JP5247262B2 - Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a first wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data via a wireless communication network, and a second wireless communication device that communicates data with the first wireless communication device via the wireless communication network. It is related with the radio | wireless communications system containing.

  In a wireless communication system that performs large-capacity data communication between information devices, a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication method that uses a wideband signal with a high frequency of 3.1 GHz or higher is well known. As a mounting method of this method, a non-contact communication system using a radiation electric field, an electrostatic field, or an induction electric field between information devices at short distances has been devised (for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, the electrostatic field and the induction field are inversely proportional to the third power of the distance and the second power, respectively, with respect to the distance from the generation source. Therefore, it is possible to realize a wireless communication system that performs communication only when the communication partner is at a short distance and has little influence on other wireless communication systems when not at a short distance.

  In the above wireless communication system, after establishing a one-to-one connection, it is possible to reduce response transmission collisions by controlling access so as to suppress the influence from other communication partners within the wireless communication range. (For example, patent document 2).

On the other hand, an apparatus is devised that mounts wireless communication means in an image data storage device such as a digital camera and transfers image data to the printer by wireless communication by issuing a print instruction from the digital camera around the printer. (For example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2008-99236 A JP 2008-79045 A JP 2007-279834 A

  As in the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, when a one-to-one connection is established, control is performed so as to suppress the influence from other communication partners within the wireless communication range. Until it is detected, the proximity of other devices cannot be detected. By doing so, time and power consumption required for data transfer in the established one-to-one connection are suppressed. For example, this is also effective when a digital camera issues a print instruction to a printer as in Patent Document 3. In this case, when a connection is established between the digital camera and the printer and a print instruction is issued, image data is transmitted from the digital camera for each packet, and the printer performs printing for each received packet.

  By the way, an error may occur in the printer during such printing. In this case, in order to suppress the power consumption of the digital camera, switching to the sleep mode can be considered. However, when the image data is transmitted again after the error ends, the digital camera must constantly monitor the status of the printer, and there is a problem that power consumption is large due to communication.

The wireless communication system of the present invention includes a first wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data via a wireless communication network, and a second wireless device that wirelessly communicates data with the first wireless communication device via the wireless communication network. In the wireless communication system including the communication device, when the wireless communication interruption factor occurs in the first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device, depending on a type of the interruption factor, The first signal corresponding to the first type of the interruption factor as the interruption signal for interrupting the wireless communication with the second wireless communication apparatus or the resumption condition when the wireless communication is interrupted and the wireless communication is resumed. transmitting means for transmitting a second signal corresponding to the second type of interruption cause as interrupt signal for designating to the second wireless communication device, the suspended core of the first wireless communication device And a notification means for notifying the second wireless communication device of the cancellation of the interruption factor, when the second wireless communication device transmits data to the first wireless communication device. When the interruption signal is transmitted from the first wireless communication device by the communication unit that performs wireless communication and the transmission unit, the communication unit interrupts wireless communication with the first wireless communication device by the communication unit, and the communication unit Corresponding to the first sleep mode corresponding to the first signal waiting in a state in which the notification from the first wireless communication apparatus can be received, and the second signal for cutting off the power supply of the communication unit Control means for controlling the communication unit so as to stand by in the suspension mode corresponding to the type of interruption factor corresponding to the transmitted interruption signal in the second suspension mode, and the communication by the control means The first pause mode The first restart condition is defined as a first restart condition corresponding to the first signal that the cancellation of the interruption factor has been notified by the notification unit of the first wireless communication apparatus when waiting for the first signal. When the communication unit is satisfied, the communication unit waits in the second suspension mode by the control unit and a first request unit that requests the first wireless communication device to restart the wireless communication. that a predetermined time and then cut the power supply of the communication unit if it is has passed the second restart conditions are more specified in the second signal, when said second restart condition is satisfied And a second request unit that activates the communication unit and requests the first wireless communication apparatus to resume wireless communication by the communication unit.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the error of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which performs radio | wireless communication with the said radio | wireless communication apparatus generate | occur | produces in a radio | wireless communication apparatus, it can be made to stand by in the appropriate sleep mode according to the kind of the said error.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components, the display screen, and the like described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

  In a non-contact communication system using a radiated electric field, an electrostatic field, or an induced electric field between information devices at short distances, the electrostatic field and the induced electric field are each the cube of the distance or 2 with respect to the distance from the source. Inversely proportional to the power. Therefore, it is possible to realize a wireless communication system that performs communication only when the communication partner is at a short distance and does not affect other wireless communication systems when not at a short distance.

  FIG. 1 of the present embodiment is a block diagram of a UWB unit that implements a UWB communication system using a high-frequency wideband signal.

  In the figure, the UWB unit 100 provides a wireless communication system. The UWB 100 serves as a wireless transmitter / receiver as a wireless transmitter / receiver. The coupler 102 serves as an antenna, and transmits and receives analog radio waves via a wireless communication network and becomes a transmitting unit or a receiving unit of the UWB unit 100. The coupler 102 has a function for transmitting and receiving an electrostatic field or an induction field. Since a high-frequency broadband signal is communicated by electric field coupling, short-distance communication of about several centimeters is possible. When the distance is several centimeters away, the signal attenuates rapidly, so there is little interference with other radio waves beyond that distance. This distance can be arbitrarily determined by setting the signal strength of the electric field and the effective threshold. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the attenuation of the electric field signal starts from 5 centimeters and 7 centimeters becomes the effective threshold value. Hereinafter, it is defined that attenuation start distance = 5 cm and electric field effective threshold = 7 cm.

  The RF unit 103 has a function of modulating / demodulating an analog signal into a digital signal. The RF unit 103 includes a synthesizer, identifies the frequency of the band and channel, and controls the band and channel based on the frequency allocation data. The transmission / reception control unit 104 performs assembly and disassembly of transmission / reception frames, addition and detection of preambles, and frame identification. The EEPROM 105 stores a device ID serving as identification information for uniquely identifying this apparatus. The device ID is uniquely determined among all devices. Thereby, UWB units can establish one-to-one communication. The device ID may be substituted with a MAC address.

<Example 1>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This system comprises a multi-function printer (hereinafter referred to as MFP) and a digital camera. In this MFP, an image reading device and a printing device are integrated. An image reading device serving as a reading unit reads a document placed on a document table, and printing is performed by a printing device that is an ink jet printer serving as a recording unit. . In addition, the digital camera can generate a digital image by photographing, and here, the digital image can be transmitted to the MFP in order to print the digital image.

  The first embodiment will be described in the following case. First, the user operates the digital camera to shift to a state for transmitting a digital image. Next, the MFP receives a digital image from the digital camera and starts printing. While printing, the digital camera displays the printing status on the display unit, and when there is an additional instruction from the user, transmits the instruction to the MFP. The MFP transmits the printing status to the digital camera, and executes it when receiving an instruction from the digital camera. The MFP also monitors whether there is a connection request from a new digital camera.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of MFP 500.

  The MFP 500 includes a main board 501 that performs main control of the apparatus, a print carriage 502 that receives print data and performs ink ejection control, and a UWB unit 524 that performs data communication with other devices such as a digital camera.

  In the main board 501, a CPU 503 is a system control unit and controls the entire MFP 500. The ROM 504 stores a control program executed by the CPU 503, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 504 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 504.

  The RAM 504 is configured by an SRAM (static RAM) or the like, stores program control variables and the like, stores setting values registered by the user, management data of the MFP 500, and the like, and provides various work buffer areas and print buffer areas. It has been.

The image memory 506 is configured by a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like, and the image data received via the UWB unit 524, the image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 512, or the image acquired via the memory card controller 516. Accumulate data.
A data conversion unit 507 performs analysis of a page description language (PDL) or the like, or conversion from image data to print data.

  The reading control unit 508 will be described. The reading unit 510 optically reads a document with a CIS image sensor (contact image sensor). Next, the image signal converted into electrical image data is subjected to various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing via an image processing control unit (not shown), and high-definition image data is output. In this embodiment, the reading control unit 508 corresponds to both a sheet reading control method for reading while conveying a document and a book reading control method for scanning a document on a document table.

An operation unit 509 is arranged on the interface panel 700, and the user performs an operation for determining image print data and registering setting data for registered values. The display unit 511 includes an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display). By using these, various input operations, operation status of the MFP 500, display of status status, and the like can be performed.
The code decoding processing unit 512 performs code decoding processing and enlargement / reduction processing on image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 500.

  The BlueTooth (registered trademark) communication unit 513 controls communication by BlueTooth, and includes a communication I / F control unit, a baseband unit, an RF unit, an antenna, and the like. Accordingly, the MFP 500 can perform communication defined by the BlueTooth communication standard.

  The data storage unit 514 is a part for storing data. In this embodiment, since the data backup area is not prepared in the DRAM in the image memory 506, the data storage unit 514 is prepared as a data storage area. Note that such a memory configuration is not limited to this. For example, it may be shared with the image memory 506, or data backup may be performed in the data storage unit 514. Also, a digital image or the like can be stored in the data storage unit 514 and used for printing. In this embodiment, a DRAM is used. However, this is not the case because a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, or the like may be used.

  A paper feed unit 515 is a part capable of holding paper for printing. Paper can be fed from the paper feed unit 515 under the control of the recording control unit 525. In particular, the paper feeding unit can prepare a plurality of paper feeding units in order to hold a plurality of types of paper in one apparatus. The recording control unit 525 can control from which paper feeding unit the paper is fed.

  The memory card controller 516 inserts a memory card and transmits / receives data of the memory card through a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard capable of performing bidirectional data communication at high speed, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master).

  A memory card 519 is a data storage medium and can be connected to the MFP 500. The memory card can store image data and other electronic data.

  The print carriage 502 includes a print head control unit 517 and a print head 518. The print carriage 502 performs a printing operation while moving in the main scanning direction. The print head control unit 517 receives print data from the recording control unit 525 via the flexible cable 522. The ink ejected from the print head 518 is controlled according to the received data.

  The recording control unit 525 performs various image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), and converts the image data into high-definition image data. And output to the print head controller 517. Further, by controlling the print head control unit 517, it also plays a role of periodically acquiring status information of the print head control unit 517.

  The UWB unit 524 is a communication unit that performs data communication with other devices such as a digital camera. Data is converted into packets, and packets are sent to other devices. Conversely, packets from other external devices are converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 101. Details are described with reference to FIG. The UWB unit 524 is connected to the system bus 521 via the bus cable 523.

  The components 503 to 509 and 511 to 516 are connected to each other via a system bus 521 managed by the CPU 503. In this embodiment, a document can be read using the reading unit 510 and the reading control unit 508, and the image data can be stored in the data storage unit 514 via the data conversion unit 507. An image data print instruction can be given by an operation from the operation unit 509. When a print instruction is received, data can be converted using the recording control unit 525 and printing can be performed by the print carriage 502.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the external appearance and internal configuration of the MFP 500. A main board 501 is attached to the right side of the MFP casing. Print data is transmitted by a flexible cable 522 connecting the main board 501 and the print carriage 502. The flexible cable 522 can transmit and receive data while the print carriage 502 reciprocates on the shaft 600. The main board 501 and the UWB unit 524 are connected via a bus cable 523 and can communicate data at high speed. Since the UWB unit has a short communicable distance, the UWB unit is installed as close to the UWB wireless device storage 702 as possible on the surface of the MFP housing. The distance is at least shorter than the effective electric field distance. A document is set on the reading unit 510 and the document cover 905 is closed, and then the document is read. In addition, there is a conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys the print sheet.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the interface panel 700 described with reference to FIG. The interface panel 700 includes a display unit 701, a UWB wireless device storage area 702, and an operation unit 703. A display unit 701 is a dot matrix LCD that visualizes image data used for printing, displays a user setting state, and sets various work situations.
The UWB wireless device yard 702 is a contact unit for the MFP 500 to transmit / receive data to / from an external device such as a digital camera. There is a UWB unit inside the UWB radio station, and a signal by an electric field is transmitted. When an external device such as a digital camera equipped with a UWB unit is brought close to or in contact with the UWB wireless device storage place, signals can be transmitted and received by an electric field to establish a connection and communication can be performed.

  The operation unit 703 includes keys for the user to operate the MFP 500. A cross key 705 is used to move the cursor on the display unit. A set key 704 is a setting input key. A start key 706 is used when starting operations such as printing and copying. A stop key 707 is used to stop operations such as printing and copying.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital camera 1500.

  In the digital camera 1500, a CPU 1501 is a system control unit and controls the entire digital camera 1500. The ROM 1502 stores a control program executed by the CPU 1501, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 1502 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 1502.

  The RAM 1503 is configured by SRAM (static RAM) or the like. The RAM 1503 stores program control variables, stores setting values registered by the user, management data of the digital camera 1500, device ID of the digital camera 1500, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas. The image memory 1504 is configured by a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like, and temporarily stores image data picked up via the image pickup unit 1509 or temporarily stores images read from the memory card. It is also used as a transmission buffer when an image is transmitted using the UWB unit. A data converter 1505 performs conversion of image data.

  A BlueTooth (registered trademark) communication unit 1506 controls communication by BlueTooth, and includes a communication I / F control unit, a baseband unit, an RF unit, an antenna, and the like. Thereby, the digital camera 1500 can perform communication defined by the BlueTooth communication standard. The operation unit 1507 is used when the user selects a photo in the memory card and issues a data transfer instruction via the UWB unit, or otherwise issues a shooting instruction and various setting instructions.

  A display unit 1508 is a dot matrix LCD, which visualizes image data used for printing, displays a user setting state, and sets various work situations.

  The imaging unit 1509 is a part for the digital camera 1500 to capture an image, and includes a lens, an image sensor, a shutter, and the like.

  The memory card controller 1510 inserts a memory card and transmits / receives data of the memory card through a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard capable of performing bidirectional data communication at high speed, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). The memory card 1512 is a data storage medium and can be connected to the digital camera 1500. The memory card can store image data and other electronic data.

  The UWB unit 1511 is a communication unit that performs data communication with other devices such as an MFP and a printer. Data is converted into packets, and packets are sent to other devices. Conversely, packets from other external devices are converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 1501. Details are described with reference to FIG.

  The components 1502 to 1511 are connected to each other via a system bus 1514 managed by the CPU 1501. In this embodiment, image data can be captured using the imaging unit 1509, and the image data can be stored in the memory card 1512 via the data conversion unit 1505. An image data transfer instruction can be given by an operation from the operation unit 1507. When a transfer instruction is received, data can be transmitted to another device such as an MFP using UWB 1511 for printing.

  FIG. 17 is a UWB unit state transition diagram showing the state transition of the UWB unit shown in FIG. 1701 represents the state transition of the device in the main mode, and 1702 represents the state transition of the device in the passive mode. The main operation mode here refers to a transmitter state, which is a device in which the necessity of data transmission / reception has occurred. The passive mode is a receiver state, and is a device that receives a data transmission / reception start signal from a device in the main mode. Specifically, when the digital camera issues a print request to the MFP and the MFP receives image data and performs printing, the digital camera is in the main operation mode and the MFP is in the passive mode.

  Reference numeral 1703 denotes a power-off state, which is a state where the power is not turned on. When the power is turned on in this state, the state transits to the 1704 sleep state. Reference numeral 1704 denotes a sleep state, in which the power is on but the UWB unit 100 is not operating. In this state, the state transits to the 1705 search state periodically or by some trigger. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a search state in which a connection request signal can be received from a device in the 1709 connection request state described later. When a connection request signal is received in this state, a transition is made to a 1706 connection request reception state. Alternatively, a certain period of time elapses or a transition to the 1704 sleep state is made by some trigger. Reference numeral 1706 denotes a connection request reception state. After storing the main motor ID from the device in the 1701 main operation mode, the state transits to the 1707 connection permission transmission state. Reference numeral 1707 denotes a connection permission transmission state, in which a connection permission signal is transmitted to a device in the 1709 connection request state. When the reception confirmation response signal is received in this state, the state transits to the 1708 connected state. Reference numeral 1708 denotes a connected state, and 1711 is a state in which communication with a device in the connected state is possible using a packet. In this state, when a disconnection signal is received from a device in the connected state 1711, or when a disconnection signal is transmitted by the device itself or a connection cannot be established due to some error, a transition to the 1705 search state is made.

  On the other hand, the state transition of the device in the main mode will be described. Reference numeral 1709 denotes a connection request state, which indicates a state in which a connection request signal is continuously transmitted because the necessity of data transmission / reception has occurred. In this state, the connection request signal is continuously transmitted for a predetermined time, and when the connection permission signal cannot be received, the state transits to the 1705 search state. When the connection permission signal can be received, the state transits to a 1710 connection permission reception state. Reference numeral 1710 represents a connection permission reception state. When a connection permission signal is received, a passive device ID from a device in the 1702 passive mode is stored, a reception confirmation response signal is transmitted, and then the state transitions to a 1711 connection state. Reference numeral 1711 denotes a connected state, and communication can be performed with a device in the connected state 1708 using a packet. In this state, when a disconnection signal is received from a device in the connected state 1708, the disconnection signal is transmitted by itself, or when a connection cannot be established due to some error, the state transits to the 1705 search state.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating state transition when the UWB unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is in the power saving mode. The UWB unit 100 consumes more power in the 1705 search state than in the 1704 sleep state. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by setting the power saving mode. In the power saving mode, the state transits to the search state only for the time T1 indicated by 1801, and the state transits to the sleep state for the time T2 indicated by 1802. The T1 time is set to be longer than the time that the connection request signal can be received. The T2 time can be arbitrarily set for each device to be applied, but if the T2 time is long, the time from when the user brings the device in the 1701 main mode close to the device in the 1702 passive mode reacts becomes long. The T2 time is preferably set for each device according to the application.

  19 and 20 are diagrams showing packet formats used by UWB units for transmission and reception.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management frame used for transmission / reception when UWB units communicate, and a management packet 1900 is a packet used for establishing a connection between UWB units. A preamble 1901 is a signal for recognizing the start of frame transmission and giving timing for synchronization. The header 1902 includes data indicated by 1904 to 1909. 1904 stores the device ID of the device in the main operation mode. 1905 stores the device ID of the device in the passive mode. A device ID 1905 is an ID stored in the EEPROM 105 described above with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1906 denotes a command ID, which can set a management command used from connection establishment to disconnection. Specifically, four signals of connection request, connection permission, reception confirmation response, and disconnection are represented here. In 1907, parameters used in each command can be set. A packet number is stored in 1908, which is a serial number indicating the number of the packet since the current connection process is started. Reference numeral 1903 denotes additional information, and information added to the management packet may be added as necessary.

  An ACK packet 1910 in FIG. 19 is a packet used for a reply to all commands. Although there are some packets that do not require ACK exceptionally, ACK packets are basically returned as a set for all packets. ACK is set in the command ID 1911. In the corresponding packet number 1912, a packet number described in 1908 or 2008 to be described later is set.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data frame used for transmission / reception when the UWB units perform communication. A data packet 2000 is a packet used when transmitting / receiving data after the UWB units establish a connection. The preamble 2001 has the same function as the preamble 1901. The header 2002 is the same as the header 1902 except for the command ID 2006. The command ID 2006 is DATA_No. A command representing xx is set. The serial number of the data packet is described in the part xx. Reference numeral 2003 denotes a data body, which includes a protocol command ID 2010 and additional information 2011. The protocol command ID defines all commands used after establishing a connection, such as an image transfer command, an image transfer end command, a status transmission, and a cancel request command. In the additional information 2011, additional information corresponding to the command specified by the protocol command ID is described. For example, in the case of an image transfer command, actual image information is set in the additional information 2011, and in the case of status transmission, the current device status is transmitted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for establishing a connection when the digital camera 1500 on which the UWB unit 100 is mounted and the MFP 500 communicate to print image data. Reference numerals 2100 to 2108 represent sequences and operations, and reference numerals 2109 to 2115 represent states in which the digital camera 1500 and the MFP 500 undergo state transition according to the UWB unit state transition diagram of FIG. First, after the user operates the digital camera in the search state to select an image to be printed and instruct to start printing, the digital camera is brought close to the UWB wireless device storage place 702. Then, the digital camera transits to a connection request state 2113, and a connection request signal 2100 according to the management packet 1900 is transmitted. The connection request signal continues to be transmitted as transmission signals 2101 and 2104 until a connection permission signal is returned or a predetermined time elapses.

  At this time, if the MFP is in the power saving mode, transition is made to 2109 which is a state in which the search state and the sleep state are repeated in accordance with the T1 time 1801 and T2 time 1802 of FIG. Since a connection request can be accepted when the search state is entered at T1 time 1801, a connection request signal is received at 2102. When a transmission request signal is received, the connection request reception state 2110 is entered. Next, the MFP stores a main machine ID 1904 in 2103. If it is the main motor ID 1904 that can permit the connection, a connection permission signal 2105 is transmitted. When the digital camera receives the connection permission signal 2105, the digital camera transits to the connection permission reception state, stores the passive device ID 1905 in 2107, transmits the reception confirmation response signal 2108, and transitions to the connection state 2115. The MFP that has received the reception confirmation response signal 2108 makes a transition to the connected state 2112. The connection can be established by both the digital camera and the MFP transitioning to the connected state, and thereafter, data can be transmitted and received using the data packet 2000.

  In the above description, since the device ID is stored in the management packet 1900, 2103 stores the main engine ID 1904 included in the connection request signal received in 2102. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the device ID may not be stored in the management packet 1900. In this case, when the MFP receives the connection request signal in 2102, it sends a signal requesting an ID to the digital camera, and the digital camera that has received this signal may send the main motor ID 1904 to the MFP. Even if the ID transmitted in 2103 is stored in 2103, the same processing as in FIG. 21 described above can be performed.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a sequence when image data is transferred after connection is established when the digital camera 1500 mounted with the UWB unit 100 communicates with the MFP 500 to print image data. Usually, since the size of the image data is larger than the maximum size of the data packet, one image is divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted. Reference numeral 2200 denotes an image transfer N that represents the Nth image among the divided images. The data packet continues to be transmitted to the MFP until ACK 2202 is returned. Even if 2200 does not reach the MFP for some reason, there is no problem because 2201 and after are continuously transmitted until ACK 2202 is returned. Reference numeral 2201 denotes an example in which transmission is continued. When ACK 2202 is returned, the digital camera transmits the next data packet 2203, image transfer N + 1. When receiving the image transfer N + 1, the MFP returns an ACK 2204 in the same manner. FIG. 22 shows an example in which the protocol command ID 2010 is an image transfer command, but the same applies to an image transfer end command, status transmission, stop request command, and the like. In wireless communication, except for some exceptions, an ACK indicating that reception has been normally performed is basically returned. ACK is omitted in the sequence shown below.

  23 and 24 show sequence diagrams of the following case. Briefly, first, image data to be printed is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the MFP. Next, printing of image data received by the MFP is started. During printing, the printing status is transmitted from the MFP to the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 displays the printing status on the display unit. At the same time, instructions from the user are monitored. The MFP searches for a digital camera sending a connection request other than the digital camera 1. If there is, communication with the new digital camera 2 is started.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a sequence when UWB wireless devices establish a connection, transmit / receive data, transmit / receive status, and search for a signal from a new device.

  The outline described above will be described in detail using a sequence starting from FIG. First, in 2300, the connection between the MFP and the digital camera 1 is established in the sequence shown in FIG. At this time, the digital camera 1 is in the main operation mode 1701, and the MFP is in the passive mode 1702. Next, in 2301 and 2302, desired image data is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the MFP in the sequence shown in FIG. In 2303, the printing status is transmitted to the digital camera 1 as a status. The information to be transmitted includes various information such as the remaining printing time, the remaining ink amount of the MFP, and a message to the user when there is an error or warning. 2303 may be transmitted periodically or may be transmitted every time the status is changed. In 2304, an instruction from the user is transmitted to the MFP. For example, when a print interruption operation is performed by the user using the operation unit of the digital camera 1, a change command is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the MFP.

  Next, in 2305, the MFP searches for a new digital camera, which will be described based on the UWB unit state transition diagram of FIG. First, since the MFP transmits / receives data to / from the digital camera, it is in the connected state 1708. In 1708, since a one-to-one connection is established, the MFP cannot respond even if a new digital camera comes close. Therefore, the search state 1705 is transited temporarily. At the time of transition, the main motive ID stored in 2103 is kept stored. Alternatively, the main engine ID may be stored in another area of the RAM 505. An MFP that has entered the search state 1705 can search for a new digital camera in the connection request state 1709 by maintaining the search state for a predetermined time. When a new digital camera is not found, the state transits to a connection request reception state 1706 in a pseudo manner, and a transition is made to the connection permission transmission state 1707 by using the stored main motive ID, and a reception confirmation response signal 2108 Even if there is no, there is a transition to the connected state 1708. By doing so, the MFP can transmit / receive the status 2303 and the change command 2304 to / from the digital camera 1 again.

  The MFP periodically goes back and forth between the connected state 1708 and the search state 1705 until a new digital camera 2 is found during a printing period (2306). When a new digital camera 2 is found, the sequence transitions to the sequence shown in FIG. The timing at which the MFP searches for the presence of a new digital camera in 2305 is preferably a time during which no 2303 status signal or 2304 change command signal is generated. Further, it is desirable to set the search time to be shorter than the predicted time that the next 2303 status signal or 2304 change command signal will be generated.

  FIG. 24 shows a case where a UWB wireless device establishes a connection, transmits / receives data, transmits / receives a status, and searches for a signal from a new device, and finds a signal from the new device. It is a figure showing a sequence. The MFP receives the connection request signal 2400, and transmits a connection permission signal 2401 if the device that has transmitted 2400 has a main motor ID that can permit the connection. At the same time, the MFP stores the main motive ID in 2400. Further, at 2402, a disconnection signal is sent to the digital camera 1. When an ACK for the disconnect signal 2402 is transmitted from the digital camera 1, the MFP discards the main motive ID of the digital camera 1. When the digital camera 2 receives 2401, the digital camera 2 stores the passive device ID in 2401, transitions to the connected state, and then sends the image transfer signal 1 in 2404.

  By performing the flow described in FIGS. 23 and 24, when the MFP receives an image from the digital camera 1 and is printing, the MFP communicates with the digital camera 1 to transmit and receive statuses and user operations. be able to. At the same time, it can be detected that a new digital camera 2 is approaching.

  In FIG. 23, the MFP is configured not to detect a new digital camera from the establishment of the connection 2300 to the image transfer signal n 2302 but to detect while repeating 2306. By so doing, the proximity of other devices can be ignored while the image is being transferred, so that the image can be transferred reliably.

  25, 26, and 27 show sequence diagrams of the following case. Briefly, first, image data to be printed is transmitted from the digital camera to the MFP. Next, printing of image data received by the MFP is started. In the case of a large image or multiple images, the MFP reception buffer becomes full of memory during image transfer, and image data cannot be received temporarily. In addition, when the MFP cannot receive an image for some reason, such as a paper jam or out of ink, an interruption signal is sent to the digital camera. When the cause of interruption is resolved, data transmission is resumed.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a sequence when the MFP and the digital camera establish a connection, transmit / receive data, and send an interruption signal from the MFP. First, in 2500, a connection between the MFP and the digital camera is established in the sequence shown in FIG. At this time, the digital camera is in the main mode 1701 and the MFP is in the passive mode 1702. Next, in 2501, desired image data is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the MFP in the sequence shown in FIG. In this case, it is a case where n images are desired to be transmitted, and the transmission up to the n-3th image is completed in 2502. Here, it is assumed that the reception buffer of the MFP is full and the image data cannot be received any more. Then, the MFP sends an interruption signal to the digital camera.

  There are two types of sleep modes in which the digital camera interrupts image data transfer and waits for resumption, a regular monitoring mode and a power-off mode. The periodical monitoring mode indicates that the communication unit of the digital camera is operable, that is, in a state where communication is possible, but the other parts are in a state of being suspended for power saving. In this state, the image transfer can be resumed as soon as the communication unit receives the resume request signal. On the other hand, the power-off mode indicates that the communication unit of the digital camera is in a state incapable of communication, and other parts are in a state of being suspended for power saving. In this state, the communication unit cannot receive the restart request signal and must wake up from the sleep state by its own timer.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a sequence for restarting image transfer when the digital camera is set to the regular monitoring mode. The digital camera that has received the interruption signal in 2503 is in the regular monitoring mode. When the digital camera receives the resume request signal 2600, it wakes up from the regular monitoring mode and returns to a state where image data can be transmitted. When the return is completed, a restart permission signal 2601 is sent and a restart permission signal 2600 is sent to the MFP. Next, the transmission is resumed from the 2602 image transfer signal (n-3th sheet) that has not been transmitted previously, and when the transfer is completed up to the 2603 image transfer signal (nth sheet), a 2604 disconnect signal is transmitted to execute this sequence. finish.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a sequence for restarting image transfer when the digital camera is set to the power-off mode. The digital camera receiving the interruption signal in 2503 is in a power-off mode. When the power-off mode is set, a time for the digital camera to return from the power-off mode is set in the 2503 interruption signal. In 2700, when the time elapses, a restart request signal 2701 is transmitted. If the MFP is in a resumable state, the MFP restarts the transmission of the image data by sending a 2702 restart permission signal. If the restart is impossible, the interruption signal 2503 is sent again to put the digital camera in the power-off mode, and the process is repeated from 2700.

  In the power-off mode, the power consumption can be kept lower than in the regular monitoring mode, so it is advantageous to interrupt printing and wait. However, since the restart request signal from the MFP cannot be received, it is necessary to monitor the state of the MFP at regular intervals. Therefore, in the present invention, the power-off mode and the regular monitoring mode are switched according to the cause of interruption of image data transfer between the MFP and the digital camera. Specifically, the switching is performed depending on whether or not the cause of interruption is a predictable restart time of the MFP. Reasons for the interruption that can be predicted for the restart time include a memory full in the reception buffer, a temperature rise error in which the temperature of the print head abnormally rises, a recovery state in which the print head is being cleaned, and the like. In addition, the cause of the interruption in which the restart time cannot be predicted includes a paper jam, ink tank replacement, and no recording paper error. When a cause of interruption that can predict the restart time occurs, the digital camera is instructed to interrupt in the power-off mode. When a cause of interruption occurs where the restart time cannot be predicted, the digital camera is instructed to interrupt in the regular monitoring mode. By doing so, it can be interrupted while reducing the power consumption of the digital camera when the cause of the interruption is predictable, and when the cause of the interruption is resolved when the interruption time is unpredictable, the image can be transferred quickly. Can be resumed.

<Example 2>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This system includes a device such as a memory card or a digital camera equipped with a UWB unit, and the memory reader capable of the close proximity wireless communication described in the first embodiment. In the case of a memory card, the contents can be read and written. In such a configuration, an embodiment in the case where the UWB unit of the memory reader moves is shown.

  The following case will be described in the second embodiment. First, the memory card is set in the memory reader. A plurality of memory cards can be placed in any place in the memory reader. The memory reader has a mechanism for searching for a memory card by scanning the UWB unit in the X and Y directions on the plane on which the memory card is placed. The UWB unit is moved to the position of the memory card to transmit / receive data in the memory card.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the memory reader 200. The UWB unit 201 is a communication unit that performs data communication with other devices such as a memory card. Data is converted into packets, and packets are sent to other devices. On the other hand, packets from other external devices are converted and stored in the data storage unit 204. Details are described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, the UWB unit 201 is movable. The CPU 202 is a system control unit and controls the entire memory reader 200. The drive control unit 203 controls driving of the movable UWB unit 201. The data storage unit 204 buffers data transmitted / received via the UWB unit 201. At the time of transmission, the data is stored in the data storage unit 204 and transmitted sequentially through the UWB unit. At the time of reception, the data received through the UWB unit is accumulated, and the data conversion unit 205 or the CPU 202 waits for processing. The data conversion unit 205 performs communication by converting the data into desired data between the host device and the memory card reader 200. The host device I / F 206 provides a logical I / F with a host device such as a PC.

  FIG. 3 is an external view of the memory reader 200. The UWB wireless device storage place 300 is a place where UWB wireless devices equipped with the UWB unit 100 such as memory cards and digital cameras are placed. A device in the UWB wireless device storage area 300 can transmit data from the device side to the PC side by instructing transmission on the device side or instructing reception using a PC connected to a memory reader. In addition, data can be transferred from the PC side to the device side by giving the reverse instruction. A connector 301 is connected as a physical I / F to a host device such as a PC.

  FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of the memory reader 200. Reference numeral 400 denotes an XY drive unit that controls movement in the XY direction and acceleration / deceleration. With this XY drive unit 400, the XY drive unit 400 can freely move on the X shaft 401 and the Y shaft 402 in the XY directions. A UWB unit is mounted on the XY drive unit 400, and this UWB unit communicates with a UWB wireless device placed on the UWB wireless device storage 300. In this communication, in consideration of the signal interval of the UWB unit signal such as the attenuation start distance and the electric field effective threshold, a place as close as possible to the surface of the UWB wireless device storage 300 is driven. Data obtained by this communication is transferred to the main board 404 via the flexible cable 403. The flexible cable 403 is used for transmission / reception of control signals of the XY drive unit and supply of power in addition to transmission / reception of data that has been communicated.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating scanning of the XY drive unit.

  FIG. 30A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the XY drive unit 400 searches for a position placed in the UWB wireless device storage place 300. FIG. The scanning area 3000 corresponds to the area of the UWB wireless device storage area 300, and the XY drive unit 400 scans the scanning area 3000 without omission. The scanning points 3001 are arranged in a grid pattern, and the XY drive unit 400 scans UWB wireless devices at all scanning points 3001 to detect the presence / absence of wireless devices. Here, scanning is performed while moving according to the scanning order 3002.

  In FIG. 30B, a distance between scanning points (L) 3003 represents an interval at which the scanning points 3001 are arranged, and is a search interval. L is set to a value that can be detected regardless of where the UWB wireless device is placed in consideration of the electric field effective threshold (T) 3004.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a flow in the case of searching for a UWB wireless device in the main operation mode in the memory reader. This flow will be described with reference to an example in which an image to be transmitted is selected on the digital camera side, placed in the UWB wireless device storage 300, and image data read by a memory reader is transmitted to a PC. In this case, the digital camera side is in the main mode, and the memory reader is in the passive mode to start scanning (this scanning mode is hereinafter referred to as main mode scanning). In this flow, first, the position of the UWB wireless device is sparsely detected, and predicted to be within, for example, four scanning points 3001. Next, a prediction point among these four points is calculated, and an actual position is detected.

  This flow starts from S3300 and proceeds to S3301. At this point, an image is selected on the digital camera side and placed in the UWB wireless device storage area 300. In step S3301, the UWB unit of the card reader is set to the passive mode search state, and the flow advances to step S3302. In step S3302, the position of the digital camera is sparsely detected. Details of S3302 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a flow in the case where sparse detection is performed for UWB wireless devices in the main operation mode in the memory reader. FIG. 34 starts from S3400 and proceeds to S3401. In step S3401, the XY drive unit 400 scans the scan point 3001 according to the scan order 3002. In step S3402, it is determined whether the signal detected by the UWB unit is a certain value or more. If it is equal to or greater than a certain value, it is determined that a digital camera is present in the vicinity of the scanning point, and the process proceeds to S3403. The scanning point, signal level, and main motor ID are stored, and the process proceeds to S3404. If it is not equal to or greater than a certain value, it means that there is no digital camera, and the process advances to S3404. In step S3404, it is determined whether all scanning points have been scanned. If all scanning points have been scanned, the process proceeds to step S3405. If not, the process returns to step S3401. In S3405, an area where the signal level is a constant value at four adjacent points is detected. Specifically, the area is as shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining sparse detection of device positions due to movement of a UWB wireless device. In the prediction area 1 of 3100 and the prediction area 2 of 3101, the signal level is a certain value or more at four points. When all the prediction areas are detected, the process proceeds to S3406, and the flow of FIG.

  In S3302, after executing the above flow of FIG. 34, the process proceeds to S3303. In step S3303, it is determined whether at least one prediction area has been detected in step S3302. If YES in step S3304, if NO in step S3308, the flow ends. In steps S3304 to S3307, detailed detection is performed on the prediction area detected by the sparse detection. In step S3304, the predicted device position is detected from the four points in the predicted area. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining detailed detection of the position of the device.

  By performing the sparse detection in S3302, the signal intensity at four points from the scanning point 3201 having the signal intensity A to the scanning point 3204 having the signal intensity D as shown in FIG. Since the signal strength, that is, the electric field strength is proportional to the square or the third power of the distance, the distance to the prediction device can be calculated using a ratio using the square root or the third root of the electric field strength. . Therefore, the predicted device position 3200 can be detected by calculating the distance from the four scanning points to the predicted device. Whether to use the square or the cube should be determined based on whether the coupler of the UWB unit uses an electrostatic field or an induced electric field. Even if there is no induced electric field due to an electrostatic field, the determination may be made according to the characteristics of distance and signal strength. When the predicted device position 3200 is detected in S3304 in this way, the process proceeds to S3305.

  In step S3305, four new points centered on the predicted device position 3200 are set, and the device position is detected in more detail. Specifically, this will be described with reference to FIG. Four new points are set on the square by separating the predicted device position 3200 by a certain distance. Note that this square is set smaller than the square shown in FIG. The signal intensity measured at the four points is defined as 3205 signal intensity A 'to 3208 signal intensity D'. Similar to the detection method described in FIG. 32A, the device position 3209 is detected using the 3205 signal intensity A ′ to the 3208 signal intensity D ′.

  In step S3306, the device position 3200 and the main motive ID of the digital camera are stored, and the process advances to step S3307. In S3307, it is determined whether or not detailed detection has been performed for all the prediction areas found in S3303. If not completed, the process returns to S3304, and if completed, the process proceeds to S3308 and this flow is terminated.

  By performing the flow of FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 described above, the XY drive unit 400 can accurately detect the UWB wireless device placed in the UWB wireless device storage 300. For this reason, even when the user places the digital camera in an arbitrary place, the user can transmit data to the PC with high accuracy. In addition, as a device used for transmission / reception, any device equipped with a UWB unit such as a digital camera, a memory card, and a mobile phone can be considered.

  Next, a case where data stored in a PC is transmitted to a digital camera placed in the UWB wireless device storage 300 will be described as an example. In this case, the digital camera side is in the passive mode, and the memory reader is in the main operation mode to start scanning (this scanning mode is hereinafter referred to as passive mode scanning). Since mobile devices such as digital cameras are battery-driven, they are usually in a power saving mode as shown in FIG. Here, an example is shown in which transmission is possible even when the digital camera of the transmission destination is in the power saving mode.

  First, the UWB unit of the card reader is set to the main operation mode. Next, the flow of FIG. 35 is performed in order to detect sparseness. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a flow in the case where sparse detection of passive-mode UWB wireless devices is performed in the memory reader. The flow in FIG. 35 starts from S3500 and proceeds to S3501. In S3501, the XY drive unit 400 scans the scanning point 3001 according to the scanning order 3002. In S3502, every time scanning is performed in S3501, the scanning is stopped at the scanning point. This is to ensure that the digital camera in the power saving mode is in the search state. That is, as described above, the device in the power saving mode cannot recognize the UWB unit with which it communicates unless it is in the search state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, the search state is set at regular time intervals. Accordingly, since it is necessary to continue to issue a connection request for at least 1801T1 time in FIG. 18, the UWB unit of the card reader is stopped at every scanning point 3001. In this way, a digital camera that is in the power saving mode can also be detected.

  In step S3503, it is determined whether the signal detected by the UWB unit of the card reader is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If it is greater than or equal to a certain value, it means that there is a digital camera in the vicinity of the scanning point, so the process proceeds to S3504, and otherwise, the process proceeds to S3506. In S3504, the scanning point, signal level, and passive device ID are stored, and the process proceeds to S3505. In step S3505, a command to temporarily cancel the detected power saving mode of the digital camera is transmitted. This eliminates the need to stop at the scanning point for T1 time or more as in S3502 described above when scanning for detail detection to be performed later. The processing after S3506 is the same as that in FIG. 34, and the processing after the detailed detection is finished is the same as S3303 in FIG.

  By performing the above processing, when the digital camera in the reception mode is placed on the UWB wireless device storage place 300, the position can be detected, and the PC data can be transmitted to the digital camera. In addition, the digital camera can be detected even when the digital camera is in the power saving mode. Furthermore, by detecting the digital camera first and then canceling the power saving mode of the digital camera, it is not necessary to stop for each scanning point in the next detailed detection, and the detailed detection can be performed efficiently. .

  Next, FIG. 36 illustrates a case where it is unknown whether the digital camera placed in the UWB wireless device storage place 300 wants to transmit or receive. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a flow in the case where the memory reader searches for the main mode and the UWB wireless device in the main mode. This flow starts from S3600 and proceeds to S3601. In step S3601, the UWB unit of the card reader is set to a state in which the connection request state in the main operation mode and the search state in the passive mode transition at a predetermined timing. This is because when the digital camera is in the connection request state in the main mode, the card reader needs to be in the search mode in the passive mode in order to establish a connection. Conversely, if the digital camera is in the passive mode search state (or the power saving mode that transitions between the search state and the sleep state), the card reader needs to be in the main mode connection request state in order to establish a connection. Because there is. This scanning mode is hereinafter referred to as mixed mode scanning.

  In step S3602, the position of the digital camera is sparsely detected. FIG. 37 is a diagram for explaining the details of the sparse detection in S3602, and is a diagram showing a flow when the memory reader performs sparse detection of the main mode and the UWB wireless devices in the main mode.

  The flow in FIG. 37 starts from S3700 and proceeds to S3701. In S3701, the XY drive unit 400 scans the scan point 3001 according to the scan order 3002. First, when the first scanning point is reached, the process proceeds to S3702. In step S3702, the UWB unit of the card reader is brought into a connection request state in the main operation mode. In S3703, similarly to S3502 described above, the process is stopped at the scanning point, and the process proceeds to S3704. Since S3704 and S3705 are equivalent to S3503 and S3505 described above, description thereof is omitted. In step S3706, in addition to the operation in step S3506, whether the digital camera mode is the passive mode or the main operation mode is stored. In step S3707, the UWB unit of the card reader is set to the passive mode search state. Since the processing after S3708 is equivalent to the processing described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, by switching between the main mode and the passive mode in S3702 and S3707, the digital camera can be detected even if it is unclear whether the digital camera placed in the UWB wireless device storage place 300 wants to transmit or receive. it can.

  As described above, as another example of an apparatus in which the UWB unit can move on a plane, an MFP equipped with the UWB unit is shown. Although a case of an MFP is shown here, a scanner that does not have a printing apparatus may be used.

  Next, FIG. 38 is a flow for switching the scanning mode depending on the function of the MFP to be used when scanning and searching for a device placed in the UWB device storage area. Specifically, the mode to be switched is main mode scanning, passive mode scanning, and mixed mode scanning. This flow starts from S3800 and proceeds to S3801. In step S3801, the user uses the operation unit 703 to issue a print, scan, or auto instruction. In step S3802, if the used function is printing, the process advances to step S3803. If the used function is scan, the process advances to step S3804. If the used function is auto, the process advances to step S3805. In S3803, it can be assumed that the image is to be printed on the UWB device side such as a digital camera and set to the main operation mode, and then is in the UWB device storage place. Therefore, the UWB device is searched by main operation mode scanning as shown in FIG. . On the other hand, in S3804, since it can be assumed that the image data of the read document is transferred to a UWB device such as a digital camera, the UWB device is in the passive mode, and the UWB device is searched by the passive mode scanning shown in FIG. Further, in S3805, since it is unclear in which mode the digital camera 1001 is placed, the UWB device is searched by the mixed mode scanning as shown in FIG. In this case, whether to use the print function of the MFP or the scan function is determined according to the mode of the UWB device.

  By executing the flow shown in FIG. 38, the main mode scanning with a high scanning speed is selected at the time of printing, and the respective scanning modes are automatically selected at the time of scanning and auto. Scanning can be used automatically.

<Example 3>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the wireless communication system in which the UWB unit is movably mounted has been described. In this embodiment, a case in which the UWB unit is mounted on a reading sensor in the reading apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an MFP in which a UWB unit is mounted on a reading sensor. The reading sensor 903 in FIG. 9A moves horizontally in the reading direction 904. Therefore, the UWB device storage area 906 has an oblong shape as shown in FIG. 9B, for example. This UWB device place 906 is located on the upper surface where the document cover is closed. By placing a UWB wireless device such as the digital camera 1001 on this, data can be transmitted and received in the same manner as in the case of the card reader described above. it can. Further, in this configuration, since the driving unit of the reading sensor 903 and the driving unit of the UWB unit 902 can be used together, it can be said that the cost is lower than in the case where separate driving units are provided.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a method of using the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and the following method of use is also conceivable. The document 1000 is placed on the glass table 901, the document cover 905 is closed, and the digital camera 1001 is placed on the UWB device storage place 906. In this state, reading of the original is started. First, in many MFPs, since it is necessary to perform pre-scanning in order to detect an area of an original placed on an original table, the reading sensor 903 advances in the reading direction 904 while reading an image. At this time, simultaneously with reading, the UWB unit 902 proceeds while searching for a UWB wireless device. As a result, when the digital camera 1001 is detected, the detected position is stored.

  After this pre-scan, the reading sensor 903 scans again in the direction indicated by 904 and reads the image of the detected area. According to this configuration, the read image can be transferred to the digital camera 1001 via the UWB unit 902. At this time, the UWB unit 902 may be moved to the position of the digital camera 1001 detected during the prescan. For example, when the document and the digital camera are placed at the position shown in FIG. 10, the UWB unit 902 is moved to the position of the digital camera 1001 after reading the document 1000. In FIG. 10, even when the digital camera 1001 is placed on the document, the reading sensor returns to the predetermined position shown in FIG. 9A after reading an image in a normal reading operation. There is no need to move it to the position of the digital camera. Further, the search for the UWB wireless device may be performed in the second reading operation following the pre-scan.

  If a device is detected as a result of searching for a UWB wireless device, the image data of the read document is transferred to the detected device, and if not detected, for example, stored in a memory card attached to the MFP. Also good. By doing so, the user can instruct the storage destination in addition to the document reading instruction in one operation. Further, when a plurality of digital cameras 1001 are found, the user can transfer them to the plurality of digital cameras 1001 with a single operation. Furthermore, by starting reading after arranging a plurality of documents 1000 and a plurality of digital cameras 1001 at corresponding positions, it is also possible to transfer image data of the documents at positions corresponding to the digital cameras at the corresponding positions. Note that the relationship between the position of the original and the position of the digital camera to be transferred may be automatically determined based on a predetermined condition relating to the positional relationship, or may be set by the user using a UI such as an operation key or a display screen. May be.

<Example 4>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the wireless communication system in which the UWB unit is mounted on the reading sensor and is movably mounted has been described. In this embodiment, a case in which the UWB unit is mounted on the print carriage will be described. In the second embodiment, an MFP in which a printer, a scanner, and the like are combined is assumed. In the third embodiment, an SFP (Single Function Printer) having only an ink jet printer function will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the SFP 1100. The SFP 1100 can be described with a block diagram in which the configuration is added or subtracted from the MFP 500 described with reference to FIG. The deleted portion includes a reading control unit 508, a reading unit 510, a display unit 511, a memory card controller 516, a memory card 519, and a flexible cable 522. Further, here, two UWB units, UWB unit A 1117 and UWB unit B 1118, are provided. The main board 1101 and the print carriage 1102 communicate with each other via the UWB unit B 1118 and the UWB unit 1117, respectively. As a result, the flexible cable 522 can be deleted, but details will be described later. The description of the other blocks is the same as in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the external appearance and internal configuration of the SFP 1100. A main board 1101 is attached to the lower right side of the SFP casing. The print carriage 1102 moves in the horizontal direction according to the shaft under the control of the recording control unit 1119. The print carriage 1102 can know the position of the shaft by reading an encoder (not shown). In this way, the print head control unit 1113 performs ink ejection control while moving in the horizontal direction, and the print head 1114 ejects ink onto the paper to form an image on the paper.

  The UWB unit B 1118 receives image data from a UWB wireless device such as a digital camera 1206 in the vicinity of the UWB wireless device storage 1205. The UWB unit B 1118 transmits the received image data to the main board 1101, and the main board 1101 performs various image processing and conversion from image data to print data. Thereafter, the print data obtained on the main board 1101 is transmitted to the UWB unit A 1117 again using the UWB unit B 1118. Then, based on the print data received by the UWB unit A 1117, the print head control unit 1113 can cause the print head 1114 to discharge ink to perform printing. Note that the communication timing between the UWB units is when the print carriage 1102 approaches the UWB unit B 1118, and in FIG. 12, the print carriage 1102 moves near the right end. In this way, the position when the print carriage 1102 comes to the right end is determined as the home position. Although not shown, there is a print head recovery unit at the home position, which includes an ink absorber used for regular ejection to prevent clogging of ink, a cap for preventing drying, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 12, printing can be performed by wirelessly connecting the main board 1101 and the print carriage 1102 with a UWB unit capable of performing close proximity wireless communication, so that a flexible cable is not necessary. In addition, since close proximity wireless communication is used, a complicated communication protocol is not required even when a plurality of SFPs are close to each other. Therefore, throughput can be increased, and the print carriage speed can be increased.

  FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the SFP described in FIGS. 11 and 12 prints image data from a digital camera.

  First, after the user selects an image to be printed and transmits an image on the digital camera side, the digital camera is placed in the UWB wireless device storage area 1205. At this point, the digital camera is in the main operation mode and the SFP is in the passive mode. Then, the connection between the digital camera and the UWB unit B is established by establishing the 2800 connection. In this connection establishment, the digital camera stores the passive machine ID of the UWB unit B, and the UWB unit B stores the main motor ID of the digital camera. Next, at 2801, the SFP moves the print carriage 1102 to the home position so that the UWB unit A and the UWB unit B can communicate with each other. Next, in 2802, a connection between UWB unit A and UWB unit B is established. At this time, the UWB unit B stores the main motor ID of the UWB unit A in a different area from the main motor ID of the digital camera. As a result, the UWB unit B can selectively switch between communicating with the digital camera and communicating with the UWB unit A. In this case, however, it is not possible to communicate with both at the same time.

  In 2803, the UWB unit B switches to connection with a digital camera. In 2804, an image data request signal is transmitted to the digital camera. In 2805, the digital camera starts transferring image data of the image selected by the user operation. One image data such as 2805 and 2806 is divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted. In step 2807, when the UWB unit B receives image data of a predetermined size, the data conversion unit 1107 converts the image data into print data, and prepares for transmission to the UWB unit A. In 2808, the UWB unit B temporarily suspends the connection with the digital camera to enter the connection state with the UWB unit A.

  When it is found from the information from the encoder (not shown) that the print carriage 1102 approaches the home position, print data is transmitted from the UWB unit B to the UWB unit A in 2809 and 2810. As described above, when the print data is transmitted a plurality of times and the UWB unit A receives a predetermined amount of print data, the print carriage starts printing. During printing of 2811, the print carriage 1102 reciprocates on the shaft, so the UWB unit A and the UWB unit B cannot communicate. In 2812, the UWB unit B is connected to the digital camera, and in 2813, the digital camera is requested to send the continuation of the image data. In steps 2814 to 2816, subsequent data is transmitted from the digital camera to the UWB unit B. Note that the time for sending data is 2811, which is efficient when the print carriage uses it for reciprocation.

  In 2817, as in 2807, the image data received by the UWB unit B is converted into print data, and preparations for transmission to the UWB unit A are made. The print carriage moves to the home position after the printing at 2811 is completed. In 2818, UWB unit B is connected to UWB unit A. At 2820, UWB unit B transfers print data to UWB unit A. Thereafter, printing can be performed by repeating the sequence from 2809 to 2818 until printing is completed.

  By implementing the configuration shown in FIG. 12 and the flow shown in FIG. 28, the SFP can wirelessly receive data from the digital camera. In addition, since the main board and the print carriage can be transmitted and received wirelessly, a flexible cable is not necessary. In addition, since transmission / reception is performed by close proximity wireless communication, there is no influence of surrounding wireless devices, so communication can be performed with a simple protocol and throughput can be improved. Furthermore, since the UWB unit B serves as both reception from the digital camera and transmission to the print carriage, the cost of the apparatus is also reduced.

  Next, another example of a configuration in which a UWB unit is provided in an SFP print carriage will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an SFP in which a print carriage 1102, a main board 1101, and a UWB unit 1303 are integrated. During the printing of the SFP in this figure, the main board 1101 and the UWB unit 1303 move along the shaft along with the print carriage 1102 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the UWB unit 1303 passes under the UWB wireless device storage 1304, the digital camera and the UWB unit can transmit and receive data. In the example of FIG. 13, the UWB wireless device storage 1304 is arranged at the center of the range in which the print carriage moves. This is because the print carriage 1102 has a high probability of reciprocating near the center because the printing paper is fed in the center. The position of the UWB wireless device storage 1304 is preferably arranged in consideration of the paper feeding mechanism of the apparatus and the position of the recovery unit.

  The configuration in FIG. 13 can be realized by modifying the block in FIG. Specifically, the UWB unit A 1117 is deleted, and the main board 1101 and the print carriage 1102 are integrated and connected by a bus cable.

  FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the SFP described with reference to FIG. 13 prints image data from a digital camera.

  First, after the user selects an image to be printed and transmits an image on the digital camera side, the digital camera is placed in the UWB wireless device storage 1304. At this point, the digital camera is in the main operation mode and the SFP is in the passive mode.

  First, at 2900, the print carriage 1102 moves to the home position. The home position here refers to a position where the digital camera and the UWB unit can communicate with each other under the UWB wireless device storage 1304. As a trigger for moving to the home position in 2900, the user may give a print start trigger on the printer side, or the default position of the print carriage 1102 may be the home position. By establishing the connection 2901, the connection between the digital camera and the UWB unit is established. The digital camera stores the passive device ID of the UWB unit, and the UWB unit B stores the main motor ID of the digital camera.

  In 2902, an image data request signal is transmitted to the digital camera. In 2903, the digital camera starts transferring the image data of the image selected by the user operation. One image data such as 2903 and 2904 is divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted. When image data of a predetermined size is received by the UWB unit in this way, the print carriage starts printing. In 2905, the print head 1114 performs printing by ejecting ink based on the print data obtained by the main board 1101. The print data generation method is the same as that shown in FIG. 28, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Since the print carriage 1102 reciprocates on the shaft, the digital camera and the UWB unit cannot communicate during movement. In 2906, when all the received image data has been printed, the print carriage moves to the home position. Alternatively, when the print carriage passes the home position during printing, the process may transit to 2906. From 2907 onward, the sequence from 2902 will be repeated until printing is completed, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, by arranging the print carriage 1102, the main board 1101, and the UWB unit 1303 as a single unit, the UWB unit B in FIG. 12 can be deleted, and the cost can be further reduced. Further, the UWB wireless device storage 1304 can be arranged at a printing reference point when the print carriage reciprocates, thereby improving the efficiency of data transmission / reception.

<Example 5>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the wireless communication system described in the above embodiment, the description has been given assuming that the instruction by the user of the device equipped with the UWB unit is performed by operating the operation unit such as a key. It is not limited. In this embodiment, a case where a user's instruction is given by a navigation sheet will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a navigation sheet for a user to give an instruction regarding UWB wireless communication. The navigation sheet is a sheet for the user to give an operation instruction to the MFP. For example, the navigation sheet 1600 in the figure is a mark sheet type sheet. The user marks a desired location, and the MFP can input the user's instruction by reading the marked sheet and determining the marked location. In particular, in the case of the mark sheet system as shown in this figure, it is possible to instruct operation with good listability.

  Next, an example of UWB wireless communication when the user uses this navigation sheet will be described. First, at least one UWB wireless device is placed in the UWB device storage area. Next, all UWB wireless devices in which the UWB unit is placed are detected. At the time of detection, a list of data in each UWB wireless device is also acquired.

  Next, the navigation sheet 1600 shown in FIG. 16 is printed. Reference numeral 1601 denotes an area for printing a list of detected devices. In this example, camera A, camera B, and mobile phone A are detected. Reference numerals 1602 and 1603 denote columns for selecting a function to be executed. When 1602 is selected to instruct data transfer, a device 1604 on the transmission side and a device 1605 on the reception side are selected. When 1603 is selected to instruct printing, a device 1606 having image data to be printed by the printing unit of the MFP is selected. Reference numerals 1607 to 1609 represent data lists inside the detected devices. When 1602 is selected, data to be transmitted is selected from the devices to be transmitted. When 1603 is selected, data to be printed is selected from the devices to be printed. When all the entries are completed, the user places the navigation sheet 1600 on the document table of the MFP and reads the document. The MFP that has read the document executes processing instructed by the navigation sheet.

<Example 6>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the UWB close proximity wireless communication performed at a high speed and at a short distance has been described. In this embodiment, in addition to this proximity wireless communication, a case will be described in which wireless communication that is slower than this proximity wireless communication but can communicate over a long distance is used. For example, there are the following cases.

  First, the user operates the digital camera to change to a state for transmitting a digital image using UWB close proximity wireless communication. Next, the MFP receives and prints image data from the digital camera by proximity wireless communication.

  During printing, the digital camera receives the printing status from the MFP and displays it on the display unit. If there is an additional instruction from the user, the digital camera transmits the instruction to the MFP. In such communication, for example, when a UWB unit mounted on an MFP moves during printing, short-distance communication may not be performed. Therefore, for such transmission / reception of the printing status and transmission / reception of an additional instruction from the user, communication is performed at a low speed but a long distance instead of the proximity wireless communication capable of high-speed communication at a short distance as in the UWB system. Possible long-range wireless communication systems are used. An example of such a communication method is BlueTooth (trademark registration).

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing processing for switching from UWB wireless communication to BlueTooth communication. Before entering this flow, it is set to BlueTooth communication, and the MFP transmits the printing status to the digital camera and executes it when receiving an instruction from the digital camera. At the same time, the MFP monitors whether there is a connection request from a new digital camera. In this situation, the user operates the digital camera, selects an image to be printed and sets a mode for transmitting the image, and then places the digital camera in the UWB wireless device storage area.

  In S3901, a UWB connection is established between the digital camera 1500 shown in FIG. 15 and the MFP 500 shown in FIG. 5, and the process advances to S3902. In step S3902, image data is transmitted from the digital camera 1500 to the MFP 500 using the UWB unit. When the transfer of the image data is completed and the MFP starts a printing operation, the process proceeds to S3903 to disconnect the UWB wireless communication connection. Next, communication is established using the BlueTooth communication unit 513 of the MFP 500 and the BlueTooth communication unit 1506 of the digital camera 1500. In step S3905, the printing status of the MFP 500 is transmitted / received using BlueTooth, and if there is an additional instruction from the user, the instruction is transmitted to the MFP.

  In this embodiment, when high-speed communication is required, UWB proximity high-speed communication is used, and bluetooth is used for status transmission and reception that is relatively low-speed communication. As a result, the user can perform the next operation immediately after the image communication is completed, and an effect of increasing the use efficiency of the device can be obtained.

<Example 7>
Hereinafter, a radio communication system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This system relates to the MFP 500 and the SFP 1100 described above, and is an embodiment related to the UWB wireless device storage place described in the above embodiments.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the movable operation unit. In the MFP 500, the operation unit 703 is shaped like a movable operation unit 800 as shown in FIG. When the movable operation unit 800 is moved as shown in FIG. 8B, a UWB wireless device storage area 801 appears on the lower surface. In addition, the movable operation unit 800 is configured such that the electric field of the UWB unit does not reach while it is closed. That is, the thickness of the movable operation unit 800 is larger than the electric field effective threshold, and the movable operation unit 800 is disposed at a distance that the electric field of the UWB unit does not reach the wall surface of the MFP.

  By adopting the open / close-type configuration as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the communication unintended by the user from being started because the UWB wireless communication device is inadvertently approached. For example, if the user has set the digital camera to the main mode, it prevents the communication from being accidentally established while operating the MFP while carrying the digital camera and printing an unintended image. Can do.

  Further, when the movable operation unit 800 in FIG. 8 is in the state as shown in FIG. 8A, the electric field of the UWB unit is cut off so that transmission / reception cannot be performed, and in the state as shown in FIG. You may control so that it may be in a state. By performing such control, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of printing an unintended image. In addition, power consumption can be kept low.

  Further, the SFP shown in FIG. 13 is configured to print after placing a digital camera in the UWB wireless device storage 1304. At this time, since the print carriage 1102 performs printing while repeating reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction, vibration is generated in the SFP casing. In addition, the housing is also vibrated during operations of feeding, transporting, and discharging printing paper.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the shape of the UWB wireless device storage area. The UWB wireless device storage 1304 is shaped as shown in FIG. 14 (A) UWB wireless device storage 1. By providing a depression in the UWB wireless device storage place in this way, it is possible to prevent a UWB wireless device such as a digital camera from falling even when the casing is vibrated. In addition, this dent has a depth enough to prevent falling. Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (B) UWB wireless device storage place 2, a member having a large friction coefficient may be provided in the recess by bonding or the like. With such a configuration, the effect of preventing falling can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, the UWB wireless device storage 3 may have a shape inclined to one side in consideration of the characteristics of the print carriage 1102. Since the print carriage 1102 has a higher speed in the forward path among reciprocating operations depending on the control method, the movement of the digital camera due to vibration is biased in one direction. Therefore, if the configuration shown in FIG. 14C is used and the inclination is inclined to the side where movement is predicted, the possibility of the digital camera falling can be reduced. Further, in the case where the size of the target device is not limited, the UWB wireless device may not fit in the recess in the configuration of FIG. 14A, but in FIG. 14C, the device of an arbitrary size But you can. Further, as shown in FIG. 14D, when moving by vibration with an acute angle, they may be gathered in one place. The gathering place is set to a place where the UWB unit signal can be transmitted and received most strongly. By doing so, even if the user sets the digital camera in a slightly deviated place, there is a possibility of returning to the optimum place by vibration.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication system, particularly a device capable of close proximity wireless communication, establishment of a one-to-one connection established between these devices, and those wireless communication systems.

It is a block diagram of the UWB unit which mounted the UWB communication system using a high frequency wideband signal. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a memory reader 200. FIG. 2 is an external view of a memory reader 200. FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view of a memory reader 200. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP 500. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external appearance and an internal configuration of an MFP 500. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an interface panel 700. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the movable operation unit. 2 is a diagram illustrating an MFP in which a UWB unit is mounted on a reading sensor. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization method of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an SFP 1100. FIG. It is a perspective view of the external appearance and internal structure of SFP1100. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an SFP in which a print carriage 1102, a main board 1101, and a UWB unit 1303 are integrated. It is a figure showing the example of the shape of a UWB radio equipment storage. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera 1500. FIG. It is a figure which shows the navigation sheet for a user to give the instruction | indication regarding UWB radio | wireless communication. It is a UWB unit state transition diagram showing the state transition of the UWB unit shown in FIG. It is the figure showing the state transition in case the UWB unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is in power saving mode. It is a figure showing the structure of the management frame used for transmission / reception when a UWB unit communicates. It is a figure showing the structure of the data frame used for transmission / reception when a UWB unit communicates. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for establishing a connection when a digital camera 1500 mounted with a UWB unit 100 and an MFP 500 perform communication to print image data. 6 is a diagram illustrating a sequence when image data is transferred after connection is established when a digital camera 1500 mounted with a UWB unit 100 and an MFP 500 perform communication to print image data. FIG. It is a figure showing the sequence at the time of establishing a connection between UWB radio | wireless apparatuses, transmitting / receiving data, transmitting / receiving status, and searching for the signal from a new apparatus. When a UWB wireless device of this embodiment establishes a connection, transmits / receives data, transmits / receives a status, and searches for a signal from a new device, a signal from the new device is found It is a figure showing a sequence. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in a case where a connection between an MFP and a digital camera is established, data is transmitted / received, and an interruption signal is transmitted from the MFP. It is a figure showing the sequence which restarts image transfer when a digital camera is set to periodical monitoring mode. It is a figure showing the sequence which restarts image transfer when a digital camera is set to the power-off mode. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the SFP described in FIGS. 11 and 12 prints image data from a digital camera. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the SFP described in FIG. 13 prints image data from a digital camera. It is a figure which shows the scan of an XY drive unit. It is a figure explaining the sparse detection of the device position by the movement of a UWB wireless apparatus. It is a figure explaining the detailed detection of a device position by the movement of a UWB radio | wireless apparatus. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of searching a UWB radio | wireless apparatus of main mode in a memory reader. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of sparsely detecting the UWB wireless device in the main operation mode in the memory reader. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of sparsely detecting a passive mode UWB wireless device in a memory reader. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of searching a UWB radio | wireless apparatus of main mode and main mode in a memory reader. It is a figure showing the flow in the case of sparsely detecting the main mode and the UWB wireless device in the main mode in the memory reader. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating switching of a mode for scanning a UWB wireless device according to a function used in the MFP according to the present embodiment. It is a flow which shows the process which switches from UWB radio | wireless communication to BlueTooth communication.

Explanation of symbols

100 UWB unit 101 Communication module 102 Coupler 103 RF unit 104 Transmission / reception control unit 105 EEPROM
200 Memory reader 201 UWB unit 202 CPU
203 Drive Control Unit 204 Data Storage Unit 205 Data Conversion Unit 206 Host Device I / F
400 XY drive unit 401 X shaft 402 Y shaft 500 MFP
501 Main board 502 Print carriage 503 CPU
504 ROM
505 RAM
506 Image memory 507 Data conversion unit 508 Reading control unit 509 Operation unit 510 Reading unit 511 Display unit 512 Coding / decoding processing unit 513 BlueTooth communication unit 514 Data storage unit 515 Paper feeding unit 516 Memory card controller 517 Print head control unit 518 Print head 519 Memory Card 520 Digital Camera 521 System Bus 522 Flexible Cable 523 Bus Cable 524 UWB Unit 700 Interface Panel 702 UWB Wireless Device Place 703 Operation Unit, 704
800 Movable operation unit 1500 Digital camera 1501 CPU
1502 ROM
1503 RAM
1504 Image memory 1505 Data conversion unit 1506 BlueTooth communication unit 1507 Operation unit 1508 Display unit 1509 Imaging unit 1510 Memory card controller 1511 UWB unit 1512 Memory card 1513 Printer 1514 System bus

Claims (7)

A first wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating data via a wireless communication network;
A second wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating data with the first wireless communication device via the wireless communication network;
In a wireless communication system including:
The first wireless communication device is:
When the wireless communication interruption factor occurs in the first wireless communication device, the interruption factor is used as an interruption signal for interrupting wireless communication with the second wireless communication device according to the type of the interruption factor. The second signal corresponding to the second type of the interruption factor as the first signal corresponding to the first type of the interruption or the interruption signal for designating the resumption condition when the wireless communication is suspended and the wireless communication is resumed . Transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the second wireless communication device;
Notification means for notifying the second wireless communication device of the cancellation of the interruption factor when the interruption factor of the first wireless communication device is released;
The second wireless communication device is:
A communication unit for wirelessly communicating data with the first wireless communication device;
When the interruption signal is transmitted from the first wireless communication device by the transmission unit, the communication unit interrupts wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, and the communication unit performs the first wireless communication. A first sleep mode corresponding to the first signal that waits in a state where a notification from the apparatus can be received, and a second sleep mode corresponding to the second signal that shuts off the power supply of the communication unit. Control means for controlling the communication unit to wait in a sleep mode according to the type of interruption factor corresponding to the transmitted interruption signal,
Corresponding to the first signal that the canceling factor is notified by the notifying unit of the first wireless communication apparatus when the communication unit is waiting in the first sleep mode by the control unit. First requesting means for requesting the first wireless communication device to resume wireless communication by the communication unit when the first restarting condition is satisfied,
The second of the communication unit by the control unit is designated more that a predetermined time and then cut the power supply of the communication unit when waiting in the second sleep mode has elapsed the second signal Second request means for activating the communication unit and requesting the first wireless communication apparatus to resume wireless communication when the second restart condition is satisfied When,
A wireless communication system comprising:   The transmission means included in the first wireless communication device transmits the second signal when an interruption factor with a predictable time for canceling the interruption factor occurs in the first wireless communication device. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is transmitted when an interruption factor whose time is unpredictable occurs in the first wireless communication apparatus. The transmission means of the first wireless communication device notifies the second wireless communication device of the predetermined time when transmitting the second signal,
The second request means of the second wireless communication device is configured to receive the first wireless communication when the predetermined time transmitted from the first wireless communication device has elapsed since the power of the communication unit has been shut off. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is requested to resume wireless communication. A wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data with a communication partner via a wireless communication network,
When a cause of interruption of the wireless communication occurs in the wireless communication device, the first type of interruption factor is used as an interruption signal for interrupting wireless communication with the communication partner according to the type of the interruption factor. The corresponding first signal or the second signal corresponding to the second type of the interruption factor is given to the communication device as an interruption signal for designating a resumption condition when the wireless communication is suspended and the wireless communication is resumed. A transmission means for transmitting;
A notification means for notifying the second wireless communication device of the cancellation of the interruption factor when the interruption factor of the wireless communication device is released;
Among the second restart conditions more specified in the first restart condition and the second signal corresponding to said first signal, resuming condition corresponding to the type of the interruption signal transmitted by the transmitting means the Control means for controlling the wireless communication device so that the wireless communication is resumed when satisfied based on the notification by the notification means;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: A wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data with a first wireless communication device via a wireless communication network,
A communication unit for wirelessly communicating data with the first wireless communication device;
The first wireless communication device by the communication unit that is transmitted from the first wireless communication device when the type of interruption factor generated in the first wireless communication device is the first type by the communication unit. first signal as interrupt signal for interrupting the wireless communication with, or the type is transmitted in the case of the second type, the resume conditions for resuming the wireless communication is interrupted the radio communication Receiving means for receiving a second signal as an interruption signal for designating ;
When the interruption signal is received by the receiving unit, the communication unit interrupts wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, and the communication unit can receive a notification from the first wireless communication device. The received interruption of the first pause mode corresponding to the first signal waiting in a state and the second pause mode corresponding to the second signal that shuts off the power of the communication unit Control means for controlling the communication unit so as to stand by in a sleep mode according to the type of interruption factor corresponding to the signal;
The first signal corresponding to the first signal is that the first wireless communication device has notified the cancellation of the interruption factor when the communication unit is waiting in the first suspension mode by the control means. A first request means for requesting the first wireless communication device to resume wireless communication by the communication unit when the first restart condition is satisfied as a restart condition;
The second of the communication unit by the control unit is designated more that a predetermined time and then cut the power supply of the communication unit when waiting in the second sleep mode has elapsed the second signal Second request means for activating the communication unit and requesting the first wireless communication apparatus to resume wireless communication when the second restart condition is satisfied When,
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: A wireless communication method for performing wireless communication between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device via a wireless communication network,
When a first type interruption factor or a second type interruption factor occurs in the first wireless communication device, wireless communication with the first wireless communication device is performed by the communication unit of the second wireless communication device. The first type corresponding to the first type as an interrupt signal for interrupting communication or the second type as an interrupt signal for designating a restart condition when interrupting the radio communication and restarting the radio communication A second signal corresponding to is transmitted from the first wireless communication apparatus to the second wireless communication apparatus,
A first sleep mode corresponding to the first type in which the communication unit waits in a state in which a notification from the first wireless communication device can be received; and a second type that shuts off the power of the communication unit. In the sleep mode corresponding to the type of the interrupt factor corresponding to the transmitted interrupt signal of the second sleep mode corresponding to
Corresponding to the first signal that the interruption factor of the first wireless communication device is released when the communication unit of the second wireless communication device is waiting in the first suspension mode. As the first restart condition, when the first restart condition is satisfied, the wireless communication between the communication unit and the first wireless communication device is restarted,
When the communication unit of the second wireless communication device is listening on the second sleep mode, more that a predetermined time and then cut the power supply of the communication unit has passed the second signal As the specified second restart condition, when the second restart condition is satisfied, the communication unit is activated to restart wireless communication between the communication unit and the first wireless communication device. A wireless communication method characterized by the above.   A program for causing a computer to realize each means of the wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4.

Images