an application to be executed on the device. Note that the communication system may be configured by a smartphone or a tablet PC instead of the mobile phone 102.

  Although not shown in the figure, each of the digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 includes a computer (CPU) that controls the device, a work memory of the CPU, and a nonvolatile memory that stores a program executed by the CPU.

  Further, by bringing the digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 close to each other, P2P (peer-to-peer) communication via the close proximity wireless communication 107 can be performed. As the proximity wireless communication 107, non-contact IC card wireless communication using electromagnetic induction, NFC (near field communication), communication using an induction electric field, or the like can be used. However, the communication by the close proximity wireless communication 107 is limited to a distance between devices within several centimeters (close proximity wireless communication range). Hereinafter, near field communication is referred to as “NFC”.

  Further, by bringing the digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 close to each other, P2P communication via the short-range wireless communication 108 can be performed. As the short-range wireless communication 108, a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be used. The short-range wireless communication 108 can perform communication when the distance between devices is several meters to several tens of meters, and can perform communication over a longer distance than the close-range wireless communication 107. Hereinafter, short-range wireless communication is referred to as “SRC (short range communicaiton)”.

  In SRC108, there may be multiple communication devices within the communicable range, and it is necessary to set identification information of the connection partner and set security information to encrypt the information to be communicated. There is. For example, in the case of a wireless LAN, a service set identifier (SSID) and a basic service set identifier (BSSID) are set as identification information of a network to be connected. In addition, a WEP (wired equivalent privacy) key and passphrase are set as security setting information. Hereinafter, the setting information is collectively referred to as “wireless parameter”.

[Device Configuration]
An example of the functional configuration of the device is shown in the block diagram of FIG. Each configuration shown in FIG. 2 is realized by the CPUs of the digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 executing programs stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  The device includes a near field communication (NFC) unit 201 that performs NFC 107 and a near field communication (SRC) unit 202 that performs SRC 108. The communication middleware 203 provides an application selection function for executing the control functions of the NFC unit 201 and the SRC unit 202. The storage unit 204 stores an application 205 existing in the device. The application 205 provides services such as image transfer and image printing.

  The application handled in the embodiment is a client-server type application. For example, the relationship between a UPnP (universal plug and play) control point and a device corresponds to the client and the server. It is assumed that the server-side application is activated at the stage where the client-side application is operating, and the following description will be given focusing only on the activation of the client-side application.

  The display control unit 206 performs display control of the display units 103 and 104. The operation detection unit 207 detects operation information of the operation units 105 and 106.

  The NFC control unit 208 controls the NFC unit 201. The NFC detection unit 209 detects other devices capable of performing the NFC 107 (hereinafter referred to as NFC devices). That is, when the NFC detection unit 209 detects that the NFC device has entered the NFC sphere, the NFC control unit 208 performs connection control with the device. When the NFC detection unit 209 detects that the connected device has left the NFC area, the NFC control unit 208 performs disconnection control with the device.

  The SRC control unit 210 controls the SRC unit 202. The wireless parameter setting unit 211 sets wireless parameters necessary for the connection of the SRC 108.

  The service information management table 212 stores a service information list in which information related to applications stored in the storage unit 204 is recorded. FIG. 3 shows an example of the service information list. The service information list is a list in which service contents are associated with names and identifiers of applications that execute the service. Hereinafter, information related to the application is referred to as “service information”.

  The service information acquisition unit 213 acquires a service information list from the communication partner using the SRC 108. The service information comparison unit 214 compares the service information list acquired by the service information acquisition unit 213 with the service information list stored in the service information management table 212.

  The wireless parameter acquisition unit 215 stores and deletes wireless parameters. The application management unit 216 executes application activation confirmation, activation processing, and termination processing. The timer 217 measures time and outputs time-out information when a specified time elapses after the start of time measurement.

  The disconnect control unit 218 controls the timing for disconnecting the SRC connection. That is, the disconnection control unit 218 instructs the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect when the disconnection notification is exchanged with the communication partner. The SRC control unit 210 controls the SRC unit 202 to disconnect the SRC connection.

[Communication control and service processing]
An example of communication control and service processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The following describes communication control when the digital camera 101 is defined as the own device and the mobile phone 102 is defined as the opposite device (communication partner) and viewed from the digital camera 101 side. Regardless of whether or not, the same operation is possible.

  In the initial state, there is no communication partner in the NFC area of the device itself, the NFC 107 is not established, and the NFC connection process can be executed. Further, the SRC 108 between the own apparatus and the communication partner may be in a connected state or a disconnected state, but it is assumed that the SRC 108 is in a disconnected state in the initial state. In this initial state, the device is brought closer to the communication partner.

  The NFC detection unit 209 detects an NFC device in the NFC area (S401). When the NFC detection unit 209 detects that an NFC device exists in the NFC area, the NFC control unit 208 performs connection control and establishes an NFC connection with the device (S402).

  Next, the wireless parameter setting unit 211 exchanges wireless parameters with the NFC device (communication partner) with which the NFC connection has been established via the NFC 107 (S403). The wireless parameter exchange method may be performed according to a method such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi Direct established by the Wi-Fi Alliance (registered trademark).

  Next, the SRC control unit 210 establishes an SRC connection using the wireless parameters exchanged with the communication partner (S404). The radio parameter acquisition unit 215 stores the radio parameters used for the SRC connection (S405).

  Next, the service information acquisition unit 213 acquires a service information list (hereinafter, partner service information list) from the communication partner via the SRC 108 (S406). The partner service information list may be acquired via the NFC 107. The service information comparison unit 214 acquires the service information list of the own device (hereinafter referred to as the own service information list) from the service information management table 212 and compares it with the partner service information list (S407). That is, it is determined whether or not an application corresponding to the application described in the own service information list is described in the partner service information list.

  In FIG. 3, the role of each application is described as “transmission side” and “reception side”, but the application on the transmission side corresponds to the application on the reception side. For example, in FIG. 3, “image transfer application (transmission side)” and “image transfer application (reception side)” correspond to applications (hereinafter, “corresponding applications”).

  If there is no corresponding application, the disconnect control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S411). Also, the wireless parameter acquisition unit 215 deletes the stored wireless parameter (S412), and the process ends.

  If there is a set of compatible applications, the application management unit 216 activates the compatible application and executes a cooperation service via the SRC 108 with the communication partner (S408). When this cooperation service is completed, the disconnection control unit 218 transmits a disconnection notification to the communication partner (S409), and waits for reception of a disconnection notification from the communication partner (S410). When receiving the disconnection notification, the disconnection control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S411). Also, the wireless parameter acquisition unit 215 deletes the stored wireless parameter (S412), and the process ends.

  When there are a plurality of corresponding applications, the display control unit 206 displays on the display unit 103 a service selection screen including a list indicating the services of the corresponding applications and a message indicating that a service can be selected from the list. (S413). FIG. 6 shows an example of the service selection screen. The timer 217 starts measuring time (S414). FIG. 7 shows an example of time measured by the timer 217. The time at which time measurement is started in step S414 corresponds to ID = 1 in FIG. The measurement time shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and can be set separately by the user.

  When the NFC detection unit 209 detects that the communication partner has left the NFC area (S415), the timer 217 stops timing of ID = 1 (S416) and starts timing of ID = 2 (S417). Note that if the timing of ID = 1 has already stopped, the process of step S416 is skipped. Similarly, when the time counting of ID = 2 has already started, the process of step S417 is skipped.

  When the time corresponding to ID = 1 or ID = 2 has not elapsed (S418), the operation detection unit 207 determines whether or not the service has been selected by the user (S419). Is returned to step S415. If a service is selected, the operation detection unit 207 outputs operation information to the application management unit 216 (S420), and the process proceeds to step S408.

  The application management unit 216 that has input the operation information activates the application corresponding to the selected service, and executes the cooperation service via the SRC 108 with the communication partner (S408). Thereafter, the processing from step S409 to S412 is executed in the same manner as in the case where there is a set of corresponding applications. When there are a plurality of applications corresponding to the selected service, the application management unit 216 shall start the application described at the top of the own service information list. Of course, the priority associated with the application may be recorded in the service information list, and the application with the higher priority may be preferentially activated.

  On the other hand, when a time corresponding to ID = 1 or ID = 2 elapses (timeout) (S418), the disconnect control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S421). In addition, the timer 217 starts measuring time corresponding to ID = 3 (S422).

  When the time corresponding to ID = 3 has not elapsed (S423), the operation detection unit 207 determines whether a service has been selected by the user (S424), and if the service has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S423. return. When the service is selected, the operation detection unit 207 requests the SRC control unit 210 to perform SRC connection based on the radio parameters stored in the radio parameter acquisition unit 215 (S425). When the SRC connection is re-established, the operation detection unit 207 outputs operation information to the application management unit 216 (S420), and the process proceeds to step S408. Thereafter, the processing from step S408 to S412 is executed.

  When the time corresponding to ID = 3 has elapsed (S423), the wireless parameter acquisition unit 215 deletes the stored wireless parameter (S412), and the process ends.

  In the above, an example in which the SRC connection is disconnected after termination of the cooperation service (S408) has been described, but when there are a plurality of corresponding applications, the process returns to step S413 while maintaining the SRC connection, and the service selection or You may wait for timeout. Further, when the communication partner leaves the NFC area, the NFC connection is disconnected. However, when the communication partner remains in the NFC area even after the processing is completed, the NFC connection may be maintained or disconnected. However, the resumption of the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a case where the communication partner leaves the NFC area and reenters the NFC area, that is, the determination in step S401 is a trigger for starting the process.

  An example of a communication sequence according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where there are a plurality of sets of compatible applications, the time count for ID = 1 or ID = 2 times out, and the service is selected during the time count for ID = 3.

  When the NFC connection is established (S801), the digital camera 101 and the mobile phone 102 exchange radio parameters (S802) and establish an SRC connection (S803).

  The digital camera 101 stores wireless parameters (S804), acquires partner service information (S805), and displays a service selection screen (S806). Then, timing of ID = 1 is started (S807), and when disconnection of the NFC connection occurs (S808), timing of ID = 2 is started (S809).

  When the timing of ID = 1 or ID = 2 times out (S810), the digital camera 101 disconnects the SRC connection (S811) and starts counting of ID = 3 (S812).

  If the service is selected before the time count of ID = 3 is up (S813), the digital camera 101 re-establishes the SRC connection (S814) and executes the linkage service (S815). When the cooperation service ends, a disconnection notification is transmitted to the mobile phone 102 (S816), and when a disconnection notification is received from the mobile phone 102 (S817), the SRC connection is disconnected (S818), and the wireless parameter is deleted (S818). S819).

  As described above, regardless of the NFC connection, the service can be executed via the SRC connection within the first time corresponding to ID = 1 or the second time corresponding to ID = 2. Furthermore, if the SRC connection is disconnected after the first or second time has elapsed, but the service is selected before the third time corresponding to ID = 3, the stored radio parameters are used. The SRC connection can be re-established in a short period of time to enable cooperation services.

  Therefore, the disconnection timing of the SRC connection can be adaptively controlled according to the NFC connection state and the user's service selection status, and the SRC connection time can be minimized and power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, a service that can be implemented with the communication partner specified by the NFC 107 can be presented to the user, and the user can select the service while maintaining the SRC connection. Therefore, the user can easily use the desired service only by the operation of bringing the devices closer together and the operation of selecting the desired service from the presented services.

  Furthermore, when the user selects a service after disconnecting the SRC connection after presenting the service selection screen, the SRC connection can be resumed immediately using the stored wireless parameters. Accordingly, power consumption by the SRC connection can be omitted until a service is selected, and time can be minimized until execution of the service is started.

  Further, by deleting the stored wireless parameters before the processing is completed, it is possible to minimize the use of the memory resources of the device.

  Also, by exchanging the disconnection notification, the SRC connection can be disconnected when both devices are ready to be disconnected. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably execute the selected service including the service selected on the communication partner side.

  A communication apparatus and a control method thereof according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same reference numerals in the second embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  A functional configuration example of the device of the second embodiment is shown by the block diagram of FIG. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the functional configuration of FIG. 2 except that a service execution order determination unit 221 includes a service information storage unit 222, a service information notification unit 223, and a device type recognition unit 224.

  The service execution order determination unit 221 determines the execution order of the services selected by the user, and stores a table indicating the determined execution order in the service information storage unit 819. FIG. 10 shows an example of the service selection screen according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the user can simultaneously select a plurality of services by pressing (or touching) a selection completion button after selecting a plurality of services. The service execution order determination unit 221 determines the execution order of services when a plurality of services are selected. FIG. 11 shows one table stored in the service information storage unit 222. In the example of FIG. 11, the position information acquisition service, the image transmission service, and the image upload service are executed in this order.

  The execution order of services is the selection order of those services. Alternatively, the priority associated with the service or application may be recorded in the service information list, and the execution order may be executed from the service with the higher priority. FIG. 12 shows an example of a service information list in which priorities are recorded.

  When the service is selected by both the own device and the communication partner, IDs uniquely assigned to the devices (hereinafter, device IDs) are compared. Then, when the device ID of the own device is larger than the device ID of the communication partner, the service selected by the own device is executed first, and when it is smaller, the service selected by the communication partner is executed first. Conversely, when the device ID of the own device is smaller than the device ID of the communication partner, the service selected by the own device may be executed first. The device ID includes, for example, a MAC (media access control) address.

  The service information notification unit 223 notifies the communication partner of the service selected by the user. The service information notified by the service information notification unit 223 is the same as (or a part of) the information stored in the service information storage unit 222.

  The device type recognition unit 224 recognizes the device type of the communication partner connected via the NFC 107 or SRC 108. The device type is information for distinguishing between a “mobile device” that can be carried by the user and a “stationary device” that cannot be carried, and can be determined from the device ID. In the following description, the types of all communication devices are classified into the two types described above, but may be classified using device names such as “digital camera” and “mobile phone” or device model numbers. Of course, in addition to determining the device type from the device ID, information on the device type may be acquired from the communication partner to determine the device type of the communication partner.

  An example of communication control and service processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The following describes communication control when the digital camera 101 is defined as the own device and the mobile phone 102 is defined as the opposite device (communication partner) and viewed from the digital camera 101 side. Regardless of whether or not, the same operation is possible.

  The processing in steps S401 to S406 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The service information comparison unit 214 determines the presence / absence of the corresponding application by comparing the own service information list and the partner service information list (S901). When there is no corresponding application, as in the first embodiment, the disconnect control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S411), and the radio parameter stored by the radio parameter acquisition unit 215 is deleted (S412). The process ends.

  On the other hand, when the corresponding application exists, the device type recognition unit 224 recognizes the device type of the communication partner (S902). If the communication partner is recognized as a stationary device, the process proceeds to step S912.

  When the communication partner is recognized as a mobile device, the display control unit 806 displays on the display unit 103 a service selection screen including a list indicating services that can be performed and a message indicating that a service can be selected from the list. (S903). The operation detection unit 207 determines whether or not a service has been selected by the user (S904). If a service has been selected, the process proceeds to step S910.

  If the service is not selected, it is determined whether or not the NFC connection with the communication partner is disconnected (S905). If the NFC connection with the communication partner is maintained, the process returns to step S904. When the NFC connection with the communication partner is disconnected, the timer 217 starts timing (S906) and determines whether the NFC connection with the communication partner has been reestablished (S907).

  The method for determining re-establishment of the NFC connection holds the device ID of the communication partner at the time of connection in step S402, and in step S907, compares the held device ID with the device ID of the communication partner connected by NFC. . That is, if the comparison result indicates that the device IDs match, “re-establishment” is determined, and if the comparison results indicate mismatch, “new connection” is determined.

  If the NFC connection with the communication partner has not been re-established, it is determined whether or not the timer 217 has passed the predetermined time (whether it has timed out) (S908). Return to S907. When the time-out occurs, the disconnection control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S411), deletes the radio parameter stored by the radio parameter acquisition unit 215 (S412), and the process ends.

  Further, when the NFC connection with the communication partner is re-established, the operation detection unit 207 determines whether or not the service is selected by the user (S909), and if the service is selected, the process proceeds to step S910, If no service is selected, the process proceeds to step S911.

  When it is determined in step S904 or S909 that the service has been selected, the service execution order determination unit 221 determines the execution order of the selected service (S910), details of which will be described later.

  If it is determined in step S909 that the service is not selected, the service information notification unit 223 selects the highest-level service (S911). The highest level means a service recorded at the top of the service information list. For example, in the case of the service information list shown in FIG. 12, “image transmission” is selected as the highest level service, and “image transfer application (transmission side)” is selected as the highest level application.

  When the communication partner is a stationary device (S902), when the service execution order is determined (S910), or when the highest level service is selected (S911), the process proceeds to step S912. The service information notifying unit 223 exchanges the service selection information regarding the selected service and the execution order with the communication partner via the NFC 107 or the SRC 108 (S912). If no service is selected by the user, the service information notification unit 223 may notify NULL as service selection information. Further, when the service execution order is not determined and the top service is selected, the service selection information is notified so as to indicate that the service is not selected by the user. FIG. 15 shows an example of service selection information notified when the top-level service is selected.

  When the service selection information is exchanged, the service execution order determination unit 221 determines the device on which the service selection by the user has been performed (S913).

  When service selection is performed in both devices, the service execution order determination unit 221 compares the device IDs and adjusts the execution order so that the service selected in the device with the larger device ID is executed first or Determine (S914). In other words, the services are executed in the order of services selected in the device with the larger device ID, and then the services are executed in the order selected in the device with the smaller device ID. The relationship between the device ID size and the execution order may be reversed.

  When service selection is performed in one of the devices, the service execution order determination unit 221 discards the service selection information notified from the device for which service selection has not been performed (S915). The service information storage unit 819 stores the service selection information that has not been adjusted, determined, or discarded (S916). Alternatively, when service selection is not performed in any of the devices, the service information storage unit 819 stores the service selection information so that the service of the device with a large (or small) device ID is executed first (S916). ).

  When the service selection information is stored, the application management unit 816 executes the cooperation service with the communication partner via the SRC 108 in the order indicated by the service selection information (S917). Then, it is determined whether or not the execution of all the services included in the service selection information has been completed (S918), and the execution of the linked service (S917) is repeated until the execution of all the services is completed.

  When the execution of all the services included in the service selection information is completed, the disconnection control unit 218 transmits a disconnection notification to the communication partner (S409), and waits for reception of the disconnection notification from the communication partner (S410). When the disconnection notification is received, the disconnect control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S411), deletes the radio parameter stored by the radio parameter acquisition unit 215 (S412), and the process ends. .

  An example of a communication sequence according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where there is a corresponding application, the communication partner is a mobile device, and the NFC connection is reestablished before the timeout after the NFC connection is disconnected. Note that the processing in steps S801 to S806 and S816 to S819 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 8, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  After displaying the service selection screen (S806), the NFC connection is disconnected (S821). Before the NFC connection is re-established, services 2 and 5 are selected on the digital camera 101 side (S822), and service 3 is selected on the mobile phone 102 side (S823). After that, when the NFC connection is re-established (S824) and the service selection information is exchanged (S825), the cooperation service is executed in the order of services 2, 5, and 3 (S826-S828). In this example, for example, the device ID of the digital camera 101 is larger, and the service selected in the digital camera 101 is given priority.

  In this way, multiple services can be selected and the selected services can be executed in an appropriate order. Therefore, every time a user executes a single service, there is no need to bring the devices close to each other, and convenience is improved. Further, even when services are selected in both apparatuses, the services can be executed in an appropriate order. In other words, the processes desired by the users of both apparatuses can be processed together, improving convenience.

  In addition, when no service is selected in any of the apparatuses, a service to be executed with a communication partner can be automatically selected and the service can be executed. Therefore, the user can execute the highest level service by bringing the devices close to each other twice without selecting a service, and convenience is improved.

  Further, when communicating with a stationary device such as a stationary device, the service can be executed without disconnecting the SRC 108 over time. Therefore, the user can select a service by operating the stationary device without being aware of the disconnection process of the SRC 108, and convenience is improved.

  A communication apparatus and a control method thereof according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same reference numerals in the third embodiment denote the same parts as in the first and second embodiments, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The block diagram of FIG. 17 shows an example of the functional configuration of the device of the third embodiment. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same components as those shown in FIG. 2, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The display control unit 1206 controls the display of the display units 103 and 104, and controls the turning on / off of the backlight of the display units 103 and 104. For example, the timer 1217 is used to turn off the backlight when there is no user input operation for a predetermined time or longer. Note that the backlight control by the display control unit 1206 may be triggered by conditions other than those described above.

  The operation detection unit 1207 detects user operations on the operation units 105 and 106, and performs control to invalidate / enable input from the operation units 105 and 106. For example, the timer 1217 is used to invalidate input from the operation units 105 and 106 when the user has not operated the operation units 105 and 106 for a predetermined time or longer. Note that the input invalid / valid control by the operation detection unit 1406 may be triggered by conditions other than those described above. In addition, a state where the input from the operation units 105 and 106 is valid is referred to as an “operable state”, and a state where the input is invalid is referred to as an “operation lock state”.

  The UI state determination unit 1218 determines the state of the user interface (UI) from the control operations of the display control unit 1206 and the operation detection unit 1207.

  An example of communication control and service processing according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following describes communication control when the digital camera 101 is defined as the own device and the mobile phone 102 is defined as the opposite device (communication partner) and viewed from the digital camera 101 side. Regardless of whether or not, the same operation is possible.

  The processing in steps S401 to S404 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the SRC connection is established, the application management unit 216 activates a predesignated application and executes a cooperation service by the application (S1501).

  When the cooperation service ends, the NFC detection unit 209 determines whether the communication partner has left the NFC area (S1502). This determination is repeated until the communication partner leaves the NFC area and the NFC connection is disconnected.

  When the NFC connection is disconnected, the UI state determination unit 1218 determines the backlight control state by the display control unit 1207 (S1503). When the backlight is off, the disconnect control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S1505), and the process ends.

  When the backlight is on, the UI state determination unit 1218 determines the state of input invalid / valid control by the operation detection unit 1406 (S1504). If it is operable, the process returns to step S1503 to determine the backlight control state. On the other hand, in the operation lock state, the disconnection control unit 218 causes the SRC control unit 210 to disconnect the SRC connection (S1505), and the process ends.

  Further, the NFC 107 may be communication for the charging control unit 1219 to perform non-contact charging. In this case, the determination in step S1502 is whether or not non-contact charging is performed. Then, the SRC connection is maintained when charging is performed, and the SRC connection is disconnected when charging is not performed.

  In this way, the SRC connection disconnection is controlled in accordance with the lighting / extinguishing of the backlight and the operable state / operating lock state. Therefore, when the user does not operate the operation units 105 and 106 for a predetermined time, the SRC connection can be disconnected to save power consumption.

  In addition, it is possible to save time and effort to re-establish the SRC connection without disconnecting the SRC connection, assuming that there is a margin of power while charging by non-contact charging. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience by reducing the time required for re-establishing the SRC connection.

[Other Examples]
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various recording media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (18)

A first communication means for establishing a connection by the near field wireless communication with a counterpart device existing in the communication area of the near field wireless communication;
Obtaining means for obtaining a parameter for establishing a connection by short-range wireless communication from the counterpart device via the near-field wireless communication;
Second communication means for establishing a connection by the short-range wireless communication with the counterpart device based on the parameter;
An execution means for providing a service selection screen and executing a cooperation service with the counterpart device via the short-range wireless communication;
If the service is selected within a first time after providing the service selection screen, the execution unit executes the service as the linkage service.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the service as the cooperation service when a service is selected within a second time after the connection by the close proximity wireless communication is cut off. Furthermore, it has a memory | storage means to memorize | store the said parameter which the said acquisition means acquired,
The second communication means disconnects the connection by the short-range wireless communication when the first or second time elapses, and then stores the storage means when a service is selected within a third time. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the execution of the cooperative service is enabled by the execution unit by re-establishing the connection by the short-range wireless communication based on the parameter to be executed. The second communication means disconnects the connection by the short-range wireless communication after the cooperation service is executed,
4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit deletes the parameter after the cooperation service is executed or after the third time has elapsed. The service information list of the counterpart device can be acquired via the proximity wireless communication or the short-range wireless communication, and the service information list of the counterpart device and the service information list of the own device can be compared and executed as the cooperation service A determination means for determining a service that is
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit provides the service selection screen based on the determination result.   6. The communication according to claim 5, wherein, as a result of the determination, if there is one service that can be executed as the cooperation service, the execution unit executes the service as the cooperation service without providing the service selection screen. apparatus.   6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, as a result of the determination, when there is no service that can be executed as the cooperation service, the second communication unit disconnects the connection by the short-range wireless communication. Furthermore, it has a means to determine whether the said other party apparatus is a portable apparatus,
When the counterpart device is a portable device, the execution unit executes a predetermined service as the cooperation service when a connection is disconnected and re-established by the close proximity wireless communication without selecting a service. Item 4. The communication device according to Item 1. And means for exchanging service selection information indicating the selected service and the execution order of the service with the counterpart device via the near field communication or the near field communication,
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit determines an order of services to be executed as the cooperation service according to selection of a service in the own device and the counterpart device. A first communication means for establishing a connection by the near field wireless communication with a counterpart device existing in the communication area of the near field wireless communication;
Obtaining means for obtaining a parameter for establishing a connection by short-range wireless communication from the counterpart device via the near-field wireless communication;
Second communication means for establishing a connection by the short-range wireless communication with the counterpart device based on the parameter;
Execution means for executing a cooperation service with the counterpart device via the short-range wireless communication;
And a control unit configured to control connection by the short-range wireless communication after the cooperation service is executed.   11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls connection by the short-range wireless communication according to a state of a user interface.   12. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls connection by the short-range wireless communication based on a backlight state of the display unit and a lock state of the operation unit.   13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein when the backlight is turned off or the operation unit is in a locked state, the control unit causes the second communication unit to disconnect the connection by the short-range wireless communication. Furthermore, it has a charging means for performing contactless charging using the proximity wireless communication,
11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the non-contact charging is performed, the control unit maintains a connection by the short-range wireless communication. The first communication means establishes a connection by the near field wireless communication with a partner apparatus existing in the communication area of the near field wireless communication,
The acquisition means acquires a parameter for establishing a connection by short-range wireless communication from the counterpart device via the near-field wireless communication,
A second communication means establishes a connection by the short-range wireless communication with the counterpart device based on the parameter;
An execution means for providing a service selection screen and executing a cooperative service with the counterpart device via the short-range wireless communication selects the service within a first time after providing the service selection screen. And a communication device control method for executing the service as the cooperation service. The first communication means establishes a connection by the near field wireless communication with a partner apparatus existing in the communication area of the near field wireless communication,
The acquisition means acquires a parameter for establishing a connection by short-range wireless communication from the counterpart device via the near-field wireless communication,
A second communication means establishes a connection by the short-range wireless communication with the counterpart device based on the parameter;
An execution means executes a cooperation service with the counterpart device via the short-range wireless communication,
A control method of a communication device, wherein a control unit controls connection by the short-range wireless communication after the cooperation service is executed.   15. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 17 is recorded.

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