JP2019193069A - Communication device, and control method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a communication device to transmit, to an external device, information to connect to an access point at appropriate timing.SOLUTION: The communication device includes: first radio communication means using a first communication protocol; second radio communication means using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol; and control means. The control means searches for an information processing device from a local area network connected to the self-device by the second radio communication means. Based on the result of searching for the information processing device by the first radio communication means, the control means notifies the external device. The first radio communication means has smaller power consumption during standby than the second radio communication means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an imaging apparatus that is equipped with a wireless communication function in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera and can access a network via an access point is known. The user can transmit content such as moving images and still images to a personal computer or a smartphone using the wireless communication function.

  An imaging device is also known in which an image is automatically transmitted to an information processing device when the camera is started or every time shooting is performed. However, there are cases where images cannot be transmitted automatically. For example, when there is no access point that can be connected at a destination or the like, the imaging apparatus cannot transmit an image. In order to solve this problem, Patent Literature 1 discloses a camera that receives information for connecting to an access point from a smartphone and transmits data to the information processing apparatus via the access point.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-144025

  However, in patent document 1, the smart phone stays only at the confirmation of an access point, and does not consider the state of the information processing apparatus used as a transmission destination. For example, even when the information processing apparatus is not turned on, the smartphone transmits information for connecting to the access point to the camera. As described above, the communication device cannot transmit information for connecting to the access point to the external device at an appropriate timing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a communication apparatus can transmit information for connecting to an access point to an external apparatus at an appropriate timing.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that uses a first communication protocol, and a second wireless that uses a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A communication unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit searches for an information processing apparatus from a local area network to which the control unit is connected by the second wireless communication unit, and the control unit includes the first wireless communication unit Means for notifying an external device based on a result of searching the information processing apparatus, and the first wireless communication means consumes less power during standby than the second wireless communication means.

  According to the present invention, a communication device can transmit information for connecting to an access point to an external device at an appropriate timing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of PC in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the smart phone in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of an example of the network system in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI of a digital camera when the digital camera according to the first embodiment registers a PC as an image transmission destination. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in which the digital camera according to the first embodiment transmits an image to a PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the digital camera when an image is transmitted to the PC according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the smart phone at the time of transmitting an image to PC in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in which the digital camera according to the first embodiment transmits an image to a PC. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the smart speaker in 2nd Embodiment. The sequence diagram of an example of the process in which the digital camera in 2nd Embodiment transmits data to PC. The sequence diagram of an example of the process in which a digital camera transmits an image to PC when there is no access point in the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Moreover, it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of Digital Camera 100>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera 100 that is an example of an external device according to the present embodiment. Although a digital camera is described here as an example of an external device, the external device is not limited to this. For example, the external device is a portable device such as a portable media player or a wearable terminal such as a so-called tablet device, personal computer, or smart watch.

  The control unit 101 includes a computer such as a CPU that controls each unit of the digital camera 100 in accordance with an input signal and a computer program described later. Note that instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire apparatus, a plurality of hardware may share the processing to control the entire apparatus.

  The imaging unit 102 includes, for example, an optical lens unit, an optical system that controls the aperture, zoom, focus, and the like, and an imaging device that converts light (video) introduced through the optical lens unit into an electrical video signal. Composed. In general, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the imaging element. The imaging unit 102 is controlled by the control unit 101 to convert subject light imaged by a lens included in the imaging unit 102 into an electrical signal by the imaging device, and perform noise reduction processing or the like to convert the digital data into an image. Output as data. In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the image data is recorded on a recording medium 110 (to be described later) in accordance with a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) standard. In the present embodiment, a digital camera is described as an example of an external device, and thus the imaging unit 102 is included as a component. However, the external device in the present embodiment is not necessarily configured to include the imaging unit 102. Also good.

  The non-volatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a computer program, which will be described later, executed by the control unit 101.

  The work memory 104 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily holds image data picked up by the image pickup unit 102, an image display memory of the display unit 106, a work area of the control unit 101, and the like.

  The operation unit 105 is used to receive an instruction for the digital camera 100 from a user. The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a power button for instructing the user to turn on / off the digital camera 100, a release switch for instructing photographing, and a reproduction button for instructing reproduction of image data. Furthermore, an operation member such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via the communication unit 111 described later is included. In addition, a touch panel formed on the display unit 106 to be described later can be included in the operation unit 105. The release switch has SW1 and SW2. When the release switch is in a so-called half-pressed state, SW1 is turned on. As a result, an instruction for making preparations for shooting such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing is accepted. Further, when the release switch is in a fully-pressed state, SW2 is turned on. As a result, an instruction to perform shooting (a series of operations until the captured still image is recorded while the captured image is executed) is accepted.

  The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image before photographing, displays photographed image data, and displays characters for interactive operation. Note that the display unit 106 is not necessarily built in the digital camera 100 and may be configured to be externally connected to the digital camera 100.

  The second control unit 107 controls communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 112 and controls the digital camera 100 in a sleep mode described later. The second control unit 107 has a work memory and a non-volatile memory necessary for its operation, and thereby the second control unit 107 supplies power to the non-volatile memory 103 and the work memory 104. It is possible to operate even in a sleep mode that is not performed.

  The recording medium 110 can record image data output from the imaging unit 102, for example. The recording medium 110 may be configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100 or may be built in the digital camera 100. That is, the digital camera 100 only needs to have a means for accessing at least the recording medium 110.

  The communication unit 111 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 111. For example, image data generated by the imaging unit 102 can be transmitted to an external device via the communication unit 111. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with an external device via a so-called wireless LAN that conforms to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 111.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 112 includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication and a modulation / demodulation circuit and a communication controller for processing a wireless signal. The short-range wireless communication unit 112 outputs a modulated wireless signal from the antenna, and demodulates the wireless signal received by the antenna, thereby short-range wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.15 standard (so-called Bluetooth (registered trademark)). Is realized. In the present embodiment, the Bluetooth communication adopts a specification called Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter abbreviated as BLE) defined in Bluetooth version 4.0 or later. This BLE communication has a narrow communicable range (that is, a communicable distance is short) compared to communication using a wireless LAN. Further, BLE communication has a lower communication speed than communication using a wireless LAN. On the other hand, BLE communication consumes less power during standby than communication using a wireless LAN. The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the short-range wireless communication unit 112. For example, when an imaging command is received from an external device, the imaging unit 102 is controlled to perform an imaging operation, and when an instruction for exchanging data by communication using a wireless LAN is received, the communication unit 111 is controlled. Communication using a wireless LAN can be started. Further, the short-range wireless communication unit 112 consumes less power during standby than the control unit 101.

  The close proximity wireless communication unit 113 includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication and a modulation / demodulation circuit and a communication controller for processing wireless signals. The proximity wireless communication unit 113 outputs a modulated wireless signal from an antenna and demodulates the wireless signal received by the antenna, thereby realizing non-contact proximity communication in accordance with the ISO / IEC 18092 standard (NFC: Near Field Communication). To do. The contactless proximity communication realized by the proximity wireless communication unit 113 is not limited to NFC, and other wireless communication may be employed. For example, non-contact proximity communication according to the ISO / IEC 14443 standard may be adopted as non-contact proximity communication realized by the proximity wireless communication unit 113.

  When communication connection is performed using the close proximity wireless communication unit 113, the digital camera 100 and the external device can establish communication by bringing the close proximity wireless communication units close to each other. Note that the user does not necessarily need to bring the close proximity wireless communication units into contact with each other. Since the close proximity wireless communication units can communicate even if they are separated by a certain distance, in order to connect each other's devices, the user only needs to bring the mutual devices close to a range where close proximity wireless communication is possible. In the following description, it is also referred to as bringing the devices close to the range where close proximity wireless communication is possible.

  Further, if the close proximity wireless communication units are in a range where close proximity wireless communication is not possible, communication is not started. In addition, each other's proximity wireless communication unit is within a range where close proximity wireless communication is possible, and after each device is once connected for communication, each other's proximity wireless communication unit is separated to a range where close proximity wireless communication is not possible. In the event of a failure, the communication connection is released.

  In the present embodiment, the communication speed realized by the communication unit 111 is faster than the communication speed realized by the short-range wireless communication unit 112 or the close proximity wireless communication unit 113. Further, the communication realized by the communication unit 111 has a wider communication range than the communication by the short-range wireless communication unit 112 or the close-range wireless communication unit 113. Instead, the short-range wireless communication unit 112 consumes less power during standby than the communication unit 111. Further, the communication by the close proximity wireless communication unit 113 can limit the communication partner by the narrowness of the communicable range, and therefore does not require processing such as encryption key exchange required for communication by the communication unit 111. . That is, communication by the short-range wireless communication unit 112 can save power compared to using the communication unit 111, and communication by the close-range wireless communication unit 113 can be performed more easily than using the communication unit 111.

  The communication unit 111 of the digital camera 100 has an AP mode that operates as an access point (AP) in the infrastructure mode and a CL mode that operates as a client (CL) in the infrastructure mode. Then, by operating the communication unit 111 in the CL mode, the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment can operate as a CL device in the infrastructure mode. When the digital camera 100 operates as a CL device, it can participate in a network formed by the AP device by connecting to a peripheral AP device. A network formed by the AP device is referred to as a local area network (LAN). Further, by operating the communication unit 111 in the AP mode, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is a kind of AP, but may operate as a simple AP (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP) with more limited functions. Is possible. When the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP, the digital camera 100 forms a network by itself. Devices around the digital camera 100 can recognize the digital camera 100 as an AP device and participate in a network formed by the digital camera 100. A program for operating the digital camera 100 as a simple AP is held in the nonvolatile memory 103.

  Although the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is a kind of AP, it is a simple AP that does not have a gateway function for transferring data received from the CL device to an Internet provider or the like. Therefore, even if data is received from another device participating in the network formed by the own device, it cannot be transferred to a network such as the Internet.

  The above is the description of the digital camera 100.

<Configuration of PC 200>
In the following description, a case where the information processing apparatus that acquires data from an external apparatus by wireless communication is a personal computer (PC) will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the PC 200 that is an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The PC 200 is a personal computer, and includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, an HDD 203, a wireless interface 205, a display device 207, a communication interface 212, and the like. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, and ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

  The CPU 201 implements display control, recording control, communication control, and the like of the PC 200 based on input signals and computer programs stored in the HDD 203 described later. Instead of the CPU 201 controlling the entire apparatus, the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of hardware sharing the processing.

  The RAM 202 is a volatile memory. The RAM 202 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, a data save area during error processing, and the like.

  The HDD 203 is an electrically erasable and recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a computer program and the like to be described later executed by the CPU 201. Each control program executed on the PC 200, content files such as image files and text files, and the like can be stored.

  An external recording device (Removable Drive) 204 is a device that reads from and writes to an external recording medium. When computer programs and image data are recorded on an external recording medium, these are loaded into the RAM 202 via the external recording device 204. Examples of the external recording medium include an optical disk such as a DVD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-R, and DVD-RAM, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk and an MO, and a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory.

  A wireless interface (wireless I / F) 205 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The PC 200 can perform wireless communication with an external device via this device. In the present embodiment, the PC 200 performs wireless communication with the wireless access point 400 using the wireless interface 205.

  The VRAM 206 is a volatile memory. The VRAM 206 outputs image signals such as image data and a UI of the executed program to the display device 207 described later.

  The display device 207 performs display processing of the video signal output from the VRAM 206. For example, a CRT or LCD can be used for the display device 207. In addition, SED (Surface-Conduction Electro-Emitter Display), EL (Electro Luminescent), and the like can be used. Note that the display device 207 is not necessarily built in the PC 200 and may be configured to be externally connected to the PC 200.

  The sound device 208 is an audio data processing unit. For example, the sound device 208 processes audio data attached to the image data, and transfers the processed audio data to a speaker or the like.

  The keyboard 209 is an input device. The keyboard 209 has various keys for inputting characters and the like.

  Examples of the pointing device 210 include a mouse, a pen tablet, and a touch pad. The pointing device 210 is used, for example, to control a pointer displayed on the display screen of the display device 207 with a mouse or touch, and to operate a program menu or other objects.

  A communication interface (communication I / F) 212 is an interface for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark). If the communication interface 212 and the access point are connected by a LAN cable, the PC 200 can participate in a network formed by the access point.

<Configuration of smartphone 300>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a smartphone 300 that is an example of the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. In addition, although a smart phone is described here as an example of a communication apparatus, a communication apparatus is not restricted to this. For example, the communication device may be a communication device such as a portable media player, a so-called tablet device, or a laptop computer.

  The control unit 301 includes a CPU, and controls each unit of the smartphone 300 in accordance with an input signal and a computer program described later. Instead of controlling the entire apparatus by the control unit 301, the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of hardware sharing the processing.

  The imaging unit 302 converts subject light imaged by a lens included in the imaging unit 302 into an electrical signal, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs digital data as image data. The captured image data is stored in a buffer memory, and then a predetermined calculation is performed by the control unit 301 and recorded on a recording medium 310 to be described later.

  The nonvolatile memory 303 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 303 stores an OS (operating system) that is basic software executed by the control unit 301 and an application program that realizes an applied function in cooperation with the OS. In the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 303 stores an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) for communicating with the digital camera 100.

  The work memory 304 is used as an image display memory for the display unit 306 described later, a work area for the control unit 301, and the like.

  The operation unit 305 is used to receive an instruction for the smartphone 300 from the user. The operation unit 305 includes, for example, operation members such as a power button for the user to instruct ON / OFF of the power supply of the smartphone 300 and a touch panel formed on the display unit 306.

  A display unit 306 performs display of image data, character display for interactive operation, and the like. Note that the display unit 306 is not necessarily provided in the smartphone 300. The smartphone 300 can be connected to the display unit 306 and only needs to have at least a display control function for controlling the display of the display unit 306.

  The recording medium 310 can record image data output from the imaging unit 302, for example. The recording medium 310 may be configured to be detachable from the smartphone 300 or may be built in the smartphone 300. That is, the smartphone 300 only needs to have at least means for accessing the recording medium 310.

  The communication unit 311 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The smartphone 300 according to the present embodiment can exchange data with the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 311 and the communication unit 111 of the digital camera 100. In this embodiment, the communication unit 311 includes an antenna and a communication module for transmission / reception, and the control unit 301 can be connected to the digital camera 100 via the antenna and the communication module. In connection with the digital camera 100, a direct wireless connection or a wireless connection via an access point may be used. As a protocol for communicating data, for example, PTP / IP (Picture Transfer Protocol over Internet Protocol) through a wireless LAN can be used. Note that communication with the digital camera 100 is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 311 may employ a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module or WirelessUSB.

  The near field communication unit 312 realizes non-contact near field communication with other devices such as the digital camera 100. The short-range wireless communication unit 312 includes an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit for processing a wireless signal, and a communication controller. The short-range wireless communication unit 312 realizes short-range wireless communication with the digital camera 100, which is an external device, in accordance with the above-described BLE communication method.

  The near field communication unit 313 can realize non-contact near field communication in accordance with the ISO / IEC 18092 standard (so-called NFC). When the proximity wireless communication unit 313 receives a data read request from another device, it outputs response data based on the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 303.

  The public network communication unit 314 is an interface used when performing public wireless communication. The smartphone 300 can make a call with another device via the public network communication unit 314. At this time, the control unit 301 inputs and outputs an audio signal via the microphone 315 and the speaker 316, thereby realizing a call. In this embodiment, the public network communication unit 314 includes an antenna and a public communication module, and the control unit 301 can be connected to the public network via the antenna and the public communication module. Note that the communication unit 311 and the public network communication unit 314 can be shared by a single antenna.

  The microphone 315 detects sound waves such as the user's voice and surrounding sounds.

  The speaker 316 can output sound such as music playback and instruction sound for the user. Note that the communication unit 311 of the smartphone 300 has an AP mode that operates as an access point (AP) in the infrastructure mode, and a CL mode that operates as a client (CL) in the infrastructure mode. And the smart phone 300 in this embodiment can operate | move as a CL apparatus in infrastructure mode by operating the communication part 311 in CL mode. When the smartphone 300 operates as a CL device, it can participate in a network formed by the AP device by connecting to a peripheral AP device. In addition, by operating the communication unit 311 in the AP mode, the smartphone 300 according to the present embodiment is a kind of AP, but may operate as a simple AP (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP) with more limited functions. Is possible. When the smartphone 300 operates as a simple AP, the smartphone 300 forms a network by itself. Devices around the smartphone 300 can recognize the smartphone 300 as an AP device and participate in a network formed by the smartphone 300. Note that a computer program for operating the smartphone 300 as a simple AP is held in the nonvolatile memory 303.

  The above is the description of the smartphone 300.

<Network system configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the network system of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a system that performs wireless communication with the digital camera 100 and the PC 200 using the digital camera 100 as an external device, the PC 200 as an information processing device, and the smartphone 300 as a communication device will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the network system includes a digital camera 100, a PC 200, a smartphone 300, and a wireless access point 400. In FIG. 4, a solid line arrow indicates communication using a wireless LAN, and a broken line arrow indicates BLE communication. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a digital camera is used as an external device, a PC is used as an information processing device, and a smartphone is used as a communication device. However, these do not limit the system configuration to which the present invention can be applied.

  The digital camera 100 and the PC 200 are connected via a wireless access point 400 and perform wireless communication using a wireless LAN. In addition, the smartphone 300 and the PC 200 are connected via the wireless access point 400 to perform wireless communication using a wireless LAN.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 perform BLE communication.

  Two communication devices connected by BLE communication are divided into roles of a central and a peripheral, respectively. The connection form of the BLE communication standard is a master-slave star network. A communication device that operates as a central (hereinafter referred to as a central device) is a master, and a communication device that operates as a peripheral (hereinafter referred to as a peripheral device) is a slave. The central device manages the participation of the peripheral device in the network and sets various parameters for communication connection with the peripheral device. A central device can be connected to multiple peripheral devices simultaneously, but a peripheral device can establish a communication connection with only one central device at a time. In addition, communication connections between central devices or peripheral devices cannot be established. In order to establish a communication connection, one device must be a central device and the other device must be a peripheral device.

  The peripheral device informs its existence to communication devices existing around the peripheral device by repeatedly transmitting a packet called an advertisement packet. Transmitting a signal to an unspecified number of communication devices in this way is called broadcasting.

  In BLE communication, two communication devices that are connected for communication first perform connection setting called pairing. Pairing is performed for the purpose of authenticating each other in order to maintain security. When pairing is completed between communication devices, information necessary for connection is registered in each other's communication devices, and these communication devices can establish BLE communication for the next and subsequent times without pairing.

  Pairing is set by the user operating the operation units 105 and 305 using a setting menu displayed on the display units 106 and 306 of the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300, respectively. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 operates as a peripheral device, and the smartphone 300 operates as a central device.

  As an example of the pairing procedure, first, the digital camera 100 uses the short-range wireless communication unit 112 to perform an operation called “Advertising” to inform the surroundings of its presence. Next, the smartphone 300 performs a Scan operation using the short-range wireless communication unit 312 and discovers the digital camera 100. Then, the pairing is completed when the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 register (record in a predetermined area) each other with each other's identification information as the identification information of the other party to communicate. Thereafter, the smartphone 300 transmits a connection request for BLE communication to the digital camera 100 through an initiate operation, and the digital camera 100 responds to the connection request, thereby establishing BLE communication.

  After the connection of BLE communication is established, notification such as a PC detection result described later and the number of unsent images described later is performed between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300.

  In addition, the digital camera 100 can enter a sleep mode. The sleep mode is a state in which at least a portion that performs short-range wireless communication with the smartphone 300 is in an energized state and the control unit 101 is not energized. Specifically, the short-range wireless communication unit 112 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the second control unit 107 different from the control unit 101 are energized and the other parts in FIG. 1 are not energized. The second control unit 107 controls communication via the short-range wireless communication unit 112 and controls activation and stop of the control unit 101. By suppressing the energized portion as much as possible, short-range wireless communication with the smartphone 300 can be performed while suppressing power consumption.

  Examples of triggers for the digital camera 100 to transition from the sleep mode to the power-on state include a case where a notification regarding a PC detection result described later is received from the smartphone 300 and a case where a notification regarding activation is received from a user using a remote control. Further, the digital camera 100 transitions from the sleep mode to the power ON state triggered by the user operating the operation unit 105 or the like. When the second control unit 107 confirms the content of the short-range wireless communication received via the short-range wireless communication unit 112 and receives, for example, a notification regarding activation, the second control unit 107 activates the control unit 101. . When the activated control unit 101 energizes the entire digital camera 100, the digital camera 100 transitions to a power-on state. However, energizing the whole does not mean that power is supplied to all elements, circuits, and the like, but means that power is supplied to at least a portion necessary for the processing of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the state in which the entire digital camera 100 is energized is “power-on state”, the short-range wireless communication unit 112 and the second control unit 107 are energized, and the other is not energized. The power state is called “sleep mode”. In addition, a power saving state than the sleep mode in which the short-range wireless communication unit 112 and the second control unit are not energized, and only a portion necessary for control of a battery (not shown) is energized is referred to as “power OFF state”. Call it.

<Registration of image transmission destination of digital camera 100>
The digital camera 100 and the PC 200 detect a beacon signal periodically transmitted by the wireless access point 400 and participate in a wireless LAN network formed by the wireless access point 400. After participating in the same wireless LAN network, the digital camera 100 and the PC 200 are ready to transmit and receive data via the wireless LAN through mutual device discovery, device capability acquisition, and the like (establish communication between devices).

  FIG. 5 is an example of a UI diagram of the digital camera 100 when the digital camera 100 registers the PC 200 as an image transmission destination (hereinafter also simply referred to as a transmission destination). Hereinafter, a procedure when the digital camera 100 registers the PC 200 as a transmission destination will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A shows a menu 501 on the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100. The user can set whether or not the digital camera 100 automatically transmits an image by operating the operation unit 105. When this setting is changed from “No” to “Yes”, the destination registration process is started. Although details will be described later, specifically, a list 502 of wireless LAN networks is displayed. If the transmission destination has already been registered, the automatic image transmission setting may be changed without performing the transmission destination registration process. This eliminates the need for the user to make unnecessary settings. Further, for example, if a menu for setting or changing the transmission destination is added to FIG. 5A, the user can change the transmission destination at an arbitrary timing without operating the automatic image transmission menu. become.

  FIG. 5B shows a list 502 of wireless LAN networks. In the present embodiment, the list 502 displays AccessPoint_0001 to AccessPoint_0003. First, the digital camera 100 detects a beacon signal of a wireless access point existing in the vicinity, and displays a list of wireless LAN networks formed by the wireless access point that has detected the beacon signal. Next, the user operates the operation unit 105 to select a wireless LAN network to be connected. The digital camera 100 is connected to a wireless access point that forms the wireless LAN network. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 is connected to the wireless access point 400. That is, in FIG. 5B, any one of the wireless LAN networks displayed as AccessPoint_0001 to AccessPoint_0003 indicates the wireless access point 400.

  After connecting to the wireless access point 400, the digital camera 100 performs a search within the wireless LAN network formed by the wireless access point 400 in order to find a device that can establish the connection. Specifically, this search transmits a Discovery Request of a communication protocol called SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) into the wireless LAN network. As shown in FIG. 5C, the digital camera 100 displays a list 503 of communication devices that responded to the search. In the present embodiment, the list 503 displays PC_A and PC_B. Here, the response from the device includes an identifier (hereinafter referred to as an identifier) for uniquely identifying the responding device. The user selects a device for which connection is to be established from the devices displayed in the list 503. In this embodiment, the digital camera 100 issues a connection request to the PC 200 and establishes a connection (that is, either PC_A or PC_B indicates the PC 200 in FIG. 5C). When the connection with the PC 200 is established, the digital camera 100 displays a menu 501 as shown in FIG. 5D and changes the setting to, for example, “automatic transmission”. The digital camera 100 also records information for connecting to the wireless access point 400 that has established a connection with the identifier of the PC 200 in the nonvolatile memory 103. The identifier of the PC 200 is used to connect to the PC 200 when transmitting an image. In the present embodiment, a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is used as the identifier of the PC 200. In the present embodiment, information for connecting the digital camera 100 to the wireless access point 400 uses an SSID and an authentication password.

<Registration of image transmission destination of smartphone 300>
The information of the PC 200 is registered in the smartphone 300 so that the PC 200 that is the transmission destination of the image registered by the digital camera 100 can be detected from the smartphone 300. The information of the PC 200 includes an identifier of the PC 200 and information for connecting to the wireless access point 400, that is, the above-described GUID, SSID, and authentication password. In the information acquisition method of the PC 200, the digital camera 100 transmits the identifier of the PC 200 and information for connecting to the wireless access point 400 to the smartphone 300 by wireless communication. Alternatively, it is obtained by the same method as the registration of the image transmission destination of the digital camera 100 described above. Alternatively, an input screen may be displayed on the display unit 306 of the smartphone 300 and input by the user through the operation of the operation unit 305. The smartphone 300 records the acquired information in the nonvolatile memory 303. Note that the smartphone 300 may first acquire the identifier of the PC 200 and information for connecting to the wireless access point 400 and transmit the information to the digital camera 100.

<Image transmission information>
The transmission information is information indicating whether an image stored in the digital camera 100 has been transmitted to the transmission destination. In the present embodiment, the control unit 101 records transmission information on the recording medium 110. For example, like a database file, the control unit 101 records transmission information in one file. This makes it possible to manage transmission information collectively. For example, control is performed when a new image is acquired or the number of images that have not been transmitted to the transmission destination changes, such as when the user has taken a picture or when image transmission to the transmission destination has been completed. Unit 101 updates transmission information. This transmission information is not only information indicating whether or not transmission has been completed, but information such as an image transmission destination can be individually set.

  Here, the control unit 101 may record information related to untransmitted images such as the number of untransmitted images and the total capacity in this file. The transmission information may be manually changed by the user. As a result, the user can select only images to be transmitted to the transmission destination. Further, even when the digital camera 100 has transmitted an image to the transmission destination, it is possible to automatically transmit the image again by changing the transmission information. The transmission information may be recorded in the header of the photographed image. By recording the transmission information in the header of the image data, the user can easily change the transmission information while referring to the image. Hereinafter, an image that has not been transmitted to the transmission destination or an image that is set to be transmitted to the transmission destination is collectively referred to as an untransmitted image.

<Send image>
Hereinafter, operations of the digital camera 100, the PC 200, and the smartphone 300 when the digital camera 100 transmits an untransmitted image to the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have been paired with BLE. At this time, the digital camera 100 is a peripheral device (slave), and the smartphone 300 is a central device (master). In addition, it is assumed that the GUID of the PC 200, the SSID of the wireless access point 400, and the authentication password are registered in the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of the digital camera 100, the PC 200, the smartphone 300, and the wireless access point 400. The digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have established a connection by BLE communication, and the digital camera 100 starts processing for automatically transmitting an unsent image, triggered by the transition to the power ON state. There is the following example as a method of transitioning the digital camera 100 in the sleep mode to the power ON state. The second control unit 107 detects an operation of the operation unit 105, specific communication via the short-range wireless communication unit 112, and the like, and the second control unit 107 activates the control unit 101. Thereafter, there is a method in which the control unit 101 transitions the entire apparatus to a power-on state. When the digital camera 100 is in the power OFF state, for example, the digital camera 100 transitions to the power ON state by operating a power switch (not shown).

  At this time, the digital camera 100 is in a state capable of transmitting an image. For example, in a state where the function for communicating using a wireless LAN and the function for automatically transmitting an unsent image to a transmission destination are enabled, and a function exclusive to the function for communicating using a wireless LAN Is not operating.

  In step S <b> 601, the digital camera 100 reads transmission information from the recording medium 110 into the work memory 104. The digital camera 100 calculates the number of unsent images to the destination PC 200 from the read transmission information. It is also conceivable that the digital camera 100 calculates the number of untransmitted images each time transmission information is updated or changed, and stores the number of untransmitted images in the transmission information itself. In this case, the digital camera 100 performs processing for acquiring the number of untransmitted images from the transmission information. When the transmission information is stored in the image data header, the number of images set to be transmitted to the transmission destination (PC 200 in the present embodiment) is calculated.

  In step S <b> 602, the digital camera 100 notifies the smartphone 300 of the number of unsent images by BLE communication via the short-range wireless communication unit 112. In general, a Notification method defined in the ATT protocol is used for a notification packet. Note that other methods defined in the ATT protocol may be used for the notification packet. After the notification, the digital camera 100 waits for notification of the detection result of the PC 200 notified from the smartphone 300. At this time, the digital camera 100 may transition to the sleep mode. The power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be suppressed by putting the digital camera 100 in the sleep mode until the notification that the PC is detected is received from the smartphone 300. When a predetermined time has elapsed since entering the notification waiting state, the digital camera 100 determines that the PC 200 has not been found, cancels the notification waiting state, and ends the processing. The predetermined time is predetermined such as 5 minutes or 1 hour, but may be changed by the user.

  Here, a process of connecting the smartphone 300 to the wireless access point 400 will be described.

  In step S603, the smartphone 300 confirms the number of untransmitted images notified from the digital camera 100, and starts detecting the wireless access point 400 according to the number of untransmitted images. The threshold value for the number of untransmitted images necessary for starting the detection process may be one, or a specific number may be set as the threshold value. If the number of untransmitted images is equal to or greater than the threshold, the smartphone 300 starts detecting beacons transmitted from the wireless access point 400. In addition, the smartphone 300 may start detecting a beacon transmitted from the wireless access point 400, triggered by notification from the digital camera 100 without setting a threshold for the number of untransmitted images. In this case, since the smartphone 300 can start detecting the beacon transmitted from the wireless access point 400 immediately after receiving the notification from the digital camera 100, the waiting time until the digital camera 100 connects to the PC 200 can be reduced. .

  In step S604, the smartphone 300 receives a beacon broadcast from the wireless access point 400 using the wireless LAN.

  In step S605, the smartphone 300 collates the SSID recorded in the nonvolatile memory 303 with the SSID included in the beacon acquired in step S604. If the two SSIDs match, the smartphone 300 performs the process of step S606 assuming that the wireless access point 400 is detected. If the two SSIDs do not match, the smartphone 300 returns to the process of step S603 and detects a beacon different from the beacon referenced in this step.

  In step S <b> 606, the smartphone 300 establishes communication connection using the wireless LAN with the wireless access point 400 via the communication unit 311. The smartphone 300 performs the process of step S607 when a connection for communication using a wireless LAN is established. The smartphone 300 ends the process when the connection fails, such as when the connection authentication using the wireless LAN fails.

  Note that if the smartphone 300 and the wireless access point 400 have already established a communication connection using a wireless LAN before step S603, the smartphone 300 skips steps S603 to S606.

  So far, the process until the smartphone 300 is connected to the wireless access point 400 has been described. Next, a process in which the smartphone 300 searches for the PC 200 will be described.

  In step S <b> 607, the smartphone 300 searches for the PC 200 in the wireless LAN network via the communication unit 311.

  In step S <b> 608, the smartphone 300 receives a response from the PC 200 via the communication unit 311. The smartphone 300 compares the identifier received as a response from the PC 200 with the identifier of the PC 200 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 303 described above, and determines whether the two identifiers match. If the identifiers match, the smartphone 300 performs the process of step S609 assuming that the transmission destination is detected.

  In step S609, the smartphone 300 disconnects the communication connection using the wireless LAN, and in step S610, the smartphone 300 notifies the digital camera 100 of the detection result of the PC 200 by BLE communication. The notification when the PC 200 is detected includes information such as the IP address of the PC 200. With the notification that the PC 200 has been detected, the processing of the smartphone 300 in this sequence ends. If the PC 200 is not detected, the smartphone 300 does not transmit a notification to the digital camera 100. If the smartphone 300 is connected by communication using a wireless LAN before receiving notification of the number of untransmitted images, it is not necessary to disconnect the communication using the wireless LAN in step S609. If the smartphone 300 is connected by communication using a wireless LAN before performing the processing of this embodiment, the user intends to use the Internet or the like using the smartphone 300 regardless of whether or not the PC 200 is detected. Because it is thought that there is.

  Next, a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits an untransmitted image to the PC 200 will be described.

  The digital camera 100 cancels the notification waiting state triggered by the notification of the detection result of the PC 200. At this time, if the PC 200 is detected and the digital camera 100 is in the sleep mode, in step S611, the digital camera 100 transitions to a power-on state and starts an automatic image transmission process. Further, when notified that the PC 200 has not been detected, the digital camera 100 does not start the automatic image transmission process (that is, does not perform the processes after step S612). In this case, the digital camera 100 may transition to the sleep mode again. By executing such processing, the digital camera 100 can reduce power consumption.

  In step S612, the digital camera 100 acquires the SSID and authentication password of the wireless access point 400 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 103, and establishes a communication connection using the wireless LAN to the wireless access point 400. If the connection is successful, the digital camera 100 performs the process of step S613.

  In step S613, the digital camera 100 starts processing for connecting to the PC 200. Here, the digital camera 100 can omit the process of searching for the PC 200 by performing the process for connection of communication using the wireless LAN using the IP address of the PC 200 received from the smartphone 300 in step S610. . As a result, the digital camera 100 can be more reliably connected to the PC 200 and power consumption can be reduced. In other words, since the digital camera 100 is activated after confirming in advance that transmission to the PC 200 as the transmission destination is possible, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the conventional technique. If the connection to the PC 200 is successful, the digital camera 100 performs the process of step S614.

  In step S <b> 614, the digital camera 100 reads the transmission information into the work memory 104, generates image information related to the read transmission information, and notifies the PC 200 via the communication unit 111. The notified image information includes information such as the file path of the image.

  In step S615, when the digital camera 100 receives a transmission request for an untransmitted image from the PC 200, the digital camera 100 transmits the requested untransmitted image to the PC 200 in step S616. In this transmission request, the PC 200 requests the digital camera 100 to transmit at least one of unsent images. When the digital camera 100 completes the transmission of the image, the digital camera 100 proceeds to step S617.

  In step S617, the digital camera 100 updates the transmission information. If unsent images remain, the digital camera 100 returns to step S614 and transmits the remaining unsent images. If transmission of all unsent images has been completed, the digital camera 100 proceeds to the process of step S618.

  In step S618, the digital camera 100 notifies the PC 200 that transmission of an unsent image has been completed.

  In step S619, the digital camera 100 disconnects the communication connection using the wireless LAN, and the digital camera 100 completes the process.

  As described above, the smartphone 300 searches for the PC 200 in the wireless LAN network, and then notifies the digital camera 100 of the detection result of the PC 200 by BLE communication. Accordingly, the smartphone 300 can notify the digital camera 100 of information such as the IP address of the PC 200 in a situation where there is a high possibility that the data transmission of the digital camera 100 will not fail while suppressing power consumption.

[Operation of Digital Camera 100]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have been paired with BLE. In addition, it is assumed that the GUID of the PC 200, the SSID of the wireless access point 400, and the authentication password are registered in the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300.

  As described above, the connection between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 is established through BLE communication, and the digital camera 100 starts processing for automatically transmitting an unsent image triggered by the transition to the power ON state. To do. Specifically, the control unit 101 reads a program for switching the digital camera 100 to the power-on state from the nonvolatile memory 103 and starts processing.

  In step S <b> 701, the control unit 101 confirms whether or not the digital camera 100 can transmit an image. The state in which an image can be transmitted is a state in which a function to enable is enabled and a function exclusive to a function for communicating using a wireless LAN is not operating. If the digital camera 100 can transmit an untransmitted image, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S702. When the digital camera 100 cannot transmit an untransmitted image, the control unit 101 ends the process.

  In step S702, the control unit 101 reads transmission information stored in the recording medium 110 into the work memory 104, and calculates the number of untransmitted images. If the number of untransmitted images is recorded in the transmission information, the information is acquired. If there is an untransmitted image, the process proceeds to step S703. If there is no unsent image, the process ends. Step S702 corresponds to step S601 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 703, the control unit 101 notifies the smartphone 300 of information on the number of untransmitted images calculated or acquired by BLE communication. Step S703 corresponds to step S602 in FIG.

  After the notification, the process proceeds to step S704 and waits for a notification from the smartphone 300. At this time, the control unit 101 may cause the digital camera 100 to transition to the sleep mode. The digital camera 100 can suppress power consumption by transitioning to the sleep mode. When the notification of the detection result of the PC 200 is received from the smartphone 300, the process proceeds to step S705. Step S704 corresponds to step S610 in FIG.

  In step S705, when the digital camera 100 is in the sleep mode, the second control unit 107 activates the control unit 101. In step S706, the control unit 101 turns the digital camera 100 on. When the digital camera 100 is in the power ON state, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S707. Steps S705 and S706 correspond to step S611 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 707, the control unit 101 confirms the notification received from the smartphone 300. If the PC 200 is detected, the process proceeds to step S708. If the PC 200 is not detected, the process ends.

  In step S708, the control unit 101 acquires the SSID and authentication password of the wireless access point 400 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 103, and transmits a connection request to the wireless access point 400 via the communication unit 111. Step S708 corresponds to step S612 in FIG.

  In step S709, when the control unit 101 establishes communication connection using the wireless LAN, the process proceeds to step S710. If the connection fails, the control unit 101 ends the process. Step S709 corresponds to step S612 in FIG.

  In step S710, the control unit 101 connects to the PC 200 via the communication unit 111. The control unit 101 can omit the process of searching for the PC 200 by connecting the communication using the wireless LAN using the IP address of the PC 200 included in the notification received from the smartphone 300 in step S704. Thereby, the power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be suppressed. Step S710 corresponds to step S613 in FIG.

  If the control unit 101 succeeds in connecting to the PC 200 in step S711, the process proceeds to step S712. If the connection to the PC 200 fails, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S718, disconnects the communication connection using the wireless LAN, and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 712, the control unit 101 reads transmission information into the work memory 104, generates image information related to the read transmission information, and notifies the PC 200 via the communication unit 111. When the transmission of the image information is completed, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S713. Step S712 corresponds to step S614 in FIG.

  In step S713, the control unit 101 stands by until a transmission request for an untransmitted image transmitted from the PC 200 is received. When the control unit 101 receives a transmission request for an untransmitted image, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S714. Step S713 corresponds to step S615 in FIG.

  In step S714, the control unit 101 transmits the requested image. When the transmission of the unsent image ends, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S715. Step S714 corresponds to step S616 in FIG.

  In step S715, the transmission information recorded on the recording medium 110 is updated. Step S715 corresponds to step S617 in FIG.

  In step S716, the control unit 101 confirms whether there are other untransmitted images from the transmission information. If no untransmitted images remain, the process advances to step S717 to indicate that transmission to the PC 200 has been completed. Send notifications for. If unsent images remain, the process returns to step S712, and the control unit 101 notifies the PC 200 of information on the remaining unsent images. Step S717 corresponds to step S618 in FIG.

  In step S718, the control unit 101 disconnects the communication connection using the wireless LAN and ends the process. Step S718 corresponds to step S619 in FIG.

[Operation of Smartphone 300]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the smartphone 300 in the present embodiment. Here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have been paired with BLE, and the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have established a connection through BLE communication. In addition, it is assumed that the GUID of the PC 200, the SSID of the wireless access point 400, and the authentication password are registered in the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300.

  In step S <b> 801, the control unit 301 receives a notification of the number of unsent images sent from the digital camera 100 through BLE communication. If the information is received, the process proceeds to step S802. Step S801 corresponds to step S602 in FIG.

  In step S802, the control unit 301 confirms the content of the information received in step S801, and determines whether or not the number of untransmitted images is equal to or greater than a specific threshold (for example, one). If the number of untransmitted images is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S803. If the number of untransmitted images is less than the threshold, the process returns to step S801, and the control unit 301 waits for notification of information on the number of untransmitted images.

  In step S <b> 803, the control unit 301 starts detecting the wireless access point 400. Specifically, the control unit 301 starts receiving beacons via the communication unit 311. If a beacon is received, it will progress to step S804 and the control part 301 will detect by collating the SSID of the wireless access point 400 currently recorded on the non-volatile memory 303, and the SSID contained in the beacon. If the two SSIDs match, the process proceeds to step S805. If the two SSIDs are different, the process returns to step S803, and beacon reception is resumed. Step S803 corresponds to Step 603 and Step S604 in FIG. 6, and Step S804 corresponds to Step S605 in FIG.

  In step S805, the control unit 301 transmits a connection request to the wireless access point 400 using the SSID read from the nonvolatile memory 303 and the authentication password, and the process proceeds to step S806. Step S805 corresponds to step S606 in FIG.

  When the communication connection using the wireless LAN between the smartphone 300 and the wireless access point 400 is established in step S806, the control unit 301 performs the process of step S807. If the connection fails, the process ends. Note that if the smartphone 300 and the wireless access point 400 have already established wireless communication before step S801, the control unit 301 skips the processing of steps S803 to S806.

  In step S <b> 807, the control unit 301 searches for the PC 200 in the wireless LAN network via the communication unit 311. Step S807 corresponds to step S607 in FIG.

  In step S808, the control unit 301 determines whether the PC 200 is detected. Specifically, when the control unit 301 receives a response from the PC via the communication unit 311, whether or not the responding PC identifier matches the PC 200 identifier recorded in the nonvolatile memory 303. Judging. If the two identifiers match, it is determined that the PC 200 has been detected, and the process proceeds to step S809. When the search of the PC 200 fails, for example, when a predetermined time or more has passed since the search of the PC 200 is started, or when the received identifier does not match the recorded identifier, it is determined that the PC 200 has not been detected. Then, the process proceeds to step S811. Step S808 corresponds to step S608 in FIG.

  In step S809, the control unit 301 disconnects communication using the wireless LAN. Step S809 corresponds to step S609 in FIG.

  In step S810, the detection result of the PC 200 is notified to the digital camera 100 by BLE communication. This notification includes information such as the IP address of the PC 200. Step S810 corresponds to step S610 in FIG.

  In step S811, the control unit 301 determines that the PC 200 cannot be detected, disconnects communication using the wireless LAN, and ends the process. Note that the controller 301 does not have to disconnect the communication using the wireless LAN in step S809 or step S811.

  With the flow of FIG. 8 as described above, the user can use the Internet or the like using a wireless LAN after performing PC detection using the smartphone 300.

  Up to this point, the embodiment has been described in which the digital camera 100 starts processing with the transition to the power-on state as a trigger. However, another trigger may be used for the digital camera 100 to start processing. For example, the digital camera 100 is triggered by a user operation. This can be realized by transmitting information on the number of unsent images to the smartphone 300 each time a change occurs in the number of unsent images due to user shooting. In this method, since the transmission destination can be searched immediately after shooting, the image taken by the user can be confirmed immediately at the transmission destination.

  In addition, as a modification of this embodiment, there is a method using a trigger when the smartphone 300 detects the PC 200. In this case, the smartphone 300 that has detected the PC 200 notifies the digital camera 100 of the detection result, and the digital camera 100 that has received the detection result confirms the transmission information. Then, when there is an untransmitted image, the digital camera 100 starts transmission processing of an untransmitted image to the PC 200.

  Hereinafter, the procedure of this modification will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus used here is the same as that in the first embodiment described above, and the same numbers as those in FIG. 6 are used for steps that perform the same operations as those in the sequence shown in FIG.

  The processing from step S606 to step S610 is the same as in FIG.

  In step S611, the digital camera 100 that has received the detection result of the PC 200 from the smartphone 300 transitions to the power ON state, and performs the process of step S901. Before receiving the detection result of the PC 200, the digital camera 100 is in either the sleep mode or the power ON state. If the digital camera 100 has already been powered on, the digital camera 100 performs the process of step S901 without performing this step.

  In step S901, the digital camera confirms transmission information. In the confirmation of the transmission information, the digital camera 100 calculates or acquires the number of untransmitted images from the transmission information. If the number of untransmitted images is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S612. If the number of untransmitted images is less than the threshold, the digital camera 100 ends the process. This corresponds to part of the processing in steps S601 and S603 in FIG.

  The processing from step S612 to step S619 is the same as that in FIG.

  This modification assumes a use case in which the wireless function is normally enabled when the smartphone is powered on. If the smartphone is connected to the wireless access point, the smartphone can detect the transmission destination at an arbitrary timing, so that the user rarely misses the timing at which the user wants to transmit the image.

  Moreover, in step S808 of FIG. 8, when there is no response from PC200, the smart phone 300 was supposed to complete | finish a process. However, for example, when connecting to a home access point as described above, it may be attempted to turn on the PC using a Wake On LAN (hereinafter abbreviated as WOL) function. . The WOL function is a technology for remotely turning on a computer connected to the same subnet. For example, when a smartphone transmits a magic packet by broadcast to a PC for which the WOL function is enabled, the PC is turned on. However, the WOL function is applicable only when power is supplied to the communication unit, for example, in the sleep mode.

  One specific method is to transmit a magic packet by broadcast from the smartphone 300 when no response is received from the PC 200 in step S808 in FIG. After waiting for a sufficient time for the PC 200 to start up, the smartphone 300 can detect the PC 200 by searching the PC 200 again. When the PC 200 is not detected as a result of the re-search, the smartphone 300 determines that there is no response from the PC 200.

  The predetermined time and the time sufficient for starting up the PC 200 are set to, for example, 1 minute or 5 minutes, but the user may arbitrarily change the setting.

  By using the WOL function, the smartphone 300 can activate the PC 200 using wireless communication, and the digital camera 100 can transmit an image to the PC 200.

  Further, the number of unsent images notified from the digital camera to the smartphone by BLE communication may be notified even during the process of transmitting images to the PC. For example, the digital camera 100 notifies the smartphone 300 of the number of untransmitted images between step S715 and step S716 of FIG. This notification includes information indicating that an image is being transmitted. By transmitting an image from the digital camera 100 to the PC 200 and notifying the smartphone 300 of the number of untransmitted images each time transmission information changes, the user can check the progress status from the smartphone 300. In this case, even if the notification is received, the smartphone 300 does not search the PC 200 (the process of step S607 in FIG. 6 is not performed). In step S717 in FIG. 7, the digital camera 100 may notify the smartphone 300 as well as the PC 200 that the image transmission processing has been completed. By doing in this way, the user can also confirm from the smartphone that transmission of unsent images has ended.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 transmits the number of untransmitted images to the smartphone 300, and the smartphone 300 starts processing according to the number of untransmitted images. However, the trigger for the smartphone 300 to start processing is not limited to the total number of data files such as the number of untransmitted images. For example, there is a method of starting processing when the total capacity of untransmitted images exceeds a threshold value. In addition, there is a method of setting a trigger based on time, such as a specific time, day of the week, date (time data), number of days elapsed since the last shooting date (time data, etc.). By adopting such a method, for example, the user can take advantage of not having to worry about the remaining capacity of the recording medium, and being able to automatically transmit an image while sleeping. It is also possible to use a plurality of triggers described above, including the number of untransmitted images.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 start this processing in a state where the BLE communication connection is established. However, the present embodiment can be implemented even in a state where the BLE communication connection is not established. . Specifically, in the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300, the transmitting device performs advertisement including data to be transmitted in the advertisement packet, and the receiving device performs scanning. By adopting such a method, it is possible to transmit and receive data using the BLE communication method without establishing a connection for BLE communication.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a use case using a smart speaker instead of a smartphone is assumed.

  In the first embodiment, the portable device such as the smartphone 300 searches the PC 200, and the digital camera 100 transmits an image or the like. In the second embodiment, a stationary communication device (for example, a smart speaker) that can communicate with an external device present in the home searches the PC 200, and a portable device such as a digital camera transmits information to the PC 200. Note that the PC 200 and the wireless access point 400 used in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Configuration of smart speaker 1000>
10 and 11 show a smart speaker 1000 and a digital camera 100 in an example of this embodiment, respectively. First, FIG. 10 will be described.

  The control unit 1001 incorporates a CPU, and controls each unit of the smart speaker 1000 according to an input signal and a computer program described later. Instead of the control unit 1001 controlling the entire apparatus, the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of hardware sharing the processing.

  The imaging unit 1002 is, for example, an optical lens unit, an optical system that controls aperture, zoom, focus, and the like, and an imaging device that converts light (video) introduced through the optical lens unit into an electrical video signal. Composed. In general, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the imaging element. The imaging unit 1002 is controlled by the control unit 1001 to convert subject light imaged by a lens included in the imaging unit 1002 into an electrical signal by the imaging element, and perform noise reduction processing and the like. In the present embodiment, the smart speaker 1000 includes the imaging unit 1002 as a component, but the smart speaker 1000 does not necessarily include the imaging unit 1002.

  The non-volatile memory 1003 is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a program to be described later executed by the control unit 1001 and the like.

  The work memory 1004 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data in the imaging unit 1002, an image display memory of the display unit 1006 described later, a work area of the control unit 1001, and the like.

  The operation unit 1005 is a user interface for receiving an instruction for the smart speaker 1000 from the user. The operation unit 1005 can include, for example, a power button for instructing the user to turn on / off the power of the smart speaker 1000, a playback button for instructing playback of audio data, and the like. Furthermore, an operation member such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via the short-range wireless communication unit 1012 may be included. In addition, a touch panel formed on the display portion 1006 can be included in the operation portion 1005.

  A display unit 1006 displays characters for interactive operation. The display unit 1006 is not necessarily built in the smart speaker 1000 and may be configured to be connected to the smart speaker 1000. The smart speaker 1000 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 1006 and may have at least a display control function for controlling display on the display unit 1006.

  The recording medium 1010 may be configured to be detachable from the smart speaker 1000, or may be built in the smart speaker 1000. The smart speaker 1000 may have at least means for accessing the recording medium 1010.

  The communication unit 1011 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The smart speaker 1000 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 1011. For example, the image data generated by the imaging unit 1002 can be transmitted to an external device via the communication unit 111. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 1011 includes an interface for communicating with an external apparatus via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The control unit 1001 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 1011.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 1012 includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication and a modem circuit and a communication controller for processing wireless signals. The short-range wireless communication unit 1012 outputs a modulated wireless signal from the antenna, and demodulates the wireless signal received by the antenna to perform short-range wireless communication with an external device in accordance with the IEEE 802.15 standard (so-called Bluetooth). Realize communication. In the present embodiment, the Bluetooth communication adopts a specification called Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter abbreviated as BLE) defined in Bluetooth version 4.0 or later. In this BLE communication, the communicable range is narrow (communication distance is short) compared to communication using a wireless LAN, and the communication speed is slower than communication using a wireless LAN. On the other hand, BLE communication consumes less power than communication using a wireless LAN.

  In the present embodiment, the communication speed realized by the communication unit 1011 is faster than the communication speed realized by the short-range wireless communication unit 1012. Further, the communication realized by the communication unit 1011 has a wider communication range than the communication by the short-range wireless communication unit 1012.

  The communication unit 1011 has an AP mode that operates as an access point (AP) in the infrastructure mode, and a CL mode that operates as a client (CL) in the infrastructure mode. Smart speaker 1000 operates as a CL device in the infrastructure mode when communication unit 1011 is operated in the CL mode. Further, when the communication unit 1011 is operated in the AP mode, although it is a kind of AP, it can operate as a simple AP (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP) with more limited functions.

  The microphone 1015 detects sound waves such as the user's voice and surrounding sounds.

  The speaker 1016 can output sounds such as music playback and instruction sounds for the user.

  The smart speaker 1000 is a so-called smart device, and is not limited to this example. Smart speaker 1000 is an example of a communication device arranged in a specific area such as home, and smartphone 300 is an example of a communication device that a user can carry around. In this embodiment, data such as a moving image and a still image captured by the digital camera 100 is stored in the PC 200.

<Data transmission>
Hereinafter, operations of the smart speaker 1000, the PC 200, and the digital camera 100 when the digital camera 100 transmits untransmitted data to the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the smart speaker 1000 and the digital camera 100 have been paired by BLE. Further, it is assumed that the GUID of the PC 200, the SSID of the wireless access point 400, and the authentication password are registered in the smart speaker 1000 and the digital camera 100. In this embodiment, the digital camera 100 operates as a central device in the BLE communication method.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the smart speaker 1000, the digital camera 100, the PC 200, and the wireless access point 400. The smart speaker 1000 is assumed to be connected to the wireless access point 400.

  In step S <b> 1101, the smart speaker 1000 receives a voice instruction from the user to transmit a moving image, a still image, or the like stored in the digital camera 100 to the PC 200 using the microphone 1015. In general, processing of audio data in a smart speaker is as follows. First, the smart speaker transmits the user's voice data collected by the microphone to the cloud server. Next, the cloud server interprets the instruction from the voice data. Then, the smart speaker performs an operation based on the interpretation of the instruction. Similarly, the smart speaker 1000 processes audio data in this step.

  In step S1102, the smart speaker 1000 becomes a peripheral device in the BLE communication system. If the smart speaker 1000 is already a peripheral device in the BLE communication system, this step is not performed.

  In step S1103, the smart speaker 1000 establishes a BLE communication connection with the digital camera 100. Specifically, the smart speaker 1000 repeatedly transmits an advertisement packet, and the digital camera 100 receives the advertisement packet. As a response, the digital camera 100 transmits a connection request packet to establish a connection for BLE communication. In the present embodiment, it is considered that the user has an intention to transmit a moving image, a still image, or the like from the digital camera 100 to the PC 200 based on a user instruction in step S1101. Therefore, the smart speaker 1000 does not need to make a determination regarding an untransmitted image or the like used in the first embodiment, and does not need to transmit data regarding an untransmitted image or the like from the digital camera 100 to the smart speaker 1000.

  In step S1104, the smart speaker 1000 searches for the PC 200 in the wireless LAN network via the communication unit 311.

  In step S <b> 1105, the smart speaker 1000 receives a response from the PC 200 via the communication unit 311. The smart speaker 1000 compares the identifier received in response to the PC 200 with the identifier of the PC 200 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 303 described above, and determines whether the two identifiers match. If the identifiers match, the smart speaker 1000 performs the process of step S1107, assuming that the transmission destination is detected.

  In step S1106, the smart speaker 1000 notifies the detection result of the PC 200 to the digital camera 100 by BLE communication. The notification when the PC 200 is detected includes information such as the IP address of the PC 200. With the notification that the PC 200 has been detected, the processing of the smart speaker 1000 in this sequence ends.

  The subsequent processing in steps S611 to 619 is the same as the processing in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In step S1102, the smart speaker 1000 may be a central device in BLE communication. In this case, when the digital camera 100 transmits an advertisement packet and the smart speaker 1000 responds to the advertisement packet, the digital camera 100 and the smart speaker 1000 perform BLE communication. In this case, in step S1103, in order for the digital camera 100 to start transmitting an advertisement packet, for example, a trigger such as a user operating the operation unit 105 of the digital camera 100 is necessary. In this case, the digital camera 100 operates as a peripheral device in the BLE communication method.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, a use case without an access point is assumed.

  In the present embodiment, the PC operates as a client in the wireless LAN, and the smartphone and the digital camera operate as an access point in the wireless LAN.

  By using this embodiment, the present invention can be implemented without a dedicated device as an access point.

  In the third embodiment, the digital camera 100, the PC 200, and the smartphone 300 used in the first embodiment are used, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

  Hereinafter, operations of the digital camera 100, the PC 200, and the smartphone 300 when the digital camera 100 transmits untransmitted data to the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 have been paired by BLE. Further, it is assumed that the GUID of the PC 200 has been registered in the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300.

  Steps S601 and S602 are the same as steps S601 and 602 in FIG.

  In step S1201, the smartphone 300 transitions to the AP mode. Since the smartphone 300 plays the role of an access point, wireless communication between the PC 200 and the smartphone 300 is possible without the wireless access point 400 in this embodiment.

  In step S1202, the smartphone 300 starts transmitting a beacon.

  In step S1203, the PC 200 verifies the SSID of the beacon received via the wireless I / F 205. If it is determined that the beacon is transmitted from the smartphone 300, the PC 200 establishes a communication connection using the wireless LAN with the smartphone 300 in step S1204.

  In step S <b> 1205, the smartphone 300 determines whether the PC 200 exists in the network configured by itself. The smartphone 300 makes a determination by comparing the identifier of the device connected to the network that it constitutes with the identifier recorded in the nonvolatile memory 303. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the PC 200 exists in the network, the smartphone 300 disconnects the communication connection using the wireless LAN in step S1206 and ends the AP mode.

  The process of confirming the identifier of the partner to which the smartphone 300 is connected by communication using the wireless LAN in Step S1205 and Step S1206 has the same effect as the process executed in Step S607 and Step S608 of FIG. Specifically, both the process of confirming the identifier of the other party connected by communication using a wireless LAN and the process of searching for a communication device in the network of the wireless LAN can be communicated by the other party performing the wireless communication. It has the effect of confirming whether or not it is in a state.

  In step S1207, the smartphone 300 notifies the digital camera 100 that the PC 200 can be connected. At this time, the smartphone 300 may notify the digital camera 100 of the SSID used at this time. In this embodiment, if the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 share the SSID, the PC 200 only needs to record one SSID.

  In step S1208, the digital camera 100 shifts to the AP mode. In addition, when the digital camera 100 receives a notification from the smartphone 300 in the sleep mode, the digital camera 100 shifts to the power ON state and then shifts to the AP mode.

  In step S1209, the digital camera 100 transmits a beacon.

  In step S1210, the PC 200 collates the SSID of the beacon received via the wireless I / F 205. If the PC 200 determines that the received beacon is a beacon transmitted from the digital camera 100, the PC 200 establishes a connection with the digital camera 100 in step S612.

  Since the processing from step S612 to step S619 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, when the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 operate as access points, it is possible to reliably transmit an image to the PC 200 even when there is no access point.

  Further, it is assumed that the roles of the server and the client are reversed from the present embodiment, the PC 200 becomes an access point, and the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 are connected to the PC 200. In this case, the first embodiment may be modified so that the PC 200 includes the wireless access point 400. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the wireless I / F 205 of the PC 200 has a function to be in the AP mode, and the CPU 201 and the wireless I / F 205 perform processing of the wireless access point 400. In addition, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. In the above-described embodiment, the transmission target is described as an image, but it is not necessary to be limited to this. For example, content that can be exchanged between the client device and the server device, such as moving image data, still image data, an audio file, and a document file, may be used.

(Other embodiments)
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.

Claims (23)

First wireless communication means using a first communication protocol;
Second wireless communication means using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol;
Control means;
Have
The control means searches for an information processing apparatus from a local area network to which the control means is connected by the second wireless communication means,
The control means notifies the external apparatus based on a result of searching the information processing apparatus by the first wireless communication means,
The first wireless communication means consumes less power during standby than the second wireless communication means,
A communication device. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the information processing apparatus cannot be detected in the search, the control unit does not perform the notification. When the information processing apparatus is detected, information for connecting to the information processing apparatus by communication using the second communication protocol is notified to the external apparatus by the first wireless communication unit. Item 3. The communication device according to Item 1 or 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information for connecting to the information processing apparatus by communication using the second communication protocol includes an IP address of the external apparatus. When the first wireless communication means receives predetermined data from the external device, the control means determines whether the predetermined data satisfies a predetermined condition,
If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control means performs the search,
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the control unit does not perform the search. In a state where the wireless communication connection by the second wireless communication means is not established,
6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the predetermined data is received from the external device by the first wireless communication unit, the control unit is connected to a local area network by the second wireless communication unit. Communication device. In a state where the wireless communication connection by the second wireless communication means is not established, the predetermined data is received from the external device by the first wireless communication means, and the connection is established by the second wireless communication means. Complete the search from the local area network
The communication device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control unit disconnects a communication connection by the second wireless communication unit. When the search from the local area network established by the second wireless communication means is completed before the predetermined data is received from the external device by the first wireless communication means,
The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control unit maintains the connection of the local area network. The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the predetermined data includes data related to data communicated between the information processing device and the external device. The predetermined data includes at least one of data indicating the number of data files, data indicating the total capacity of the data files, time data, and time-dependent data. The communication device according to item. The predetermined condition includes the number of the data files,
The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the control unit performs the search when the number of the data files is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the information processing apparatus cannot be detected as a result of the search, the control means has an activation means for transmitting a signal for activating the information processing apparatus by the second wireless communication means,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a device. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the activation unit activates the information processing apparatus using a Wake On LAN. The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means performs the search when receiving an instruction relating to transmission of the predetermined data by voice using a sound collecting device. apparatus. The said control means forms the said local area network as an access point in said 2nd communication protocol, when the said predetermined conditions are satisfy | filled. The one of the Claims 1-11 characterized by the above-mentioned. Communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first wireless communication unit consumes less power during standby than the control unit. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein communication in the first wireless communication unit is a master-slave system, and plays a role of a master in the communication. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein communication in the first wireless communication unit is a master-slave system and serves as a slave in the communication. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first wireless communication unit conforms to an IEEE 802.15 standard. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second wireless communication unit conforms to an IEEE 802.11 standard.   When the information processing apparatus is found as a result of searching the information processing apparatus, the control means activates the external apparatus by notifying the external apparatus using the first wireless communication means. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the communication apparatus is used. A first wireless communication means;
A second wireless communication unit that uses a communication standard different from that of the first wireless communication unit and consumes more power than the first wireless communication unit;
A method for controlling a communication device having
Searching for an information processing device in a local area network to which the communication device is connected by the second wireless communication means;
A step of notifying an external device based on a result of searching the information processing device by the first wireless communication means;
A control method.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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