JP5619267B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device in a network system composed of a plurality of communication devices and a communication control method thereof.

  As a wireless LAN product, a dual-mode product having both an access point (AP) function and a station (STA) function is also commercially available.

  In addition, functions aimed at improving security and effective use of wireless bands have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses communication that connects to a first network, transmits / receives information related to the construction of a new second network within the first network, and shifts to the second network for application execution. A scheme has been proposed.

JP 2006-101416 A

  However, in the above conventional example, when a STA participating in the second network leaves, another STA of the second network cannot return to the first network.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining a problem in the conventional network communication control method. In this example, a personal computer (PC) 101, a display 102, a printer 103, and a digital video camera 104 are connected to an access point (AP) 100 to form a home network. In this state, the digital video camera 104 requests formation of a temporary network, and after the display 102 forms a temporary network as an AP, the digital video camera 104 leaves the temporary network.

  First, the digital video camera 104 makes a network migration request to the printer 103 via the AP 100 (S2200). In response to this network migration request, the printer 103 makes a network migration response (S2201). Similarly, the digital video camera 104 makes a network migration request to the display 102 (S2202), and the display 102 makes a network migration response (S2203).

  Next, the display 102 stops the operation in the STA mode (S2204) and operates in the AP mode (S2205). The display 102 periodically transmits a beacon signal (not shown). Here, when the display 102 operates in the AP mode, the camera 104 and the printer 103 perform connection processing with respect to the display 102 (S2206 to S2209) to form the temporary network 200. Then, the temporary network 200 causes the camera 104 to display a streaming image on the display 102 and print on the printer 103.

  Thereafter, when the user of the camera 104 turns off the power of the camera 104 or the communication quality deteriorates, the communication between the camera 104 and the display 102 is disconnected (S2210). In this case, since the display 102 operates as an AP of the temporary network 200, it detects that the camera 104 has left the temporary network 200.

  However, the connection between the display 102 and the printer 103 is maintained. As a result, the display 102 and the printer 103 remain in the temporary network 200 in a state where no one is using them, and it is not possible to return to the home network 105.

  Accordingly, the PC 102 cannot access the display 102 or the printer 103 via the home network AP 100 (S2212, S2213).

  As described above, the conventional communication control method has a problem in that it is not easy to use for devices connected to the home network.

  An object of the present invention is to improve usability when a specific communication device is disconnected from a wireless network or when a base station terminates a wireless network.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to one aspect of the present invention provides
Detecting means for detecting that another communication device operating as a station has left the first wireless network when the communication device is operating as an access point of the first wireless network;
If the predetermined wireless communication device different from the other communication device remains in the first wireless network when the detection means detects the disconnection of the other communication device, the first wireless network And ending means for ending the first wireless network when a predetermined communication device different from the other communication device does not remain in the first wireless network.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability when a specific communication device is disconnected from the wireless network or when the base station terminates the wireless network.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the home network system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the network system newly constructed | assembled from the home network. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the display 102 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the communication control part 302 of the display 102 in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication control which returns a communication apparatus from the temporary network to a home network in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication control of the communication apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement which a dual terminal returns from the temporary network to a home network in the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement which a dual terminal returns from the temporary network to a home network in the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the communication control part 302 of the display 102 in 2nd Embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an STA management register 900. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication control which returns each communication apparatus from the temporary network to a home network in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication control of the communication apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication apparatus connected to the temporary network 200 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the STA management register 900 of the display 102 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication control which returns each communication apparatus from the temporary network to a home network in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication control of the communication apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement which returns each communication apparatus from the temporary network to a home network in 4th Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating communication control of a printer according to a fourth embodiment. , , 3 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a STA management register 900 of the printer 103. FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the problem in the conventional network communication control method.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, communication control for returning another communication device of the temporary network to the home network when a specific communication device that has transitioned from the home network to the temporary network leaves the temporary network will be described. First, a communication device constituting a network system and a configuration of the communication device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a home network system according to the first embodiment. Here, a personal computer (PC) 101, a display 102, a printer 103, and a digital video camera (hereinafter, camera) 104 are connected to an access point (AP) 100 as a station (STA) to form a home network 105. The display 102, the printer 103, and the camera 104 are dual terminals that have both the AP function and the STA function and can operate in the dual mode (AP mode or STA mode).

  Here, the access point is a device that accommodates a station and operates as a base station. A station is a device that participates as a terminal in a network constructed by an access point and performs wireless communication via the access point. The dual mode is a mode that can operate in both the AP mode that operates as an access point and the STA mode that operates as a station.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network system temporarily constructed from a home network. In this example, the user of the camera 104 requests to form a temporary network in order to use the display 102 and the printer 103, and the display 102 operates in the AP mode and the temporary network 200 is constructed. The printer 103 and the camera 104 can also operate in the AP mode.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the display 102 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 102 includes an image processing unit 300, a display unit 301, and a communication control unit 302. Here, the image processing unit 300 processes an image displayed on the display unit 301. The communication control unit 302 performs communication control with other communication apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the communication control unit 302 of the display 102 according to the first embodiment. Here, the display 102 will be described as an example, but it is assumed that the communication control unit in another dual terminal such as the printer 103 is similarly configured.

  The CPU 400 controls the communication control unit 302 as a whole according to programs and control data stored in the ROM 401. The ROM 401 includes an STA function control unit 403 that stores a program that causes the display 102 to operate as an STA function, and an AP function control unit 404 that stores a program that causes the display 102 to operate as an AP function. A communication parameter storage unit 402 that stores communication parameters necessary for connection to the home network 105 and the temporary network 200 is also provided in the ROM 401.

  The RAM 405 includes an area (not shown) in which a program in the ROM 401 is expanded, a mode management register 406, an application management register 407, and the like. Here, the mode management register 406 stores in which mode AP / STA the display 102 is operating. Specifically, when the display 102 operates in the AP mode, the CPU 400 writes “1” to the mode management register 406, and when the display 102 operates in the STA mode, writes “0” to the mode management register 406.

  The application management register 407 manages the operating state of the host application with other communication devices such as the printer 103 and the camera 104. If the host application is operating, the CPU 400 writes “1” in the application management register 407, and otherwise writes “0”. Whether or not an application is operating can be determined by determining whether or not a communication port is open for each communication device.

  The timer 408 is a programmable timer that can be programmed by the CPU 400, measures the time set by the CPU 400, and causes the CPU 400 to generate an interrupt signal when the time elapses. The wireless unit 409 performs wireless communication with another communication device via an antenna using a wireless LAN function compliant with IEEE802.11.

  Here, an operation in which the printer 103 and the display 102 return from the temporary network 200 to the home network 105 after the camera 104 is detached from the temporary network 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication control for returning the communication device from the temporary network to the home network in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating communication control of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. This communication control is executed by the communication control unit of the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the dual terminals of the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103 form a temporary network 200 (600). At this time, the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103 each store communication parameters necessary for connection to the home network 105 in the communication parameter storage unit 402. Further, since the display 102 is operating in the AP mode, the mode management register 406 is “1”, and since the camera 104 and the printer 103 are operating in the STA mode, the mode management register 406 is “0”.

  The CPU 400 of the display 102 checks the mode management register 406 and determines that it is operating in the AP mode (YES in 601). Further, the CPU 400 of the camera 104 and the printer 103 checks the mode management register 406 and determines that it is operating in the STA mode (NO in 601).

  Here, the user of the camera 104 operates the camera 104 to intentionally leave the camera 104 from the temporary network 200 (S500). Then, the CPU 400 of the display 102 detects that the camera 104 that is a subordinate STA has left the temporary network 200 (YES in S501 and 602). Here, it is determined based on the value of the application management register 407 whether or not an application with the camera 104 is operating (603).

  If the application management register 407 is “1” and the application is operating (YES in 603), the CPU 400 of the display 102 starts the timer 408 (604) and waits for the camera 104 to request connection again. . Thereafter, when the camera 104 requests connection again (YES in 605), the process returns to 602.

  On the other hand, if the timer 408 has timed out (YES in 606) or if it is determined that the application is not operating (NO in 603), the dual camera (printer 103) is notified that the camera 104 has been disconnected (S502). 607). Then, the CPU 400 of the display 102 stops the operation in the AP mode (S503, 608), and after operating in the STA mode (S506, 609), transmits a connection request to the AP 100 (S507). Thereafter, when a connection response is received from the AP 100 (S508), the network returns to the home network 105 (610).

  At this time, the CPU 400 of the display 102 performs a return using the communication parameters of the home network 105 stored in the communication parameter storage unit 402. Further, since the CPU 400 of the camera 104 has left the temporary network 200 by the user's operation in 611 (YES in 611), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 has not left the temporary network 200 (NO in 611), and has received a disconnection notification from the display 102 (YES in S502 and 612). Therefore, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 transmits a connection request to the AP 100 using the communication parameters of the home network 105 stored in the communication parameter storage unit 402 (S504). When a connection response is received from the AP 100 (S505), the network returns to the home network 105 (610).

  In this way, the display 102 and the printer 103 can return to the home network 105, and the PC 101 can use the display 102 and the printer 103.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent a device that is not used from being left in the temporary network 200, and to realize a user-friendly network for the user of the home network 105.

  In S502 and 607, the display 102 issues a disconnection notification to the printer 103, but the disconnection notification may not be performed. Here, the printer 103 can detect the stop of the AP function of the display 102 by stopping a beacon signal (not shown) transmitted from the display 102. The sequence in that case is shown in FIG.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation in which the dual terminal returns from the temporary network to the home network in the first modification of the first embodiment. The same operations as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As in the first embodiment, when the CPU 400 of the display 102 detects that the camera 104 has left the temporary network 200 in S500 (S501), the AP function is stopped (S503). Here, the printer 103 cannot receive the beacon signal (S700) periodically received from the display 102 (S701), and determines that the AP function of the display 102 is stopped (S702). Based on this determination, the printer 103 returns to the home network 105 as in the first embodiment.

[Modification 2]
As another configuration, a signal (Deauthentication signal) for disconnecting the printer 103 from the temporary network 200 may be used instead of the disconnection notification in S502 and S607.

  The printer 103 may attempt to reconnect to the temporary network 200 several times after receiving the signal to disconnect. The display 102 can indicate to the printer 103 that it will return to the home network 105 by rejecting all of the number of reconnections the printer 103 has attempted. The sequence in that case is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation in which the dual terminal returns from the temporary network to the home network in the second modification of the first embodiment. The same operations as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the CPU 400 of the printer 103 receives a disconnection signal from the display 102 (S800), it transmits a connection request to the display 102 (S801). The CPU 400 of the display 102 responds to the connection request with a connection response (= failure) (S801), and rejects the reconnection of the printer 103. Similar processing is also performed in S803 and S804.

  The CPU 400 of the printer 103 determines to return to the home network 105 when the connection request is rejected several times in S801 to S804, and returns to the home network 105 (S504 and S505).

  In addition, it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained even if the withdrawal notification in S502 shown in FIG. 5 is a signal that instructs the printer 103 to return to the home network 105.

  Further, the dual terminal (camera 104) that leaves the temporary network 200 may notify the display 102 that it has left prior to the departure. As a result, the dual terminal (display 102) that detects the separation can quickly detect the separation.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, when a specific communication device having an instruction function for an application executed in a temporary network is disconnected, the home network is restored. Here, the instruction function is, for example, a function for instructing printing in the case of a printing application, or a function for instructing display by selecting an image in an application for selecting and displaying an image.

  Only when the communication device having this instruction function leaves the temporary network, the recovery is performed. As a result, the communication device having the instruction function can use the instructed terminal as long as even one instructed terminal exists in the temporary network.

  Note that the communication apparatus configuring the network and the configuration thereof are the same as those in the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the communication control unit 302 of the display 102 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, a STA management register 900 is further added to the configuration of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the STA management register 900.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the STA management register 900 stores a serial number 1000 of a communication device existing in the temporary network 200, a MAC address 1001, a physical function 1002, and a logical function 1003. Here, when the communication device existing in the temporary network 200 is the above-described instruction terminal, the fact is stored in the logical function 1003.

  Here, the operation of returning to the home network 105 based on the information stored in the STA management register 900 of the display 102 after the instruction terminal has left will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. A description of the same operation as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and a different operation will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication control for returning each communication device from the temporary network to the home network in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating communication control of the communication device according to the second embodiment. This communication control is executed by the communication control unit of the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103.

  As shown in FIG. 11, after the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103 construct the temporary network 200, the camera 104 notifies the display 102 that it is an instruction terminal by including it in the terminal function notification (S1100). In addition, the printer 103 notifies the display 102 that it is not the instruction terminal by including it in the terminal function notification (S1101). On the other hand, when the display 102 receives the terminal function notification from the camera 104 and the printer 103, the CPU 400 stores the MAC address 1001, the physical function 1002, and the logical function 1003 in the STA management register 900 (S1102).

  The STA management register 900 of the display 102 at this time is stored as shown in FIG. That is, the serial number 1 is information related to the camera 104, the MAC address 1001 is “aa: aa: aa: aa: aa: aa”, the physical function 1100 is an STA, and the logical function 1003 is an instruction terminal. The serial number 2 is information related to the printer 103. The MAC address 1001 is “bb: bb: bb: bb: bb: bb”, the physical function 1002 is STA, and the logical function 1003 is others.

  In this state, it is assumed that the communication between the printer 103 and the display 102 is disconnected for some reason (S1103). Then, the CPU 400 of the display 102 refers to the STA management register 900 and determines whether or not the printer 103 is an instruction terminal (1200). In this example, since the logical function 1003 of the printer 103 whose serial number 1000 is 2 is not an instruction terminal (NO in 1200), the CPU 400 of the display 102 returns to the processing of 602.

  Next, the camera 104 executes an application such as an image display with the display 102 (S1204), and the camera 104 leaves the temporary network 200 in S500. Then, the CPU 400 of the display 102 refers to the STA management register 900 and determines whether the camera 104 is an instruction terminal (1200). In this example, since the camera 104 with the serial number 1000 is the logical function 1003 is the instruction terminal (YES in 1200), it is determined in 1201 whether or not the STA remains in the temporary network 200. In this example, since the printer 103 and the camera 104 are disconnected in S1103 and S500, no STA remains (NO in 1201). Therefore, the CPU 400 of the display 102 stops the AP function (S503) and returns to the home network 105 as in the first embodiment (S506 to S508).

  According to the second embodiment, the user of the camera 104 that is an instruction terminal can use the display 102 in the temporary network 200 even when the printer 103 that is an instruction terminal leaves the temporary network 200. Become.

  Further, the terminal function notification in S1100 and S1101 may be performed only by the communication apparatus whose logical function is the instruction terminal. In that case, the notification may be implemented so as to be performed in synchronization with pressing of a playback button (not shown) on the user interface of the camera 104.

  In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the logical function 1003 of the disconnected communication device is an instruction terminal, but it is determined whether or not it is a communication device that has requested the construction of the temporary network 200. It is good as a standard. In that case, the CPU 400 of the display 102 stores the requested communication device in the logical function 1003 of the STA management register 900 as an instruction terminal (S1102).

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a plurality of communication devices that are instruction terminals described in the second embodiment exist in the temporary network 200.

  Note that the communication apparatus configuring the network and the configuration thereof are the same as those of the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication device connected to the temporary network 200 according to the third embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the third embodiment is a state in which a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 1300 that is an instruction terminal is connected after the temporary network 200 is constructed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the STA management register 900 of the display 102 according to the third embodiment. Here, the serial number 1000 is information about the camera 1300, and the logical function 1003 is an instruction terminal.

  Here, an operation of returning to the home network 105 based on information stored in the STA management register 900 of the display 102 after all of the plurality of instruction terminals have been detached will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In addition, description of the operation | movement similar to 1st and 2nd embodiment is abbreviate | omitted, and different operation | movement is demonstrated.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication control for returning each communication device from the temporary network to the home network in the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating communication control of the communication device according to the third embodiment. This communication control is executed by the communication control unit of the camera 104, the display 102, the printer 103, and the camera 1300.

  First, after the temporary network 200 is constructed by the camera 104, the display 102, and the printer 103, the camera 1300 makes a connection request to the display 102 (S1500). Then, the display 102 transmits a response to the connection request to the camera 1300 (S1501). When the camera 1300 joins the temporary network 200, the CPU 400 of the camera 1300 notifies the display 102 of terminal information (S1502). When the CPU 400 of the display 102 receives the terminal information notification, the received information is stored in the STA management register 900 (S1403).

  The STA management register 900 of the display 102 at this time is stored as shown in FIG. That is, the serial number 3 is information relating to the camera 1300, the MAC address 1001 is “cc: cc: cc: cc: cc: cc”, the physical function 1002 is an STA, and the logical function 1003 is an instruction terminal.

  Next, when the camera 104 leaves the temporary network 200 in S500, the CPU 400 of the display 102 checks whether or not an instruction terminal exists in the temporary network (1600). Here, since the camera 1300 with the serial number 3 exists as an instruction terminal (YES in 1600), the CPU 400 of the display 102 returns to the determination of 602. Accordingly, the camera 1300 can execute an application (for example, printing) with the printer 103 (S1504).

  Next, the camera 1300 leaves the temporary network 200 (S1505). Then, the CPU 400 of the display 102 checks whether or not an instruction terminal exists in the temporary network 200 (1600). As a result, since the camera 1300 of the instruction terminal that was only present in the temporary network 200 has been detached, it is determined that there is no instruction terminal (NO in 1600). Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the CPU 400 of the display 102 issues a disconnection notification to the printer 103, and the display 102 and the printer 103 return to the home network.

  According to the third embodiment, when a plurality of instruction terminals exist in the temporary network 200, all communication apparatuses can return to the home network after all the instruction terminals are disconnected.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first to third embodiments, management of information related to the communication device (FIGS. 10 and 14) and notification of disconnection to the communication device (S1102, 607) are performed by the display 102 which is the AP of the temporary network 200 . However, management and withdrawal notification may be performed by a STA in the temporary network. In the fourth embodiment, a case where the printer 103 performs management and separation notification will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication control for returning each communication device from the temporary network to the home network according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating printer communication control according to the fourth embodiment. 19 to 21 are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the STA management register 900 of the printer 103.

  As described in the third embodiment, after the camera 1300 is connected to the temporary network, the CPU 400 of the display 102 receives the terminal information notification from the camera 1300 in S1502. Next, the CPU 400 of the display 102 transfers the terminal information notification to the printer 103 (S1700). As a result, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 stores it in its own STA management register 900 based on the received terminal information (S1701, 1800). FIG. 19 shows the contents of the STA management register 900 of the printer 103. In this state, serial number 1 is information related to the camera 104, serial number 2 is information relating to the display 102, and serial number 3 is related to the camera 1300.

  After that, when the camera 104 leaves the temporary network 200 in S500, the display 102 detects the separation and notifies the printer 103 of the separation detection (S1702). When the CPU 400 of the printer 103 receives the notification from the display 102 and detects disconnection (YES in 602), it determines whether the physical function of the disconnected communication device is an AP.

  Here, the disconnected communication device is the camera 104 (serial number 1), and the physical function is STA (NO in 1802). Therefore, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 updates its own STA management register 900 based on this notification (S1703, 1800). The contents of the STA management register 900 in this state are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, since the camera 104 leaves the temporary network 200 in S500, the information corresponding to the serial number 1 is deleted.

  Next, when the camera 1300 leaves the temporary network 200 in S1505, the CPU 400 of the display 102 detects the separation and notifies the printer 103 of the separation detection (S1704). When the CPU 400 of the printer 103 receives this notification and detects disconnection (YES in 602), it determines whether the physical function of the disconnected communication device is an AP.

  Here, the disconnected communication device is the camera 1300 (serial number 3), and the physical function is STA (NO in 1802). Therefore, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 updates its own STA management register 900 based on this notification (1800). The contents of the STA management register 900 in this state are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, since the camera 1300 leaves the temporary network 200 in S1505, the information corresponding to the serial number 3 is deleted.

  Next, after updating the STA management information in 1800, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 determines whether or not the temporary network 200 has a communication device whose instruction function is a logical function (1801). As shown in FIG. 21, the temporary network 200 no longer has a communication device with a logical function indicating terminal (YES in 1801).

  Therefore, the CPU 400 of the printer 103 issues a disconnection notification to the display 102 (S1706, 1803) and returns to the home network 105 (610).

  When the display 102 as the AP has left the temporary network 200 (YES in 1802), the printer 103 returns to the home network 105 (610).

  In S1502, the camera 1300 sends a terminal information notification to the display 102, and the display 102 transfers the terminal information notification to the printer 103 in S1700. However, the camera 1300 may notify all communication devices in the temporary network 200 by broadcast in S1502.

  In the fourth embodiment, the printer 103 performs management of information related to the communication device and notification of withdrawal. However, the communication devices in the temporary network 200 may manage the information, and may be configured to autonomously return to the home network 105 when there is no instruction terminal (YES in 1801). In this case, since each communication apparatus manages information, there is no need to notify the AP of the departure in S1706.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where communication between the STA (camera 104, printer 103, camera 1300) and the AP (display 102) is disconnected has been described. However, the same effect can be obtained. Examples of logical connections include UPnP (Universal Plug and Play).

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  In addition, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the recording medium. Read and execute. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by this.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the computer-readable recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

100 access point (AP)
101 Personal computer (PC)
102 Display 103 Printer 104 Digital Video Camera 105 Home Network 200 Temporary Network 301 Display Unit 302 Communication Control Unit 303 Image Processing Unit 400 CPU
401 ROM
402 Communication parameter storage unit 403 STA function control unit 404 AP function control unit 405 RAM
406 Mode management register 407 Application management register 408 Timer 409 Wireless unit 900 STA management register 1300 Digital still camera

Claims (13)

A communication device,
Detecting means for detecting that another communication device operating as a station has left the first wireless network when the communication device is operating as an access point of the first wireless network;
If the predetermined wireless communication device different from the other communication device remains in the first wireless network when the detection means detects the disconnection of the other communication device, the first wireless network And ending means for ending the first wireless network when a predetermined communication device different from the other communication device does not remain in the first wireless network. Communication device.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the termination unit terminates a function as an access point of the first wireless network.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection unit configured to connect to the second wireless network after the first wireless network is terminated by the termination unit.   4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connection unit connects to an access point of the second wireless network.   5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection unit is connected to an access point of the second wireless network as a station of the second wireless network.   The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless network conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series. A communication device control method comprising:
A detecting step of detecting that another communication device operating as a station has left the first wireless network when the communication device is operating as an access point of the first wireless network;
If the predetermined communication device different from the other communication device remains in the first wireless network when the separation of the other communication device is detected in the detection step, the first wireless network And ending the first wireless network when a predetermined communication device different from the other communication device does not remain in the first wireless network. Control method.   8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein in the termination step, the function as an access point of the first wireless network is terminated.   The control method according to claim 7, further comprising a connection step of connecting to a second wireless network after the first wireless network is ended in the ending step.   The control method according to claim 9, wherein in the connection step, connection is made to an access point of the second wireless network.   11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein, in the connection step, the second wireless network is connected to an access point of the second wireless network as a station of the second wireless network.   The control method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless network that conforms to the IEEE 802.11 series.   The program for making a computer perform the control method as described in any one of Claims 7 thru | or 12.

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