Communication apparatus, image forming apparatus, communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus that switches a plurality of channels in a time-division manner to perform wireless communication, and to prevent loss of transmission data not dependent on control of a receiving speed.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus comprises: a wireless communication device that switches a plurality of channels in a time-division manner to perform wireless communication; and a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to perform transmission and reception of data with another communication apparatus. The communication control unit has an estimation unit that estimates a channel used by the wireless communication device on the basis of reception data received from the wireless communication device, and a data transmission unit that transmits transmission data to the wireless communication device on the basis of the timing of the used channel estimated by the estimation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, an image forming device, a communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are wireless communication devices that perform wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner. For example, in wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication, there are communication devices that support a concurrent mode in which they alternate between operating as an access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) and operating as a station (hereinafter referred to as STA).

[0003] Furthermore, in the concurrent mode, a technique is known for controlling the reception speed of received data based on the amount of data in a transmission buffer in order to prevent transmission data from being lost due to buffer overflow (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, a communication control unit that transmits and receives data using a wireless communication device outputs transmission data to the wireless communication device at any timing. However, when the wireless communication device is operating on a wireless channel of an STA, for example, and receives transmission data to be transmitted on a wireless channel of an AP, the wireless communication device cannot transmit the input transmission data, so the transmission data is temporarily stored in a transmission buffer. However, since the size of the transmission buffer is finite, this method may result in the loss of transmission data that exceeds the transmission buffer size.

[0005] In addition, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces the reception speed of received data when the amount of data in the transmission buffer increases, thereby preventing the loss of transmission data, which causes a problem of a decrease in communication speed.

[0006] The embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and makes it possible to suppress the loss of transmitted data in a communication device that performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner, without controlling the receiving speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner, and a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data with other communication apparatuses, the communication control unit having an estimation unit that estimates a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device, and a data transmission unit that transmits transmission data to the wireless communication device based on the timing of the channel used estimated by the estimation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a communication device that performs wireless communication by switching between a plurality of channels in a time-division manner, it becomes possible to suppress loss of transmitted data without controlling the receiving speed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of communication processing according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of communication processing according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of communication processing according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an overview of communication processing according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a receiving process according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a channel estimation process according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a channel cycle monitoring process according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of an estimation operation according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 1, the communication system 1 includes an AP20 that is an access point of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and an image forming apparatus 10 that can communicate with an STA30 that is a station of the wireless LAN via wireless communication 2.

[0012] The image forming apparatus (communication apparatus) 10 is an information processing apparatus having an image forming function, such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that has a scanning function, a copying function, a printing function, a fax function, etc., mounted in one housing. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of a communication apparatus equipped with a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching multiple channels in a time-division manner.

[0013] The wireless communication device included in the image forming apparatus 10 supports a concurrent mode in which the image forming apparatus 10 alternates between operating as an access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) and operating as a station (hereinafter referred to as STA) in a wireless LAN. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can connect to the AP 20 via wireless communication 2 as a wireless LAN STA and use the communication network N, while also communicating with terminals such as the STA 30 via wireless communication 2 as a wireless LAN AP.

[0014] In the conventional technology, a communication control unit that transmits and receives data using a wireless communication device outputs transmission data to the wireless communication device at any timing. However, when the wireless communication device is operating on a wireless channel of an STA, for example, and receives transmission data to be transmitted on a wireless channel of an AP, the wireless communication device cannot transmit the input transmission data, so the transmission data is temporarily stored in a transmission buffer. However, since the size of the transmission buffer is finite, this method may result in the loss of transmission data that exceeds the transmission buffer size.

[0015] In addition, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces the reception speed of received data when the amount of data in the transmission buffer increases, thereby preventing the loss of transmission data, which causes a problem of a decrease in communication speed.

[0016] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of estimating the channel used by the wireless communication device from the received data received by the wireless communication device, and transmitting the transmission data to the wireless communication device in accordance with the timing of the estimated channel used. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission data from being stored in the transmission buffer of the wireless communication device, resulting in data loss.

[0017] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a communication device (image forming device 10) that performs wireless communication by switching between a plurality of channels in a time-division manner, loss of transmitted data can be suppressed without controlling the receiving speed.

[0018] <Hardware configuration> (Hardware configuration of image forming device) 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a storage device 204, an operation panel 205, an engine unit 206, a wireless communication device 210, and a system bus B.

[0019] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by, for example, using the RAM 203 as a work area to execute programs stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 202 or the storage device 204. For example, the CPU 201 controls an engine unit 206 (described later) to control image forming functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a fax function, and a printer function. The CPU 201 also controls a wireless communication device 210 to perform wireless communication with, for example, the AP 20 and the STA 30.

[0020] The ROM 202 is a non-volatile memory that stores, for example, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) executed when the main body 21 is started, various settings, etc. The RAM 203 is a volatile memory used as a work area, etc. for the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device that stores, for example, an OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, etc.

[0021] Operation panel 205 displays various operation screens and accepts user input operations on the operation screens. Operation panel 205 is configured with, for example, a display device equipped with a touch panel function. Operation panel 205 may also have an operation unit such as hardware keys or a display unit such as a lamp.

[0022] The engine unit 206 is hardware that executes image forming functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a fax function, and a printer function. The engine unit 206 includes, for example, a scanner that scans and reads an image of an original, a printer that prints on a sheet material such as paper, a fax communication unit that performs fax communication, etc. Furthermore, the engine unit 206 may include various options such as a finisher that sorts printed sheet materials, or an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds originals.

[0023] The wireless communication device 210 is a device that performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner. The wireless communication device 210 includes, for example, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 211 that transmits and receives wireless signals via an antenna 213, and a signal processing circuit 212 that performs signal processing in baseband. The wireless communication device 210 is, for example, a communication device for wireless LAN that supports the above-mentioned concurrent mode. However, the wireless communication device 210 may also perform wireless communication other than wireless LAN.

[0024] The system bus B is connected to each of the above components and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0025] The above-described hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is merely an example. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be configured to control the engine unit 206 by a CPU different from the CPU 201 to realize image forming functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a fax function, and a printer function.

[0026] <Functional configuration> 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a wireless communication device 210 that performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner, and a communication control unit 320 that controls the wireless communication device 210 to transmit and receive data to and from other communication devices.

[0027] (Functional configuration of wireless communication device) The wireless communication device 210 includes, for example, a wireless communication unit 311, a receiving buffer 313, a transmitting buffer 314, and a signal processing unit 315.

[0028] 2 and the like, and performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time-division manner. The wireless communication unit 311 has, for example, a switching unit 312, and performs wireless communication with the AP 20 and the STA 30 by switching the channel for communication periodically in a time-division manner using the switching unit 312. For example, the switching unit 312 can switch the channel by switching the current path to the antenna 213 using a switch or the like.

[0029] 2 and functions as a buffer that temporarily stores data received by the wireless communication unit 311. The transmission buffer 314 is realized by, for example, the signal processing circuit 212 in FIG. 2 and functions as a buffer that temporarily stores data to be transmitted by the wireless communication unit 311.

[0030] 2, and performs signal processing on data transmitted and received by the wireless communication unit 311. For example, the signal processing unit 315 reads out data temporarily stored in the reception buffer 313, performs predetermined signal processing, and outputs the processed reception data to the communication control unit 320. The signal processing unit 315 also performs predetermined signal processing on transmission data input from the communication control unit 320, and temporarily stores the processed data in the transmission buffer 314. Here, the predetermined signal processing includes, for example, a process of deleting a header from the reception data, and a process of adding a header to the transmission data.

[0031] 3 is an example of the functional configuration of wireless communication device 210. Wireless communication device 210 may have any internal functional configuration as long as it performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner.

[0032] (Functional configuration of the communication control unit) The communication control unit 320 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the storage device 204 or the ROM 202.

[0033] As another example, the image forming apparatus 10 may include a communication apparatus 300 having a wireless communication device 210 and a communication control unit 320, and the communication control unit 320 may be realized by a computer included in the communication apparatus 300 executing a program stored in a storage medium. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the communication control unit 320 is realized by a program executed by the CPU 201.

[0034] The communication control unit 320 includes, for example, a data receiving unit 321, an estimation unit 322, and a data transmitting unit 323. The data receiving unit 321 executes a data reception process for receiving reception data output by the wireless communication device 210.

[0035] The estimation unit 322 executes an estimation process to estimate the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 from the received data that the data receiving unit 321 receives from the wireless communication device 210 .

[0036] The data transmission unit 323 executes a data transmission process for transmitting transmission data to the wireless communication device 210 in accordance with the channel to be used by the wireless communication device 210 estimated by the estimation unit 322 .

[0037] (Processing Overview) 4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining an overview of a process according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the timing 401 of the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 alternates between communication with the AP 20 and communication with the STA 30 at a predetermined switching period T. In the example of FIG. 4, the wireless communication device 210 communicates with the STA 30 on a first channel for a predetermined time dt1, and then communicates with the AP 20 on a second channel different from the first channel for a predetermined time dt2, repeatedly executing this process at a switching period T. Note that such a communication method may be called VSDB (Virtual Simultaneous Dual Band).

[0038] This allows the wireless communication device 210 to use, for example, the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band (an example of multiple wireless channels) of a wireless LAN simultaneously. For example, if the wireless communication device 210 can only operate as an AP and as an STA on the same wireless channel, it can only be used fixedly in the 2.4 GHz band because there are still terminals on the market that can only use the 5 GHz band. On the other hand, if the wireless communication device 210 can use the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band simultaneously, it can wirelessly communicate with a wider range of terminals. In addition, since the wireless communication device 210 does not operate, for example, as an AP and as an STA on the same frequency band, it is possible to reduce interference of radio waves in the same frequency band.

[0039] In the conventional technology, a communication control unit that controls wireless communication device 210 to transmit and receive data cannot know the channel switching timing of switching unit 312 inside wireless communication device 210, which is another device. This is because wireless communication device 210 does not have a function to output timing 401 of the channel used by wireless communication device 210. In order for wireless communication device 210 to output timing 401 of the channel used by wireless communication device 210, a hardware change is required.

[0040] Therefore, in conventional technology, the communication control unit transmits packets to be transmitted to AP 20 (hereinafter referred to as AP packets) and packets to be transmitted to STA 30 (hereinafter referred to as STA packets) at any timing, as shown in, for example, FIG. 5.

[0041] 5 to the STA 30, but cannot transmit an AP packet transmitted by the communication control unit at time t1 to the AP 20. In this case, the wireless communication device 210 temporarily stores the data that cannot be transmitted in the transmission buffer 314, but since the size of the transmission buffer 314 is also finite, there is a possibility that a transmission packet that exceeds the buffer size will be lost (lost).

[0042] Therefore, the communication control unit 320 according to this embodiment has an estimation unit 322 that estimates the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 from the received data received from the wireless communication device 210 .

[0043] 6, when the wireless communication device 210 is communicating with the STA 30, it can only receive an STA packet among packets 601 received by the antenna 213. Therefore, for example, the STA packet received by the antenna 213 at time t10 in FIG. 6 is output to the communication control unit 320, but the AP packet received by the antenna 213 at time t11 is not output to the communication control unit 320.

[0044] Similarly, when the wireless communication device 210 is communicating with the AP 20, it can only receive an AP packet among the packets 601 received by the antenna 213. Therefore, for example, the STA packet received by the antenna 213 at time t12 in FIG. 6 is not output to the communication control unit 320, but the AP packet received by the antenna 213 at time t13 is output to the communication control unit 320.

[0045] Therefore, the estimation unit 322 can grasp, for example, from the received data received from the wireless communication device 210, whether the wireless communication device 210 is currently communicating with the AP 20 or with the STA 30. Furthermore, the estimation unit 322 can estimate the timing 401 of the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 using the switching period T and the ratio between the time dt1 for communicating with the AP 20 on the first channel and the time dt2 for communicating with the STA 30 on the second channel, which are described in FIG.

[0046] Furthermore, the communication control unit 320 according to this embodiment has a data transmission unit 323 that transmits transmission data to the wireless communication device 210 in accordance with the timing 401 of the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 estimated by the estimation unit 322. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the data transmission unit 323 transmits transmission data 701 of the communication control unit 320 in accordance with the timing 401 of the channel used by the wireless communication device 210. For example, the data transmission unit 323 checks the transmission channel before transmitting the transmission data, and transmits the transmission data when the transmission channel matches the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 estimated by the estimation unit 322.

[0047] 7, the wireless communication device 210 can transmit the transmission data 701 of the communication control unit as is, thereby preventing overflow of the transmission buffer 314. In this way, according to this embodiment, packet loss can be avoided without changing the hardware of the wireless communication device 210.

[0048] In addition, since the data receiving unit 321 of the communication control unit 320 acquires the received data without delay from the receiving buffer 313, basically, the retention of the received data and packet loss do not occur.

[0049] <Processing flow> Next, the process flow of the communication method according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0050] (Receiving process) 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a reception process according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the communication control unit 320 controls the wireless communication device 210 to receive reception data.

[0051] In step S801, when the communication control unit 320 starts the reception process, it determines whether or not multiple channels (CHs) are being switched in a time-division manner. For example, when the wireless communication device 210 is operating in the above-mentioned concurrent mode, the communication control unit 320 may determine that multiple channels (CHs) are being switched in a time-division manner. When multiple channels are being switched in a time-division manner, the communication control unit 320 shifts the process to step S802. On the other hand, when multiple channels are not being switched in a time-division manner, the communication control unit 320 shifts the process to step S803.

[0052] In step S802, the estimation unit 322 of the communication control unit 320 executes estimation processing to estimate the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 from the received data received from the wireless communication device 210. The specific processing content of the estimation processing will be described later.

[0053] In step S803, the communication control unit 320 executes a packet reception process. For example, the communication control unit 320 causes the data receiving unit 321 to output the AP packet and the STA packet received from the wireless communication device 210 to a predetermined output destination.

[0054] In this way, when the wireless communication device 210 performs wireless communication by switching between a plurality of channels in a time-division manner, the communication control unit 320 executes an estimation process for estimating the channel being used by the wireless communication device 210.

[0055] (Transmission process) 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission process according to an embodiment, in which the communication control unit 320 controls the wireless communication device 210 to transmit transmission data.

[0056] In step S901, when the communication control unit 320 starts the transmission process, it determines whether or not multiple channels (CHs) are being switched in a time-division manner. If multiple channels are being switched in a time-division manner, the communication control unit 320 shifts the process to step S902. On the other hand, if multiple channels are not being switched in a time-division manner, the communication control unit 320 shifts the process to step S904.

[0057] When the process proceeds to step S902, the data transmission unit 323 of the communication control unit 320 checks the transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data, and judges whether or not the checked transmission channel (CH) matches the estimated channel (CH) estimated by the estimation unit 322. Here, the "estimated channel" is the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 estimated by the estimation unit 322. Also, the "transmission channel" is the channel for transmitting the transmission data (for example, a first channel for communicating with the STA 30, or a second channel for communicating with the AP 20, etc.).

[0058] If the transmission channel and the estimated channel match, the data transmission unit 323 shifts the process to step S904. On the other hand, if the transmission channel and the estimated channel do not match, the data transmission unit 323 shifts the process to step S903.

[0059] In step S903, the data transmission unit 323 suspends packet transmission for a predetermined time, and then returns the process to step S902. Through the processes of steps S902 and S903, the data transmission unit 323 adjusts the timing of transmitting packets (transmission data) to the wireless communication device 210 until the transmission channel and the estimated channel match.

[0060] In step S904, the data transmission unit 323 executes a packet transmission process for transmitting a packet (transmission data) to the wireless communication device 210.

[0061] 9, when the transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data matches the channel in use estimated by the estimation unit 322 (estimated channel), the data transmission unit 323 transmits the transmission data to the wireless communication device 210. When the transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data does not match the channel in use estimated by the estimation unit 322, the data transmission unit 323 suspends the transmission of the transmission data.

[0062] This allows the data transmission section 323 to transmit the transmission data 701 of the communication control section 320 in accordance with the timing 401 of the channel used by the wireless communication device 210, for example, as described in FIG.

[0063] (Channel estimation processing) 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a channel estimation process according to an embodiment. This process shows an example of a channel (CH) estimation process executed by the estimation unit 322 of the communication control unit 320 in step S802 in FIG.

[0064] In step S1001, the estimation unit 322 determines whether the estimated channel (CH) and the used channel (CH) match. Here, the "estimated channel" is the used channel of the wireless communication device 210 estimated by the estimation unit 322. The estimation unit 322 estimates, for example, timing 401 of the used channel of the wireless communication device 210 (channel period of the wireless communication device 210) as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the estimation unit 322 estimates an estimated channel, which is an estimation result of the current used channel, based on the predicted channel period of the wireless communication device 210. Furthermore, the "used channel" is, for example, the used channel of the wireless communication device 210 determined by the estimation unit 322 from the received data received from the wireless communication device 210, as described in FIG. 6.

[0065] If the estimated channel does not match the channel in use, the estimation unit 322 moves the process to step S1002. On the other hand, if the estimated channel matches the channel in use, the estimation unit 322 ends the process of FIG.

[0066] In step S1002, the estimation unit 322 resets the estimated channel (CH) and restarts the timer count. For example, if the "estimated channel" does not match the "channel in use", the estimation unit 322 rewrites the "estimated channel" to the "channel in use" and restarts the timer count.

[0067] The estimation unit 322 executes the process of Fig. 10, for example, every time the data receiving unit 321 receives a reception packet. In this way, the estimation unit 322 can estimate a channel period (time-division operation) of the wireless communication device 210, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, and correct a deviation in the estimation result.

[0068] (Channel cycle monitoring process) 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a channel cycle monitoring process according to an embodiment. For example, the estimation unit 322 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. 11 in parallel with the process of FIG.

[0069] In step S1101, the estimation unit 322 acquires the system time.

[0070] In step S1102, the estimation unit 322 adds the elapsed time to a timer count value that counts the channel period of the wireless communication device 210 based on the acquired system time.

[0071] In step S1103, the estimation unit 322 determines whether it is time to switch channels (CHs) based on the timer count value. If it is time to switch channels, the estimation unit 322 shifts the process to step S1104. On the other hand, if it is not time to switch channels, the estimation unit 322 returns the process to step S1101.

[0072] In step S1104, the estimation unit 322 resets the estimated channel (CH) and restarts the timer count. For example, when the current estimated channel is a first channel for communicating with the STA 30, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel to a second channel for communicating with the AP 20 and restarts the timer count.

[0073] Through the process of FIG. 11, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel when the timer count value reaches the timing for channel switching.

[0074] <Example of estimated behavior> Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of an estimation operation according to an embodiment. Here, as an example, the following description will be given assuming that the switching period T of the wireless communication device 210 described in Fig. 4 is 100 ms, and the ratio of the time dt1 for communicating with the STA 30 and the time dt2 for communicating with the AP 20 in the switching period T is 6:4.

[0075] (Example 1) In example 1 of FIG. 12, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the first AP packet, the estimation unit 322 sets the estimated channel as the second channel for communicating with the AP 20, and starts a timer.

[0076] In Example 1, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the first STA packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 does not match the estimated channel. In this case, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel to the first channel for communicating with the STA 30 and restarts the timer count by the process of Fig. 10. This allows the estimation unit 322 to correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0077] In addition, in Example 1, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the second AP packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 does not match the estimated channel. In this case, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel to the second channel for communicating with the AP 20 again and restarts the timer count by the process of Fig. 10. This allows the estimation unit 322 to further correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0078] In addition, in Example 1, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the second STA packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 does not match the estimated channel. In this case, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel back to the first channel for communicating with the STA 30 and restarts the timer count by the process of Fig. 10. This allows the estimation unit 322 to further correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0079] 10, estimates the time division operation of the wireless communication device 210, and corrects the deviation of the estimation result every time the estimation unit 322 receives a packet from the wireless communication device 210. Therefore, the more packets the estimation unit 322 receives, the more the prediction accuracy of the estimated channel improves.

[0080] (Example 2) In example 2 of FIG. 12, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the first AP packet, the estimation unit 322 sets the estimated channel as the second channel for communication with the AP 20, and starts a timer.

[0081] In addition, in Example 2, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the first STA packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 does not match the estimated channel. In this case, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimated channel to the first channel for communicating with the STA 30 and restarts the timer count by the process of FIG. 10, similar to Example 1.

[0082] In addition, in example 2, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the second STA packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 and the estimated channel match. In this case, the estimation unit 322 does not correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0083] Similarly, in example 2, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the second AP packet, the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 and the estimated channel match. In this case, the estimation unit 322 does not correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0084] In this way, when the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 and the estimated channel match, the estimation unit 322 does not correct the deviation of the estimation result.

[0085] (Example 3) In example 3 of FIG. 12, when the data receiving unit 321 receives the first AP packet, the estimation unit 322 sets the estimated channel as the second channel for communication with the AP 20, and starts a timer.

[0086] Furthermore, at time t1 in Example 3, when the channel switching timing arrives, the estimation unit 322 switches the estimation channel to the first channel for communicating with the STA 30 through the process in FIG. 11, and restarts the timer count.

[0087] In this manner, when the data receiving unit 321 is not receiving a packet, the estimation unit 322 switches the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 through the process of FIG.

[0088] (Example 4) Example 4 in Fig. 12 shows an image of processing until the data receiving unit 321 receives the first packet. The communication control unit 320 holds in advance a default timing chart showing the channel switching timing of the wireless communication device 210, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the data transmitting unit 323 transmits transmission packets to the wireless communication device 210 based on the default timing chart until the data receiving unit 321 receives the first packet.

[0089] Furthermore, after the data receiving unit 321 receives the first packet, the estimation unit 322 estimates the channel used by the wireless communication device 210 as described in operation examples 1 to 3, and transmits a transmission packet to the wireless communication device 210 based on the estimation result.

[0090] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus 10 that performs wireless communication by switching between a plurality of channels in a time-division manner, it is possible to prevent loss of transmitted data without controlling the receiving speed.

[0091] In the above description, the image forming apparatus 10 is described as a communication apparatus equipped with a wireless communication device 210 that performs wireless communication by switching between multiple channels in a time-division manner, but the image forming apparatus 10 is an example of a communication apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0092] The communication device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the image forming device 10, as long as it is a device equipped with a wireless communication device 210 that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time-division manner. For example, the communication device according to the present embodiment may be an output device such as a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board having an electronic blackboard function capable of mutual communication), a digital signage, or a HUD (Head Up Display) device. In addition, the communication device according to the present embodiment may be, for example, an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collecting device, a medical device, a network home appliance, or an automobile (Connected Car). Furthermore, the communication device according to the present embodiment may be, for example, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

[0093] <Supplementary Information> Each function of each embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0094] Moreover, the functional components of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 may be integrated into one device, or may be distributed across multiple devices.

[0095] <Additional Notes> This specification discloses a communication device, an image forming device, a communication method, and a program as described below. (Section 1) a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; Equipped with The communication control unit an estimation unit that estimates a channel used by the wireless communication device from received data received from the wireless communication device; a data transmission unit that transmits transmission data to the wireless communication device in accordance with the timing of the channel in use estimated by the estimation unit; A communication device comprising: (Section 2) The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates a time division operation of the wireless communication device and corrects a deviation in the estimation result every time a packet is received from the wireless communication device. (Section 3) The communication device described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the estimation unit estimates the channel used by the wireless communication device based on a channel switching period of the wireless communication device and a timer count since receiving a received packet from the wireless communication device. (Section 4) The data transmission unit is Before transmitting the transmission data, confirm a transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data; transmitting the transmission data when the transmission channel coincides with the usage channel estimated by the estimation unit. 4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Section 5) 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the data transmitting unit temporarily suspends transmission of the transmission data when the transmission channel does not match the usage channel estimated by the estimation unit. (Section 6) The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the estimation result of the channel in use does not match the channel in use of the received data, the estimation unit changes the estimation result of the channel in use to match the channel in use of the received data. (Section 7) The estimation unit is Counting the timing of the time division; restarting a count of the time division timing when the estimation result of the channel in use does not match the channel in use of the received data; 7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Section 8) 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Section 9) a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; In a communication device comprising: The communication control unit, an estimation process for estimating a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device; a process of transmitting transmission data to the wireless communication device in accordance with the timing of the channel in use estimated in the estimation process; A communication method. (Section 10) a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; In a communication device comprising: The communication control unit, an estimation process for estimating a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device; a process of transmitting transmission data to the wireless communication device in accordance with the timing of the channel in use estimated in the estimation process; A program for executing the above, or a storage medium on which such a program is stored.

[0096] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Communication Systems 2. Wireless Communication 10 Image forming device (communication device) 20 AP 30 STA 210 Wireless communication devices 300 Communication Equipment 320 Communication Control Unit 321 Data Reception Unit 322 Estimation Department 323 Data Transmission Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0098] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-205460 A

Claims

1. a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; Equipped with The communication control unit an estimation unit that estimates a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device; a data transmission unit that transmits transmission data to the wireless communication device based on the used channel estimated by the estimation unit; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates a time-division operation of the wireless communication device and corrects a deviation in an estimation result every time a packet is received from the wireless communication device.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the channel used by the wireless communication device based on a channel switching period of the wireless communication device and a timer count from when a packet is received from the wireless communication device.

4. The data transmission unit is Before transmitting the transmission data, confirm a transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data; transmitting the transmission data when the transmission channel coincides with the usage channel estimated by the estimation unit.

3. A communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The communication device according to claim 4 , wherein the data transmitting unit suspends transmission of the transmission data when the transmission channel does not match the usage channel estimated by the estimation unit.

6. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the estimation result of the used channel does not match the used channel of the received data, the estimation unit changes the estimation result of the used channel to match the used channel of the received data.

7. The estimation unit is Counting the timing of the time division; restarting a count of the time division timing when the estimation result of the channel in use does not match the channel in use of the received data; 7. A communication device according to claim 1 or 6.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising the communication device according to claim 1.

9. a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; In a communication device comprising: The communication control unit, an estimation process for estimating a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device; a process of transmitting transmission data to the wireless communication device based on the used channel estimated in the estimation process; A communication method.

10. a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication by switching a plurality of channels in a time division manner; a communication control unit that controls the wireless communication device to transmit and receive data to and from another communication device; In a communication device comprising: The communication control unit, an estimation process for estimating a channel used by the wireless communication device based on received data received from the wireless communication device; a process of transmitting transmission data to the wireless communication device based on the used channel estimated in the estimation process; A program to execute.

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