JP4809724B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, an information processing device, a communication method, a communication program, and an information storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are a plurality of wired and wireless communication methods as communication methods between personal computers, peripheral devices, and the like, which are properly used depending on the purpose of communication and the characteristics of the communication method. In view of this, an apparatus such as a personal computer is provided with communication means corresponding to each of a plurality of communication methods, and the communication means is selected according to the type or purpose of the network to be connected.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-112225 (Patent Document 1), in an information communication apparatus having a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface and an IEEE 802.11 standard wireless LAN interface, each interface is set according to the use. There is disclosed a technology of an information communication apparatus that performs communication while suppressing wasteful power consumption by using a wireless LAN interface properly and securing a communication speed by using a wireless LAN as necessary. The technology of the information communication apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is based on IEEE 802 by a function of acquiring information on a device having a Bluetooth (registered trademark) function in the vicinity, which is one of the functions of Bluetooth (registered trademark). .11 to facilitate connection between devices having a wireless LAN function.

  By the way, in wireless communication, the operator of the device to be connected must specify the connection destination device, etc., and input necessary information, etc., rather than establishing a wired communication connection. There was a problem that the procedure was complicated. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a method for easily establishing a connection in wireless communication is disclosed.

For example, in the wireless communication setting method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-359623 (Patent Document 2), first, a wired communication terminal has a wireless communication terminal to be connected to a wired communication unit included in a wireless communication terminal that is a connection destination. By connecting the communication unit, guidance information held by both parties is transmitted and received. Based on the transmitted / received guidance information, communication parameters necessary for wireless communication are determined, transmitted / received by the wired communication unit, set in both wireless communication terminals, and wireless communication is started.
JP 2004-112225 A JP 2002-359623 A

  However, the communication method based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) has a lower communication speed than a wireless LAN based on the IEEE802.11 standard and uses are limited. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface is a wireless interface. It is mainly used for applications different from wireless LAN communication, such as LAN connection settings.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, wireless communication settings are easily performed by connecting the wired communication units to each other. However, the wired communication units are not considered for other uses of the wireless communication settings.

  By the way, in the WirelessUSB (registered trademark) 1.0 standard (hereinafter referred to as “W-USB”), the connection of W-USB that is wireless communication is established using USB (Universal Serial Bus) that is a wired communication method. The authentication information necessary for this is sent and received. USB enables communication at a communication speed equivalent to that of W-USB, and further enables communication at an effective speed equal to or higher than that of W-USB.

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a wired communication unit and a wireless communication unit are provided in one apparatus or unit, and the wired communication unit can communicate at a speed equal to or higher than that of the wireless communication unit. No consideration is given to a method for suitably determining the use of the wired communication means.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and is a communication device having wireless communication means and wired communication means used when establishing a wireless communication connection. Then, it aims at providing the communication apparatus which uses a wireless communication means and a wired communication means suitably.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

A communication apparatus according to the present invention includes an interface that transmits and receives data to and from a first apparatus, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit, and is a communication apparatus that communicates between the first apparatus and a second apparatus. Authentication information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second apparatus to / from the second apparatus by the wired communication means, the interface, the wired communication means, or Communication switching means for switching transmission / reception of the data to / from the wireless communication means can be provided.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device that suitably uses the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit used when establishing a wireless communication connection for communication.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further includes wireless transmission data for transmitting input data input from the first device to the second device by the wireless communication means; The wired communication means can be configured to have data distribution means for distributing to wired transmission data transmitted to the second device.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device that distributes and transmits one input data between the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the present invention includes an interface that exchanges data with the first device, a wireless communication unit that communicates data with the second device, and a wired communication unit. A communication device that communicates between the first device and the second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is provided by the wired communication means. Authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving to / from the second apparatus, communication switching means for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface, the wired communication means or the wireless communication means, and the first apparatus The input data input by the wireless communication unit is distributed to wireless transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication unit and wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication unit. Has a chromatography data distribution means, the effective speed obtaining means for obtaining a wired effective speed of the radio effective speed with said wire communication means of said wireless communication means, said data distribution means, obtained by the effective speed obtaining means The input data can be distributed according to the ratio of the wireless effective speed and the wired effective speed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device in which the wireless transmission data transmitted by the wireless communication unit and the wired transmission data transmitted by the wired communication unit are synchronized within a predetermined range.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the present invention includes an interface that exchanges data with the first device, a wireless communication unit that communicates data with the second device, and a wired communication unit. A communication device that communicates between the first device and the second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is provided by the wired communication means. Authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving to / from the second apparatus, communication switching means for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface, the wired communication means or the wireless communication means, and the first apparatus The input data input by the wireless communication unit is distributed to wireless transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication unit and wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication unit. And a chromatography data distribution means, must transfer rate of the input data is within a predetermined range, and, when it is necessary to continuously perform the transmission of the input data, said data distribution means, The input data can be selected to be transmitted by the wired communication means.

  As a result, it is possible to provide a communication device that transmits data that has a transfer rate within a predetermined range and that needs to be transmitted continuously, by wired communication means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication apparatus of the present invention further includes a data distribution mode in which the input data is distributed by the data distribution means, and a normal mode in which the input data is transmitted by the wireless communication means. And a mode switching means for switching between.

  Thereby, it is possible to provide a communication device that switches between the distribution mode and the normal mode by the mode switching means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further receives wireless reception data received from the second device by the wireless communication means and received from the second device by the wired communication means. It is possible to have a data integration unit that integrates the wired reception data and outputs it to the interface.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device that integrates received data received from one device by each of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further includes a wireless communication unit and a wired communication unit, and establishes a wireless communication connection with the second device. Authentication information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving authentication information to / from the second apparatus by the wired communication means, the second apparatus connected by the wireless communication means, and at least wired communication means connected by the wired communication means It can be set as the structure which has the wireless wired hub means through transmission / reception of the data between the 3rd apparatus which has.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device that configures wireless communication means and wired communication means used when transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection as a hub for wireless communication and wired communication. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, and data transmission / reception between the first device and the second device. Mode switching for switching between normal mode for mediation and wireless wired hub mode via data transmission / reception between the second device and the third device using the wired wireless conversion means and the wireless wired conversion means And means.

  Thereby, the communication apparatus which switches a normal mode and a wireless wired hub mode by a mode switching means can be provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device and receiving power supply from the first device, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit. A communication device capable of communicating between the first device and the second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a connection for wireless communication with the second device is provided. Authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving to / from the second device by wired communication means, and when the wireless communication means is capable of wireless communication with a plurality of second devices, between the second devices A configuration having wireless hub means for transmitting and receiving data can be adopted.

  Thereby, the communication apparatus which has the wireless hub means via the communication between the plurality of second apparatuses can be provided by the wireless communication means via the communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention further includes a wireless communication means and a wired communication means, an interface for exchanging data with the first device, Authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second apparatus by the wired communication means, and the wireless communication means transmits / receives data to / from the second apparatus, Time-division control means for controlling transmission / reception of data between the wireless communication means and the wired communication means and the interface by time division when transmitting / receiving data to / from an apparatus having at least the wired communication means. It can be set as the structure which has these.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a communication device in which the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit used when transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection simultaneously communicate.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having wireless communication means and wired communication means, and authentication for establishing a wireless communication connection with another apparatus. Communication switching for selecting authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the other apparatus by the wired communication means, and means for communicating with the other apparatus, either the wired communication means or the wireless communication means And means.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that further includes a wireless communication unit and a wired communication unit, and establishes a wireless communication connection with another device. Authentication information transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the authentication information to / from the other apparatus by the wired communication means, and data to be transmitted to one of the other apparatuses to the one apparatus by the wireless communication means. A data distribution unit that distributes the wireless transmission data to be transmitted and the wired transmission data to be transmitted to the one apparatus by the wired communication unit may be employed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that further includes a wireless communication unit and a wired communication unit, and establishes a wireless communication connection with another device. Authentication information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving the authentication information to / from the other apparatus by the wired communication means, data received by the wireless communication means from one of the other apparatuses, and the wired communication from the one apparatus It can be set as the structure which has a data integration means to integrate with the data received by a means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit, A communication method in a communication device via communication with a second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is transmitted to and received from the second device by the wired communication means. An authentication information transmission / reception step, the interface, and a communication switching step for switching transmission / reception of the data with the wired communication unit or the wireless communication unit may be employed.

In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention includes an interface for exchanging data with the first device, a wireless communication means for exchanging data with the second device, and a wired communication means. And a communication method in a communication device via communication between the first device and the second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is used for the wired communication. Authentication information transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving to / from the second device by means, a communication switching step for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication means or the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication When the communication with the second device is performed by the means and the wired communication device, the input data input from the first device is transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication device. Wireless transmission data to be transmitted and wired transmission data to be transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means, a data distribution step to be distributed, a wireless effective speed of the wireless communication means, and a wired effective speed of the wired communication means An effective speed acquisition step of acquiring the input data, and the data distribution step distributes the input data according to a ratio of the wireless effective speed and the wired effective speed acquired by the effective speed acquisition step. It can be configured.
In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention includes an interface for exchanging data with the first device, a wireless communication means for exchanging data with the second device, and a wired communication means. And a communication method in a communication device via communication between the first device and the second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is used for the wired communication. Authentication information transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving to / from the second device by means, a communication switching step for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication means or the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication When the communication with the second device is performed by the means and the wired communication device, the input data input from the first device is transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication device. Data transmission step for distributing the wireless transmission data to be transmitted and the wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means, and the transfer rate of the input data needs to be within a predetermined range In addition, when it is necessary to continuously transmit the input data, the data distribution step may be configured to select to transmit the input data by the wired communication unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit, A communication method in a communication device via communication with a second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is transmitted to and received from the second device by the wired communication means. An authentication information transmitting / receiving step; a wireless wired conversion step of transmitting wireless reception data received from the second device by the wireless communication means to a third device having at least a wired communication means by the wired communication means; and A wired / wireless conversion step of transmitting wired reception data received from the third device by the wired communication means to the second device by the wireless communication means; It can be configured to have.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit, A communication method in a communication device via communication with a second device, wherein authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device is transmitted to and received from the second device by the wired communication means. An authentication information transmission / reception step, wherein the wireless communication means includes a wireless hub step through data transmission / reception between the second devices when wireless communication with a plurality of second devices is possible be able to.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication method of the present invention further includes an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, a wireless communication unit, and a wired communication unit, An authentication information transmission / reception step for transmitting and receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with a second device by the wired communication means, in a communication method via a communication with a second device, An interface and a communication switching step for switching transmission / reception of the data to / from the wired communication means or the wireless communication means, wherein the wireless communication means transmits / receives data to / from the second device, and the wired communication The means transmits and receives data between the wireless communication means and the wired communication means and the interface when transmitting / receiving data to / from a device having at least the wired communication means. And it may be configured with a split control step when controlling by time division.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication program of the present invention can be configured as a communication program for causing a computer to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information storage medium of the present invention can be configured as a computer-readable information storage medium characterized by storing the communication program according to claim 19.

  According to the communication device of the present invention, the communication device includes a wireless communication unit and a wired communication unit that is used when establishing a wireless communication connection, and preferably uses the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit. An apparatus can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, W-USB is used as an example of wireless communication and USB is used as an example of wired communication. However, the communication device and the like of the present invention are not limited to those that perform communication using W-USB or USB. What is necessary is just a communication apparatus etc. which have a communication means.

(Outline of network configuration including communication apparatus of the present invention)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network configuration including a communication apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the communication apparatus 10 is connected to the image forming apparatus 90. The communication device 10 performs wireless communication with the PC 20 and performs wired communication with the PC 30 connected by a wired cable. The PC 20 performs wireless communication with the communication device 10. The PC 20 is also connected to the communication device 10 via a wired cable, and transmits / receives authentication information necessary for establishing wireless communication. The PC 30 is connected to the communication device 10 or the like by a wired cable and performs wired communication.

  The image forming apparatus 90 is an apparatus connected to the communication apparatus 10 and transmits / receives data to / from the PC 20 or the like via the communication apparatus 10. The device connected to the communication device 10 is not limited to the image forming device, and may be any device that is directly connected to the communication device 10 and communicates with the PC 20 or the like via the communication device 10. The image forming apparatus 90 may also be configured as one information processing apparatus integrated with the communication apparatus 10.

(Example of functional configuration of communication apparatus of the present invention)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication apparatus according to the present invention, and shows the functional configuration of the communication apparatus 100 in detail based on the network configuration of FIG. In FIG. 2, the communication apparatus 100 is connected to the image forming apparatus 900 and performs wireless or wired communication with the PC 200 or the like.

  The communication apparatus 100 includes a function control unit 110, a wireless communication unit 120, an antenna 121, a wired communication unit 130, a wired port 131, an authentication information transmission / reception unit 140, an interface 150, and a mode switching unit 160. The communication apparatus 100 may further include an input unit 170, a display unit 180, and a storage unit 190.

  The function control unit 110 includes means for realizing functions such as communication switching of the communication device 100, and includes a communication switching unit 111, a data distribution unit 112, an effective speed acquisition unit 113, a data integration unit 114, and a time division control unit. 115, wireless wired hub means 116, and wireless hub means 117.

  The communication switching unit 111 is a unit that switches data transmission / reception between the interface 150, the wireless communication unit 120, and the wired communication unit 130. One or both of the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 are selected and provided as a unit used when the image forming apparatus 900 communicates with the PC 200 or the like by the communication switching unit 111.

  The data distribution unit 112 is a unit that distributes data input from the interface 150 into data for wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 120 and data for wired communication by the wired communication unit 130. The data distribution unit 112 distributes and transmits data to be transmitted from the communication device 100 to wireless communication and wired communication, and one device receives data distributed by both wireless communication and wired communication. The effective speed between the communication device 10 and the device that receives data can be increased as compared with the case where transmission is performed by either wireless communication or wired communication.

  The data distribution unit 112 also allows the data to be transmitted by the wired communication unit 130 when the data transmitted from the communication device 10 needs to be continuously reproduced when the data is reproduced. Good. Data that needs to be played continuously when played back is, for example, content having a playback time such as a moving image, audio, or music. Since these contents need to be played back continuously, when they are transmitted in a form such as streaming, or in the case of a real-time voice call or the like, it is necessary to have a constant transfer rate, and , It is necessary to transmit continuously. Actually, a constant transfer rate means that the transfer rate is within a predetermined range, and the predetermined range is a transfer rate mainly determined by the size of a buffer for received data of a device that receives data. Range. Further, “continuously transmitting” means transmitting for the purpose of being able to be reproduced without interruption on the receiving device side.

  The data distribution unit 112 can also realize a data transmission method having error tolerance by making the data transmitted from the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 the same data. Further, the data distribution unit 112 can change the strength of error resilience by changing the amount of data to be transmitted by both the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 among the data to be transmitted.

  The effective speed acquisition unit 113 is a unit that acquires the effective speed of wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 120 and the effective speed of wired communication by the wired communication unit 130. The data distribution unit 112 distributes the data to the wireless communication and the wired communication according to the ratio of the effective speed of the wireless communication acquired by the effective speed acquisition unit 113 and the effective speed of the wired communication. Synchronized data can be synchronized. In addition, on the side of the device that receives data, it becomes easy to synchronize the received data.

  For example, when the effective speed of wireless communication is 200 Mbps and the effective speed of wired communication is 400 Mbps, the data distribution unit 112 sets the ratio of the amount of data transmitted by the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130. , 1: 2 realizes synchronization of transmitted data.

  The data integration unit 114 is a unit that integrates data received by the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 and transfers the data to the interface 150 when data is transmitted from one apparatus by both wireless communication and wired communication. . The data distribution unit 112 and the data integration unit 114 allow the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 to transmit and receive data to and from one apparatus.

  The time division control unit 115 is a unit that transfers data received by the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 to the interface 150 by time division. The time division control unit 115 may perform time division according to the ratio between the effective speed of wireless communication acquired by the effective speed acquisition unit 113 and the effective speed of wired communication.

  When the interface 150 has a bus width for simultaneously transmitting data by wireless communication and data by wired communication, the time division control unit 115 may transfer the data without performing time division.

  The wireless wired hub unit 116 is a unit through communication between the PC 300 that transmits / receives data to / from the communication apparatus 100 by wired communication and the PC 200 that transmits / receives data to / from the communication apparatus 100 by wireless communication. The wireless wired hub means 116 converts data having a wireless communication format into data having a wired communication format, and further converts data having a wired communication format into data having a wireless communication format.

  The wireless hub unit 117 is a unit that realizes a function via transmission / reception of data between the wireless communication devices when the wireless communication unit 120 included in the communication device 100 can communicate with a plurality of wireless communication devices. In the W-USB, when the communication apparatus 100 has a host attribute or a dual role device (hereinafter referred to as “DRD”) attribute, wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal having a plurality of device attributes is possible. .

  The wireless communication unit 120 is a unit for performing wireless communication, transmits data to be communicated as a signal from the antenna 121, and acquires data from the signal received from the antenna 121. The antenna 121 is a device that transmits and receives wireless communication signals.

  The wired communication unit 130 is a unit for performing wired communication, transmits data to be communicated as a signal from the wired port 131, and acquires data from the signal received from the wired port 131. In the case of a communication method in which the wired communication performed by the communication device 100 by the wired communication means 130 and the wired port 131 can supply power such as USB, the communication device 100 supplies power from the PC 300 or the like connected by wired communication. You may receive.

  The authentication information transmission / reception unit 140 is a unit that transmits / receives authentication information and the like necessary for establishing a wireless communication connection to / from a communication destination device connected by wired communication. For example, in W-USB, the authentication information includes two pieces of information: identification information of the communication device 100 or identification information of a communication destination device, and a connection key shared by both. The identification information of the communication apparatus 100 may be held by the storage unit 190, for example. The connection key is generated by a device having a host attribute among devices that perform communication, and is transmitted to a device having a device attribute. After the identification information is exchanged and both devices have a connection key, the wireless communication connection is established when it is confirmed by wireless communication that the connection keys held by both devices are the same.

  The interface 150 is an apparatus that is connected to the image forming apparatus 900 and that inputs and outputs data. The image forming apparatus 900 and the communication apparatus 100 are connected by an interface such as a PCI bus, a PCI-Express bus, USB, or IEEE1394.

  When the interface 150 is an interface capable of supplying power such as USB, the communication apparatus 100 may receive power supply from the image forming apparatus 900 via the interface 150.

  The mode switching unit 160 is a unit that selects a function realized by each unit included in the function control unit 110. For example, the mode switching unit 160 selects the communication switching unit 111 when switching to perform one or both of wireless communication and wired communication. For example, when the communication device 100 and one of the other devices perform data transmission / reception by wireless communication and wired communication, the mode switching unit 160 also includes a data distribution unit 112, an effective speed acquisition unit, and the like. 113 and data integration means 114 are selected.

  The mode switching unit 160 also selects, for example, the time division control unit 115 and the effective speed acquisition unit 113 when the wireless communication unit 120 and the wired communication unit 130 perform communication independently at the same time.

  For example, the mode switching unit 160 may be configured so that the communication device 100 transmits and receives data between a device that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 120 and a device that performs wired communication with the wired communication unit 130. When realizing the function, the wireless wired hub means 116 is selected.

  For example, when the communication device 100 communicates with a plurality of wireless communication devices by the wireless communication device 120, the mode switching unit 160 functions as a hub by transmitting and receiving data between the wireless communication devices. When realizing the above, the wireless hub means 117 is selected.

  For example, the mode switching unit 160 performs the selection based on a signal input from the input unit 170 included in the communication device 100. For example, the mode switching unit 160 may perform the above selection based on a signal input from a device connected to the communication unit 100 or a device communicating with the communication unit 100.

  The input unit 170 is a unit that inputs an instruction or the like of processing to be executed by the communication apparatus 100. For example, the input unit 170 is a unit that inputs a function or the like selected by the mode switching unit 160. The display unit 180 is a unit that displays the state of the communication apparatus 100 and the like. The storage unit 190 is a unit that stores parameters of processing performed by the communication apparatus 100. The storage unit 190 may also be a work memory when each unit included in the communication apparatus 100 executes processing. In the case where the communication device 100 is configured as a computer, the storage unit 190 may store a program executed by a processing unit of the computer.

  The PC 200 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) that has wireless communication means and wired communication means and communicates with the communication apparatus 100. The PC 200 includes a wireless communication unit 220, an antenna 221, a wired communication unit 230, a wired port 231, and an authentication information transmission / reception unit 240.

  The wireless communication unit 220 is a unit for performing wireless communication, transmits data to be communicated as a signal from the antenna 221, and acquires data from the signal received from the antenna 221. The antenna 221 is a device that transmits and receives wireless communication signals.

  The wired communication unit 230 is a unit for performing wired communication, transmits data to be communicated as a signal from the wired port 231, and acquires data from a signal received from the wired port 231.

  The authentication information transmission / reception unit 240 is a unit that transmits / receives authentication information and the like necessary for establishing a wireless communication connection to / from a communication destination device connected by wired communication by the wired communication unit 230. For example, in W-USB, the authentication information includes two pieces of information: identification information of the PC 200 or identification information of a communication destination device, and a connection key. The identification information of the PC 200 may be held by a storage unit (not shown), for example. The connection key is generated by a device having a host attribute among devices performing wireless communication, and is transmitted to a device having a device attribute. After the authentication information is shared, the wireless communication connection is established when it is confirmed by wireless communication that the connection keys held by both parties are the same.

  The PC 300 is a PC that has wired communication means and communicates with the communication device 100. The PC 300 includes a wired communication unit 330 and a wired port 331. The wired communication unit 330 is a unit for performing wired communication, transmits data to be communicated as a signal from the wired port 331, and acquires data from a signal received from the wired port 331.

(Example of configuration as a communication unit connected to a printer)
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the communication apparatus of the present invention is configured as a communication unit connected to a printer. In FIG. 3, the communication unit 4 connected to the printer 9 and the PC 2 and PC 3 are communicating.

  The communication unit 4 has functions of W-USB that is wireless communication and USB that is wired communication, and includes a function control unit 41, a W-USB unit 42, a USB unit 43, an interface 45, a CPU 46, an antenna 47, and a USB port. 48 and an NV (Non-Volatile) memory 49.

  The function control unit 41 is a processing unit that performs control to switch between wireless communication by the W-USB unit 42 and wired communication by the USB unit 43. The function control unit 41 may be a means for converting a path connecting the W-USB unit 42, the UB unit 43, and the interface unit 105 with a circuit such as a selector.

  The W-USB unit 42 transmits data input from the interface 45 from the antenna 47 by wireless communication using W-USB, and causes the data received by the antenna 47 to be output from the interface 45 by wireless communication using W-USB. The USB unit 43 transmits the data input from the interface 45 from the USB port 48 through USB wired communication, and causes the interface 45 to output data received by the USB port 48 through USB wired communication.

  The interface 45 is a processing unit that is connected to the printer 9 and inputs and outputs data. For example, the interface 45 may be an interface such as a PCI bus, a PCI-Express bus, USB, or IEEE1394. When the interface 45 is an interface capable of supplying power such as USB, the communication unit 4 may receive power supply from the printer 9 via the interface 45.

  The CPU 46 is a main processing unit that controls processing executed by the communication unit 4 and controls each unit of the communication unit 4. For example, the CPU 46 reads and executes a program stored in the NV memory 49 to control processing executed by the communication unit 4. The NV memory 49 is a non-volatile memory, and may be a memory that stores a program executed by the CPU 46, or a work memory when the CPU 46 or other processing unit performs processing. The NV memory 49 may hold data to be stored by a backup power supply that the NV memory 49 has. The NV memory 49 may also be configured as a flash memory.

  The antenna 47 is a device that transmits and receives data by W-USB that is wireless communication, and the USB port 48 is a device that transmits and receives data by USB that is wired communication by connecting a USB cable. .

  The PC 2 is a device that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 9 via the communication unit 4 by W-USB that is wireless communication. When establishing a W-USB connection, the PC 2 connects to the USB port 48 of the communication unit 4 via a USB cable, thereby transmitting and receiving authentication information and the like necessary for establishing the W-USB connection.

  The PC 3 is a device that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 9 via the communication unit 4 by USB that is wired communication. The PC 3 performs wired communication by connecting to the USB port 48 of the communication unit 4 via a USB cable.

(Block that realizes the function control unit 41 of the communication unit 4 by the CPU)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for realizing the function control unit 41 included in the communication unit 4 in FIG. 3 with a CPU and a memory. In FIG. 4, the function of the function control unit 41 is realized by the CPU 460 executing a program stored in the NV memory 490 or the like. Note that the CPU 460 may have the function of the CPU 46 in addition to the function of the function control unit 41 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the main processing unit 400 of the communication unit 4 is connected to the host interface bus 401 in the communication unit 4, the interface bus 402 to the W-USB unit 42, and the interface bus 403 to the USB unit 43. .

  The CPU 460 includes registers 462 and 463. The register 462 is a register used when transmitting and receiving a signal to the interface bus 402 to the W-USB unit 42, and the register 463 corresponds to the interface bus 403 to the USB unit 43. This is a register used when transmitting and receiving signals.

  When the CPU 460 controls the registers 462 and 463, data transfer to the W-USB unit 42 or the USB unit 43 is controlled, and the function of the communication unit 4 can be realized. More specifically, data transfer to or from the W-USB unit 42 is permitted or not permitted depending on the value of the register 462, and data transfer to the USB unit 43 is permitted depending on the value of the register 463. Alternatively, data transfer from the USB unit 43 is permitted or not permitted. As a result, a data transmission / reception path among the W-USB unit 42, the USB unit 43, and the interface 45 can be switched.

  The NV memory 490 is a non-volatile memory, and may be a memory storing a program executed by the CPU 460, a work memory when the CPU 460 or other processing unit performs processing, or the like. The NV memory 490 may hold data to be stored by a backup power source that the NV memory 490 has. NV memory 490 may also be configured as a flash memory.

  The TX_DMAC 451 is a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller (hereinafter referred to as “DMAC”) that performs transfer processing when data input from the printer 9 via the interface 45 is transferred via the host interface bus 401. is there. The TX_RAM 453 is a buffer into which data transferred by the TX_DMAC 451 is temporarily input. Data input from the printer 9 is processed by the CPU 460, and the interface bus 402 to W-USB or the interface bus 403 to USB. Is output.

  The RX_DMAC 452 is a DMAC that performs transfer processing when data output to the printer 9 via the interface 45 is transferred via the host interface bus 401. The RX_RAM 454 is a buffer into which data transferred by the RX_DMAC 452 is temporarily input. Data processed by the CPU 460 is output to the printer 9 via the interface 45 by the RX_DMAC 452.

  Note that the data transferred by the TX_DMAC 451 and the RX_DMAC 452 is data having a large amount of data such as image content. Control and instruction signals and the like are transmitted and received from the CPU 460 via the RAM 491 regardless of the DMAC.

  The RAM 491 is a memory that stores control and instruction signals. The RAM 491 may also have a memory area entity used by the DMAC such as TX_DMAC 451 or RX_DMAC 452 for DMA transfer.

(Distributed integration mode sequence)
FIG. 5 is a model diagram in the case where the communication unit 4 and the PC 2 which are communication apparatuses of the present invention communicate by both wireless communication and wired communication. In FIG. 5, the communication unit 4 is connected to the printer 9. The communication unit 4 includes a W-USB unit 42 and a USB unit 43, and performs wireless communication by W-USB and wired communication by USB with the PC 2. The PC 2 includes a W-USB unit 22 and a USB unit 23, and transmits data to the printer connected to the communication unit 4 or transmits / receives other control signals and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating transmission / reception of data and the like among the communication unit 4, the printer 9, and the PC 2 in the connection and communication mode of FIG. In step S101 of FIG. 6, the printer 9 is powered on to the communication unit 4, and the communication unit 4 is activated and enters a standby state. In step S102 following step S101, the USB port of the PC 2 and the USB port of the communication unit 4 are connected by the USB cable 8, so that the USB unit 23 of the PC 2 and the USB unit 43 of the communication unit 4 are connected by USB. Start wired communication.

  In step S103 following step S102, authentication information necessary for establishing a W-USB connection is transmitted and received between the communication unit 4 and the PC 2 by USB wired communication, and the connection destination identification information and Each holds a connection key. In step S104 following step S103, the W-USB unit 42 included in the communication unit 4 and the W-USB unit 22 included in the PC 2 perform wireless communication, exchange authentication information, and the like, thereby confirming the connection destination. A W-USB connection is established.

  In step S105 following step S104, the selection of the distribution / integration mode is input and transmitted to the communication unit 4 from the input means or the like of the printer 9. In step S106 following step S105, the distribution mode and the integration mode are set by the mode switching means included in the communication unit 4. Note that the mode may be selected by inputting to the communication unit 4 from the input means provided in the printer 9, or may be input and selected by a switch or input means (not shown) provided in the communication unit 4, or the PC 2 May be input from an input unit (not shown) or the like and transmitted to the communication unit 4.

  Progressing to step S107 following step S106, a data transmission request for requesting reception of data transmission is transmitted from the USB unit 23 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4. Following step S107 or before or after step S107, the process proceeds to step S108, and a data transmission request is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4.

  Subsequent to step S107 and step S108, the process proceeds to step S109, where the effective speed acquisition unit of the communication unit 4 acquires the effective speed of wired communication by USB and the effective speed of wireless communication by W-USB. The effective speed may be acquired before a data transmission request or before actual transmission of a large amount of data. Further, when a large amount of data is not transmitted, the effective speed need not be acquired.

  Progressing to step S110 following step S109, the data integration means of the communication unit 4 sends the data transmission request received by the USB unit 43 in step S107 and the data transmission request received by the W-USB unit 42 in step S108. Integrate them into one data transmission request.

  In step S111 following step S110, the data transmission request integrated in step S110 and transmitted as one data transmission request is transmitted from the communication unit 4 to the printer 9. In step S112 following step S111, the printer 9 transmits a data transmission request response, which is a permission response to the data transmission request, to the communication unit 4.

  Progressing to step S113 following step S112, the data distribution means of the communication unit 4 distributes the data transmission request response and transmits it to the W-USB unit 42 and the USB unit 43. Since the data transmission request response is a control signal, the data distribution means generates a W-USB signal and a USB signal, but the process of changing the amount of data according to the effective speed is performed here. Absent. If the data transmitted from the printer 9 to the PC 2 is not a control signal but a large amount of data, the data distribution unit may distribute the data based on the effective speed acquired in step S109. Thereby, it becomes easy to synchronize the data transmitted by W-USB and the data transmitted by USB.

  Progressing to step S114 following step S113, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the USB unit 43 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2 by USB. Following step S114 or before and after step S114, the process proceeds to step S115, and a data transmission request response is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2 by W-USB.

  Subsequent to step S114 and step S115, the process proceeds to step S116, where data is transmitted from the USB unit 23 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4 by USB. Subsequent to step S116 or before or after step S116, the process proceeds to step S117, and data is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4 by W-USB.

  Following step S116 and step S117, the process proceeds to step S118, where the data received by USB unit 43 at step S116 and the data received by W-USB unit 42 at step S117 are integrated by the data integration unit. Is done. Progressing to step S119 following step S118, the data integrated in step S118 is transmitted from the communication unit 4 to the printer 9.

  Proceeding to step S120 following step S119, the data transmission end for notifying the end of data transmission is transmitted from the USB unit 23 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4. Subsequent to step S120 or before or after step S120, the process proceeds to step S121, and the end of data transmission is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4.

  Following step S120 and step S121, the process proceeds to step S122, where the data integration means included in the communication unit 4 terminates the data transmission received by the USB unit 43 in step S120 and the W-USB unit 42 in step S121. The received data transmission end is integrated to make one data transmission end.

  Progressing to step S123 following step S122, the data transmission end integrated as one data transmission end in step S122 is transmitted from the communication unit 4 to the printer 9.

  Through the processing from step S101 to step S123, data is transmitted from the PC 2 to the printer 9 using both USB and W-USB.

(Wireless wired hub mode sequence)
FIG. 7 is a model diagram when the communication unit 4 and the PC 2 which are communication apparatuses of the present invention are connected by wireless communication, and the communication unit 4 and the PC 3 are connected by wired communication. In FIG. 7, the communication unit 4 is connected to the printer 9. The communication unit 4 includes a W-USB unit 42 and a USB unit 43, and is capable of wireless communication by W-USB and wired communication by USB with the PC 2 or the like. The PC 2 has a W-USB unit 22 and a USB unit 23, and the PC 3 has a USB unit 33. The PC 2 and PC 3 transmit data to the printer connected to the communication unit 4 or transmit / receive other control signals and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining transmission / reception of data and the like among the communication unit 4, the printer 9, the PC 2, and the PC 3 in the connection and communication mode of FIG. In FIG. 8, the processing from step S201 to step S204 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S104 in FIG.

  Progressing to step S205 following step S204, the USB port of the PC 3 and the USB port of the communication unit 4 are connected by the USB cable 8b, and the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 and the USB unit 43 of the communication unit 4 are connected to the USB. Start wired communication with. Prior to step S204, the USB cable 8a that connects the USB port of the PC 2 and the USB port of the communication unit 4 may be disconnected.

  Progressing to step S206 following step S205, the mode switching means of the communication unit 4 sets the wireless wired hub mode. The setting of the wireless wired hub mode may be input from a switch or the like included in the communication unit 4 or the printer 9 to select the mode.

  Progressing to step S207 following step S206, power supply from the PC 3 to the communication unit 4 is started by the USB cable, and power supply from the printer 9 is stopped. Accordingly, a communication unit that realizes a function as a hub can be provided regardless of the supply of power to the printer 9.

  Subsequent to step S207, the process proceeds to step S208, and a data transmission request is transmitted from the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 to the communication unit 4. In step S209 following step S208, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the USB unit 43 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 3. Progressing to step S210 following step S209, data is transmitted from the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 to the communication unit 4.

  Progressing to step S211, following step S210, the wireless wired hub means of the communication unit 4 converts the USB wired communication data received from the PC 3 in step S210 into W-USB wireless communication data. Note that step S211 is performed following step S210, and step S210 and step S211 are processed in a pipeline manner, so that the time required for data transmission from PC3 to PC2 can be reduced. .

  In step S212 following step S211, a data transmission request is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2. Progressing to step S213 following step S212, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4. Proceeding to step S214 following step S213, data is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2.

  Step S212 is performed following step S211, and the processing from step S211 to step S214 is processed in a pipeline manner, so that the time required for data transmission from the PC 3 to the PC 2 can be shortened. .

  Progressing to step S215 following step S214, the end of data transmission is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2.

  Through the processing from step S201 to step S215, data is transmitted from the PC 3 connected by USB to the PC 2 connected by W-USB via the communication unit 4.

(Wireless hub mode sequence)
FIG. 9 is a model diagram when the communication unit 4 which is the communication apparatus of the present invention and the PCs 2a and 2b are connected by wireless communication. In FIG. 9, the communication unit 4 is connected to the printer 9. The communication unit 4 includes a W-USB unit 42 and a USB unit 43, and can perform wireless communication by W-USB and wired communication by USB with the PC 2a and the like. The PC 2a has a W-USB unit 22a and a USB unit 23a, and the PC 2b has a W-USB unit 22b and a USB unit 23b. The PCs 2a and 2b transmit data to the printer connected to the communication unit 4 or transmit / receive other control signals and the like.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating transmission / reception of data and the like among the communication unit 4, the printer 9, the PC 2a, and the PC 2b in the connection and communication mode of FIG. In FIG. 10, the processing from step S301 to step S304 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S104 in FIG.

  In step S305 following step S304, the USB port of the PC 2b and the USB port of the communication unit 4 are connected by a USB cable, so that the USB unit 22b of the PC 2b and the USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 are wired by USB. Start communication.

  In step S306 following step S305, authentication information necessary for establishing a W-USB connection between the communication unit 4 and the PC 2b is transmitted / received by wired communication using USB, and identification information of the connection destination and Each holds a connection key. In step S307 following step S306, the W-USB unit 42 included in the communication unit 4 and the W-USB unit 22b included in the PC 2b perform wireless communication, exchange authentication information, and the like, thereby confirming the connection destination. A W-USB connection is established.

  Progressing to step S308 following step S307, the mode switching means of the communication unit 4 sets the wireless hub mode. The setting of the wireless hub mode may be input from the switch or the like included in the communication unit 4 or the printer 9 to select the mode, or input from the input means or the like included in the PC 2a or PC 2b. May be sent.

  Subsequent to step S308, the process proceeds to step S309, where a data transmission request is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22b of the PC 2b to the communication unit 4. Progressing to step S310 following step S309, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2b. Progressing to step S311 following step S310, data is transmitted to the communication unit 4 from the W-USB unit 22b of the PC 2b. Progressing to step S312 following step S311, a data transmission end is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22b of the PC 2b to the communication unit 4.

  Proceeding to step S313 following step S312, the wireless hub unit included in the communication unit 4 starts a procedure for retransmitting the data received in step S311 from the W-USB unit 42.

  Progressing to step S314 following step S313, a data transmission request is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2a. In step S315 following step S314, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22a of the PC 2a to the communication unit 4. Proceeding to step S316 following step S315, data is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2a. Progressing to step S317 following step S316, the end of data transmission is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42b of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2b.

  Note that the processing from step S309 to step S317 is executed in a pipeline manner, so that the time required for data transmission from the PC 2b to the PC 2a can be shortened.

  Through the processing from step S301 to step S317, data is transmitted from the PC 2b connected by W-USB to the PC 2a connected by W-USB via the communication unit 4.

(Time-division mode sequence)
11 shows a sequence of processing in which data is transmitted to the printer 9 via the communication unit 4 from both the PC 2 connected by W-USB and the PC 3 connected by USB shown in FIG. FIG.

  Steps S401 to S405 in FIG. 11 are the same as the processes in steps S301 to S305 in FIG.

  Progressing to step S406 following step S405, the mode switching means of the communication unit 4 sets the time-division hub mode. The setting of the time division hub mode may be input from the switch or the like included in the communication unit 4 or the printer 9 to select the mode, or input from the input means or the like included in the PC 2 or PC 3. May be sent to.

  Subsequent to step S406, the process proceeds to step S407, and a data transmission request is transmitted from the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 to the communication unit 4. In step S408 following step S407, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the USB unit 43 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 3.

  Progressing to step S409 following step S408, a data transmission request is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4. In step S410 following step S409, a data transmission request response is transmitted from the W-USB unit 42 of the communication unit 4 to the PC 2.

  Progressing to step S411 following step S410, data is transmitted from the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 to the communication unit 4. In step S412, following step S411, data is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4.

  Proceeding to step S413 following step S412, the time division control means of the communication unit 4 transmits the data received in steps S411 and S412 to the printer 9 by time division. The time division control means performs time division when the connection between the communication unit 4 and the printer 9 has a sufficient bus width to simultaneously transmit the data received in step S411 and step S412. You may send without.

  Progressing to step S414 following step S413, the end of data transmission is transmitted from the USB unit 33 of the PC 3 to the communication unit 4. Progressing to step S415 following step S414, the end of data transmission is transmitted from the W-USB unit 22 of the PC 2 to the communication unit 4.

  Progressing to step S416 following step S415, the end of data transmission is transmitted from the communication unit 4 to the printer 9.

  Note that the processing from step S407 to step S416 is executed in a pipeline manner, so that the time required for data transmission from the PC 2 and PC 3 to the printer can be shortened.

  Data is transmitted from the PC 2 connected by W-USB and the PC 3 connected by USB to the printer 9 through the communication unit 4 by the processing from step S401 to step S416.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network configuration including a communication device of the present invention. The figure of the example of a function structure of the communication apparatus of this invention. The example which comprises the communication apparatus of this invention as a communication unit connected to the printer. The block diagram which implement | achieves the function control part 41 by CPU, memory, etc. FIG. The model figure in case the communication unit 4 which is a communication apparatus of this invention, and PC2 communicate by both wireless communication and wire communication. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram in the connection and communication mode of FIG. 5. The model figure in case the communication unit 4 and PC2 which are communication apparatuses of this invention are connected by wireless communication, and the communication unit 4 and PC3 are connected by wired communication. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in the connection and communication mode of FIG. 6. The model figure in case the communication unit 4 which is a communication apparatus of this invention, and PC2a and 2b are connected by radio | wireless communication. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in the connection and communication mode of FIG. 9. The sequence diagram of the process in which data is transmitted to the printer 9 from PC2 connected by W-USB and PC3 connected by USB.

Explanation of symbols

2, 3, 20, 30, 200, 300 PC
4 Communication unit 8, 8a, 8b USB cable 9 Printer 10, 100 Communication device 22, 22a, 22b, 42 W-USB unit 23, 23a, 23b, 33 43 USB unit 47, 121, 221 Antenna 41 Function control unit 45 Interface 46 CPU
48 USB port 49 NV memory 90 Image forming apparatus 110 Function control unit 111 Communication switching unit 112 Data distribution unit 113 Execution speed acquisition unit 114 Data integration unit 115 Time division control unit 116 Wireless wired hub unit 117 Wireless hub unit 120, 220 Wireless communication Means 130, 230 330 Wired communication means 131, 231 331 Wired ports 140, 240 Authentication information transmission / reception means 150 Interface 160 Mode switching means 170 Input means 180 Display means 190 Storage means 401 Host interface bus 401
402 Interface bus 402 to W-USB unit 42
403 Interface bus 403 to USB unit 43
451 TX_DMAC
452 RX_DMAC
453 TX_RAM
454 RX_RAM
460 CPU
462, 463 Register 490 NV memory 491 RAM
900 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

An interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the second device, and wired communication means, and the first device and the second device A communication device via communication,
Authentication information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second apparatus to / from the second apparatus by the wired communication means;
Communication switching means for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication means or the wireless communication means;
Input data input from the first device is wireless transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication means, and wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means. Data distribution means for distribution;
Effective speed acquisition means for acquiring the wireless effective speed of the wireless communication means and the wired effective speed of the wired communication means;
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data distribution unit distributes the input data according to a ratio of the wireless effective speed and the wired effective speed acquired by the effective speed acquisition unit. An interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the first device, wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the second device, and wired communication means, and the first device and the second device A communication device via communication,
Authentication information transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second apparatus to / from the second apparatus by the wired communication means;
Communication switching means for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication means or the wireless communication means;
Input data input from the first device is wireless transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication means, and wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means. Data distribution means for distributing,
When the transfer rate of the input data needs to be within a predetermined range and the transmission of the input data needs to be performed continuously, the data distribution unit sends the input data to the wired communication unit. A communication apparatus characterized by selecting transmission. 3. A mode switching unit that switches between a data distribution mode in which the input data is distributed by the data distribution unit and a normal mode in which the input data is transmitted by the wireless communication unit. The communication apparatus as described in. Data integration that integrates wireless reception data received from the second device by the wireless communication unit and wired reception data received from the second device by the wired communication unit and outputs to the interface The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means. Communication between the first device and the second device, comprising an interface for sending and receiving data to and from the first device , a wireless communication means and a wired communication means for sending and receiving data to and from the second device A communication method in a communication device via
An authentication information transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device to / from the second device by the wired communication means;
A communication switching step for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication unit or the wireless communication unit;
When communication with the second device is performed by the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit, input data input from the first device is transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication unit. A data distribution step for distributing wireless transmission data and wired transmission data to be transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means;
An effective speed acquisition step of acquiring a wireless effective speed of the wireless communication means and a wired effective speed of the wired communication means;
The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the data distribution step distributes the input data according to a ratio of the wireless effective speed and the wired effective speed acquired by the effective speed acquisition step . Communication between the first device and the second device, comprising an interface for sending and receiving data to and from the first device , a wireless communication means and a wired communication means for sending and receiving data to and from the second device A communication method in a communication device via
An authentication information transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving authentication information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the second device to / from the second device by the wired communication means;
A communication switching step for switching a data transmission / reception route between the interface and the wired communication unit or the wireless communication unit;
When communication with the second device is performed by the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit, input data input from the first device is transmitted to the second device by the wireless communication unit. A data distribution step for distributing wireless transmission data and wired transmission data transmitted to the second device by the wired communication means ;
When the transfer rate of the input data needs to be within a predetermined range, and the input data needs to be transmitted continuously, the data distribution step includes the input data by the wired communication means. Make a selection to send
A communication method characterized by the above.

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