Information processing device, control method, and program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CANON KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
There is a need for appropriate control of role determination in communication devices using methods like Wi-Fi Aware to ensure efficient power management and network synchronization.
An information processing device with a communication means, acquisition unit, communication control means, reception means, and power control means to manage power states and role determination based on acquired parameters, adjusting settings for power saving modes and role preferences.
Enables appropriate role determination and power management in communication devices, reducing power consumption while maintaining network functionality.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, method, and program. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) such as the IEEE802.11 standard series have come into widespread use, and as a result, an increasing number of printing devices, such as multifunction peripherals and printers, are equipped with wireless LAN functionality. A printing device equipped with a wireless LAN functionality receives print data from an external device, such as a mobile terminal, via wireless communication, and executes a print process based on the received print data.
[0003] Wi-Fi Aware, certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, specifies NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking), which can detect services provided by nearby communication devices. This aims to save power by synchronizing the period during which a communication device exchanges information with other communication devices and shortening the time that the wireless RF (Radio Frequency) section is enabled.
[0004] The period for synchronization in the NAN is called a Discovery Window (DW), and the DW period is repeated at regular intervals. A collection of NAN devices that share the same DW period is called a NAN cluster. Each communication device that belongs to a NAN cluster operates in one of the following roles: Master, Non-Master Sync, or Non-Master Non-Sync. Patent Document 1 describes a method for detecting a NAN cluster to which a communication device belongs and determining the role in the NAN cluster. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-14574 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] Incidentally, as devices using a predetermined communication method such as Wi-Fi Aware become more widespread, there is a demand for control so that role determination according to the predetermined communication method is appropriately executed.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide control so that role determination according to a predetermined communication method is appropriately performed. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a communication means for performing wireless communication; an acquisition means for acquiring parameters for determining the role of the information processing device in a cluster formed via wireless communication with peripheral devices of the information processing device; a communication control means for causing the communication means to perform wireless communication according to the role of the information processing device determined in the cluster based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means; a reception means for accepting settings regarding a power saving state of the information processing device; and a power control means for transitioning the information processing device to the power saving state based on the settings accepted by the acceptance means, wherein the acquisition means acquires the parameters based on the settings accepted by the acceptance means. Effect of the Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to control so that role determination according to a predetermined communication method is appropriately executed. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a network configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a NAN device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates a first power saving state. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for transitioning from a normal power mode to a power saving mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.
[0012] [First embodiment] In the following, an example of using a wireless LAN system that complies with the Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN) protocol standard in the Wi-Fi Aware communication standard certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance will be described. In the following, the standard that the communication device complies with is referred to as the "NAN standard", and the network for service search and discovery formed according to the NAN standard is referred to as the "NAN". In addition, a communication device that operates according to the NAN standard is referred to as a NAN device, and a collection of NAN devices that use a common Discovery Window (DW) period is referred to as a NAN cluster. Note that the communication device may be any device that is capable of performing communication based on the NAN, and various devices such as a camera, a projector, a scanner, a printer, a television, a game console, a mobile terminal, and a smart speaker are applicable.
[0013] In the NAN, a NAN cluster is defined by a set of NAN devices that share a period for turning on the RF function, and the NAN devices participate in the NAN cluster. In this embodiment, the NAN devices participating in the NAN cluster construct a network using 6ch (2.437GHz) in the 2.4GHz frequency band. The NAN cluster is a NAN cluster in which the length of the DW period is 16TU (Time Unit, 1TU is 1024 microseconds), and the time interval from the start timing of the DW period to the start timing of the next DW period is 512TU. Note that the frequency channel and DW period used in the NAN cluster are not limited to these, and at least one of other frequency channels and DW periods having other period lengths or intervals may be used.
[0014] Each NAN device is set with a Master Rank defined in the NAN standard as a factor for determining the role within a NAN cluster. The Master Rank is determined from the Master Preference, a random value (Random Factor), and the NAN interface address, which are set for each NAN device. The Master Preference is a value between 0 and 255 that can be arbitrarily determined by the NAN device. The NAN interface address is an address for identifying the NAN device. Specifically, the Master Rank of a device is determined by the following formula: Master Preference × 2^56 + Random Factor × 2^48 + NAN interface Address
[0015] The higher the Master Rank of a NAN device, the more likely it is that it will assume the role of Master, and the lower the Master Rank, the more likely it is that it will become Non-Master Non-Sync. The NAN device with the highest Master Rank in a NAN cluster is called the Anchor Master, and serves as the time standard for the NAN cluster. The NAN standard recommends that NAN devices that participate stably in a NAN cluster, such as NAN devices that are powered by a power source and do not move from place to place, have a high Master Rank. In addition, it is recommended that NAN devices that may not be present stably in a NAN cluster, such as battery-powered devices and mobile terminals, have a low Master Rank. A NAN cluster is maintained stably by a NAN device that remains stably in the NAN cluster becoming a Master and transmitting a synchronization signal.
[0016] A communication device operating as a Master periodically transmits a Synchronization Beacon (hereinafter referred to as a Sync Beacon), which is a beacon for other communication devices to identify the DW and synchronize with the DW period. A communication device operating as a Master also transmits a Discovery Beacon, which is a signal for making communication devices that do not belong to a NAN cluster recognize the NAN cluster. A Discovery Beacon is transmitted, for example, every 100 ms during a period other than the DW period. In a NAN cluster, at least one communication device operates as a Master. A NAN device operating as a Non-Master Sync transmits a Sync Beacon for each NAN device to identify and synchronize with the DW, but does not transmit a Discovery Beacon. A NAN device operating as a Non-Master Non-Sync does not transmit either a Sync Beacon or a Discovery Beacon.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration in this embodiment. Each device in FIG. 1 can be a NAN device (the above-mentioned communication device) in the NAN. The information processing device 100 has a wireless LAN interface and can perform wireless communication with mobile terminals 101 and 102 that also have a wireless LAN interface without going through an access point. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is a printer, but as described above, it can also be applied to devices other than printers. The wireless communication without going through an access point (so-called point-to-point (P2P) communication) is, for example, communication by Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi Aware. In addition, the information processing device 100 can perform wireless communication with a mobile terminal 104 via an access point 103. Each communication device in the network in FIG. 1 holds wireless communication interface information such as an IP address, a MAC address, and an infrastructure side or a P2P side.
[0018] In FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 and the mobile terminal 101 form a NAN cluster 110, and the mobile terminals 101 and 102 form a NAN cluster 120. As described above, a communication device that operates as a Master in a NAN transmits a Discovery Beacon, which is a signal for making other communication devices that do not belong to the NAN cluster recognize the NAN cluster. The other communication devices identify a DW by a Discovery Beacon, and during the DW period, transmit and receive a Publish message, which is a signal for searching for a service, and a Subscribe message for notifying that a service is provided. As a result, a service is detected and provided. In each of the information processing device 100, the mobile terminal 101, and the mobile terminal 102 that belong to the NAN cluster, a Master Rank defined in the NAN standard is set as a factor for determining a role in each NAN cluster.
[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a NAN device. The configuration in Fig. 2 is applicable to each communication apparatus in the network in Fig. 1. The NAN device has, as its functional configuration, for example, a wireless LAN control unit 201, a NAN control unit 202, an application control unit 203, and an operation control unit 204.
[0020] The wireless LAN control unit 201 performs control for transmitting and receiving wireless signals according to the signal format of the corresponding wireless LAN with a communication device capable of communicating via another wireless LAN. The wireless LAN control unit 201 also performs various communication controls related to the wireless LAN according to the IEEE802.11 standard series. The NAN control unit 202 also performs various controls such as service search / discovery according to the NAN standard. The NAN control unit 202 also performs NAN function start processing and role determination processing. The NAN control unit 202 controls the wireless communication operation of the wireless LAN control unit 301 according to the role determined in the role determination processing.
[0021] The application control unit 203 triggers the NAN control unit 202 to start or end the NAN function according to the processing of the application. Then, the NAN control unit 202 forms a network with the device discovered by the NAN function, and the wireless LAN control unit 201 communicates application data under the control of the application control unit 203. For example, when a user (not shown) of the NAN device starts an image sharing service application using the NAN, the application control unit 203 instructs the NAN control unit 202 to start the NAN function. Thereafter, the NAN control unit 202 controls the wireless LAN control unit 201 to form a network with the discovered device according to the IEEE802.11 standard series, and transmits and receives image data through the formed network. On the other hand, when the user of the NAN device ends the application, the application control unit 203 instructs the NAN control unit 202 to end the NAN function. Note that the communication of application data may be performed according to a communication standard other than the NAN standard.
[0022] The operation control unit 204 receives and manages operations from the user of the NAN device, and transmits appropriate signals to the wireless LAN control unit 201, the NAN control unit 202, and the application control unit 203 at the appropriate time in response to the operations.
[0023] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 100. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is described as an image forming device such as a printer. However, the information processing device 100 may be a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC or a smartphone.
[0024] The CPU 304 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 305 and executes various processes for comprehensively controlling the operation of the information processing device 100. The ROM 305 stores control programs, applications, and data. In the case of the information processing device 100, one CPU 304 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described below, but other forms are also possible. For example, a plurality of CPUs may cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowcharts described below.
[0025] The RAM 306 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area for the CPU 304. The storage 307 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various data such as image data to be printed and scanned image data.
[0026] The operation unit 1 / F 310 controls the operation unit 315 in response to instructions from the CPU 304. The operation unit 315 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function and hard keys including a power saving key 316, and displays various user interface screens. The operation unit 315 can receive instructions and information input to the information processing device 100 by the user.
[0027] The scanner I / F 308 controls the scanner 313 according to instructions from the CPU 304. The scanner 313 optically reads an image of an original placed on a platen or an auto document feeder (ADF) (not shown) and generates scanned image data. The printer I / F 309 controls the printer 314 according to instructions from the CPU 304. The printer 314 forms an image based on the image data on a recording medium. The printer I / F 309 and the printer 314 can use various recording methods, such as an inkjet recording method or an electrophotographic method.
[0028] The wireless LAN I / F 311 realizes data communication with an external device such as a PC by wireless LAN via a wireless LAN chip 317. The wireless LAN I / F 311 has connection types such as wireless infrastructure and wireless direct as wireless LAN connection types. The wired LAN I / F 312 executes data communication with an external device such as a PC by wired LAN via a wired LAN chip 318.
[0029] The power supply control unit 303 has a function of performing power supply control to supply power supplied from the power supply 301 to the power supply unit 302 to necessary locations in the information processing device 100. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 can operate in a normal power mode, which is a normal power state, and a first power saving mode, which is a first power saving state in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal power saving mode. The information processing device 100 can further operate in a second power saving mode, which is a second power saving state in which power consumption is lower than that in the first power saving mode. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is described as having two power saving modes, but may have two or more different power saving modes.
[0030] In this embodiment, in the normal power state, power is supplied to all the blocks shown in Fig. 3. However, even in the normal power state, power may be supplied not to all the blocks but only to some of the blocks including at least the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power supply state (first power saving state) of the information processing device 100 in the first power saving mode. That is, the grayed-out parts in FIG. 4 indicate blocks to which power is not supplied. In the second power saving mode, the blocks to which power is supplied from the power supply unit 302 are the RAM 306, the power saving key 316, the operation unit 1 / F 310, the wireless LAN I / F 311, the wireless LAN chip 317, the wired LAN I / F 312, and the wired LAN chip 318. However, as long as power is supplied to the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317 and the power consumption is less than that in the normal power mode, the blocks to which power is supplied in the second power saving mode are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4. For example, power may be supplied to the RAM 306 as necessary. In addition, although it has been described that power is supplied to the operation unit 315 only to the power saving key 316, power may be supplied to the operation unit 315 in response to recognition of a user's touch.
[0032] When the information processing device 100 enters the second power saving mode, the power supply to the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317 is stopped in addition to the power supply state in the first power saving mode shown in Fig. 4. When the information processing device 100 enters the second power saving mode, wireless communication between the mobile terminals 101 and 102 and the access point 103 and wireless LAN communication operations including beacon transmission such as Discovery Beacon are disabled.
[0033] Here, a description will be given of transitions between the normal power mode, the first power saving mode, and the second power saving mode in the information processing device 100. First, a process of transitioning from the normal power mode to the power saving mode will be described.
[0034] 5 is a flowchart showing a process for transitioning from the normal power mode to the power saving mode. The process in FIG.
[0035] In S101, the power supply control unit 303 monitors whether or not a condition for transitioning to a first power saving mode (hereinafter, referred to as a first condition) is satisfied. That is, the process of S101 is repeated until it is determined that the first condition is satisfied. Here, the first condition is, for example, that the power saving key 316 is pressed by the user, that there is no user operation for a certain period of time, that a print job or the like is not received for a certain period of time via the wireless LAN chip 317 or the wired LAN chip 318, etc. If it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, in S102, the power supply control unit 303 controls the power supply to each block so that the normal power state of FIG. 3 is changed to the first power saving state of FIG. 4, for example, and transitions the information processing device 100 to the first power saving mode.
[0036] In S103, the power supply control unit 303 acquires a setting value related to the power saving mode.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen related to a power saving mode displayed on the operation unit 315 of the information processing device 100. The setting screen 600 is displayed, for example, by selecting an item for power saving setting from a main menu screen of the information processing device 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the setting screen 600 displays a "high" button 601 and a "low" button 602 as power consumption during sleep (power saving state), and the user can select either button. The user can shift the information processing device 100 to a state with less power consumption by pressing the "low" button 602. The state with less power consumption is the second power saving mode. That is, the "high" button 601 is a button for setting (first setting) not to shift to the second power saving mode even if the condition for shifting to the second power saving mode is satisfied. The "low" button 602 is a button for setting (second setting) to shift to the second power saving mode when the condition for shifting to the second power saving mode is satisfied. In S103, a setting value of the setting screen 600, for example, a setting value of "large" or "small", is obtained.
[0038] As mentioned above, Master Rank and Master Preference are values that indicate how likely a NAN device is to become a Master. As mentioned above, a NAN device can arbitrarily change or determine its Master Preference.
[0039] In S104, the power supply control unit 203 judges whether the set value is "low". If it is judged that the set value is not "low", for example, if "high" is set on the setting screen 600, the process of Fig. 5 ends. On the other hand, if it is judged that the set value is "low", the process proceeds to S105.
[0040] In S105, the power supply control unit 203 monitors whether or not a condition for transitioning to the second power saving mode (hereinafter, referred to as the second condition) is satisfied. That is, the process of S105 is repeated until it is determined that the second condition is satisfied. Here, the second condition is that communication data that needs to be processed in the first power saving mode is not received for a certain period of time. If it is determined that the second condition is satisfied, in S106, the power supply control unit 303 stops supplying power to the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317 from the first power saving state of FIG. 4, and transitions the information processing device 100 to the second power saving mode. When transitioning to the second power saving mode, wireless communication between the mobile terminals 101, 102, and the access point 103, and wireless LAN communication operations including transmission of beacons such as Discovery Beacons are stopped. After S106, the process of FIG. 5 is terminated.
[0041] In this way, in the information processing device 100, when the user sets "low" on the setting screen 600, the power consumption can be reduced to the second power saving mode via the first power saving mode. On the other hand, when the user sets "high" on the setting screen 600, the power consumption is reduced to the first power saving mode and does not transition to the second power saving mode.
[0042] Next, recovery from the power saving mode will be described.
[0043] When the information processing device 100 is in the first power saving mode and a condition (hereinafter referred to as a third condition) is satisfied, the power control unit 303 starts supplying power to blocks that have not been powered, and returns the information processing device 100 to the normal power mode. Here, the third condition is, for example, that the wireless LAN I / F 311 or the wired LAN I / F 312 receives a job that requires a transition to the normal power mode, such as a print job, via the wireless LAN chip 317 or the wired LAN chip 318. Also, for example, that the power saving key 316 is pressed by the user.
[0044] When the information processing device 100 is in the second power saving mode and a condition (hereinafter referred to as a fourth condition) is satisfied, the power supply control unit 203 starts supplying power to the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317 that have not been powered, and returns the information processing device 100 to the first power saving mode. Here, the fourth condition is, for example, that the power saving key 316 is pressed by the user. When the information processing device 100 returns to the first power saving mode, wireless communication between the mobile terminals 101, 102 and the access point 103 and wireless LAN communication operations including beacon transmission such as Discovery Beacon become possible.
[0045] In the information processing device 100 of this embodiment, when the fourth condition is satisfied in the second power saving mode, the device returns to the first power saving mode, and thereafter, when the third condition is satisfied in the first power saving mode, the device returns to the normal power mode. However, when the fourth condition is satisfied in the second power saving mode, the device may return to the normal power mode.
[0046] The following describes the process that is executed when WiFi Aware is activated in the information processing device 100.
[0047] As described above, for example, when the information processing device 100 is determined to operate as a Master in the NAN cluster, the information processing device 100 needs to transmit a Discovery Beacon. However, when the information processing device 100 transitions to the second power saving mode, the power supply to the wireless LAN chip is stopped, and therefore the information processing device 100 is unable to transmit a Discovery Beacon. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is described in which a setting value related to the power consumption of the information processing device 100 is referenced to control the value of the Master Preference. The setting value related to the power consumption is a setting value indicating whether the first setting is set by operating the "high" button 601 or the second setting is set by operating the "low" button 602.
[0048] Specifically, in this embodiment, the Master Preference in the state where the first setting is made by operating the “More” button 601 and the Master Preference in the state where the second setting is made by operating the “Less” button 602 are different from each other.
[0049] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a process executed when WiFi Aware is activated in the information processing device 100. The process in Fig. 7 is realized, for example, by the CPU 304 expanding a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 305 into the RAM 306 and executing the control program.
[0050] After the information processing device 100 is powered on, in step S201 the CPU 304 starts up Wi-Fi Aware. WiFi Aware is started up, for example, when the operation control unit 204 receives an operation from the user.
[0051] In S202, the CPU 304 acquires a setting value related to the power saving mode. Here, for example, a setting value on the setting screen 600, for example, a setting value of "high" or "low", is acquired. The process of S202 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203.
[0052] In S203, the CPU 304 judges whether the set value is "low". If it is judged that the set value is not "low", for example, if "high" is set on the setting screen 600, the process proceeds to S205. On the other hand, if it is judged that the set value is "low", the process proceeds to S204. The process of S203 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203.
[0053] In S204, the CPU 304 sets the value of Master Preference to less than 128. That is, by setting the value of Master Preference, which is one of the factors used to determine the role of a NAN device, to less than 128, it becomes more difficult for the device to become Master. On the other hand, in S205, the CPU 304 sets the value of Master Preference to 128 or more. That is, by setting the value of Master Preference, which is one of the factors used to determine the role of a NAN device, to 128 or more, it becomes more likely for the device to become Master. After S204 and S205, the process proceeds to S206. The processes of S204 and S205 are executed by, for example, the application control unit 203.
[0054] In S206, the CPU 304 calculates the Master Rank using the value of the Master Preference determined in S204 or S205. As described above, the Master Rank is calculated based on the Master Preference, the random value, and the interface address. The process of S206 is executed by the NAN control unit 202, for example.
[0055] In S207, the CPU 304 executes a process for joining the NAN cluster. The process of S207 is executed, for example, by the NAN control unit 202. It is assumed that the condition of S101 in Fig. 5 is not satisfied at this point.
[0056] A NAN device may join a NAN cluster as follows. First, the NAN device performs passive scanning of the NAN clusters present in the vicinity. For example, the NAN device scans 6ch during passive scanning. When the NAN device receives a Discovery Beacon or a Sync Beacon, it discovers a NAN cluster and joins the discovered NAN cluster. When joining a NAN cluster, the NAN device executes processing defined by the NAN standard in synchronization with the DW of the NAN cluster according to the information of the NAN cluster received during passive scanning. First, the NAN device determines which of the three roles, Master, Non-Master Sync, and Non-Master Non-Sync, it will play in the NAN cluster according to the NAN standard. In the NAN standard, all NAN devices operate as Masters when they generate a NAN cluster and when they join a NAN cluster. After that, the NAN device changes its role to Non-Master Sync or Non-Master Non-Sync as necessary based on the Sync Beacon received within the DW period. The NAN device changes its role according to, for example, the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value of the Sync Beacon, the Master Rank, the AMR value, and the value of the Hop Count Field in the Sync Beacon. Here, AMR stands for Anchor Master Rank. If the NAN device's role has not changed over two or more DW periods, it may determine that its role has converged and terminate this role determination process, but is not limited thereto, and may continue this process for a predetermined period, for example.
[0057] In S208, the CPU 304 determines whether or not Wi-Fi Aware has stopped. The process of S208 is executed, for example, by the application control unit 203 acquiring information from the wireless LAN control unit 201 or the NAN control unit 202. The process of S208 is repeated until it is determined that Wi-Fi Aware has stopped, and when it is determined that Wi-Fi Aware has stopped, the process of FIG. 7 is terminated.
[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the setting value related to the power saving mode is set to "low", it is possible to reduce the possibility of operating in the role of Master when joining a NAN cluster. Note that in this embodiment, the value of Master Preference is set to reduce the possibility of operating in the role of Master, but the value of another parameter may be set instead of Master Preference. Alternatively, the value of another parameter may be set together with Master Preference.
[0059] Furthermore, in S204 or S205, after the Master Preference is controlled to a value corresponding to either the first setting or the second setting, if the setting of the information processing device 100 is changed between the first setting and the second setting, the Master Preference of the information processing device 100 may be changed. Specifically, if the information processing device 100 is in the second setting and therefore S204 is executed to set the Master Preference value to less than 128, and then the "More" button 601 is operated to set the first setting (changing from the second setting to the first setting), S205 may be executed to set the Master Preference value to 128 or more.
[0060] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, settings related to transition to a power saving mode are appropriately controlled according to the role determined for the information processing device 100 in the NAN cluster.
[0061] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a process executed when WiFi Aware is activated in the information processing device 100. The process in Fig. 8 is realized, for example, by the CPU 304 expanding a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 305 into the RAM 306 and executing the program.
[0062] S301 to S307 are the same as those in S201 to S207 in FIG. 7, and therefore their description will be omitted.
[0063] After the process for joining the NAN cluster is executed in S307, the CPU 304 acquires information regarding the role of the information processing device 100 in the NAN cluster in S308. The process of S308 is executed, for example, by the application control unit 203 in Fig. 2 acquiring information from the wireless LAN control unit 201 or the NAN control unit 202. Then, in S309, the CPU 304 determines whether the role of the information processing device 100 in the NAN cluster is Master based on the acquired information. The process of S309 is executed, for example, by the application control unit 203.
[0064] If it is determined that the role in the NAN cluster is not Master, the process repeats from S308. On the other hand, if it is determined that the role in the NAN cluster is Master, the process proceeds to S310.
[0065] In S310, the CPU 304 acquires a setting value related to the power saving mode. Here, for example, a setting value on the setting screen 600, for example, a setting value of "high" or "low", is acquired. The process of S310 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203.
[0066] In S311, the CPU 304 judges whether the set value is "low". If it is judged that the set value is not "low", for example, if "high" is set on the setting screen 600, the process proceeds to S313. On the other hand, if it is judged that the set value is "low", the process proceeds to S312. The process of S311 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203.
[0067] In S312, the CPU 304 sets the setting value to "high." That is, the setting value is changed from "low" to "high." The process of S312 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203. After S312, the process proceeds to S313.
[0068] Since the setting value has been changed to "high" in S312, the processes of S105 and S106 in Fig. 5 are controlled not to be executed. That is, the transition to the second power saving mode is not performed, and the supply of power to the wireless LAN I / F 311 and the wireless LAN chip 317 is maintained. This allows stable transmission of the Discrovery Beacon.
[0069] In S313, the CPU 304 determines whether or not Wi-Fi Aware has stopped. The process of S313 is executed, for example, by the application control unit 203 acquiring information from the wireless LAN control unit 201 or the NAN control unit 202. If it is determined that Wi-Fi Aware has stopped, the process of Fig. 8 ends. If it is determined that Wi-Fi Aware has not stopped, the process from S308 is repeated.
[0070] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the information processing device 100 operates in the role of a Master while WiFi Aware is running, it is possible to control the transition to the power saving mode so that the information processing device 100 can stably transmit Beacons.
[0071] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below with respect to differences from the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which, if a setting value related to power consumption of the information processing device 100 has been changed when Wi-Fi Aware is stopped, the setting value is restored to the setting value before the change.
[0072] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a process executed when WiFi Aware is activated in the information processing device 100. The process in Fig. 9 is realized, for example, by the CPU 304 expanding a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 305 into the RAM 306 and executing the control program.
[0073] Since S401 to S413 are the same as those in S301 to S313, their explanation will be omitted.
[0074] If it is determined in S413 that Wi-Fi Aware has stopped, the process proceeds to S414. In S414, the CPU 304 determines whether the process of S412 has been performed, that is, whether the setting value has been changed to "high". The process of S414 is executed by, for example, the application control unit 203. Here, if it is determined that the process of S412 has not been performed, the process of FIG. 9 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process of S412 has been performed, in S415, the CPU 304 changes the setting value to "low". Thereafter, the process of FIG. 9 is terminated.
[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, when it is determined that WiFi Aware has been stopped, if the setting value related to the power saving mode has been changed to "high", it is changed back to "low" before the change. In other words, when it is determined that WiFi Aware has been stopped, if the "high" button 601 has been operated to set the first setting, it is changed to the second setting. This makes it possible to realize the role of the NAN cluster, and to achieve power saving in line with the initial user's intention after WiFi Aware has been stopped.
[0076] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment will be described below with respect to the differences from the first to third embodiments. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a setting value related to a power saving mode is returned to a setting value before the change when the role in a NAN cluster is changed from Master to something other than Master.
[0077] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed when WiFi Aware is activated in the information processing device 100. The process in Fig. 10 is realized, for example, by the CPU 304 expanding a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 305 into the RAM 306 and executing the program.
[0078] S501 to S513 are the same as those in S301 to S313 in FIG. 8, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.
[0079] If it is determined in S509 that the role in the NAN cluster is not Master, then in S514, the CPU 304 determines whether the process of S512 has been performed, i.e., whether the setting value has been changed to "large". The process of S514 is executed, for example, by the application control unit 203. Here, if it is determined that the process of S512 has not been performed, the process proceeds to S513. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process of S512 has been performed, then in S515, the CPU 304 sets the setting value to "small". That is, the setting value is returned from "large" to "small" before the change. Then, the process proceeds to S513.
[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the role in the NAN cluster is no longer Master, if the setting value related to the power saving mode has been changed to "high", it is returned to "low" before the change. In other words, when the role in the NAN cluster is no longer Master, if the "high" button 601 is operated to set the first setting, it is changed to the second setting. This makes it possible to realize operation as Master in the NAN cluster, and when the role is no longer Master, it is possible to realize power saving in line with the original user's intention.
[0081] (Other embodiments) In the above description, when the "low" button 602 is operated to set the second setting, the information processing device 100 transitions to the first power saving mode, and then transitions to the second power saving mode based on the second condition being satisfied. However, this is not limiting. When the "low" button 602 is operated to set the second setting, the information processing device 100 may transition to the second power saving mode without transitioning to the first power saving mode based on the first condition being satisfied when the information processing device 100 is operating in the normal power mode. And, when the "high" button 601 is operated to set the first setting, the information processing device 100 may transition to the first power saving mode based on the first condition being satisfied when the information processing device 100 is operating in the normal power mode.
[0082] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.
[0083] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program. (Item 1) An information processing device, A communication means for performing wireless communication; an acquisition means for acquiring a parameter for determining a role of the information processing device in a cluster formed via wireless communication with peripheral devices of the information processing device; a communication control means for causing the communication means to execute wireless communication according to a role of the information processing device determined in the cluster based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means; a reception means for receiving a setting relating to a power saving state of the information processing device; power control means for transitioning the information processing device to the power saving state based on the setting accepted by the accepting means; Equipped with The acquiring means acquires the parameters based on the settings accepted by the accepting means. 23. An information processing apparatus comprising: (Item 2) the roles include a first role and a second role different from the first role; When the role of the information processing device determined in the cluster is the first role, the communication control means causes the communication means to transmit a predetermined signal. 2. The information processing device according to item 1, (Item 3) 3. The information processing device according to item 2, wherein, when the role of the information processing device determined in the cluster is the second role, the communication control means does not cause the communication means to transmit the specified signal. (Item 4) The information processing device described in item 2 or 3, characterized in that the settings include a first setting that transitions the information processing device to a first power saving state, and a second setting that transitions the information processing device to a second power saving state that consumes less power than the first power saving state. (Item 5) 5. The information processing device according to item 4, wherein the first power saving state is a state in which power is supplied to the communication means, and the second power saving state is a state in which power is not supplied to the communication means. (Item 6) The information processing device according to item 4 or 5, wherein the acquisition means acquires the parameters controlled so that when the first setting is accepted by the reception means, the first role in the cluster is more likely to be determined than when the second setting is accepted by the reception means. (Item 7) The cluster is a cluster formed by Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN), The parameter is Master Rank. 7. The information processing device according to item 6, (Item 8) The apparatus further includes a control means for controlling a second parameter that is a reference when the value of the Master Rank is calculated, the control means changes a value of the second parameter between a case where the first setting is accepted by the accepting means and a case where the second setting is accepted by the accepting means. 8. The information processing device according to item 7, (Item 9) the second parameter is a Master Preference; when the first setting is received by the reception means, the control means sets a value of the second parameter to be larger than when the second setting is received by the reception means. 9. The information processing device according to item 8, (Item 10) A second acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the role determined in the cluster; a change means for changing the setting accepted by the acceptance means based on the information about the role acquired by the second acquisition means, when the setting accepted by the accepting means is changed by the changing means, the power control means transitions the information processing device to the power saving state based on the changed setting. 10. The information processing device according to any one of items 4 to 9. (Item 11) The device further includes a first determination means for determining whether or not WiFi Aware has stopped; 11. The information processing device according to item 10, wherein the acquisition by the second acquisition means is repeated until the first determination means determines that WiFi Aware has stopped. (Item 12) The information processing device described in item 11, characterized in that the change means changes the second setting accepted by the acceptance means to the first setting based on the information regarding the role acquired by the second acquisition means indicating Master. (Item 13) 13. The information processing device according to item 12, further comprising a second change means for returning the setting changed by the change means to the setting before the change. (Item 14) and a second determination means for determining, when the first determination means determines that WiFi Aware has stopped, whether or not a change has been made by the change means; When the second determination means determines that the change has been made by the change means, the second change means returns the setting changed by the change means to the setting before the change. 14. The information processing device according to item 13, (Item 15) a third determination means for determining whether or not a change has been made by the change means when the information about the role acquired by the second acquisition means does not indicate Master; When the third determination means determines that the change has been made by the change means, the second change means returns the setting changed by the change means to the setting before the change. 15. The information processing device according to item 13 or 14. (Item 16) The information processing device according to any one of items 4 to 15, characterized in that when the first setting is accepted by the accepting means, the power control means transitions the information processing device to the first power saving state when a first condition is satisfied. (Item 17) The information processing device described in item 16, characterized in that when the second setting is accepted by the accepting means, the power control means transitions the information processing device to the first power saving state when the first condition is satisfied, and transitions the information processing device to the second power saving state when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied. (Item 18) 18. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the information processing device is a printing device. (Item 19) A method executed in an information processing device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring parameters for determining a role of the information processing device in a cluster formed via wireless communication with peripheral devices of the information processing device; a communication control step of causing a communication unit to execute wireless communication according to the role of the information processing device determined in the cluster based on the parameters acquired in the acquisition step; a receiving step of receiving a setting related to a power saving state of the information processing device; a power control step of transitioning the information processing device to the power saving state based on the setting accepted in the accepting step; having In the acquiring step, the parameters are acquired based on the settings accepted in the accepting step. A method comprising: (Item 20) 19. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 18.
[0084] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0085] 100 Information processing device: 101, 102 Mobile terminal: 110, 120 NAN cluster: 304 CPU: 305 ROM: 306 RAM
Claims
1. An information processing device capable of performing communication via Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN), Setting means for setting a first setting in the information processing device to operate the information processing device in a predetermined power-saving mode based on the fulfillment of predetermined conditions for operating the information processing device in a predetermined power-saving mode, or a second setting to prevent the information processing device from operating in a predetermined power-saving mode even if the predetermined conditions are fulfilled. A control means that operates the information processing device in the predetermined power-saving mode based on the fact that the predetermined conditions are met while the first setting is set, The system includes processing means for executing a predetermined process to control the information processing device such that the state in which the second setting is set is more likely to be determined to operate as the Master in the NAN cluster than the state in which the first setting is set. An information processing device characterized by the following:
2. In the information processing device, a predetermined value defined in the NAN standard is set as a factor for determining the role within the NAN cluster, The predetermined process is a process that controls the predetermined value set in the information processing device when the second setting is set, so that the information processing device is more likely to be determined to operate as the Master in the NAN cluster when the second setting is set than when the first setting is set. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
3. The information processing device is configured in the state in which the first setting is configured, and it has been determined that the information processing device will operate as a Master in the NAN cluster in which the information processing device participates, the information processing device is further provided with a modification means that performs a modification process to change the state of the information processing device from the state in which the first setting is configured to the state in which the second setting is configured. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
4. In the state in which the second setting is set as a result of the execution of the modification process, the state of the information processing device is changed from the state in which the second setting is set to the state in which the first setting is set, based on the fact that the communication by NAN is stopped in the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.
5. The predetermined value is Master Preference, The predetermined process is to ensure that the Master Preference set in the information processing device when the second setting is set is higher than the Master Preference set in the information processing device when the first setting is set. The information processing apparatus according to feature 2.
6. In the state in which the second setting is set as a result of the execution of the modification process, the state of the information processing device is changed from the state in which the second setting is set to the state in which the first setting is set, based on the fact that it has been decided that the information processing device will operate in a role other than Master in the NAN cluster. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.
7. If, while the first setting is configured, it is decided that the information processing device in the NAN cluster will operate in a role other than the Master, the change process will not be executed. The information processing apparatus according to feature 4.
8. Even if, while the first setting is configured, it is determined that the information processing device will operate as a Master in the NAN cluster in which the information processing device participates, the state of the information processing device will not change from the state in which the first setting is configured to the state in which the second setting is configured. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
9. The information processing device operates in any of a plurality of modes, including the predetermined power saving mode, other power saving modes that consume more power than the predetermined power saving mode, and a normal power mode that consumes more power than the other power saving modes. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
10. A first transition means for transitioning the state of the information processing device from the state in which the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode to the state in which the information processing device is operating in the other power-saving mode, based on the fulfillment of other conditions different from the predetermined conditions, The system further comprises: a second transition means which, when the first setting is configured and the information processing device is operating in the other power-saving mode, transitions the state of the information processing device from the state operating in the other power-saving mode to the state operating in the predetermined power-saving mode based on the fulfillment of the predetermined conditions, and a second transition means which, when the second setting is configured and the information processing device is operating in the other power-saving mode, does not transition the state of the information processing device from the state operating in the other power-saving mode to the state operating in the predetermined power-saving mode, even if the predetermined conditions are fulfilled; and a second transition means which further comprises: The information processing apparatus according to feature 9.
11. A transition means that, when the first setting is set and the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode, transitions the state of the information processing device from the state in which the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode to the state in which the information processing device is operating in the predetermined power saving mode, based on the fulfillment of the predetermined conditions, and further comprises a transition means that, when the second setting is set and the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode, even if the predetermined conditions are fulfilled, does not transition the state of the information processing device from the state in which the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode to the state in which the information processing device is operating in the predetermined power saving mode. The information processing apparatus according to feature 9.
12. The information processing device is operating in the predetermined power-saving mode or the other power-saving mode, and the information processing device is operating in the other power-saving mode. Based on the fulfillment of other conditions different from the predetermined conditions, the first transition means is provided to transition the state of the information processing device from the state in which the information processing device is operating in the predetermined power-saving mode or the other power-saving mode to the state in which the information processing device is operating in the normal power mode. The information processing apparatus according to feature 9.
13. The number of hardware configurations of the information processing device that are powered in the normal power mode is greater than the number of hardware configurations of the information processing device that are powered in the other power-saving modes. The number of hardware configurations of the information processing device that are powered in the aforementioned other power-saving modes is greater than the number of hardware configurations of the information processing device that are powered in the predetermined power-saving modes. The information processing apparatus according to feature 9.
14. The predetermined power saving mode is a mode in which communication based on NAN is not performed. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
15. The system further comprises a display means for displaying a selection screen for the user to select the first setting or the second setting, Based on the selection of the first setting on the selection screen, the first setting is set, Based on the selection of the second setting on the selection screen, the second setting is set. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
16. The predetermined condition includes not receiving predetermined data for a certain period of time. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
17. The information processing device is a printer. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.
18. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information processing device is a scanner.
19. A control method for an information processing device capable of performing communication via Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN), A setting step of setting the information processing device to either set a first setting to operate the information processing device in a predetermined power-saving mode based on the fact that predetermined conditions for operating the information processing device in a predetermined power-saving mode have been met, or set a second setting to prevent the information processing device from operating in a predetermined power-saving mode even if the predetermined conditions have been met, A control step in which, based on the fact that the predetermined conditions are met while the first setting is set, the information processing device is operated in the predetermined power-saving mode, The process includes a step of executing a predetermined process to control the information processing device such that the state in which the second setting is set is more likely to be determined to operate as the Master in the NAN cluster than the state in which the first setting is set. A control method characterized by the following:
20. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18.