Communication device, control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To more appropriately execute communication using multiple links.SOLUTION: A communication device is provided that, when operating in a first state, and when the communication unit has established a first number of communication links with an external device through Multi-Link communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard, and a predetermined function is enabled, controls the communication device to operate in a second state, on the basis of predetermined conditions being satisfied for transitioning to the lower power consumption state than the first state, and to cause the communication unit to establish, with the external device, a second number of communication links smaller than the first number.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method of the communication device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In an Extended Service Set (ESS) composed of a plurality of Access Points (APs), there is a technology for dynamically switching the connection destination AP so that the AP and the Station (STA) can efficiently exchange data. When it is determined that the connection destination AP should be switched based on the congestion of the AP to which the STA is connected, the availability of other APs, the radio wave condition, etc., the connected AP sends a connection AP change request to the STA. When the STA receives the AP change request, it can connect to an appropriate AP by switching the connection destination AP according to the request.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the following as a process for requesting a connection destination change from a router having the function of an AP to a connected wireless slave device. A Mobile Router (MR1) that can be connected to a plurality of wireless slave devices checks whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v. Whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v can be determined from the Association Request frame transmitted when the wireless slave device terminal makes a wireless connection to the MR1. When the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame is transmitted to the corresponding wireless slave device terminal. The BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the BTM Request frame specifies the BSS ID of the parent router RT2 as the connection destination. This promotes the switching of the connection destination of the slave device terminal, and the wireless slave device terminal switches the connection destination from the MR1 to the RT2 according to the received BTM Request frame.

[0004] In the newly established IEEE802.11be standard, multi-link communication is realized in which a plurality of wireless links are established between a communication device serving as an AP and other communication devices serving as STAs via a plurality of different frequency channels, and communication is performed in parallel over those links.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In an environment where communication using a plurality of links can be utilized, it is desired to more appropriately control the execution of communication using the plurality of links.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to more appropriately control the execution of communication using a plurality of links.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention is a communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state with lower power consumption than the first state, and a third state with lower power consumption than the first state and the second state, comprising: setting means for setting a predetermined function to be valid or invalid; communication means for communicating by a communication unit capable of executing communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 series of standards; when the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links by Multi-Link communication conforming to the IEEE802.11be standard with an external device, and when a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state is satisfied while the predetermined function is set to be valid, the communication device is controlled to operate in the second state and the communication unit is in a state of establishing a second number of communication links smaller than the first number with the external device; when the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied while the predetermined function is set to be invalid, the communication device is controlled to operate in the third state and the communication unit is in a state of not establishing a communication link with the external device, and first control means for controlling the communication device.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the execution of communication using a plurality of links can be more appropriately controlled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] (Configuration of Wireless Communication System) FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication network according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a configuration including one access point (AP) 101 and two wireless slave units 102 and 105. The wireless slave units are stations, hereinafter referred to as STAs. In this embodiment, the AP 101 and the STAs 102 and 105 each correspond to one device. Specifically, for example, the AP 101 is one external device and one wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. Also specifically, for example, each of the STAs 102 and 105 is one printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network formed by the AP 101 is indicated by a circle 100. The AP 101 and the STAs 102 and 105 can transmit and receive signals to and from each other. Hereinafter, a communication network configured by wireless communication may be simply referred to as a network or a wireless network. The STAs 102 and 105 may also be referred to as slave units, wireless slave units, or wireless terminals. Further, the AP 101 and the STAs 102 and 105 may be collectively referred to as communication devices or communication devices.

[0014] STA102 and 105 have joined the network constituted by AP101, and AP101, STA102, and 105 can perform wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be (EHT) standard. Note that IEEE is the abbreviation of Institute of Electrial and Electronics Engineers. Also, EHT is the abbreviation of Extremely High Throughput. Note that EHT may also be interpreted as the abbreviation of Extreme High Throughput. Also, IEEE802.11be is also referred to as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) 7. In EHT, each communication device can communicate at frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band. The frequency band used by each communication device is not limited to this, and different frequency bands such as the 60 GHz band may be used. Also, AP101, STA102, and 105 can communicate using bandwidths of 20 GHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz. The bandwidth used by each communication device is not limited to this, and different bandwidths such as 240 MHz and 4 MHz may be used.

[0015] Although AP101, STA102, and 105 are assumed to comply with the IEEE802.11be standard, in addition to this, they may also comply with legacy standards that are older than the IEEE802.11be standard, or they may comply with successor standards to IEEE802.11be. Specifically, AP101 and STA102 may comply with at least one of the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax standards. Also, in addition to the IEEE802.11 series of standards, they may comply with other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, MBOA, etc. Note that UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Also, NFC is an abbreviation for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, etc. Also, AP101 may comply with the communication standards of wired communication such as wired LAN. Specific examples of AP101 include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN routers, personal computers (PCs), single-function access points, etc. Also, AP101 may be an information processing device such as a wireless chip that can execute wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard. Also, specific examples of STA102 include, but are not limited to, cameras, tablet terminals, smartphones, personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video cameras, headsets, etc. Also, STA102 may be an information processing device such as a wireless chip that can execute wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard. Also, a specific example of STA105 is an image forming device having a composite function such as a printer that forms images or a scanner that reads images.

[0016] STA105 is an image forming apparatus such as, for example, a single-function printer or a digital multi-function peripheral having a scanner for optically reading images. This image forming apparatus is a STA with respect to AP101, and is thus called STA105, and may also be called communication device 105. STA105 is connected to AP101 by communication conforming to the IEEE802.11be standard. A unit of processing specific to an image forming apparatus such as image formation or image reading executed by STA105 is called a job, and STA105 can execute a plurality of jobs whose used resources do not conflict in parallel. For example, STA105 can execute a scan job and a print job that does not use a scanner in parallel.

[0017] Servers 111A and 111B are so-called cloud servers arranged on the Internet. One or both of them have the function of a print server that stores print data received from a terminal and transmits the print data to STA105 in response to or without a request. Servers 111A and 111B are here assumed to be cloud servers, but may be connected by wireless communication conforming to AP101 and IEEE802.11be. Also, servers 111A and 111B may be servers that provide services other than a print server. In the following description, the description of STA102 also applies to STA105 which is an image forming apparatus. Note that only one of servers 111A or 111B may exist, or there may be three or more servers.

[0018] AP101 and STA102, 105 establish and communicate multiple links via multiple frequency channels, and execute Multi-Link communication. The AP corresponding to one device that executes Multi-Link communication and the STA corresponding to one device each include a plurality of virtual APs and a plurality of virtual STAs. Therefore, the AP corresponding to one device and the STA corresponding to one device are also referred to as an AP Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and an STA Multi-Link Device (STA MLD), respectively. The STA MLD may also be called a Non-AP MLD. The AP MLD and the STA MLD may also be called communication devices or communication apparatuses, respectively. And the virtual AP and the virtual STA are called affiliated APs and affiliated STAs, respectively. The plurality of affiliated APs included in one AP MLD are APs that communicate using different channels. Similarly, the plurality of affiliated STAs included in one STA MLD are STAs that communicate using different channels. In the IEEE 802.11 series standards, the bandwidth of each frequency channel is defined as 20 MHz. Here, the frequency channel is a frequency channel defined in the IEEE 802.11 series standards, and in the IEEE 802.11 series standards, a plurality of frequency channels are defined in each frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, and 60 GHz band. Therefore, the plurality of affiliated APs and the plurality of affiliated STAs will use any one of the above frequency channels. Note that by bonding with adjacent frequency channels, a bandwidth of 40 MHz or more may be utilized in one frequency channel. For example, AP101 can establish and communicate a link 103 with STA102 via a first frequency channel in the 5 GHz band. In parallel with this, STA102, 105 can establish and communicate a link 104 with AP102 via a second frequency channel in the 6 GHz band.In this case, STAs 102 and 105 perform Multi-Link communication that maintains a second link 104 via a second frequency channel in parallel with link 103 via the first frequency channel. In the following, when AP 101 and STAs 102 and 105 support multi-link communication, to distinguish the individual APs and STAs included therein, AP 101 is referred to as AP MLD101, and STAs 102 and 105 are referred to as STA MLD102 and 105. However, when there is no risk of confusion, they are referred to as AP 101 and STAs 102 and 105.

[0019] An example of a sequence diagram when performing Multi-Link communication is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, affiliated APs are represented by appending numbers such as AP1, AP2 ···, and affiliated STAs are represented by appending numbers such as STA1, STA2 ···. That is, in FIG. 2, for example, AP MLD101 includes AP1 which is the first AP, AP2 which is the second AP, and AP3 which is the third AP. STA MLD102 and 105 each include STA1 which is the first STA, STA2 which is the second STA, and STA3 which is the third STA. AP1 and STA1 establish a first link using a first frequency channel. AP2 and STA2 establish a second link using a second frequency channel. AP3 and STA3 establish a third link using a third frequency channel. In this embodiment, the connection between an affiliated STA and an affiliated AP is called a link. Also, the first frequency channel to the third frequency channel are the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band respectively in the example of FIG. 2, but may be other available frequency bands. In this case, the number of APs included in AP MLD is not limited to three and may be a number corresponding to the available frequency band. The same applies to STA MLD. As described above, an AP associated with each frequency band capable of performing data communication is called an affiliated AP, and an STA associated with each frequency band capable of performing data communication is called an affiliated STA. The affiliated AP and the affiliated STA may be preset by a user such as an administrator from among the APs included in, for example, AP MLD101 or the STAs included in STA MLD102, 105. The determination of whether to connect with Multi-Link is made based on a Basic Multi-Link element. AP MLD transmits the Basic Multi-Link element by attaching it to a Beacon or a Probe Response to a Probe Request from an STA.The STA MLD determines whether the Basic Multi-Link element is included in the Beacon or Probe Response sent by any affiliated AP, and determines whether it is an AP MLD or not. If the Basic Multi-Link element is included, it can be determined that the transmitting AP is an AP MLD.

[0020] When the communication partner AP (hereinafter referred to as the opposing AP) is an AP MLD, the frequency band and channel information of other affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD are obtained from the RNR (Reduced Neighbor Report) element included in the acquired Beacon or Probe Response. The fact that they are the same AP MLD is determined by the MLD ID included in the RNR element being 0. The format of the RNR element is shown in Figure 3. The RNR element includes the MLD ID 301 as shown in Figure 3. The STA MLD switches to the frequency band and channel indicated by the acquired channel information, obtains detailed information of each affiliated AP, and connects to the affiliated AP to be connected in a Multi-Link based on this. If the opposing AP is not an AP MLD, it connects on a single frequency channel. When the STA and the AP establish a connection, first, STA1 requests authentication from AP1 using an Authentication Frame. When the authentication is successful, STA1 sends an Association Request to AP1. AP1 returns an Association Response to perform an association with each other. Then, a 4-way handshake is performed to install the encryption / decryption keys.

[0021] By establishing a plurality of links between AP101 and STA102 and 105 via a plurality of frequency channels in this way, the throughput in the communication between AP101 and each of STA102 and 105 can be improved. In this embodiment, as described in Examples 1 and 2 below, even if the beacon or probe response received by STA012 or 105 indicates that AP101 is an AP MLD, the multi-link is not unconditionally set. Then, the multi-link is set according to the situation, or the number of the links is changed. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7.

[0022] Note that in Multi-Link communication, a plurality of links with different frequency bands may be established between communication devices. For example, in addition to Link 103 in the 5 GHz band and Link 104 in the 6 GHz band between AP101 and STA102, a third link in the 2.4 GHz band may be established. Alternatively, links may be established via a plurality of different channels included in the same frequency band. For example, 15ch in the 6 GHz band may be used as the first link, and in addition, 207ch in the 6 GHz band may be used as the second link. Note that links with the same frequency band and different links may be mixed. For example, in addition to the link 103 of 36ch in the 5 GHz band between each of AP101 and STA102 and 105, a link of 149ch in the 5 GHz band and a link of 15ch in the 6 GHz band may be established. By establishing a plurality of connections with different frequencies between AP101 and STA102, even when a certain band is congested, communication can be established with STA102 in the other band, so that a decrease in throughput and communication delay in the communication with STA102 can be prevented. The same applies to STA105.

[0023] (Configuration of AP and STA) FIG. 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of AP101 in this embodiment. AP101 includes a storage unit 401, a control unit 402, a functional unit 403, an output unit 405, a communication unit 406, and an antenna 407. Note that there may be a plurality of antennas.

[0024] The storage unit 401 is composed of one or more memories such as non-volatile memory devices like ROM and RAM, and stores computer programs for performing various operations described later, as well as various information such as communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM is the abbreviation of Read Only Memory, and RAM is the abbreviation of Random Access Memory. In addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs may be used as the storage unit 401. Also, the storage unit 401 may include a plurality of memories and the like.

[0025] The control unit 402 is composed of, for example, one or more processors such as a CPU or an MPU, and controls the entire AP101 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 401. Note that the control unit 402 may control the entire AP101 in cooperation with the computer program stored in the storage unit 401 and the OS (Operating System). Also, the control unit 402 generates data and signals (wireless frames) to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. CPU is the abbreviation of Central Processing Unit, and MPU is the abbreviation of Micro Processing Unit. Also, the control unit 402 may include a plurality of processors such as a multi-core processor, and control the entire AP101 by the plurality of processors.

[0026] Also, the control unit 402 controls the functional unit 403 to execute predetermined processes such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection. The functional unit 403 is hardware for the AP101 to execute predetermined processes.

[0027] The input unit 404 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 405 performs various outputs to the user via a monitor screen or a speaker. Here, the output by the output unit 405 may be a display on the monitor screen, an audio output by the speaker, a vibration output, or the like. Note that both the input unit 404 and the output unit 405 may be realized by one module such as a touch panel. Further, the input unit 404 and the output unit 405 may be integrated with the AP101, respectively, or may be separate.

[0028] The communication unit 406 controls wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard. In addition to the IEEE802.11be standard, the communication unit 406 may control wireless communication compliant with other IEEE802.11 series standards or control wired communication such as a wired LAN. The communication unit 406 controls the antenna 407 to transmit and receive signals for wireless communication generated by the control unit 402.

[0029] Note that when the AP101 supports communication standards such as the NFC standard and the Bluetooth standard in addition to the IEEE802.11be standard, it may control wireless communication compliant with these communication standards. Further, when the AP101 can execute wireless communication compliant with a plurality of communication standards, it may have a communication unit and an antenna corresponding to each communication standard individually. The AP101 communicates data such as image data, document data, and video data with a counterpart device via the communication unit 406. Note that the antenna 407 may be configured separately from the communication unit 406 or may be configured as one module together with the communication unit 406.

[0030] The antenna 407 is an antenna capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the AP102 has two antennas, but it may have three antennas. Alternatively, it may have different antennas for each frequency band. Further, when the AP101 has a plurality of antennas, it may have a communication unit 406 corresponding to each antenna.

[0031] Note that STA102 and STA105 have the same hardware configuration as AP101 shown in FIG. 4. Since STA105 is, for example, an image forming apparatus, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 4, it may have an image forming unit (printer unit) such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method, a reading unit (scanner unit) that reads an image recorded on a document such as paper, and a control unit for them. Furthermore, it may have an image processing unit for processing the image to be recorded or the read image, and a storage unit for storing print data received from a terminal or a server. For STA105, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is called a controller unit separately from the configuration specific to an image forming apparatus such as an image forming unit or a scanner unit. The same applies to STA102, but ST102 may be a device different from STA105. For example, STA102 may have at least one of a printer unit that prints image data on a medium and a scanner unit that reads a document. Also, STA102 may have a camera unit that performs imaging. That is, STA102 may be an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, or an MFP, or may be a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, a camera, or a personal computer (PC).

[0032] FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration and storage areas of the storage unit 401 included in STAs 102 and 105 in the present embodiment. The storage unit 401 includes a non-volatile storage unit 801 and a RAM 802. The non-volatile storage unit 801 includes function information 8011 indicating the functions of STAs 102 and 105, and Multi-Link communication settings 8012 set by a user, for example. The function information 8011 includes multi-link support information indicating whether STAs 102 and 105 support multi-link communication. The Multi-Link communication settings 8012 are set by the user from the user interface of STAs 102 and 105 or remotely via communication. The setting value is either to perform (ON) or not perform (OFF) multi-link communication, or to automatically determine. The RAM 802 includes a communication quality flag 8021 indicating whether the latest communication quality with the opposing AP is good, and a UDP communication in progress flag 8022 indicating that UDP communication is in progress. Further, when the STA is the image forming apparatus 105, the RAM 802 includes a job flag 8023 indicating that a job is being executed there, and a sleep flag 8024 indicating that STAs 102 and 105 are in a sleep state. The sleep state is a power-saving state that returns to the normal operating state in response to signal reception or operation input. For example, there is a state where power supply is stopped except for the controller unit (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 105 transitions from the normal operating state to the sleep state, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after a job is completed, and transitions from the sleep state to the normal operating state when there is reception of some message or an operation from the user interface (UI). Note that the sleep state is not limited to the above description, and there may be cases where the clock rate of the CPU is decreased, or power supply to units other than those that receive signal reception or operation input, such as the input unit 404 and the communication unit 406, in the controller unit is stopped.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the functional configuration of AP101 in this embodiment. The functional blocks shown here are realized by the control unit 402 executing programs for performing respective functions on the hardware shown in FIG. 4. Note that STA102 and 105 have the same configuration, but for the STA, the affiliated AP setting unit 502 is read as the affiliated STA setting unit, and the setting target is also the affiliated AP.

[0034] AP101 is composed of a multi-link control unit 501, an affiliated AP setting unit 502, a frame generation unit 503, a frame transmission / reception unit 504, and a communication quality measurement unit 505.

[0035] The multi-link control unit 501 is a block that controls communication start processing (connection processing) for establishing one or more links used by AP101 for wireless communication with STA102, link addition processing, deletion processing, and communication end processing for deleting all links after communication start. The connection processing specifically includes Authentication processing, Association processing, and 4-Way-Hand-Shake (4WHS) processing.

[0036] The affiliated AP setting unit 502 selects and determines the affiliated AP in multi-link communication according to the settings in each UI unit. In addition, it notifies the frame transmission / reception unit 504 of the affiliated AP to be used.

[0037] The frame generation unit 503 is a block that generates frames to be transmitted according to the settings of the affiliated AP setting unit 502.

[0038] The frame transmission / reception unit 504 transmits wireless frames including Beacon / Probe Response frames and data frames generated by the frame generation unit 503 and receives wireless frames from the other device according to the affiliated AP information received from the affiliated AP setting unit 502.

[0039] The communication quality measurement unit 505 measures and calculates the communication quality of the Beacon / Probe Response frame received from the frame transmission / reception unit 504. Note that since the AP 101 evaluates the quality of the received signals from the STAs 102 and 105, it may also measure and calculate the communication quality of the frames received from the STAs, such as Probe Request frames. The communication quality information to be measured includes, but is not limited to, the received radio wave intensity (RSSI) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0040] By the way, if the STA always performs Multi-Link communication during communication, frame exchanges will occur with multiple APs. Therefore, when there is no communication or the traffic is light, the processing load on the STA increases, and the communication overhead becomes larger and the power consumption may increase compared to performing communication with a single Link. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the state where Multi-Link communication is required and switch between single-Link communication and Multi-Link communication at an appropriate timing. Also, when printing or scanning is performed by the STA 105, reception of job data by the STA 105 is required. Also, when uploading such job data from the STA 102, transmission of job data by the STA 102 is required. In such a case, since data transmission / reception is slower in single-link communication using a single Link compared to Multi-Link communication, an increase in the job processing time may cause a decrease in user usability. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing for solving such problems is executed as described below.

[0041] (Flow of processing) Subsequently, several embodiments will be described, such as the flow of processing for selecting single-link communication and multi-link communication as required, determining the number of links in multi-link communication, and the sequence in the wireless communication system, which are executed by the above-described AP, STA, especially the STA.

[0042] (Example 1) FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show the process until it is determined whether STA105 performs Multi-Link communication with AP101 using a predetermined criterion. This process starts when STA105 starts a connection attempt to AP101. This process is realized by the control unit 402 of STA105, particularly its CPU, executing a program stored in the storage unit 401. In the following description, STA105 is taken as an example for explanation, but STA102 can also execute the same process. Regarding steps such as S614 and S617 which are related to the image forming apparatus, in STA102 which is not an image forming apparatus, it may be determined that none of them meet the conditions.

[0043] First, in S601, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether it supports Multi-Link communication. This determination may be made by referring to the information indicating whether it supports Multi-Link communication included in the function information 8011. If STA105 does not support Multi-Link communication, it branches to S602. In S602, the control unit 402 of STA102 determines that it cannot perform Multi-Link communication and connects only to an AP1 operating on the same frequency channel as the affiliated STA1 to be used. That is, in a state where Multi-Link communication is not executed, STA105 connects to AP101. When STA105 supports Multi-Link communication, assuming STA105 operates on the premise of performing Multi-Link communication, it proceeds to the next step S603. Note that if the process of this flowchart is only performed in STA105 that supports Multi-Link communication, this step may be omitted and the process may start from S603. Also, in S601, since only one link is established, the link may be established based on the normal IEEE802.11 standard without using the Multi-Link communication function compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard.

[0044] In S603, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether AP101 supports Multi-Link communication. Whether AP101 supports Multi-Link communication is determined by whether there is a Basic Multi-Link element in the Beacon / Probe Response frame of AP1 obtained by STA1. The Basic Multi-Link element exists in the Beacon / Probe Response frame of a device that supports Multi-Link communication and contains information about affiliated APs / STAs that can perform Multi-Link communication. If the Beacon / Probe Response frame contains the Basic Multi-Link element, it is determined that AP101 supports Multi-Link communication and the process proceeds to S604. If there is no Basic Multi-Link element in the Beacon / Probe Response frame of AP1, the process proceeds to S602. In S602, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines that AP101 is an AP that does not support Multi-Link communication and connects only to AP1.

[0045] In S604, the control unit 402 of STA105 checks the setting value of the Multi-Link communication setting 8012. If the Multi-Link communication setting 8012 is set to Off by the user's operation at the input unit 404 of STA105, the process proceeds to step S602. If it is set to On, the process proceeds to S605. If it is set automatically, the process proceeds to S608. The automatic setting is a setting that dynamically changes whether to perform Multi-Link communication according to the state of STA105.

[0046] When the Multi-Link communication setting is On, in S605, the control unit 402 of STA105 acquires information indicating the frequency bands and channels in which affiliated APs other than AP1 belonging to AP101 (referred to as AP2 and AP3) are operating. The Basic Multi-Link element received by the STA may also include information on another group of APs that do not belong to AP101. Therefore, in order to determine whether it is an affiliated AP belonging to AP101, the control unit 402 of STA105 makes a determination using the RNR (Reduced Neighbor Report) element in the Beacon / Probe Response frame of AP1 acquired at STA1 (see Figure 3). Each affiliated AP group in the Basic Multi-Link element is assigned an MLD ID301. When this MLD ID301 is 0, it indicates that the affiliated AP that issued the Beacon / Probe Response frame acquired by STA1 belongs to the AP MLD. Therefore, by acquiring information indicating the frequency bands and channels of the affiliated APs with an MLD ID of 0, it is possible to grasp and identify the frequency bands and channels of AP2 and AP3, which are APs other than AP1 operating at AP101.

[0047] Furthermore, in S606, the control unit 402 of STA105 switches the frequency band and channel to be used for communication to the frequency bands and channels of the grasped AP2 and AP3. Then, the control unit 402 of STA105 acquires the Beacon / Probe Response frames of AP2 and AP3 and shares detailed information on each of AP2 and AP3. In S607, the control unit 402 of STA105 performs a connection with AP1, AP2, and AP3 in Multi-Link. That is, STA105 connects to AP101 in a state for executing Multi-Link communication by establishing three links, which are links with AP1, AP2, and AP3. The connection procedure includes authentication, association, and a 4-way handshake as shown in Figure 2.

[0048] At S608, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the communication quality (communication quality of AP1) in the communication between AP1 and STA105 is poor. That is, in this embodiment, the execution of Multi-Link communication is controlled based on the element of the communication quality of AP1. Specifically, the control unit 402 of STA105 calculates the communication quality of AP1, and determines whether the calculated communication quality of AP1 is below the threshold value when using MCS0, which is the lowest rate. If the communication quality is below the threshold value, it proceeds to S610; otherwise, it proceeds to S609. MCS is the abbreviation of Modulation and Coding Scheme, which indexes combinations such as the wireless modulation method and coding rate, and the MCS used varies depending on the communication environment. MCS0 is the method with the lowest throughput and is used when the communication environment is very poor. In this embodiment, the received signal strength indication (RSSI) based on the radio wave transmitted from AP1 and received by STA105 is used as the value representing the communication quality. At S609, when the RSSI of the control unit 402 of STA105 is equal to or above the threshold value when using MCS0, it is determined that there is no problem with the communication environment, and "good" is recorded in the communication quality flag 8021. At S610, when the RSSI of the control unit 402 of STA105 is below the threshold value when using MCS0, "bad" is recorded in the communication quality flag 8021. For example, taking -70dbm as the threshold value, if the RSSI is -70dBm or higher, the communication quality flag 8021 is set to "good", and if it is -71dBm or lower, it is set to "bad". When applications with a large amount of downlink information are frequently used, the downlink communication quality measured by ATA105 may be referred to as the value representing the communication quality. When the amount of uplink information is large, the uplink communication quality measured by PA101 may be obtained from PA101 and referred to. Which communication quality of the downlink or uplink to refer to may be determined by referring to the application being executed.For example, in an application involving reception of images or videos with a large amount of downstream information, or acquisition of print jobs, the communication quality of the downlink may be used as a criterion for selection. In an application involving upload of images, videos, or print jobs, the communication quality of the uplink may be used as a criterion for selection.

[0049] Subsequently, in S611, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether it is in the UDP (User Datagram Protocol) communication state. That is, in this embodiment, the execution of Multi-Link communication is controlled based on the element of whether it is in the UDP communication state or not. If it is in UDP communication, it proceeds to S613; if not, it proceeds to S614. The UDP communication state refers to a state where STA105 is performing UDP communication that requires real-time performance such as video and audio. UDP communication is one-way communication. Unlike TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) communication, it has low reliability but can transmit data at high speed. Therefore, when there is communication overlap with other applications other than the application for which STA105 is performing UDP communication, a delay in UDP communication may occur, and packet loss may occur when the transmission and reception processing of STA105 cannot keep up. During UDP communication, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of delay by means of Multi-Link communication. Other than for video and audio, when STA105 is an image forming device such as a multifunction device or a printer, UDP communication is used for transmitting and receiving images such as IP-FAX. IP-FAX is a function for communicating an image to be printed by FAX via IP (Internet Protocol). In step S611, it suffices to determine whether the packet to be received or the packet to be transmitted is a UDP packet. Alternatively, it may be determined whether it is in the UDP communication state based on whether an application using UDP is running or not. For example, in addition to IP-FAX, applications such as voice communication, video distribution, and web conferencing usually use UDP, and if a specific application using UDP is running, it may be determined that it is in the UDP communication state. Note that the state of not being in the UDP communication state is a state where communication other than UDP communication is being executed or a state where communication with other devices is not being executed. And communication other than UDP communication is, for example, TCP communication. Also, functions for which TCP communication is used are, for example, a function of receiving a print job or a scan job from another device and a function of transmitting an image obtained by a scan based on a scan job to another device.

[0050] When it is determined in S611 that the UDP communication state exists, in S613, the control unit 402 of STA105 records "1" in the UDP communication in progress flag 8022. When it is determined in S611 that the UDP communication state does not exist, in S612, the control unit 402 of STA105 records "0" in the UDP communication in progress flag. Specifically, for example, when the control unit 402 of STA105 starts the transmission and reception of an image by the IP-FAX function, it records "1" in the UDP communication in progress flag 8022, and when the transmission and reception of the image by the IP-FAX function is completed, it records "0" in the UDP communication in progress flag 8022. The determination of whether the UDP communication state exists may be made by referring to the communication settings using UDP, and when the communication settings are valid, record "1" in the UDP communication in progress flag, and when they are invalid, record "0" in the UDP communication in progress flag.

[0051] Subsequently, in S614, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether a job is in progress in STA10 (S614). That is, in this embodiment, the execution of Multi-Link communication is controlled based on the element of whether a job is in progress in STA10. If a job is in progress, it proceeds to S616, and if not, it proceeds to S615. When STA105 is an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction device or a printer, the jobs executed by STA105 are, for example, print jobs or scan jobs. A print job is a job that executes printing based on print data received from another STA (for example, STA102). A scan job is a job that scans a document based on a scan instruction received from another STA or a scan instruction received by the input unit 404 of STA105 from a user, and transmits the image data obtained by the scan. The presence or absence of a job in progress may be determined, for example, by referring to information indicating the presence of a job in progress, or by referring to the job queue to determine based on the presence or absence of a job. In S616, the control unit 402 of STA105 records "1" in the job flag 8023. On the other hand, in S615, the control unit 402 of STA105 records "0" in the job flag 8023.

[0052] Subsequently, in S617, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether STA105 is in the sleep state. If it is in the sleep state, the process proceeds to S622; if not, it proceeds to S618. Since STA105 is an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction device or a printer, there are parts that do not need to share power when the user is not using them, such as a printing unit that prints on a paper medium (not shown) or a reading unit that reads a document, or when no job is being executed. In such a state, the sleep state is a state in which power supply to some of the hardware components of STA105 is stopped, or the clock for operating the hardware components of STA105 is stopped or the frequency of the clock is lowered. That is, the sleep state is a state in which the power consumption of STA105 is suppressed. Also, the normal state refers to a state that is not the sleep state and has a higher power consumption than the sleep state. Specifically, the normal state is a state in which power is supplied to a larger number of hardware components than the number of hardware components to which power is supplied in the sleep state. Also, the normal state is a state in which a clock with a higher frequency is supplied to the hardware components than the frequency of the clock supplied to the hardware components in the sleep state. Also, when STA105 receives a job from another device via AP101 or the like in the sleep state, it shifts to the normal state and then executes processing (such as printing or scanning) based on the job. Note that the sleep state can also occur in STA102 which is not an image forming apparatus. For example, if STA102 is a terminal device, in the sleep state, the illuminance of the backlight of the display unit, which is a part of the hardware components, is lowered or turned off. Such a state may also be included in the sleep state. The determination of whether it is in the sleep state may be made by referring to the information indicating the state of the STA.

[0053] Subsequently, in S618, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the conditions for Multi-Link communication are satisfied. Specifically, if at least one of the communication quality flag 8021 being "bad", the UDP communication in progress flag 8022 being "1", and the job flag 8023 being "1" is met, it is determined that the Multi-Link communication conditions are satisfied. If none of the conditions are met, it is determined that the Multi-Link communication conditions are not satisfied. If the Multi-Link communication conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to S621; if not, the process proceeds to S624. In S621, the control unit 402 of STA105 acquires information indicating the frequency bands and channels in which affiliated APs other than AP1 belonging to AP101 (referred to as AP2 and AP3) are operating, and identifies the frequency bands and channels. The process of S621 is the same as the process of S605. Further, in S622, the control unit 402 of STA105 switches the frequency band and channel used for communication to the frequency bands and channels of the identified AP2 and AP3. Then, the control unit 402 of STA105 acquires the Beacon / Probe Response frames of AP2 and AP3, and shares the detailed information of each of AP2 and AP3. The process of S622 is the same as the process of S606. In S623, the control unit 402 of STA105 establishes a connection with AP1, AP2, and AP3 through Multi-Link. The process of S623 is the same as the process of S607.

[0054] On one side S624, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether it is in a Multi-Link connection. This determination can be made, for example, by setting information indicating that at the time of making a Multi-Link connection in S607 or S623 and referring to it. Of course, other information indicating that it is in a Multi-Link connection may also be referred to. If it is determined that it is in a Multi-Link connection, it proceeds to S623, and if it is determined that it is not in a Multi-Link connection, it proceeds to S624. In S623, since the Multi-Link communication conditions are no longer satisfied, the control unit 402 of STA105 disconnects the connections with APs other than AP1, namely AP2 and AP3. In S624, the control unit 402 of STA105 connects to AP1 or does nothing if it is already connected to AP1.

[0055] On the condition that the Multi-Link communication setting is set to "Automatic" in this way, when the Multi-Link communication conditions are met, STA105 performs Multi-Link communication with AP101, and when they are not met, single-Link communication is performed. By doing so, it is possible to minimize the exchange of extra frames for Link information, reduce communication overhead and power consumption, and improve communication reliability. By not performing Multi-Link communication when it is not particularly necessary, it is possible to prevent the wasteful use of communication resources such as channels shared with other communication devices in the service area. Furthermore, when the communication quality is low, the throughput can be increased by performing Multi-Link communication. Especially when the communication quality of channels in a specific frequency band is low, the communication quality can be improved and the throughput can be increased by using other frequency bands in Multi-Link communication. Additionally, while UDP communication is being performed, since there is a possibility that the target data is being transmitted and received, the throughput can be improved by Multi-Link communication, and packet loss and the like can be prevented. Also, when the STA is STA105, that is, an image forming apparatus, by performing Multi-Link communication during the execution of a job with a large amount of information to be transmitted and received, it is possible to prevent job delays caused by low communication throughput. Moreover, since it makes no sense for a STA in the sleep state to perform Multi-Link communication, Multi-Link communication is not performed in the sleep state, and power consumption can be further reduced.

[0056] In the procedure of FIG. 6, in S620, if at least any one of the four determination criteria is satisfied, it is determined that the multi-link communication condition is satisfied. However, the determination criteria are not limited to these, and other conditions may be added, or any one of the conditions may be replaced with other conditions. Also, in the above-described procedure, all of the three determinations (S608, S611, S614) based on the three determination criteria are executed, but it is not limited to this form, and it may be any form in which at least one of the three determinations is executed. And in S618, it may be determined whether the condition for performing Multi-Link communication is satisfied based on the result of the determination that has been executed among the three determinations. Specifically, for example, the control unit 402 of STA105 may execute only the determination of S608 among the three determinations, and then proceed to S618 immediately after S609 and S610. Also, for example, the control unit 402 of STA105 may execute only the determination of S611 among the three determinations, omit S608 to S610, and then proceed to S618 immediately after S612 and S613. Also, for example, the control unit 402 of STA105 may execute only the determination of S614 among the three determinations and omit S608 to S613. Also, for example, the control unit 402 of STA105 may execute only the determination of S617 among the four determinations and omit S608 to S616. Also, the order of the three determinations is not limited to the order of the above-described procedure. Also, even in a form in which only some of the three determinations are executed, the order of the some determinations that are executed may be in any order. Also, the process of FIG. 6 is executed by the communication quality measurement unit 505 for the communication quality referred to in S608 in the block diagram of FIG. 5, and the other steps are executed by the multi-link control unit 501.

[0057] In the above description, in S602, S623, and S624, a form in which only one link is established between STA105 and AP101 was described. However, it is not limited to this form. In S602, S623, and S624, two or more links may be established between STA105 and AP101. However, when proceeding to S602, S623, or S624, it is assumed that the number of links used for communication is controlled to be less than the number of links used for communication when proceeding to S607 or S623. Specifically, for example, in S602, S623, and S624, a form in which two links are established between STA105 and AP101, and in S607 and S623, three links are established between STA105 and AP101 may be used. Then, when proceeding to S602, S623, or S624, communication using two links may be controlled to be executed as communication between STA105 and AP101. Then, when proceeding to S607 or S623, communication using three links may be controlled to be executed as communication between STA105 and AP101.

[0058] Also, after establishing a plurality of links between STA105 and AP101, STA105 can use only a part of the plurality of links for communication while maintaining the establishment of the plurality of links. Therefore, for example, in S602, S623, and S624, as well as in S607 and S623, a form in which three links are established between STA105 and AP101 may be adopted. And when proceeding to S602, S623, or S624, it may be controlled that only one of the three links is used for communication between STA105 and AP101. And when proceeding to S607 or S623, it may be controlled that communication using three links is executed as communication between STA105 and AP101. However, in the sleep state, there are few merits in establishing a plurality of links. Therefore, for example, in the process executed when S617 is YES, it may be controlled to establish only one link between STA105 and AP101. And in the process executed when S618 is NO, a plurality of links may be established between STA105 and AP101, and while maintaining the establishment of the plurality of links, it may be controlled to use only a part of the plurality of links for communication.

[0059] Also, in the above-described form, it was determined whether it was in the sleep state, and the process was switched based on the determination result, but it is not limited to this form. This determination (the determination of S617) may be omitted. That is, a form in which the process of S618 is performed immediately after S615 or S616 may be adopted. Also, in the above-described form, the processes of S608 to S616 were executed, and the process was switched based on the result of the process, but it is not limited to this form. The processes of S608 to S616 and S618 may be omitted. That is, based only on whether it is in the sleep state, it may be switched whether to execute the process of S619 or the process of S622.

[0060] Also, when the communication quality flag 8021 of STA105 is "bad", the Multi-Link communication condition is satisfied, and after the Multi-Link communication is executed, the communication quality of AP1 may be determined again. And when it is determined again that the communication quality of AP1 is bad, the Multi-Link communication may be stopped, and the number of communication links between AP1 and STA105 may be reduced. Specifically, for example, the number of communication links between AP1 and STA105 may be reduced to 1. This is because, despite the poor communication quality of AP1, performing communication using a large number of links is inefficient in terms of power consumption. Also, when it is determined again that the communication quality of AP1 is bad, STA105 may display a notification screen notifying the user that the communication quality of AP1 is bad. The notification screen is, for example, a screen prompting the user to change the positions of AP1 and STA105. This is because the poor communication quality of AP1 despite the execution of Multi-Link communication is likely due to the positions of AP1 and STA105 rather than the frequency band used for communication.

[0061] (Example 2) Also, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication may be determined according to the state of the STA by combining the above-described examples. When the STA is a multifunction device (an image forming apparatus having composite functions such as a printer and a scanner), the communication volume changes according to the settings of the multifunction device and the operating status of the functions according to the user environment. Therefore, in the case of a multifunction device, it is desirable to dynamically determine the Multi-Link connection number instead of fixing it. As Example 2, the processing until the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is determined will be described. In the present embodiment, in steps other than S607 and S621 in the processing of FIG. 6 described in Example 1, the same processing as the processing described in Example 1 is executed, and thus the description is omitted. That is, in the present embodiment, only in steps S607 and S621 in the processing of FIG. 6 described in Example 1, the processing peculiar to the present embodiment is executed. The details of the processing executed in S607 and S621 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0062] The process shown in FIG. 7 is realized by the control unit 402 of STA105, particularly its CPU executing a program stored in the storage unit 401. In the following description, STA105 is taken as an example for explanation, but STA102 can also execute the same process. In S701 - S707, specific individual conditions that become link number reduction conditions are confirmed or determined. Depending on the conditions, the link number is determined, and communication is performed with that link number.

[0063] In S701, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the job being executed in STA105 is a job corresponding to Cloud Print. Here, Cloud Print is a function that executes printing based on a print job received via the Internet from cloud servers 111A, 111B, etc. In Cloud Print, data for printing is downloaded to STA105 via AP101. That is, a print job received via the Internet from cloud servers 111A, 111B, etc. is a print job corresponding to Cloud Print. Also, as a printing function different from Cloud Print, there is a function called Local Print. Local Print is a function that executes printing based on a print job received without going through the Internet from the local network to which STA105 belongs. In Local Print, for example, STA105 receives a job from STA102. That is, a print job received without going through the Internet is a print job corresponding to Local Print. If the job being executed in STA105 is determined to be a job corresponding to Cloud Print, the process proceeds to S706. If the job being executed in STA105 is determined not to be a job corresponding to Cloud Print, the process proceeds to S702. Specifically, the case where the job being executed in STA105 is not a job corresponding to Cloud Print is, for example, when the job being executed in STA105 is a job corresponding to Local Print. Also, for example, when the job being executed in STA105 is a scan job, or when there is no job being executed in STA105, etc. Cloud Print may increase the communication volume due to authentication, etc. compared to Local Print. Therefore, in this embodiment, if a print job corresponding to Cloud Print is being executed, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is increased to improve the job processing speed.

[0064] In S702, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the data volume of the data to be processed is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, 50 megabytes). If it is determined that the data volume of the data to be processed is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to S706. If it is not determined that the data volume of the data to be processed is equal to or greater than the threshold value, that is, if the data volume of the data to be processed is smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S703. The data to be processed is, for example, data based on a job being executed in STA105. More specifically, the data to be processed is, for example, print setting information or scan setting information included in the job, image data to be printed, or image data obtained by scanning. In this embodiment, when the data volume of the data to be processed is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is increased to improve the job processing speed. Note that the threshold value of the data volume is not limited to the aforementioned 50 megabytes. Also, the data volume is defined not only by the size (megabytes) of print or scan data, but also by the number of pages of a print job, etc., and is not limited thereto. For example, it may be based on the number of pages.

[0065] In S703, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the number of jobs held by STA105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 2). If the number of jobs held by STA105 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S706. If it is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S704. In this embodiment, when STA105 holds a plurality of jobs, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is increased to improve the job processing speed.

[0066] In S704, the control unit 402 of STA105 confirms that one or more server functions of STA105 are enabled by a predetermined number or more, for example, two or more. The server function is a function in which STA105 operates as a server. Specifically, the server functions of STA105 include a remote user interface function, an SMB (Server Message Block) function, and a Wi-Fi Direct function. The remote user interface function is a function in which STA105 operates as an HTTP server to provide an interface screen for remotely operating STA105 to another device. The SMB function is a function in which STA105 operates as an SMB server to enable access to the scanned images stored in the storage unit 401 and file storage in the storage unit 401. The Wi-Fi Direct function is a function in which STA105 operates as a DHCP server to enable an AP within STA105 and directly wirelessly connect to other devices without going through other APs. If two or more server functions are enabled, the process proceeds to S706; if less than two, the process proceeds to S704. When multiple functions are enabled, since communication may be performed with each function, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is increased on the condition that the CPU usage rate is low to improve the job processing speed.

[0067] In S705, the control unit 402 of STA105 confirms that the number of servers of the communication destination (or communication partner) of STA105 is equal to or more than a predetermined number, for example, two or more. The communication destination server may be a server with which STA105 communicates via the Internet accessible through AP101. The communication destination servers are, for example, a DHCP server, an SMB server, and cloud print servers such as cloud servers 111A and 111B. The number of communication destination servers is specified according to whether the operation log of STA105, counter information, update information of a computer program, etc. are set to communicate with a server (not shown). If the number of communication destination servers is two or more, the process proceeds to S706; otherwise, it proceeds to S707. If the number of communication destination servers is two or more, since there is a possibility of communicating with each server, the number of connections for Multi-Link communication is increased on the condition that the CPU usage rate is low, and the job processing speed is improved.

[0068] When at least one of the conditions of job type, job data volume, number of executed jobs, number of effective server functions, number of communication destination servers, and number of always-connected servers is satisfied, in S706, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the CPU usage rate is equal to or more than a certain level. The CPU usage rate can be known, for example, by referring to information provided by the operating system. When the CPU usage rate is equal to or more than a certain level, STA105 is in a state where the processing load other than Multi-Link communication is high. Therefore, even if the throughput is improved by Multi-Link communication, the data cannot be completely processed, and only the processing load of Multi-Link communication increases, resulting in inefficiency. When the CPU usage rate is equal to or more than a certain level, the process proceeds to S707; otherwise, it proceeds to S708.

[0069] If all the conditions of job type, job data volume, number of executed jobs, number of enabled server functions, number of destination servers, and number of always-connected servers are not satisfied, at S707, the control unit 402 of STA105 connects to AP1 and AP2 via Multi-Link. The same applies when the CPU usage rate is above a certain level. That is, STA105 connects to AP101 in a state for executing Multi-Link communication by establishing two links that are links with AP1 and AP2. When the CPU usage rate is not above a certain level, at S708, the control unit 402 of STA105 connects to AP1, AP2, and AP3 via Multi-Link. In this way, according to the link number reduction condition, the number of links for the multi-link connection is determined to be either 2 or 3, and multi-link communication is performed with the determined number of links. Note that the number of links is 2 or 3 in this example, but it may be switched between a first number and a second number greater than the first number, and the specific number may be other numbers. For example, if the link number reduction condition is satisfied, the number of links is set to the first number, and if not, it is set to a second number greater than the first number. Also, depending on the conditions, the number of links may be set to a third number different from both the first number and the second number, or even to other numbers.

[0070] Thereafter, at S709, the control unit 402 of STA105 checks the Multi-Link communication settings. If the Multi-Link communication settings are On, the flowchart ends, and if they are automatic, it returns to the procedure of FIG. 6B. As a result, in the procedure of FIG. 6B, it is possible to connect to AP101 via multi-link communication according to the multi-link communication conditions, and further, at the time of connecting the multi-link communication, the number of links can be changed according to the communication and processing status according to the procedure of FIG. 7.

[0071] In this way, in this embodiment, by setting the number of connections (number of links) for Multi-Link communication according to the state of the STA (for example, the communication state and the processing state), it is possible to suppress power consumption in a situation with less overhead and improve the reliability of communication, enabling Multi-Link communication.

[0072] It is not necessary to determine the CPU usage in S706. That is, it may be in a form that immediately proceeds to S708 when it is determined as YES in S701 to S705.

[0073] Also, it may be in a form where all the determinations in S701 to S705 are not executed. That is, it is sufficient if at least one of the determinations in S701 to S705 is executed. Specifically, for example, if only the determination in S701 is made, when it is determined as YES in S701, it immediately proceeds to S706, and when it is determined as NO in S701, it immediately proceeds to S707. The order of the determinations to be executed among S701 to S705 is not particularly limited.

[0074] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, the processing executed by STA105 having an automatic power-on function will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the communication network according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0075] The automatic power-on function is a function for automatically returning STA105 to the normal state based on the satisfaction of a condition (automatic return condition) for automatically returning from the sleep state to the normal state while STA105 is operating in the sleep state. STA105 sets the automatic power-on function to be effective or ineffective by receiving an instruction for enabling the automatic power-on function or an instruction for disabling the automatic power-on function. Note that the instruction for enabling the automatic power-on function or the instruction for disabling the automatic power-on function may be received by a user operation on STA105, or may be received via communication with an information processing device external to STA105. Specifically, for example, STA105 provides a screen for performing various settings of STA105 to the information processing device by receiving a predetermined access from the information processing device to which STA105 is connected. The screen can receive an operation for enabling the automatic power-on function or an operation for disabling the automatic power-on function, and an instruction corresponding to the received operation is transmitted from the information processing device to STA105.

[0076] When a predetermined condition (sleep transition condition) for transitioning to the sleep state is satisfied while the automatic power-on function of STA105 is set to be effective, STA105 transitions from the normal state to the first sleep state. In the normal state, it is assumed that power is supplied to each hardware component provided in STA105. The sleep transition condition includes, for example, a condition that no user operation has been performed on STA105 for a predetermined time or more, or a condition that STA105 has not processed a job for a predetermined time or more. The first sleep state is a state in which the power consumption is smaller than that in the normal state, but power is supplied to the communication unit 406 and communication based on the IEEE802.11 standard can be executed. Also, in the first sleep state, in addition to the communication unit 406, for example, power is also shared with the control unit 402 and a module for detecting the pressing of the power button provided in STA105, and it is assumed that power is not supplied to at least one other hardware component. When the automatic recovery condition is satisfied while STA105 is operating in the first sleep state with the automatic power-on function being effective, STA105 transitions from the first sleep state to the normal state. The automatic recovery condition includes, for example, a condition of receiving a job from an information processing device or the like outside STA105 via communication by the communication unit 406. Note that when STA105 receives a job while operating in the first sleep state, it executes the processing of the job after transitioning to the normal state. Also, a condition that data other than jobs, such as information for changing various settings of STA105 or a request for acquiring the state of STA105, is received may be included in the automatic recovery condition. Also, when the manual recovery condition that the power button provided in STA105 is operated is satisfied while STA105 is operating in the first sleep state, STA105 also transitions from the first sleep state to the normal state.

[0077] Also, when the automatic power-on function is set to be invalid and the sleep transition condition is satisfied, STA105 transitions from the normal state to the second sleep state. The first sleep state is a state where the power consumption is lower than that in the normal state or the first sleep state, power is not supplied to the communication unit 406, and communication based on the IEEE802.11 standard is not executed. In the second sleep state, power is shared among the control unit 402 and the module for detecting the pressing of the power button provided in STA105, and it is assumed that power is not supplied to at least one other hardware configuration. Since STA105 does not execute communication based on the IEEE802.11 standard during operation in the second sleep state, the automatic recovery condition is not satisfied. Therefore, STA105 does not automatically transition to the normal state during operation in the second sleep state. When the manual recovery condition is satisfied while STA105 is operating in the second sleep state, STA105 transitions from the second sleep state to the normal state.

[0078] As described above, since STA105 of the present embodiment can operate in different sleep states, different controls are executed regarding the number of links in Multi-Link communication in each sleep state. Specifically, when the automatic power-on function is set to be valid and the sleep transition condition is satisfied in a state where the first number of links, which is 2 or more, are established by Multi-Link communication, STA105 transitions to the first sleep state and controls STA105 so that a number of links smaller than the first number are established. That is, some of the first number of links are disconnected. The number of links smaller than the first number is, for example, one link. Specifically, for example, when STA105 has established connections with AP1, AP2, and AP3 in the normal state, the connections with AP2 and AP3 other than AP1 are disconnected when the sleep transition condition is satisfied. The number of links smaller than the first number only needs to be established based on the IEEE802.11 standard and does not have to be established by the Multi-Link communication function.

[0079] When the automatic power-on function of STA105 is set to be invalid and the first number of links are established, if the sleep transition condition is satisfied, STA105 will transition to the second sleep state and control STA105 so that links by Multi-Link communication are not established. That is, all of the first number of links are disconnected. Specifically, for example, when STA105 has established connections with AP1, AP2, and AP3 in the normal state, the connections with AP1, AP2, and AP3 are disconnected due to the satisfaction of the sleep transition condition. This is because, as described above, wireless communication is not executed in the second sleep state. Note that STA105 may disconnect the first number of links by turning off the wireless function when transitioning to the second sleep state, rather than disconnecting the first number of links in accordance with the Multi-Link communication standard.

[0080] In this embodiment as well, the processes described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 in the first embodiment may be executed. The process of the flowchart in FIG. 6 starts when STA105 starts a connection attempt to AP101. However, as described above, since wireless communication is not executed in the second sleep state, the process of the flowchart in FIG. 6 will be executed in the normal state or the first sleep state.

[0081] (Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, a process of referring to not only the communication quality in the communication between AP1 and STA105 but also the communication quality in the communication between AP1 and STA102 will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the communication network according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0082] In this embodiment, first, at S608, the control unit 402 of STA105 determines whether the communication quality (hereinafter referred to as communication quality 1) in the communication between AP1 and STA105 is poor, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, when the control unit 402 of STA105 determines that the communication quality 1 is poor, it determines whether the communication quality (hereinafter referred to as communication quality 2) in the communication between AP1 and STA102 is poor. That is, in this embodiment, the execution of Multi-Link communication is controlled based not only on the element of communication quality 1 but also on the element of communication quality 2. In the determination regarding communication quality 2, first, the control unit 402 of STA105 obtains information regarding communication quality 2 from STA102 via AP1. The information regarding communication quality 2 is, for example, information indicating the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) based on the radio wave transmitted from AP1 and received by STA102. Then, when the RSSI indicated by the information is equal to or exceeds the threshold value when using MCS0, it is determined that the communication quality 2 is good. If the communication quality 2 is good, it is possible to improve the communication between STA105 and STA102 by improving the communication quality 1 through Multi-Link communication. Therefore, when it is determined that the communication quality 2 is good, the control unit 402 of STA105 proceeds to S610 and controls so that the Multi-Link communication conditions are established based on the element of communication quality. On the other hand, when the RSSI indicated by the information regarding communication quality 2 is below the threshold value when using MCS0, it is determined that the communication quality 2 is poor. Also, when the information regarding communication quality 2 cannot be obtained, it is determined that the communication quality 2 is poor. When the communication quality 2 is poor, the communication between STA105 and STA102 may not be improved even if the communication quality 1 is improved through Multi-Link communication. Therefore, when it is determined that the communication quality 2 is poor, the control unit 402 of STA105 proceeds to S609 and controls so that the Multi-Link communication conditions are not established based on the element of communication quality. That is, in this embodiment, when the communication quality 1 is good, regardless of whether the communication quality 2 is good or not, it proceeds to S609 and controls so that the Multi-Link communication conditions are not established.Also, when communication quality 1 is not good and communication quality 2 is not good, it proceeds to S609 and controls so that the Multi-Link communication condition does not hold based on the communication quality elements. Also, when communication quality 1 is not good and communication quality 2 is good, it proceeds to S610 and controls so that the Multi-Link communication condition holds based on the communication quality elements. Even if it proceeds to S609, it may be controlled so that the Multi-Link communication condition holds based on elements such as whether it is in the UDP communication state and whether a job is being executed in STA10.

[0083] Also, the determination regarding communication quality 2 is not limited to the above form. For example, as information regarding communication quality 2, information indicating the result of STA102's determination of whether communication quality 2 is bad may be received by STA105. In this form, STA102 determines whether communication quality 2 is bad based on information indicating the received radio wave intensity based on the radio wave transmitted from AP1 and received by STA102 and the above threshold value. Also, the information regarding communication quality 2 may be received by STA105 through communication between STA105 and STA102 without going through AP1. The communication between STA105 and STA102 without going through AP1 is, for example, communication by Bluetooth.

[0084] [Other Embodiments] A recording medium recording the program code of software that realizes the above functions may be supplied to a system or device, and the computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or device may read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above device.

[0085] As a storage medium for supplying program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD, etc. can be used.

[0086] In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the above-described functions are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code, the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the above-described functions may be realized. The OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0087] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program code, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the above-described functions may be realized.

[0088] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0089] ● Summary of the Embodiment Summarizing the above embodiment, the following inventions are included.

[0090] (Item 1) A communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state with lower power consumption than the first state, and a third state with lower power consumption than the first state and the second state, Setting means for setting a predetermined function to be valid or invalid, Communication means for communicating by a communication unit capable of performing communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 series of standards, Based on the fact that the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links by Multi-Link communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard with an external device, and a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state is satisfied, the communication device is controlled to operate in the second state, and the communication unit is controlled to establish a second number of communication links smaller than the first number with the external device, First control means for controlling the communication device to operate in the third state and for the communication unit not to establish a communication link with the external device based on the fact that the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the predetermined function is set to be invalid, A communication device, characterized by comprising the above.

[0091] (Item 2) Second control means for controlling the communication device to operate in the first state and for the communication unit to establish the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device based on the fact that communication has been performed via the second number of communication links after the communication device has been controlled to operate in the second state and for the communication unit to establish the second number of communication links with the external device, The communication device according to item 1, further characterized by comprising the above.

[0092] (Item 3) After the communication device is controlled so as to operate in the third state and the communication unit does not establish a communication link with the external device, based on the operation of the power button of the communication device, the communication device is controlled so as to operate in the first state and the communication unit establishes the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device. A third control means; The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising

[0093] (Item 4) The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second number is 1.

[0094] (Item 5) The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined condition includes that a state in which no operation is performed on the communication device has elapsed for a predetermined time or more.

[0095] (Item 6) The second state is a state in which power is supplied to the communication unit, The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the third state is a state in which power is not supplied to the communication unit.

[0096] (Item 7) When the communication device is operating in the first state, based on another element different from whether the communication device is in a sleep state, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit establishes the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device, or the communication unit establishes a third number of communication links smaller than the first number with the external device. A fourth control means for controlling the communication device so as to be in a state; The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising

[0097] (Item 8) The communication device according to item 7, characterized in that the third number is the same as the second number.

[0098] (Item 9) The other element includes the communication quality in communication using at least one link between the external device and the communication device. Based on the communication quality being the first quality, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the third number of communication links with the external device. Based on the communication quality being a second quality that is worse than the first quality, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device. The communication device according to item 7 or 8, characterized in that.

[0099] (Item 10) The other element includes an element indicating whether a printing job or a scanning job is being executed in the communication device. Based on no printing job or scanning job being executed in the communication device, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the third number of communication links with the external device. Based on a printing job or a scanning job being executed in the communication device, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device. The communication device according to any one of items 7 to 9, characterized in that.

[0100] (Item 11) The other element includes an element indicating whether the communication device is in a state of executing UDP (User Datagram Protocol) communication. Based on the state that the communication device is not executing UDP communication, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the third number of communication links with the external device. Based on the state that the communication device is executing UDP communication, the communication device is controlled such that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device. The communication device according to any one of items 7 to 10, characterized in that.

[0101] (Item 12) Operating as a station in the Multi-Link communication. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 11, characterized in that.

[0102] (Item 13) The first number of communication links includes a communication link using a first frequency band and a communication link using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 12, characterized in that.

[0103] (Item 14) The first number of communication links includes a communication link using a frequency band of 6 GHz. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 13, characterized in that.

[0104] (Item 15) Based on receiving an instruction to enable the predetermined function or an instruction to disable the predetermined function, the predetermined function is set to be enabled or disabled. The instruction to enable the predetermined function or the instruction to disable the predetermined function is received by a user operation on the communication device. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 14, characterized in that.

[0105] (Item 16) Based on receiving an instruction to enable the predetermined function or an instruction to disable the predetermined function, the predetermined function is set to be enabled or disabled. The instruction to enable the predetermined function or the instruction to disable the predetermined function is received via communication with an information processing device external to the communication device. The communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 15, characterized in that.

[0106] (Item 17) The communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 16, further comprising printing means for executing printing.

[0107] (Item 18) A control method for a communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state with lower power consumption than the first state, and a third state with lower power consumption than the first state and the second state, A setting step of setting a predetermined function to be enabled or disabled; A communication step of communicating by a communication unit capable of executing Multi-Link communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard; When the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with an external device, and the predetermined function is set to be enabled, and based on a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state being satisfied, the communication device is controlled to operate in the second state, and the communication unit is controlled to establish a second number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device that is smaller than the first number. Based on the communication device operating in the first state, and the communication unit having established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined condition being satisfied in a state where the predetermined function is set to be invalid, the communication device is controlled to operate in the third state, and the communication unit is controlled not to establish a communication link by the Multi-Link communication with the external device, a first control step; A control method characterized by comprising.

[0108] (Item 19) In a computer of a communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state with lower power consumption than the first state, and a third state with lower power consumption than the first state and the second state, A setting step of setting a predetermined function to be valid or invalid; A communication step of communicating by a communication unit capable of executing Multi-Link communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard; Based on the communication device operating in the first state, the communication unit having established the first number of communication links by the Multi-Link communication with the external device, and a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state being satisfied in a state where the predetermined function is set to be valid, the communication device is controlled to operate in the second state, and the communication unit is controlled to establish the second number of communication links that is smaller than the first number by the Multi-Link communication with the external device, Based on the communication device operating in the first state, and the communication unit having established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined condition being satisfied in a state where the predetermined function is set to be invalid, the communication device is controlled to operate in the third state, and the communication unit is controlled not to establish a communication link by the Multi-Link communication with the external device, a first control step; A program characterized by causing the above to be executed.

Description of Symbols

[0109] 401 Memory Unit 402 Control Unit 403 Functional Unit 404 Input Unit 405 Output Unit 406 Communication Unit

Claims

1. A communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state consuming less power than the first state, and a third state consuming less power than the first state and the second state, A setting means for setting a predetermined function to be enabled or disabled; A communication unit that communicates by a communication unit capable of performing communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards; when a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state is satisfied while the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links with an external device through Multi-Link communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11be standard, and the predetermined function is set to be enabled, the communication device is controlled so that the communication device operates in the second state and the communication unit has established a second number of communication links with the external device which is smaller than the first number; a first control means for controlling the communication device to operate in the third state and to prevent the communication unit from establishing a communication link with the external device, based on the fact that the predetermined condition is satisfied in a state in which the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined function is set to disabled; A communication device comprising:

2. a second control means for controlling the communication device so that the communication device operates in the second state and so that the communication unit has established the second number of communication links with the external device, and then, based on communication having been performed via the second number of communication links, controlling the communication device so that the communication device operates in the first state and so that the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device through the Multi-Link communication; 2. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

3. a third control means for controlling the communication device so that the communication device operates in the third state and so that the communication unit does not establish a communication link with the external device, and then, based on an operation of a power button of the communication device, controls the communication device so that the communication device operates in the first state and so that the communication unit establishes the first number of communication links with the external device through the Multi-Link communication; 2. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

4. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the second number is one.

5. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition includes a state in which no operation has been performed on the communication device for a predetermined period of time or more.

6. the second state is a state in which power is supplied to the communication unit, The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the third state is a state in which power is not supplied to the communication unit.

7. a fourth control means for controlling, when the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication device so that the communication unit establishes the first number of communication links with the external device through the Multi-Link communication, or controls the communication device so that the communication unit establishes a third number of communication links with the external device, the third number being smaller than the first number, based on a factor other than whether the communication device is in a sleep state or not; The communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:

8. The communication device according to claim 7 , wherein the third number is the same as the second number.

9. the other element includes a communication quality in communication using at least one link between the external device and the communication device; based on the communication quality being a first quality, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the third number of communication links with the external device; based on the communication quality being a second quality worse than the first quality, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the first number of communication links between the communication unit and the external device through the Multi-Link communication; 8. The communication device according to claim 7,

10. the other element includes an element indicating whether a print job or a scan job is being executed in the communication device; the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state where the third number of communication links is established between the communication device and the external device based on the fact that a print job or a scan job is not being executed in the communication device; based on a print job or a scan job being executed in the communication device, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state of establishing the first number of communication links between the communication unit and the external device through the Multi-Link communication; 8. The communication device according to claim 7,

11. The other elements include an element indicating whether the communication device is performing UDP (User Datagram Protocol) communication; based on a state in which the communication device is not performing UDP communication, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state in which the third number of communication links is established between the communication device and the external device; Based on the state in which the communication device is performing UDP communication, the communication device is controlled so that the communication unit is in a state in which the first number of communication links is established between the communication device and the external device through the Multi-Link communication.

8. The communication device according to claim 7,

12. Operates as a station in the Multi-Link communication; 2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

13. the first number of communication links includes a communication link using a first frequency band and a communication link using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; 2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

14. the first number of communication links includes communication links using a 6 GHz frequency band; 2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

15. The predetermined function is set to be enabled or disabled based on receiving an instruction to enable the predetermined function or an instruction to disable the predetermined function, the instruction to enable the predetermined function or the instruction to disable the predetermined function is accepted by a user operation on the communication device; 2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

16. The predetermined function is set to be enabled or disabled based on receiving an instruction to enable the predetermined function or an instruction to disable the predetermined function, the instruction to enable the predetermined function or the instruction to disable the predetermined function is received via communication with an external information processing device of the communication device; 2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

17. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a printing means for executing printing.

18. A method for controlling a communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state consuming less power than the first state, and a third state consuming less power than the first state and the second state, A setting step for enabling or disabling a predetermined function; A communication step of communicating by a communication unit capable of executing Multi-Link communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11be standard; when a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state is satisfied while the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links with an external device through the Multi-Link communication, and the predetermined function is set to be enabled, the communication device is controlled so that the communication device operates in the second state and the communication unit has established a second number of communication links with the external device through the Multi-Link communication, the second number being smaller than the first number; a first control step of controlling the communication device so that the communication device operates in the third state and so that the communication unit does not establish a communication link with the external device by the Multi-Link communication, based on the fact that the predetermined condition is satisfied in a state in which the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined function is set to disabled; A control method comprising the steps of:

19. a computer of a communication device that operates in any one of a plurality of states including a first state, a second state consuming less power than the first state, and a third state consuming less power than the first state and the second state; A setting step for enabling or disabling a predetermined function; A communication step of communicating by a communication unit capable of executing Multi-Link communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11be standard; when a predetermined condition for transitioning to a state with lower power consumption than the first state is satisfied while the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established a first number of communication links with an external device through the Multi-Link communication, and the predetermined function is set to be enabled, the communication device is controlled so that the communication device operates in the second state and the communication unit has established a second number of communication links with the external device through the Multi-Link communication, the second number being smaller than the first number; a first control step of controlling the communication device so that the communication device operates in the third state and so that the communication unit does not establish a communication link with the external device by the Multi-Link communication, based on the fact that the predetermined condition is satisfied in a state in which the communication device is operating in the first state, the communication unit has established the first number of communication links with the external device, and the predetermined function is set to disabled; A program characterized by executing the above.

Images