JP2017037531A - Communication device and control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device capable of specifying data that can be processed by an external device at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: communication means that is configured to transfer data to an external device via a network in which the communication device is participating and to transmit/receive control information to/from the external device before participating in the network; and control means that controls processing using the communication means. The control means performs control so that: if first data having a first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means participates in the network, whether or not the external device can handle the first data format is determined through transmission/reception of the control information; if the external device can handle the first data format, the communication device participates in the network; and if the external device cannot handle the first data format, whether or not the external device can handle a second data format different from the first data format is determined through transmission/reception of the control information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that communicates with an external device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  With the spread of wireless communication, it has been proposed to mount a wireless communication function in a portable terminal such as a digital camera and transmit data such as a video file to an external device (Patent Document 1). For example, when data is transmitted to an external apparatus using a wireless LAN, the portable terminal first executes a process of joining a wireless LAN network to which the external apparatus belongs, and then executes a process of establishing communication with the external apparatus.

JP 2009-152689 A

  However, after establishing communication with the external device, if it is found that the external device cannot properly process (for example, cannot reproduce) data such as a video file transmitted from the portable terminal to the external device, it has been executed Communication processing is wasted. For this reason, it is necessary to specify data that can be processed by the external device at an appropriate timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a communication device capable of specifying data that can be processed by an external device at an appropriate timing, a control method thereof, and a program. With the goal.

In order to solve this problem, for example, the communication device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via a participating network and to transmit / receive control information to / from the external device before joining the network, and a control means for controlling processing using the communication means And when the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network, the control means transmits and receives control information through the transmission and reception of control information. It is determined whether or not the first data format can be processed, and if the external device can process the first data format, it participates in the network and the external device cannot process the first data format. Control is performed to determine whether or not the external device can process a second data format different from the first data format through transmission / reception of information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication apparatus which can identify the data which an external apparatus can process at an appropriate timing, its control method, and a program can be provided.

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a digital camera as an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a software configuration related to a communication function of a digital camera according to the present embodiment. Schematic diagram showing an example of a network configuration according to the present embodiment Schematic diagram showing an operation sequence between the digital camera and the external device according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of communication control processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of communication control processing according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of communication control processing according to the third embodiment. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of communication control processing according to the fourth embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example in which the present invention is applied to an arbitrary digital camera capable of transmitting and receiving data by communication will be described as an example of a communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera and can be applied to any device capable of transmitting and receiving data by communication. These devices may include, for example, a mobile phone, a game machine, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a clock-type or glasses-type information terminal.

(Configuration of digital camera 100)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital camera 100 as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. One or more of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or a programmable logic array (PLA), or may be realized by a programmable processor such as a CPU or MPU executing software. May be. Further, it may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Therefore, in the following description, even when different functional blocks are described as the operation subject, the same hardware can be realized as the subject.

  The imaging unit 101 includes an optical lens, an image sensor, a digital image processing unit, and the like, photoelectrically converts a subject optical image input via the imaging optical system to generate an analog signal, and further converts it into digital data to generate an image. Generate data. For example, image data in which one frame is 1920 horizontal pixels × 1080 vertical pixels can be output at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 frames per second). The output from the imaging unit 101 is transmitted as, for example, moving image data via a bus and stored in the storage unit 103.

  The control unit 102 includes, for example, a CPU or MPU, and develops and executes a control program stored in a ROM included in the storage unit 103 in a work area of a RAM included in the storage unit 103, thereby executing the entire digital camera 100. To control. The control unit 102 performs various control processes such as setting of communication parameters with an external device on the network, participation in the network, establishment of communication with the external device (control means).

  The storage unit 103 includes various memories such as ROM, RAM, HDD, and flash memory, for example, and stores a control program executed by the control unit 102 and various information such as communication parameters. The storage unit 103 functions as a data storage unit that stores moving image data and still image data captured by the digital camera 100. Note that the storage unit 103 may store moving image data generated by an external device and received from the device in addition to moving image data and still image data captured by the digital camera 100.

  The wireless unit 104 is a processing circuit or a functional module for performing wireless communication, and executes wireless LAN communication compliant with, for example, IEEE 802.11 series in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 102 (communication means).

  The display unit 105 includes a monitor including, for example, a touch panel type LCD or LED panel. The display unit 105 can output visually recognizable information such as moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 or an operation screen (menu screen) for operating the digital camera 100, or audio output such as a speaker. . The display unit 105 has a function of outputting at least one of visual information and sound information.

  The data conversion unit 106 converts the moving image data or still image data stored in the storage unit 103 into data of a different format and stores the data in the storage unit 103 (data conversion unit). For example, MOV format moving image data and MP4 format moving image data can be converted to each other, or JPEG format still image data and PNG format still image data can be converted to each other. The data conversion unit 106 may be configured by dedicated hardware called a transcoder, for example.

  The antenna control unit 107 includes a control circuit or a control module that controls the antenna 108 for performing wireless communication, and controls a signal output and the like for performing wireless communication.

  The operation unit 109 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and the user operates the digital camera 100 by performing various inputs from various buttons and a menu screen. The operation unit 109 transmits the detected user input to the control unit 102.

(Function block configuration related to communication control function)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the functional block 201 by software as an example for realizing the communication control function of the present embodiment. The communication control function of the functional block 201 is realized by hardware and software included in the digital camera 100.

  The discovery control unit 202 searches for an external device that is a communication partner and performs device discovery processing. In addition, the GO negotiation control unit 203 performs GO Negotiation processing based on the Wi-Fi Direct protocol specification, and determines which of the external devices plays the role of a wireless LAN access point (or a wireless LAN station). In Wi-Fi Direct, a communication device that provides a wireless LAN access point function is referred to as a P2P group owner (hereinafter also referred to as GO), and a communication device that provides a wireless LAN station function is referred to as a P2P client (hereinafter also referred to as CL). . When the digital camera 100 is a GO or wireless LAN access point, a wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 described later is activated. On the other hand, when the digital camera 100 is a CL or a wireless LAN station, a wireless LAN station function control unit 210 described later is activated. Since the protocol related to this GO Negotiation process is defined in the Wi-Fi Direct specification, the details are omitted. In Wi-Fi Direct, a network formed by GO is called a P2P group. In this embodiment, the network may be referred to as a P2P group, and these will be described in the same meaning. The P2P group owner (GO), the P2P client (CL), and the communication device group whose role has not been determined are collectively referred to as a P2P device.

  The DHCP client control unit 204 provides a DHCP client function, and is activated when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN station in the GO negotiation control unit 203. The DHCP server control unit 205 provides a DHCP server function, and is activated when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN access point in the GO negotiation control unit 203.

  The WPS enrollee control unit 206 receives communication parameters necessary for wireless LAN communication from other WPS registrar devices. Similar to the DHCP client control unit 204, it operates when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN station. The WPS registrar control unit 207 provides communication parameters necessary for wireless LAN communication to other WPS enrollee devices. Similar to the DHCP server control unit 205, it operates when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN access point. Note that the communication parameters provided by the WPS registrar are parameters such as an SSID as a network identifier, an encryption key, an encryption method, an authentication key, and an authentication method.

  The wireless LAN packet receiving unit 208 and the wireless LAN packet transmitting unit 209 execute transmission / reception of all packets including upper layer communication protocols. The wireless LAN station function control unit 210 performs authentication processing, encryption processing, and the like when the digital camera 100 operates as a wireless LAN station, and participates in a wireless network formed by a device operating as a wireless LAN access point.

  When the digital camera 100 operates as a wireless LAN access point function, the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 forms a wireless network and executes authentication processing, encryption processing, external device management processing, and the like. Either the wireless LAN station function control unit 210 or the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 may operate or may operate simultaneously.

  The packet routing control unit 212 bridges and routes communication packets when the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 is operating.

  The data storage unit 213 stores software programs, wireless LAN parameters, and various tables such as the above-described DHCP address table and ARP table.

  The service discovery control unit 214 implements a service discovery function unique to Wi-Fi Direct. The service discovery function acquires service information provided by an external device by transmitting and receiving an action frame, which is a part of a management frame, defined by IEEE 802.11u. Specifically, the service discovery control unit 214 transmits an SD Query and receives an SD Response as a response. Alternatively, the service discovery control unit 214 receives an SD Query from an external device, and transmits an SD Response as a response. The SD Response includes information indicating the type of service, and indicates the type of service provided by the apparatus that has transmitted this response, such as a file transfer service, a print service, and a moving image streaming service.

  The P2P invitation control unit 215 controls an invitation function defined by the Wi-Fi Direct standard. Since this invitation function is defined in the Wi-Fi Direct specification, it is omitted, but it is a function that prompts connection by using a P2P device in which the role of GO or CL is not determined as a P2P client.

  The service providing unit 216 provides an application layer file transfer service. The application layer refers to a service providing layer in a higher layer than the fifth layer in the OSI reference model. In the file transfer service, various request / response transmission / reception processes and transfer file transmission / reception processes are performed using the HTTP protocol.

  The service using unit 217 uses a service provided by the file transfer service providing unit in the application layer of the external device.

  The session control unit 218 manages logical connections in the file transfer service. When a file transfer service is used, a session generation request is transmitted to an external device by transmitting data information to be transferred (transfer data related information), and a response is received. When the file transfer service is provided, the transfer data related information is received, and it is determined whether or not a session can be generated based on the content of the transfer data related information and responds. The transfer data related information is information including, for example, the number of files to be transferred, the total size, and the file name. When it is determined that the session can be generated, the session control unit 218 performs connection processing in the wireless layer. In addition, the exchange of information related to session management is performed as transmission / reception of so-called control information for transferring a file, and is performed using, for example, a public action frame, which is a part of a management frame defined in IEEE 802.11. Is called.

  Note that all the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 are not limited to those provided by software, and at least some of them may be provided by hardware. Each functional block has a mutual relationship, and a plurality of functional blocks may constitute one functional block, or any functional block may be further divided into blocks that perform a plurality of functions. . Furthermore, the file transfer service in the application layer is realized by a device that provides the service and a device that uses the service. In an example of the present embodiment, the device that uses the service is the digital camera 100, and the device that provides the service may be a smartphone, a tablet, a digital camera, a storage device, or the like.

  3 shows a digital camera 100 (also referred to as STA-A representing a file transmission side in FIGS. 3 and 4) and an external device (also referred to as STA-B representing a file reception side in FIGS. 3 and 4). The example of the wireless network 31 comprised from this is shown. Each apparatus has hardware and software (for example, what is shown in FIG. 1) for realizing the communication control function of the functional block 201 described with reference to FIG. The digital camera 100 and the external device participate in the formed wireless network 31 and establish wireless communication conforming to, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series.

(Operation sequence related to communication control processing)
FIG. 4 shows an operation sequence between apparatuses when STA-A (corresponding to the digital camera 100) transmits moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to STA-B (corresponding to an external apparatus). It is a schematic diagram shown. In the example of FIG. 4, STA-A is a communication device on the transmission side that uses the file transfer service, and STA-B operates as a communication device on the reception side that provides the file transfer service.

  In step S401, when the STA-A receives the completion of selection of the file to be transferred by the user operation, in step S402, the STA-A transmits an inquiry signal (file transfer service search) for searching for a communication device that provides the file transfer service. To do.

  In S403, STA-B receives the inquiry signal and transmits a detection response signal to STA-A.

  In step S404, the STA-A receives the detection response and transmits a session generation request signal to which transfer data related information is added in order to establish a logical connection for the file transfer service with the STA-B. For example, the transfer data related information may be “number of files: 1, total size: 5 MB, file name: 20130807.MOV”. At this time, the extension of the file name indicating the data format to be transferred (“MOV” in this example) is not omitted. By transmitting the transfer data related information at this timing (that is, before joining the wireless network), the STA-B can recognize in advance what data is transferred. In the following description, a file that is initially selected as data to be transferred may be referred to as an initial file. The transmission / reception of information related to the file transfer service search and the session generation request is performed by using an action frame that is a part of the management frame described above under a specific frequency band (also referred to as a channel) defined in STA-A and STA-B. Done using.

  In S405, the STA-B receives the session generation request signal transmitted from the STA-A, and transmits a permission response signal or a rejection response signal to the STA-A according to the transfer data related information. Specifically, the STA-B refers to the data format included in the transfer data related information and determines whether the data can be processed by the STA-B. The STA-B transmits a permission response signal to the STA-A when it is determined that it can be processed, and a rejection response signal when it is determined that it cannot be processed. For example, when the STA-B has a function for reproducing moving image data in the MP4 format but does not have a function for reproducing moving image data in the MOV format, the extension of the file name included in the received transfer data related information (data format Since) is MOV, a rejection response signal is transmitted.

  When STA-B transmits a rejection response signal in S405, STA-A performs the following processes of S406 to S408.

  In S406, when the STA-A receives the rejection response signal, the STA-A selects a file (substitute file) to be transferred as an alternative to the file (initial file) that was the transfer target in S404. Specifically, with respect to the initial file included in the transfer data related information that received the rejection response, it is determined whether there is an alternative file in the storage unit 103 that differs only in extension. Select a file to send. Further, when there is no alternative file, the STA-A selects a file obtained by converting the initial file as a transfer target. For example, in the example of the transfer data related information described above, when a file name (for example, “20130807.AVI”) having a different extension only exists in the storage unit 103, this file is selected as an alternative file. If the file does not exist, the MP4 format file name (for example, “20130807.MP4”) obtained by converting the MOV format by the data conversion unit 106 of the STA-A is selected.

  In S407, when the STA-A selects an alternative file, the STA-A transmits a session generation request again using the transfer data related information including the data format of the selected alternative file. In S408, STA-B transmits a permission response signal or a rejection response signal to STA-A, as in S405. At this time, when the STA-A receives the rejection response signal, the alternative file selection in S406 and the session generation request in S407 are performed again to confirm the response signal from the STA-B. That is, STA-A repeats the processing of S406 to S408 until it receives the permission response signal from STA-B, and specifies the data format that can be processed by STA-B.

  Further, steps after S409 will be described. Steps after S409 are processing when STA-A receives the permission response signal from STA-B in S408.

  In S409, when the STA-A receives the permission response signal, the STA-A performs a wireless layer connection process with the STA-B. The connection process in the wireless layer is a connection process based on the Wi-Fi Direct specification described above. That is, either STA-A or STA-B is a P2P group owner (GO), and the other is a P2P client (CL). The CL performs a so-called network participation process for participating in a wireless network formed by the GO. However, when the GO forms a wireless network, the GO performs network participation processing.

  In S410, the STA-A executes a predetermined start process of the file transfer service via the participating network. Specifically, an IP address setting process by DHCP is performed to establish a connection with STA-B, and a process for acquiring detailed information necessary for HTTP transfer in the file transfer service from STA-B is executed.

  In S411, the STA-A executes a file transmission process for the STA-B based on the transfer data related information (S404 or S407) used in the session generation request when the permission response signal is received.

  In S412, when the STA-A finishes transferring the file, the STA-A executes a predetermined end process for the file transfer service. Specifically, processing for deleting the information generated in S410 and canceling the setting are executed.

  In S413, the STA-A transmits a session end request signal to end the logical connection of the file transfer service with the STA-B. In S414, STA-B receives the session end request signal and transmits an authorization response signal to STA-A.

  In S415, the STA-A receives the permission response signal and executes a process of disconnecting the wireless layer connection with the STA-B. Note that the disconnection process in the wireless layer is a disconnection process based on the Wi-Fi Direct specification described above. When STA-A and STA-B complete the above process, the operation sequence related to the communication control process ends.

(A series of operations related to communication control processing)
Next, a series of operations related to communication control processing of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to an external device using a file transfer service. Note that this processing is started when a user performs a selection operation on the operation unit 109 in a state where a file to be transferred is displayed on the display unit 105 of the digital camera 100, for example. This process is realized by the control unit 102 expanding and executing the program stored in the storage unit 103 in the work area.

  In step S <b> 501, the control unit 102 displays a screen for selecting a file to be transferred by the user (transfer file selection screen) on the display unit 105. FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 105 in this step, and the screen configuration is configured such that the user can select a desired file to be transferred by the operation unit 109. The transfer file selection screen displays a list of reduced still images (so-called thumbnail images) 601 to 606 of the files stored in the storage unit 103. Also, a scroll 609 for scrolling the screen according to the number of files to be displayed, a send button 607 for determining transfer of the selected file, and a cancel button 608 for canceling the operation and returning to the previous screen are displayed. Is done.

  Refer to FIG. 5 again. In step S502, the control unit 102 determines whether a user has selected a file on the transfer file selection screen. If the file is selected, the control unit 102 advances the process to step S503. If the file is not selected, the control unit 102 returns the process to step S502 and waits for the user to select a file. More specifically, the user waits for the user to select one of the thumbnail images 601 to 606 via the operation unit 109 and press the send button 607 on the screen of FIG. In the present embodiment, description is made assuming that one file to be transferred is selected, but a plurality of files can be selected and transferred.

  In step S503, the control unit 102 determines whether an external device has been detected. More specifically, the control unit 102 starts a file transfer service search process, and determines whether a detection response from an external device has been received within a predetermined time from the start of the detection process. When the detection response cannot be received, this is separately displayed on the display unit 105 to notify the user, and this series of processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a detection response is received, the process proceeds to S504. When a plurality of external devices are detected in this step, the control unit 102 displays a list of external devices that have transmitted detection responses on the display unit 105, and selects a device to which a file is to be transferred. An operation may be accepted.

  In S504, the control unit 102 performs a session generation process. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information related to the file to be transferred, and transmits a session generation request including the transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In step S505, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session generation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via the wireless unit 104 is determined. If this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509. If this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S506. Proceed.

  First, the processing (S506 to S508) when there is a rejection response to the session generation request will be described. In step S <b> 506, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having a different extension exists in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a file that is different from the file name of the file selected in S502 only in extension and is not used in the session generation process in S504 exists in the storage unit 103. If the file exists, the process returns to S504, and the session generation process is performed again using the information of the file. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S507.

  In step S507, the control unit 102 determines whether the file used in the session generation process can be converted. That is, the control unit 102 determines whether the file used in the session generation process can be converted into data having a different data format (data with different extensions) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process advances to step S508; otherwise, the series of processes is terminated assuming that data that can be used by the external apparatus cannot be prepared.

  In step S <b> 508, the control unit 102 starts data conversion processing using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion process is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion process, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. Thereafter, the control unit 102 returns the process to S504, and performs the session generation process again using the information of the file generated by the conversion process. In other words, the control unit 102 repeats the processes of S504 to S508 described above until receiving the permission response signal, and specifies a data format that can be processed by the external apparatus.

  Next, processing (S509 to S514) when there is a permission response to the session generation request will be described.

  In step S509, the control unit 102 executes wireless layer connection processing including participation in the network based on the Wi-Fi Direct specification with the external device. Furthermore, a transfer service start process such as an IP address setting process by DHCP and an acquisition process of detailed information necessary for HTTP transfer in the file transfer service is executed.

  In S510, if the data conversion process has been started in S508, the control unit 102 determines whether the data conversion process is in progress. When determining that the data conversion process is in progress, the control unit 102 returns the process to S510 again and waits for the completion of the conversion process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the conversion process has been completed, the process proceeds to S511.

  In step S511, the control unit 102 executes file transfer processing for the external device via the participating network based on the transfer data related information transmitted in step S504. In step S512, when the file transmission process ends, the control unit 102 executes a file transfer service end process in step S512, and further executes a session end process in step S513.

  When the session end process is completed, the control unit 102 further performs a wireless layer disconnection process in S513, and deletes the data-converted data generated in S508 from the storage unit 103 as necessary in S514. At this time, the control unit 102 may delete all the data after the data conversion, but may selectively delete only the data having the data format for which the permission response has not been obtained from the external device in S505. . In this way, only data that can be transferred to the storage unit 103 can be held in the storage unit 103. When the processing of S513 and S514 is completed, the control unit 102 ends this series of operations.

(Specific example of communication control processing)
A series of processes shown in FIG. 5 will be described as a specific example when the digital camera 100 receives a rejection response signal from the external device in S505.

  It is assumed that the file name of the file selected by the user in S502 is “20130807.MOV”, and “20130807.WMV” is stored in the storage unit 103 in addition to the selected file. In addition, the data conversion unit 106 of the digital camera 100 has a function of converting various moving image data into the MP4 format. Furthermore, the external device cannot reproduce moving image data in MOV format and WMV format, but can reproduce moving image data in MP4 format.

  The digital camera 100 adds the information of the file “20130807.MOV” according to the user's file selection and performs session generation processing (corresponding to S504). On the other hand, the external device cannot reproduce the MOV format moving image data. Therefore, when a rejection response signal is received from the external device (corresponding to NO in S505), the digital camera 100 checks the storage unit 103 and finds a file “20130807.WMV” having a different extension (corresponding to YES in S506). .

  The digital camera 100 performs the session generation process again using the information of the file “20130807.WMV” (corresponding to S504), but receives the rejection response signal again because the external device cannot reproduce the WMV format moving image data. (Corresponds to NO in S505). At this time, there are no more files having different extensions only in the storage unit 103 (corresponding to NO in S506). For this reason, the digital camera 100 converts the “20130807.WMV” into the MP4 format file “20130807.MP4” using the data conversion unit 106 (corresponding to YES and S508 in S507). In S508, “20130807.MOV” may be converted into the MP4 format.

  When the session generation processing based on the MP4 format file is performed, the external device can reproduce the MP4 format moving image data, and thus the digital camera 100 receives the permission response signal (corresponding to YES in S505). Thereafter, in accordance with S509 to S513, the MP4 format moving image data converted by the data conversion unit 106 is transferred to the external device, and when the transfer is completed, the converted data is deleted from the storage unit 103 (corresponding to S514).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, before the digital camera 100 participates in the wireless network, the transfer data related information that is control information is transmitted to the external device, and the data format of the data transferred through the participating network is set to the external data format. It was determined whether the device can be processed. If the external device cannot process the data format to be transferred, it is determined whether the external device can process data having another format stored in the storage unit 103 or another format that can be converted. By doing so, it becomes possible to identify data that can be processed by the external apparatus at an appropriate timing (that is, before establishing wireless communication with the external apparatus). Further, when the data format of the data to be transferred is a data format that can be processed by the external device, the data in the format is transferred to the external device by participating in the network. In this way, after establishing wireless communication, it avoids waste when transmitting data that cannot be processed by the external device, and selects data that can be processed by the external device from data in a format that can be prepared by the transmission side. Can be sent.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the first embodiment, the case where the data conversion process is performed in order to transfer a file having a different data format when there is a rejection response in the session generation process has been described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, data conversion is started in advance prior to the session generation process. The configuration of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the series of operations related to the communication control process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment except for the processes described above. For this reason, in the drawing referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the drawing referred to in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted, and differences will be emphasized. explain.

(A series of operations related to communication control processing in the second embodiment)
Next, a series of operations related to the communication control process of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first embodiment, this series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to an external device using a file transfer service. The state in which this process is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each process are the same as in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 102 executes the processes of S501 to S502 and advances the process to S701 when a predetermined file is selected by the user.

  In step S701, the control unit 102 determines whether the file selected in step S502 can be converted. In other words, the control unit 102 determines whether the selected file can be converted into data having a different format (data with different extensions) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process proceeds to S702; otherwise, the process proceeds to S703.

  In step S <b> 702, the control unit 102 starts data conversion processing using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion process is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion process, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. When the data conversion unit 106 has a function of converting data into a plurality of formats, conversion to a plurality of data formats may be started in this step.

  In step S703, the control unit 102 determines whether an external device has been detected. More specifically, the control unit 102 starts a file transfer service search process, and determines whether a detection response from an external device has been received within a predetermined time from the start of the detection process. If the detection response cannot be received, this is separately displayed on the display unit 105 to notify the user, and the process proceeds to S707 without performing other processes. On the other hand, if a detection response has been received, the process proceeds to S704. When a plurality of external devices are detected in this step, the control unit 102 displays a list of external devices that have transmitted detection responses on the display unit 105, and selects a device to which a file is to be transferred. An operation may be accepted.

  In step S704, the control unit 102 performs session generation processing. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information relating to the transferred file, and transmits a session generation request including the transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In step S705, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session generation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via the wireless unit 104 is determined. If this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509. If this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S706. Proceed.

  In step S <b> 706, the control unit 102 determines whether a file that differs only in extension exists in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is a file in the storage unit 103 that has only an extension different from the file name of the file selected in S502 and is not used in the session generation processing in S704. At this time, the files existing in the storage unit 103 include the files whose conversion processing has been started in S702 described above (the conversion processing may be incomplete). If the file exists, the process returns to S704, and the session generation process is performed again using the information of the file. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S514 without performing other processes.

  The subsequent processing of S509 to S513 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the control unit 102 performs file transfer after performing connection processing with the external device in the wireless layer.

  In S707, when the data conversion process is performed in S702, the control unit 102 deletes the data generated by the data conversion process, and ends the series of operations related to this process.

  In addition, after starting the data conversion process in S702, when the permission response signal is received during the data conversion process (S705), the data being generated may be deleted. That is, if the data format that received the permission response signal is different from the data format related to the ongoing conversion process, the control unit 102 may stop the conversion process and delete the data that is being generated. In this way, useless processing for files that are not transferred can be omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, data conversion is performed in advance on data to be transferred. In this way, when a rejection response is received from the external device, it is possible to quickly transmit data that can be used by the external device.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. In the first embodiment, the case where the data conversion process is performed in order to transfer a file having a different data format when there is a rejection response in the session generation process has been described. In the third embodiment, the storage unit 103 also functions as a history storage unit that stores a response signal history, and the control unit 102 stores data transfer related information for files with extensions that have been rejected in the past. Do not send. The configuration of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the series of operations related to the communication control process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment except for the processes described above. For this reason, in the drawing referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the drawing referred to in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted, and differences will be emphasized. explain.

(A series of operations related to communication control processing in the third embodiment)
A series of operations related to the communication control process of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first and second embodiments, this series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to an external device using a file transfer service. The state in which this process is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each process are the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  The control unit 102 executes the processing of S501 to S503 to perform file selection and external device detection processing by the user, and proceeds to S801 when an external device is detected.

  In step S801, the control unit 102 determines whether there is a history of receiving a rejection response in the session generation process in the past for the external device detected in step S503. More specifically, the control unit 102 reads from the storage unit 103 a refusal history that associates the external device with the extension of the file to be transferred. The rejection history stores, for example, a set of an identifier for identifying an external device (for example, the MAC address of the external device) and a file extension when the rejection response signal is received, and the control unit 102 determines the file transfer service. The rejection history is searched using the identifier of the provided external device as a key. If there is a history of rejection responses, the process proceeds to S802, and if there is no history, the process proceeds to S806. The rejection response history is updated at any time in S808 described later.

  In S <b> 802, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the extension of the transfer target file selected in S <b> 502 (that is, the initial file) is the extension used when a rejection response was made in the session generation process in the past. Determine. If the extension of the transfer target file matches an extension for which a rejection response has been made in the past, the process proceeds to S803. If the extension does not match an extension with a history of rejection response, the process proceeds to S806.

  In step S <b> 803, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having a different extension exists in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is a file in the storage unit 103 that has only an extension different from the file name of the file selected in S502 and that is not used in the session generation processing in S806 described later. To do. If the file exists, the process proceeds to S806 to perform session generation processing. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S804. When determining whether or not a file exists, further consider the history of rejection responses, and if there is a file with an extension that matches the extension for which the rejection response was made, You may judge.

  In step S804, the control unit 102 determines whether the transfer target file can be converted. In other words, the control unit 102 determines whether the transfer target file can be converted into data having a different format (data with different extensions) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process advances to step S805; otherwise, the series of processes ends, assuming that data usable by the external device cannot be prepared.

  In step S <b> 805, the control unit 102 starts data conversion processing using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion process is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion process, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. Thereafter, the control unit 102 advances the process to step S806, and performs a session generation process using the file information generated by the conversion process.

  In S804, when it is determined whether the file to be transferred can be converted, an extension rejected in the past as in S802 may be considered. In other words, the control unit 102 may preferentially convert the data into a format that the external device can handle (or possibly have) when performing the data conversion processing.

  In step S806, the control unit 102 performs session generation processing. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information related to the transferred file, and transmits a session generation request including the generated transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In step S807, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session generation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via the wireless unit 104 is determined. If this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509. If this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S808. Proceed.

  In step S808, the control unit 102 stores a rejection history. More specifically, the control unit 102 associates the external device with the extension of the file to be transferred and stores it in the storage unit 103 as a rejection history. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S803.

  The subsequent processing in S509 to S514 shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the control unit 102 performs file transfer after performing connection processing with the external device in the wireless layer, and ends a series of processing. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data format that has been previously rejected by the external device is stored using the rejection history, and data is selected using this rejection history when performing file transfer. I made it. That is, moving image data in a data format that has not been rejected in the past by an external device is selected. In this way, when transmitting transfer data related information to an external device, it is possible to reduce the waste of performing session generation processing using a data format that cannot be processed by the external device, thereby reducing the amount of communication with the external device. Communication control processing can be speeded up.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a history of rejection responses is stored, and data transfer related information is not transmitted to files with extensions that have been rejected in the past. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, a history of permission responses is stored, and a file with an extension that has been permitted in the past is preferentially used. The configuration of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment (that is, the first embodiment), and the series of operations related to the communication control processing has been described in the third embodiment except for the above-described processing. It is the same as the processing. For this reason, in the drawing referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the drawing referred to in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and differences are emphasized. explain.

(A series of operations related to communication control processing in Embodiment 4)
With reference to FIG. 9, a series of operations related to the communication control process of the digital camera 100 will be described. Similar to the first to third embodiments, this series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 uses the file transfer service to transmit the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the external device. The state in which this process is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each process are the same as in the first to third embodiments.

  The control unit 102 executes the processing of S501 to S503, performs file selection by the user and detection processing of the external device, and proceeds to S901 when the external device is detected.

  In step S901, the control unit 102 determines whether there is a history of receiving a permission response in the session generation process in the past for the external device detected in step S503. More specifically, the control unit 102 reads from the storage unit 103 a permission history that associates the external device with the extension of the file to be transferred. In the permission history, for example, a pair of an identifier for identifying an external device (for example, the MAC address of the external device) and an extension of the file when the permission response signal is received is stored. The permission history is searched using the identifier of the provided external device as a key. If there is a history of permission responses, the process proceeds to S902, and if there is no history, the process proceeds to S806. The history of the permission response is updated as needed in S905 described later.

  In S902, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the extension of the file to be transferred (ie, the initial file) selected in S502 is an extension that was used when a permission response was made in the session generation process in the past. Determine. If it is an extension for which a permission response has been made in the past, the process proceeds to S806, and if the extension has no history of permission responses, the process proceeds to S903.

  In step S <b> 903, the control unit 102 determines whether there is a file in the storage unit 103 that has a different extension only and that has a past permission response. Specifically, the control unit 102 differs only in the extension from the file name of the file selected in S502 and matches the extension included in the permission history, and performs the session generation process in S806. It is determined whether an unused file exists in the storage unit 103. If the file exists, the process proceeds to S806 to perform session generation processing. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S804. In the processing of S903, a file having an extension different from that selected in S502 is preferentially selected based on the permission history.

  In subsequent steps S803 to S806, as in the third embodiment, the control unit 102 starts the data conversion process and then performs the session generation process when there is no file in the storage unit 103 that differs only in extension from the selected file. Do. However, when it is determined in S804 whether the file to be transferred can be converted, an extension permitted in the past as in S902 and S903 may be considered. That is, the control unit 102 may preferentially use a data format that can be supported by an external device when performing data conversion processing.

  In step S904, the control unit 102 determines whether the response to the session generation request received via the wireless unit 104 is a permission response. If this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to step S905; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S803.

  In S905, the control unit 102 stores the permission history. More specifically, the control unit 102 causes the storage unit 103 to store a combination of the external device and the extension of the file to be transferred as a permission history. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S509.

  The subsequent processing in S509 to S514 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the control unit 102 performs file transfer after performing connection processing with the external device in the wireless layer, and ends a series of processing. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data format that has been permitted in the past is stored by the external device, and the data format that has been permitted in response is selected when performing file transfer. In other words, data having a data format permitted in the past by the external device is preferentially selected. In this way, when transmitting transfer data related information to an external device, not only the data format that the external device cannot process but also the waste of performing session generation processing using a format that is unknown whether it can be processed is reduced. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the amount of communication with the external device can be reduced and the speed of communication control processing can be increased.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless LAN system conforming to IEEE 802.11 has been described as an example, but the communication system is not limited to this. That is, the present invention may use other wireless communication methods such as wireless USB, MBOA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, ZigBee (registered trademark). Moreover, you may implement in wired communication media, such as wired LAN. MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance, and UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET, and the like.

  Furthermore, the above embodiment has been described by taking moving image data as an example of data to be transferred. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied when transmitting data having a plurality of file formats, such as still image data, audio data, document data, and a database.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

102 ... Control unit, 103 ... Storage unit, 104 ... Wireless unit, 105 ... Display unit, 109 ... Operation unit

Claims (11)

A communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via a participating network, and to transmit / receive control information to / from the external device before joining the network;
Control means for controlling processing using the communication means,
The control means includes
When the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network, the external device transmits the control information through the transmission / reception of the control information. Whether or not can be processed,
When the external device can process the first data format, the external device participates in the network, and when the external device cannot process the first data format, the external device transmits and receives the control information. Controlling to determine whether a second data format different from the first data format can be processed;
A communication device. A data storage means for storing a plurality of data including the first data as a file having a file name including an extension;
When the second data is stored in the data storage unit with a file name that is different only in extension from the file name of the first data, the control unit changes the data format of the second data to the second data type. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data format is as follows. Further comprising conversion means for converting the first data into another data format;
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the other data format as the second data format. Data storage means for storing a plurality of data including the first data as a file having a file name including an extension;
Conversion means for converting the first data into another data format,
The control means sets the other data format as the second data format when data having a file name that is different only in extension from the file name of the first data is not stored in the data storage means. The communication apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts conversion using the conversion unit after determining that the external device cannot process the first data format. 6. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts conversion using the conversion unit before the external device determines whether or not the first data format can be processed. . The said control means stops this conversion, when it determines with the said external device being able to process the said 1st data format in the middle of the conversion using the said conversion means. The communication device described. A history storage means for storing the data format determined by the control means to be unprocessable by the external device in association with the external device;
The control means does not determine whether or not the external device can process the first data format when the first data format is stored in the history storage means in association with the external device. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus determines whether or not the second data format can be processed. A history storage means for storing the data format determined by the control means to be processable by the external device in association with the external device;
8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a data format selected from data formats stored in the history storage unit in association with the external device as the second data format. 8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1. A method for controlling a communication device having communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via a participating network and to transmit / receive control information to / from the external device before joining the network,
The control means has a control step of controlling processing using the communication means,
In the control step,
When the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network, the external device transmits the control information through the transmission / reception of the control information. Whether or not can be processed,
When the external device can process the data having the first data format, the network joins, and when the external device cannot process the first data format, Controlling to determine whether or not the external device can process a second data format different from the first data format;
A control method for a communication apparatus.   The program for functioning a computer as each means except the communication means of the communication apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 9.

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