JP5963807B2 - Communication apparatus and communication method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method therefor.

  The IEEE802.11 wireless LAN system has an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode as communication modes, and each terminal communicates by switching the communication mode. The infrastructure mode is a communication mode in which communication is performed via a relay node (master unit) such as an access point. On the other hand, the ad hoc mode is a communication mode in which terminals communicate directly with each other without using a relay node.

  In addition, in order for a wireless LAN communication unit operating in any communication mode to actually perform communication, a network address needs to be uniquely assigned. The reason is that the network address is not uniquely assigned, that is, if there is a duplication of the network address, there is a possibility of communication with another party other than the communication partner.

  Therefore, in the IP (Internet Protocol) network, the following mechanism is known that automatically and uniquely assigns an IP address that is a network address.

DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
APIPA: Automatic Private IP Addressing
In DHCP, the DHCP server assigns an IP address to each DHCP client. In APIPA, each terminal constituting the network first selects an arbitrary IP address from a predetermined IP address space. Next, it is actually used after confirming that there is no contradiction due to duplication of IP addresses by searching in the network.

  In the infrastructure mode wireless LAN described above, a DHCP server is usually used, so DHCP is used. On the other hand, in a wireless LAN in ad hoc mode, since there is usually no DHCP server, APIPA is used.

  Also, there is a communication control method that switches between a first communication method that uses both client and server functions and a second communication method that uses one of the client and server functions depending on whether it is an ad hoc mode or an infrastructure mode. It has been. For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2005-26971 A

  However, APIPA has a problem that it takes time to determine an IP address because it includes a confirmation step as described above.

  On the other hand, in DHCP, the time until an IP address is determined is shorter than in APIPA. However, in a wireless LAN in an ad hoc mode, there is usually no DHCP server, so there is a problem that DHCP cannot be applied.

  Further, since one wireless LAN communication unit cannot be a DCHP server and a DHCP client, the method described in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to DHCP.

One embodiment of the present invention is a communication device, and a first communication that communicates with another communication device via an external parent device among a plurality of communication modes that communicate with a wireless LAN that conforms to the IEEE802.11 series. Operating in the second communication mode by the determination means that determines whether to operate in the second communication mode that communicates directly with other communication devices without going through an external base unit, and the determination means A determination means for determining whether or not to communicate with another communication apparatus in a wireless network created by the own apparatus, and the determination means determines that the apparatus operates in the first communication mode. If it is determined that the determination unit is to operate in the second communication mode, the determination unit operates as the device that receives the address assignment in the address determination process. Depending on the determination result by the cross-sectional unit, select one of the device receiving the assignment of the device address to allocate an address in the process of determining an address, it operates as the selected device, characterized in that.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the communication system containing the radio | wireless communication apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a functional block diagram related to wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication apparatus 101. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary performed with the communication apparatus 101 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary performed with the communication apparatuses 401 and 407 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary performed with the communication apparatuses 601 and 607 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary performed with the communication apparatuses 801 and 807 in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 5th Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed in communication devices 1001 and 1007 according to the fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 6th Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed by communication devices 1201 and 1207 according to the sixth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communications system containing the communication apparatus in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary performed with the communication apparatus 1401 in 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 1, 101 is a communication apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, 102 and 105 are computers connected to a wireless LAN, 103 is a master unit of a wireless LAN, and 104 is a computer connected to a wired LAN 106.

  The communication device 101 is a printer or a digital camera having a wireless LAN function inside, but may be connected to the wireless LAN by a wireless LAN adapter (not shown). The computers 102 and 105 are portable devices such as notebook computers and PDAs having a wireless LAN function.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram related to wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication apparatus 101. When receiving wireless data, a wireless signal is captured by the antenna unit 201 and converted into a baseband signal by the high-frequency circuit unit 202. The converted baseband signal is converted into a digital signal by the baseband processing unit 203. The converted digital signal is converted into a predetermined data format by the medium access control (MAC) unit 204 and sent to the CPU 205. On the other hand, when wireless data is transmitted, data flows in reverse to the time of reception.

  The CPU 205 holds the data from the medium access control unit 204 in the memory 206 or sends the data to a device or unit connected to the communication device 101 via the interface 207. Further, the CPU 205 holds data from a device or unit connected to the interface 207 in the memory 206 or sends it to the medium access control unit 204.

  Further, the CPU 205 sends the data held in the memory 206 to the medium access control unit 204 or sends it to a device or unit connected to the communication device 101 via the interface 207. The CPU 205 performs data processing.

  The display unit 208 displays the status and data of each unit of the communication apparatus 101. The input unit 209 performs various settings. The display unit 208 and the input unit 209 constitute an operation panel and functions as a user interface.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication apparatus 101 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed by the communication apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, in step S301, the communication apparatus 101 confirms the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN. That is, it is determined whether the infrastructure mode communicates via the parent device or the ad hoc mode in which communication devices communicate directly. Here, if a beacon transmitted by the wireless LAN base unit 103 is received, it is determined that the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode for connecting to the wireless LAN base unit 103, and the communication apparatus 101 operates as a DHCP client ( S302). That is, when the wireless communication mode is determined to be the infrastructure mode, the client function is selected. The DHCP client is a client function for assigning and determining an IP address by DHCP.

  The wireless LAN base unit 103 operates as a DHCP server, and the computer 104 connected to the wired LAN 106 and the wireless LAN connection computer 105 operate as a DHCP client. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication apparatus 101, the computer 104, and the computer 105, which are DHCP clients, and communication in the infrastructure mode is possible among them.

  If no beacon is received from the wireless LAN base unit 103 in step S301, the wireless communication mode is determined to be the ad hoc mode, and the communication apparatus 101 itself operates as a DHCP server (S303). That is, when the wireless communication mode is determined to be the ad hoc mode, the server function is selected. The DHCP server is a server function for assigning and determining an IP address by DHCP.

  When the computer 102 connected to the wireless LAN operates as a DHCP client, an IP address is assigned by the communication device 101 operating as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in an ad hoc mode is possible between them.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 401 and 407 denote communication apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication devices 401 and 407 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Note that the communication device 407 operates with a power supply incorporated therein, and the communication device 401 operates with a commercial power supply. The computers 402 and 405 connected to the wireless LAN, the master unit 403 of the wireless LAN, and the computer 404 connected to the wired LAN 406 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication device 401 or 407 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed by the communication devices 401 and 407 according to the second embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 5 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication devices 401 and 407 confirm the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S501. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the base unit 403 of the wireless LAN, the communication devices 401 and 407 operate as DHCP clients (S502).

  Then, the wireless LAN connection computer 405 operates as a DHCP client, and the computer 404 connected to the wired LAN 406 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication devices 401 and 407 and the computer 405 which are DHCP clients, and wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is possible between them.

  In step S501, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless communication mode is operating with a commercial power supply (S503). Here, if it is operating with a commercial power source (in the case of the communication device 401), it operates as a DHCP server (S504). However, if it operates with a built-in power supply (in the case of the communication device 407), it operates as a DHCP client (S505).

  Then, an IP address is assigned to the communication device 407 operating as a DHCP client and the computer 402 by the communication device 401 operating as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in an ad hoc mode is possible between them.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the third embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 601 and 607 denote communication apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication devices 601 and 607 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The communication device 607 is a portable device, and the communication device 601 is a stationary device. Further, the computers 602 and 605 of the wireless LAN connection, the master unit 603 of the wireless LAN, and the computer 604 connected to the wired LAN 606 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication device 601 or 607 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed in the communication devices 601 and 607 according to the third embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication devices 601 and 607 confirm the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S701. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the base unit 603 of the wireless LAN, the communication devices 601 and 607 operate as DHCP clients (S702).

  Then, the wireless LAN connection computer 605 operates as a DHCP client, and the computer 604 connected to the wired LAN 606 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication devices 601 and 607 which are DHCP clients and the computer 605 connected to the wireless LAN, and wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is possible between them.

  In step S701, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless communication mode is a stationary device (S703). Here, if it is a stationary device (in the case of the communication device 601), it operates as a DHCP server (S704). However, if it is not a stationary device (in the case of the communication device 607), it operates as a DHCP client (S705).

  An IP address is assigned to the communication device 607 operating as a DHCP client and the computer 602 by the communication device 601 operating as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in an ad hoc mode is possible between them.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the fourth embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 8, reference numerals 801 and 807 denote communication apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication devices 801 and 807 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The communication device 807 is an image input device, and the communication device 801 is an image output device. Further, the computers 802 and 805 of the wireless LAN connection, the master unit 803 of the wireless LAN, and the computer 804 connected to the wired LAN 806 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication device 801 or 807 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed in the communication devices 801 and 807 according to the fourth embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 9 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication devices 801 and 807 confirm the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S901. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the base unit 803 of the wireless LAN, the communication devices 801 and 807 operate as DHCP clients (S902).

  Then, the wireless LAN connection computer 805 operates as a DHCP client, and the computer 804 connected to the wired LAN 806 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication devices 801 and 807 that are DHCP clients and the computer 805 connected to the wireless LAN, and wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is possible between them.

  In step S901, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, it is confirmed whether or not it is an image output device (S903). If it is an image output device (in the case of the communication device 801), it operates as a DHCP server (S904). However, if it is an image input device (in the case of the communication device 807), it operates as a DHCP client (S905).

  An IP address is assigned to the communication device 807 that operates as a DHCP client and the computer 802 by the communication device 801 that operates as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in an ad hoc mode can be performed between them.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the fifth embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 1001 and 1007 denote communication apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication devices 1001 and 1007 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The computers 1002 and 1005 connected to the wireless LAN, the master device 1003 of the wireless LAN, and the computer 1004 connected to the wired LAN 1006 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication device 1001 or 1007 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed in the communication devices 1001 and 1007 according to the fifth embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 11 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication devices 1001 and 1007 confirm the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S1101. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the base unit 1003 of the wireless LAN, the communication devices 1001 and 1007 operate as DHCP clients (S1102).

  Then, the wireless LAN connection computer 1005 operates as a DHCP client, and the computer 1004 connected to the wired LAN 1006 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication devices 1001 and 1007 that are DHCP clients and the computer 1005 connected to the wireless LAN, and wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is possible between them.

  In step S1101, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, whether there is any other DHCP server is detected by a method called discovery in DHCP (S1103). Here, for example, when the communication apparatus 1001 is activated first, there is no other DHCP server in the ad hoc mode, and thus operates as a DHCP server (S1104). Next, when the communication apparatus 1007 is activated, the communication apparatus 101 is detected as a DHCP server, so that the communication apparatus 1007 operates as a DHCP client (S1105).

  An IP address is assigned to the communication device 1007 that operates as a DHCP client and the computer 1002 by the communication device 1001 that operates as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in an ad hoc mode is possible between them.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the sixth embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 12, reference numerals 1201 and 1207 denote communication apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication devices 1201 and 1207 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The wireless LAN connection computers 1202 and 1205, the wireless LAN master device 1203, and the computer 1204 connected to the wired LAN 1206 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed in the communication device 1201 or 1207 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed in the communication apparatuses 1201 and 1207 according to the sixth embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 13 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication apparatuses 1201 and 1207 confirm the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S1301. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the wireless LAN master 1203, the communication devices 1201 and 1207 operate as DHCP clients (S1302).

  The wireless LAN connection computer 1205 operates as a DHCP client, and the computer 1204 connected to the wired LAN 1206 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication devices 1201 and 1207, which are DHCP clients, and the computer 1205 connected to the wireless LAN, and wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is possible between them.

  In step S1301, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, it is confirmed whether or not the own device has created an ad hoc network (S1303). Here, for example, when the communication apparatus 1201 is activated first, the self apparatus creates an ad hoc network, and thus operates as a DHCP server (S1304). Next, when the communication apparatus 1207 is activated, the self apparatus does not create an ad hoc network, and thus operates as a DHCP client (S1305).

  Then, an IP address is assigned to the communication device 1207 operating as a DHCP client and the computer 1202 by the communication device 1201 operating as a DHCP server, and wireless communication in the ad hoc mode is possible between them.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a wireless communication device according to the seventh embodiment. The communication system is a wireless LAN system compliant with IEEE802.11. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1401 denotes a communication apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. The functional blocks related to the wireless communication and wireless communication setting of the communication device 1401 are the same as those in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The computers 1402 and 1405 of the wireless LAN connection, the master unit 1403 of the wireless LAN, and the computer 1404 connected to the wired LAN 1406 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, an outline of operations performed by the communication device 1401 when participating in the wireless network of the wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of operations performed by the communication device 1401 according to the seventh embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 15 is implemented by the CPU 205 executing a program stored in the memory 206.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the communication device 1401 confirms the wireless communication mode in the participating wireless LAN in step S1501. Here, if the wireless communication mode is an infrastructure mode in which the wireless LAN is connected to the base unit 1403 of the wireless LAN, the communication device 1401 displays a message confirming whether or not it can be a DHCP client. 208 is displayed (S1502). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the user is a DHCP client, and when it is detected that the user has accepted the input unit 209 to become a DHCP client (S1504), the user operates as a DHCP client (S1506). ).

  A computer 1404 connected to the wired LAN 1406 and a wireless LAN-connected computer 1405 operate as a DHCP client, and a wireless LAN base unit 1403 operates as a DHCP server. As a result, IP addresses are assigned to the communication device 1401, the computer 1404, and the computer 1405 that operate as a DHCP client, and communication is possible among them.

  In step S1501, if the wireless communication mode is the ad hoc mode, the communication apparatus 1401 displays a message on the display unit 208 of its own apparatus to confirm whether it can be a DHCP server (S1503). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the user becomes a DHCP server, and when it is detected that the input unit 209 has been approved by the user to become a DHCP server (S1505), it operates as a DHCP server (S1507). ).

  Then, the wireless LAN connection computer 1402 operates as a DHCP client, and an IP address is assigned from the communication device 1401 which is a DHCP server, and wireless communication in the ad hoc mode is possible between them.

  On the other hand, if it is not approved in step S1504 or S1505 described above that the communication apparatus 1401 becomes a DHCP client or a DHCP server, the communication apparatus 1401 operates according to manual settings (S1508).

[Other Embodiments]
A recording medium recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program codes stored in the recording medium. To do. 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.

Claims (10)

A communication device,
Of a plurality of communication modes communicating with a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE802.11 series, it operates in a first communication mode that communicates with another communication device via an external master unit, or without an external master unit. Determining means for determining whether to operate in the second communication mode for directly communicating with other communication devices;
A determination means for determining whether or not to communicate with another communication apparatus in a wireless network created by the own apparatus when it is determined by the determination means to operate in the second communication mode;
Have
If it is determined by the determination means to operate in the first communication mode, it operates as a device that receives an address assignment in a process for determining an address;
If it is determined to operate in the second communication mode by the determining means, in accordance with the determination result by the determination means, any of the device receiving the allocation of devices and addresses to assign addresses in the process of determining an address Select and operate as the selected device ,
A communication device. The address is an IP address;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The device that assigns the address is a DHCP server, and the device that receives the address assignment is a DHCP client.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The communication device is a printer having a wireless communication function or a camera having a wireless communication function.
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The communication device includes a display unit.
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication apparatus is characterized in that: The determination means determines whether to operate in the first communication mode or the second communication mode based on whether or not a beacon transmitted from a parent device has been received.
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The first communication mode is an infrastructure mode.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The second communication mode is an ad hoc mode.
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a device. A communication device control method comprising:
Of a plurality of communication modes communicating with a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE802.11 series, it operates in a first communication mode that communicates with another communication device via an external master unit, or without an external master unit. A determination step of determining whether to operate in a second communication mode for directly communicating with other communication devices;
If it is determined in the determination step that the mobile device operates in the second communication mode, a determination step of determining whether to communicate with another communication device in a wireless network created by the device;
A step of operating as an apparatus that receives an address assignment in a process of determining an address when it is determined in the determination step that the operation is performed in the first communication mode;
If the it is determined to operate in the second communication mode in the determination step, according to a determination result in the determination step, any of the device receiving the allocation of devices and addresses to assign addresses in the process of determining an address Selecting and operating as a selected device ;
A control method characterized by comprising:   The program for operating a computer as each means with which the communication apparatus described in any one of Claim 1 to 8 is provided.

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