JP5300088B2 - Information processing apparatus and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a communication method for performing communication using a wireless LAN.

  In the Internet line, high-speed optical communication has become widespread as wired communication. Wireless LAN is becoming a bottleneck in high-speed communication. In addition, in a wireless LAN, there are many headers stored in a frame of communication data for ensuring security, so the amount of data that can be communicated is reduced by the amount of the header.

  The main standards for wireless LAN include IEEE802.11g using the 2.4 GHz band and IEEE802.11a using the 5 GHz band.

  IEEE802.11g has a longer transmission distance than IEEE802.11a and is not easily affected by obstacles. However, in IEEE802.11g, there are many electronic devices that use the same frequency band (for example, a microwave oven, a cordless telephone, Bluetooth, etc.), so that they are easily affected by noise such as interference and use the same frequency band. In the vicinity of the electronic device, the communication speed decreases or communication is difficult to connect. IEEE802.11g has 13 channels, but some channels have overlapping frequencies. For this reason, when a channel other than 3 channels whose frequencies do not completely overlap (for example, 3 channels in increments of 5 ch such as 1 ch, 6 ch, and 11 ch) is used, the communication speed decreases.

  IEEE802.11a has a larger number of channels than IEEE802.11g. For example, W52, W53, and W56 have 19 channels. In IEEE 802.11a, the frequency band to be used is not affected by other electronic devices. However, since the frequency is higher than that of IEEE802.11g (2.4 GHz band), the transmission distance becomes shorter and it is easily affected by obstacles. Further, in W53 and W56, it is determined that interference with the radar is avoided. When the radar is detected, the channel being used is stopped, and after a predetermined time elapses, the channel is shifted to another channel.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that performs streaming playback via a wireless LAN. The information processing apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a wireless unit 31, a buffer 32, and a playback unit 33. The wireless LAN base device 20 receives data (streaming data) to be streamed and reproduced from the streaming server 40 via the Internet network 50.

  The wireless unit 31 performs wireless communication with the wireless LAN base unit 20 and receives streaming data received by the wireless LAN base unit 20. The buffer 32 stores streaming data received by the wireless unit 31. The playback unit 33 performs streaming playback of data while sequentially reading the streaming data stored in the buffer 32.

  However, in such an information processing apparatus 30, when the wireless LAN communication speed is reduced, it is not possible to receive the streaming data necessary and sufficient for performing streaming reproduction, and frame dropping occurs. The playback unit 33 may not be able to perform smooth streaming playback. In addition, when communication is interrupted due to radio wave conditions, the streaming data stored in the buffer 32 may be emptied, and the playback unit 33 may stop streaming playback.

  Patent Document 1 describes a software defined radio that switches between different types of wireless communication systems at high speed and seamlessly. In the software defined radio described in Patent Document 1, the communication state measuring unit monitors the current communication state, and the wireless communication system switching unit switches from the current wireless communication system to the next candidate wireless communication system. In the software defined radio described in Patent Literature 1, before the wireless communication system is switched, a process for writing a program for realizing a wireless communication system to be a switching candidate into the FPGA group or the CPU is started. Realize high-speed switching of communication systems.

  Patent Document 2 describes a wireless communication apparatus that transmits communication using a plurality of communication bands. The wireless communication device described in Patent Literature 2 transmits data divided into a plurality of wireless band channels, and transmits the data at high speed by combining the data on the receiving side. Further, in Patent Document 2, a countermeasure when the wireless environment is deteriorated is also examined.

JP 2006-173665 A (paragraphs 0055-0057) JP 2005-277481 A (paragraph 0009, paragraph 0023, paragraph 0026-0028)

  However, the software defined radio described in Patent Document 1 requires a work to rewrite the software of a new wireless communication system. For example, when the radio wave condition changes and the wireless communication system must be frequently switched In addition, a process of writing a program of a wireless communication system that is a candidate for switching is frequently performed, and it is expected that the load on the CPU increases.

  In addition, the wireless communication device described in Patent Document 2 realizes high-speed and high-quality transmission by dividing data into a plurality of wireless bands and transmitting / receiving data. To do so, it occupies a plurality of radio bands. In wireless communication, it is important to ensure security for communication data. However, in the wireless communication device described in Patent Document 2, only basic security is considered in the wireless LAN standard.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing apparatus and a communication method that perform wireless communication safely with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in communication speed.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of wireless units that perform communication using a wireless LAN, a communication unit that performs communication using a method other than the wireless LAN, a monitoring unit that monitors a radio wave situation in each of the wireless units, and a monitoring unit. Based on the monitoring result, a determination unit that determines which wireless unit performs communication, and a control unit that switches a wireless unit that performs communication according to a determination result by the determination unit, is determined to perform communication by the determination unit. The wireless unit transmits the encrypted communication data, the other wireless unit transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted communication data, and the control unit determines the determination result by the determination unit. In accordance with the above, control is performed so that both the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit that have performed communication simultaneously communicate with each other, and the determination unit determines that the monitoring results in one wireless unit and the other wireless units are less than a predetermined value. Become In this case, it is determined that communication is performed using a communication unit together with one wireless unit and another wireless unit, and the control unit performs communication using the communication unit together with one wireless unit and another wireless unit. If it is determined, control is performed such that communication is performed using a communication unit together with one radio unit and another radio unit .

Communication method according to the invention, a plurality of radio unit for communicating by wireless LAN Rutotomoni a communication method in an information processing apparatus including a communication unit for communicating by a method other than the wireless LAN, radio waves in the respective radio unit The situation is monitored, and based on the monitoring result, it is determined which wireless unit performs communication, and according to the determination result, the wireless unit that performs communication is switched, and the wireless unit that is determined to perform communication performs an encryption process. The other wireless unit transmits the performed communication data, and another wireless unit transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted communication data, and one wireless unit and the other wireless unit that were communicating according to the determination result When the monitoring results in one radio unit and other radio units are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the communication unit is used together with one radio unit and other radio units. When it is determined that communication is performed and it is determined that communication is performed using one communication unit and another wireless unit, communication is performed using the communication unit together with one wireless unit and another wireless unit. It is characterized by controlling .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform wireless communication safely with a simple configuration while suppressing a decrease in communication speed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the information processing apparatus by this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of switching a wireless unit in the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which switches a radio | wireless part in the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which switches a radio | wireless part in the information processing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which switches a radio | wireless part in the information processing apparatus of 4th Embodiment by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the information processing apparatus by this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that performs streaming playback via a wireless LAN.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment (Embodiment 1) of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a monitoring unit 12, a processing unit 13, radio units 14 and 15, and a buffer 16. The information processing apparatus 10 performs wireless communication with the wireless LAN base unit 20 using the wireless unit 14 or the wireless unit 15. The information processing apparatus 10 may be provided with three or more wireless units.

  In accordance with an instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 switches the wireless unit used for wireless communication with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (wireless unit for communication) to either the wireless unit 14 or the wireless unit 15.

  The monitoring unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed of wireless communication performed between the wireless units 14 and 15 and the wireless LAN base unit 20. In addition, the monitoring unit 12 determines which wireless unit performs communication according to a change in the surrounding environment such as whether the communication speed is lower than a predetermined communication speed. Then, the monitoring unit 12 instructs the control unit 11 to perform control based on the determination result.

  For example, the monitoring unit 12 is set in advance with a prescribed value for the communication speed that serves as a reference for instructing the switching of the wireless unit. The monitoring unit 12 uses the communication rate in the wireless units 14 and 15 and the preset rule. Based on the value, it is determined which radio unit performs communication. The monitoring unit 12 may determine which wireless unit performs communication based on the communication speed in the wireless units 14 and 15 and the communication speed necessary for streaming reproduction notified from the processing unit 13. .

  The processing unit 13 performs processing on communication data transmitted and received by wireless communication by the wireless unit 14 or the wireless unit 15. For example, the processing unit 13 stores the data received by the wireless units 14 and 15 in the buffer 16 and performs streaming playback while sequentially reading the streaming data stored in the buffer 16. In addition, the processing unit 13 notifies the monitoring unit of the communication speed necessary for streaming playback.

  The wireless unit 14 performs wireless communication with the wireless LAN base unit 20 according to, for example, the IEEE 802.11g standard. The wireless unit 15 performs wireless communication with the wireless LAN base unit 20 according to, for example, IEEE 802.11a standard. The wireless units 14 and 15 may be the same wireless LAN standard or different wireless LAN standards.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 2, an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus 10 will be described.

  First, the information processing apparatus 10 connects to the wireless LAN base unit 20 to perform wireless communication (step S11). At this time, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the communication speed in the wireless unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as wireless unit A) and the wireless unit 15 (hereinafter referred to as wireless unit B). The monitoring unit 12 compares the communication speed in the wireless unit A with the communication speed in the wireless unit B (step S12).

  In step S12, when the communication speed in the wireless unit A is higher (Y in step S12), the monitoring unit 12 instructs the control unit 11 to communicate with the wireless unit A. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 using the wireless unit A (step S13).

  When communication using the wireless unit A is started in step S <b> 13, the monitoring unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed in the wireless unit A. Then, it is determined whether or not the communication speed in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than the specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S14).

  When the communication speed in the wireless unit A is not equal to or less than the specified communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit A is continued. When the communication speed in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than the specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S14), the monitoring unit 12 causes the control unit 11 to switch the wireless unit for communication. Instruct. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 switches from the wireless unit A to the wireless unit B and communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S15).

  Specifically, the control unit 11 stops communication by the wireless unit A and starts communication by the wireless unit B. Data being received at the time of switching between wireless units is combined in the processing unit 13. Note that the processing from the stop of communication by the wireless unit A to the start of communication by the wireless unit B, the process of requesting retransmission of damaged data, and the like may use general conventional techniques. The same processing is performed when switching from communication by the wireless unit B described later to communication by the wireless unit A.

  In step S12, also when the communication speed in the wireless unit A is not higher than the communication speed in the wireless unit B (N in step S12), the monitoring unit 12 instructs the control unit 11 to communicate with the wireless unit B. The control unit 11 performs communication using the wireless unit B according to the instruction.

  When communication using the wireless unit B is started in step S15, the monitoring unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed in the wireless unit B. Then, it is determined whether or not the communication speed in the wireless unit B is equal to or less than a specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S16).

  If the communication speed in the wireless unit B is not equal to or less than the specified communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit B is continued. When the communication speed in the wireless unit B is equal to or lower than the specified communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S16), the monitoring unit 12 switches the wireless unit to be communicated to the control unit 11. Instruct. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 switches from the wireless unit B to the wireless unit A and communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S13).

  When the monitoring unit 12 is notified of the communication speed necessary for streaming reproduction from the processing unit 13, the monitoring unit 12 indicates that the communication speed in the wireless unit with which communication is performed is equal to or lower than the communication speed necessary for streaming reproduction. It may be determined whether or not to switch the wireless unit to communicate based on whether or not. In addition, the monitoring unit 12 determines which of the wireless unit A and the wireless unit B has the higher communication speed, and communicates with the control unit 11 using the wireless unit with the higher communication speed. Switching may be instructed.

  The processing unit 13 notifies the monitoring unit 12 of the storage amount of the streaming data stored in the buffer 16 so that the streaming data stored in the buffer 16 does not become empty when streaming playback is performed. May be. At this time, the monitoring unit 12 may determine whether to switch the wireless unit to communicate based on the storage amount of the streaming data stored in the buffer 16 notified by the processing unit 13.

  Such an information processing apparatus 10 monitors the radio wave conditions (in this case, the communication speed) in the wireless units A and B, and when the wireless environment changes and the communication speed decreases, based on the monitoring result, Switch the wireless unit to communicate. That is, it is possible to determine a wireless unit that communicates in response to a change in the wireless environment, and to suppress a decrease in the communication speed of wireless communication. In particular, when radio units having different standards are used, it can be expected that radio units having more appropriate standards are properly used according to radio wave conditions and communication speeds.

  Further, in such an information processing apparatus 10, the monitoring unit 12 compares the communication speed in the wireless unit with a predetermined value set in advance, and determines which wireless unit performs communication. At this time, if a prescribed value faster than the minimum communication speed necessary for streaming reproduction is set, the communication speed necessary for streaming reproduction can be ensured by switching the wireless unit. Then, it is possible to prevent frame dropping from occurring during streaming reproduction and to realize smooth streaming reproduction.

  Further, in such an information processing apparatus 10, since the wireless unit to be communicated is switched based on the result of monitoring the communication speeds of the wireless units A and B constantly or periodically, streaming playback stops due to the decrease in the communication speed. Can be prevented. For example, if the communication speed in the wireless unit A that is communicating decreases, the streaming data stored in the buffer decreases, and eventually it becomes empty and streaming playback stops. The unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed and switches the wireless unit for communication to the wireless unit B, so that the streaming data stored in the buffer becomes empty before the streaming data stored in the buffer becomes empty. Can be received and stored in a buffer.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The configuration of the second embodiment (embodiment 2) of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is the same as the configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The information processing apparatus 10 is connected to the wireless LAN base unit 20, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the communication speed in the wireless units A and B, and instructs the control unit 11 to perform communication with the wireless unit with the higher communication speed. Operations (corresponding to steps S21 to S23 and S26 shown in FIG. 3) are the same as the operations shown in steps S11 to S13 and S15 of FIG.

  When communication using the wireless unit A is started in step S23, the monitoring unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed in the wireless unit A. Then, it is determined whether or not the communication speed in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than the specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S24).

  When the communication speed in the wireless unit A is not equal to or less than the specified communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit A is continued. When the communication speed in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than the specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S24), the monitoring unit 12 sends not only the wireless unit A but also the wireless unit A to the control unit 11. The wireless unit B is instructed to switch the wireless unit so that communication can be performed. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 controls the wireless unit A and the wireless unit B to perform communication simultaneously with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S25).

  When communication using the wireless unit B is started in step S26, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the communication speed in the wireless unit B constantly or periodically. Then, it is determined whether or not the communication speed in the wireless unit B is equal to or less than a specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S27).

  If the communication speed in the wireless unit B is not equal to or less than the specified communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit B is continued. When the communication speed in the wireless unit B is equal to or less than the specified value of the communication speed set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S27), the monitoring unit 12 sends not only the wireless unit B to the control unit 11, The wireless unit A is instructed to switch the wireless unit so as to perform communication. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 controls the wireless unit B and the wireless unit A to perform communication simultaneously with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S28).

  In steps S25 and S28, when communication is performed by a plurality of wireless units, the processing unit 13 performs a combination process of data received by each wireless unit.

  In such an information processing apparatus 10, when a sufficient communication speed cannot be ensured only by the wireless unit A or the wireless unit B due to changes in the surrounding wireless environment, communication is performed by both wireless units to reduce the amount of data communication. For example, performance degradation in streaming playback can be prevented. Specifically, when the communication speed in the wireless unit (for example, wireless unit A) decreases during streaming reproduction, the amount of streaming data received per hour decreases. If this is the case, the streaming data stored in the buffer 16 may be emptied, and streaming playback may stop. However, the communication between the wireless unit A and the wireless unit B causes the total amount of data communication. Streaming playback can be continued by compensating for the drop in the image quality and preventing streaming playback from stopping or dropping frames.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
The configuration of the third embodiment (embodiment 3) of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is the same as the configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  The monitoring unit 12 of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment constantly or periodically monitors the received signal strength received by the wireless units 14 and 15 from the wireless LAN base unit 20. Received signal strength is affected by surrounding wireless usage. Therefore, the monitoring unit 12 can monitor the surrounding wireless usage status by monitoring the received signal strength.

  Then, the monitoring unit 12 determines which wireless unit performs communication based on the received signal strength in the wireless units 14 and 15. For example, the monitoring unit 12 is preset with a prescribed value of the received signal strength for determining a wireless unit that performs communication.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 4, an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the information processing apparatus 10 connects to the wireless LAN base unit 20 to perform wireless communication (step S31). At this time, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the received signal strength in the wireless unit A and the wireless unit B. The monitoring unit 12 compares the received signal strength at the wireless unit A with the received signal strength at the wireless unit B (step S32).

  In step S32, when the received signal strength in the wireless unit A is larger (Y in step S32), the monitoring unit 12 instructs the control unit 11 to communicate with the wireless unit A. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 using the wireless unit A (step S33).

  When communication using the wireless unit A is started in step S33, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the received signal strength in the wireless unit A constantly or periodically. Then, it is determined whether or not the received signal strength in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than a specified value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S34).

  If the received signal strength in the wireless unit A is not less than the prescribed value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit A is continued. When the received signal strength in the wireless unit A is equal to or less than the specified value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S34), the monitoring unit 12 sends a wireless unit to be communicated to the control unit 11. Instruct to switch. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 switches from the wireless unit A to the wireless unit B and communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S35).

  In step S32, also when the received signal strength in the wireless unit A is not larger than the received signal strength in the wireless unit B (N in step S32), the monitoring unit 12 causes the wireless unit B to communicate. The control unit 11 performs communication using the wireless unit B in accordance with the instruction.

  When communication using the wireless unit B is started in step S35, the monitoring unit 12 monitors the received signal strength in the wireless unit B constantly or periodically. Then, it is determined whether or not the received signal strength in the wireless unit B is equal to or less than a specified value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12 (step S36).

  If the received signal strength in the wireless unit B is not less than or equal to the specified value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12, communication using the wireless unit B is continued. When the received signal strength in the wireless unit B is equal to or less than the specified value of the received signal strength set in the monitoring unit 12 (Y in step S36), the monitoring unit 12 sends a wireless unit to be communicated to the control unit 11. Instruct to switch. Receiving the instruction from the monitoring unit 12, the control unit 11 switches from the wireless unit B to the wireless unit A and communicates with the wireless LAN base unit 20 (step S33).

  In such an information processing apparatus 10, it is determined which wireless unit performs communication based on the received signal strength in each wireless unit. Therefore, when the received signal strength in the wireless unit is low, communication is performed by switching to another wireless unit. It can be performed. That is, it is possible to prevent the received signal strength from being lowered due to frequency interference or the like, and the communication accuracy from being lowered. It can also be expected to prevent a decrease in communication speed by ensuring a reliable communication method with high communication accuracy.

  Note that the monitoring unit 12 may monitor the reception signal strength and the communication speed in the wireless units A and B, and may determine a wireless unit that performs communication based on each monitoring result. In such an information processing apparatus 10, not only the communication speed but also the received signal strength that is influenced by the surrounding wireless usage status can be used as a trigger for switching wireless units. At this time, it is conceivable to switch the wireless unit before the communication speed actually decreases, and an improvement in communication efficiency can be expected.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment (embodiment 4) of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided with a communication unit (not shown) in addition to the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

  The communication unit is a module that enables communication between the information processing apparatus 10 and the outside by a communication method (for example, wired LAN or mobile phone communication) different from the wireless units A and B. Note that a plurality of communication units may be provided inside the information processing apparatus 10. Further, the communication unit may realize the communication function of the communication unit by providing only the control interface inside the information processing apparatus 10 and connecting and controlling the information processing apparatus 10 outside.

  The monitoring unit 12 is preset with two types of prescribed values P and Q of the communication speed. For example, it is assumed that the specified value P indicates a higher communication speed than the specified value Q.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 5, an operation of switching the wireless unit in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The information processing apparatus 10 communicates with both of the wireless units A and B at the same time, depending on the comparison result of whether the communication speed is below the specified value (specified value P). Thus, the operation | movement which switches a radio part (equivalent to step S41-48 shown in FIG. 5) is the same as the operation | movement shown to step S21-S28 of FIG.

  When communication is performed in both the wireless units A and B in step S45 or S48, the monitoring unit 12 constantly or periodically monitors the communication speed in the wireless units A and B. Then, it is compared whether or not both of the communication speeds in the wireless units A and B are equal to or less than a specified value (specified value Q) preset in the monitoring unit 12 (step S49).

  In step S49, when the communication speed in at least one of the wireless units A and B is not equal to or less than the specified value Q (N in step S49), the wireless units A and B communicate as they are (step S50). Note that the monitoring unit 12 may continuously monitor the communication speed in the wireless units A and B and repeatedly perform the determination in step S49.

  In step S49, when the communication speed in both the wireless units A and B is equal to or less than the specified value Q (Y in step S49), the monitoring unit 12 instructs the control unit 11 to perform communication also in the communication unit. . In accordance with the instruction, the control unit 11 performs communication using not only the wireless units A and B but also the communication unit (step S51). The processing unit 13 processes and collects data received by the wireless units A and B and the communication unit.

  In such an information processing apparatus 10, even when the wireless environment deteriorates and the communication speed in the wireless units A and B decreases, the received data is supplemented by the communication unit having a communication method other than the wireless LAN. Even when both the wireless units A and B cannot secure the communication speed, for example, it is possible to prevent a frame drop or stop of streaming playback.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
A fifth embodiment (embodiment 5) of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment communicates with the wireless LAN base device 20 and transmits communication data to an external apparatus (for example, another information processing apparatus).

  For example, it is assumed that data communication is performed using the wireless unit A by the determination by the monitoring unit 12 illustrated in each of the first to fourth embodiments. At this time, the wireless unit A performs an encryption process using a predetermined encryption method on the communication data to be transmitted. Then, the wireless unit A transmits the encrypted communication data to the wireless LAN base unit 20. On the other hand, the wireless unit B creates a decryption key necessary for decrypting the communication data encrypted by the wireless unit A, and transmits the decryption key to the wireless LAN base unit 20.

  Note that the processing unit 13 may perform encryption processing on communication data to be transmitted and create a decryption key corresponding to the communication data. At this time, the processing unit 13 outputs the encrypted communication data to the wireless unit A and outputs the decryption key to the wireless unit B. The wireless unit A transmits the encrypted communication data to the wireless LAN base unit 20, and the wireless unit B transmits the decryption key to the wireless LAN base unit 20.

  The wireless LAN base device 20 transmits the encrypted communication data received from the wireless units A and B and the decryption key of the communication data to an external device that is a transmission destination via the Internet network or the like. The external device decrypts the communication data using the encrypted communication data received from the wireless LAN base unit 20 and the decryption key of the communication data.

  In such an information processing apparatus 10, since the encrypted communication data and the decryption key are separately transmitted from the separate modules of the wireless unit A and the wireless unit B, the encrypted communication is performed from one wireless unit. A higher security effect can be expected than when data and a decryption key are output.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be realized by combining one or more of the above embodiments. In each of the above embodiments, the information processing apparatus having the wireless units A and B has been described. However, the information processing apparatus may be provided with three or more wireless units that perform wireless communication.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 1 (for example, the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1) includes a plurality of wireless units 2 and 3 (for example, the wireless unit 14 shown in FIG. , 15), a monitoring unit 4 for monitoring radio wave conditions in each of the wireless units 2 and 3 (for example, corresponding to the monitoring unit 12 shown in FIG. A determination unit 5 (for example, equivalent to the monitoring unit 12 shown in FIG. 1) for determining whether to perform communication, and a control unit 6 (for example, FIG. 1) that switches a wireless unit for communication according to the determination result by the determination unit 5. The wireless unit 2 determined to perform communication by the determination unit 5 transmits the communication data subjected to the encryption process, and the other wireless unit 3 is encrypted. Send a decryption key to decrypt the communication data It is configured.

  In each of the above embodiments, information processing apparatuses as shown in the following (1) to (7) are also disclosed.

(1) Provided with a notification unit for notifying the storage amount of data (for example, streaming data) stored in a buffer (for example, equivalent to the buffer 16 shown in FIG. 1) for storing data received by the wireless unit The information processing apparatus determines that communication is performed by a wireless unit different from the wireless unit currently performing communication when the storage amount of data notified from the notification unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

(2) The monitoring unit monitors the communication speed in each of the wireless units, and the determination unit determines which wireless unit performs communication based on the communication speed that is the monitoring result by the monitoring unit (for example, FIG. 2 is realized by the operation shown in steps S14 and S16 of FIG.

(3) The monitoring unit monitors the received signal strength in each of the radio units, and the determination unit determines which radio unit performs communication based on the received signal strength as a monitoring result by the monitoring unit (for example, , Realized by the operations shown in steps S34 and S36 in FIG.

(4) The determination unit determines that communication is performed by another wireless unit when the monitoring result for the wireless unit performing communication by the monitoring unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, step S14 in FIG. 2, 16) The information processing apparatus.

(5) The control unit performs control so that both the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit that have performed communication simultaneously communicate according to the determination result by the determination unit (for example, in steps S25 and S28 in FIG. 3). Realized by the operation shown.) Information processing apparatus.

(6) An information processing apparatus in which the wireless unit performs wireless communication in accordance with one of the wireless LAN standards of IEEE802.11g and IEEE802.11a.

(7) A communication unit (for example, corresponding to the communication unit in the fourth embodiment) that performs communication by a method other than wireless LAN is provided, and the determination unit has a communication speed of a plurality of wireless units that is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. In addition, it is determined that communication by both the wireless unit and the communication unit is performed, and the control unit performs switching according to the determination result by the determination unit (for example, realized by the operation illustrated in steps S49 and 51 in FIG. 5). Information processing device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2,3 Wireless part 4 Monitoring part 5 Judgment part 6 Control part 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Control part 12 Monitoring part 13 Processing part 14,15 Wireless part 16 Buffer 20 Wireless LAN main | base station 30 Information processing apparatus 31 Wireless part 32 Buffer 33 Playback unit 40 Streaming server 50 Internet network

Claims (8)

A plurality of wireless units that perform communication by wireless LAN;
A communication unit that performs communication by a method other than wireless LAN;
A monitoring unit for monitoring a radio wave condition in each of the wireless units;
A determination unit that determines which wireless unit performs communication based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit;
A control unit that switches a wireless unit that performs communication according to a determination result by the determination unit,
The wireless unit determined to perform communication by the determination unit transmits the communication data subjected to the encryption process, and the other wireless unit transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted communication data. And
The control unit controls to perform communication simultaneously with both one radio unit and the other radio unit that are communicating according to the determination result by the determination unit,
The determination unit communicates using the communication unit together with the one radio unit and the other radio unit when the monitoring results in the one radio unit and the other radio unit are less than a predetermined value. Judging to do,
The control unit, together with the one radio unit and the other radio unit, when the determination unit determines to perform communication using the communication unit together with the one radio unit and the other radio unit, the communication unit An information processing apparatus that performs control so that communication is also performed using . A notification unit for notifying a storage amount of data stored in a buffer for storing data received by the wireless unit;
The determination unit determines that communication is performed by a wireless unit different from a wireless unit currently performing communication when a storage amount of data notified from the notification unit is a predetermined value or less. Information processing device. The monitoring unit monitors the communication speed in each of the radio units,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines which wireless unit performs communication based on a communication speed that is a monitoring result of the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit monitors the received signal strength in each of the radio units,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines which radio unit performs communication based on a received signal strength that is a monitoring result of the monitoring unit. The determination unit determines that communication is performed by another wireless unit when a monitoring result for the wireless unit performing communication by the monitoring unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The information processing apparatus according to item 1. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the wireless unit performs wireless communication in accordance with a wireless LAN standard of either IEEE 802.11g or IEEE 802.11a. A communication unit that performs communication by a method other than wireless LAN;
The determination unit determines that communication by both the wireless unit and the communication unit is performed when the communication speed by a plurality of wireless units is equal to or lower than a predetermined value,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the control unit performs switching according to a determination result by the determination unit. A plurality of radio unit for communicating by wireless LAN Rutotomoni a communication method in an information processing apparatus including a communication unit for communicating by a method other than the wireless LAN,
Monitor the radio wave status in each of the radio units,
Based on the monitoring result, determine which wireless unit performs communication,
According to the determination result, the wireless unit for communication is switched,
The wireless unit determined to perform communication transmits communication data subjected to encryption processing,
Another wireless unit transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted communication data ,
In accordance with the determination result, control is performed so that communication is simultaneously performed by both one wireless unit and the other wireless unit that are performing communication,
When monitoring results in the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit are both equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that communication is performed using the communication unit together with the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit,
When it is determined that communication is performed using the communication unit together with the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit, control is performed so that communication is performed using the communication unit together with the one wireless unit and the other wireless unit. A communication method characterized by:

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