Electronic apparatus and control method

Abstract

To perform radio communication in both a first radio communication system and a second radio communication system without reducing convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A first electronic apparatus 1 according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a first radio communication unit 14 that performs first radio communication with a relay apparatus 3 in a first communication system; and a second radio communication unit 15 that performs second radio communication with a second electronic apparatus 2 in a second communication system different from the first communication system. In the first electronic apparatus 1, when an error occurs in the first radio communication during execution of the first radio communication and the second radio communication, the first radio communication unit 14 transmits a first re-connection request in the first communication system to the relay apparatus 3, and the second radio communication unit 15 transmits a second re-connection request in the second communication system to the second electronic apparatus 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing wireless communication using a wireless communication method that preferentially operates among a first wireless communication method and a second wireless communication method.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, wireless communication is performed only by one of the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method, resulting in a decrease in user convenience.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to develop a technique for performing wireless communication using both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method without reducing user convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication with a relay device by a first communication method, a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication with another electronic device by a second communication method different from the first communication method, and when an error occurs in the first wireless communication during execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, the first wireless communication unit transmits a first reconnection request by the first communication method to the relay device, and the second wireless communication unit transmits a second reconnection request by the second communication method to the other electronic device.

[0007] A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is such that, in an electronic device including a relay device, a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication with the relay device by a first communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication with another electronic device by a second communication method different from the first communication method, when an error occurs in the first wireless communication during execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, the first wireless communication unit transmits a first reconnection request by the first communication method to the relay device, and the second wireless communication unit transmits a second reconnection request by the second communication method to the other electronic device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure is merely an example for explaining the embodiments of the present invention. Also, not all of the components described in the embodiments of the present invention are essential components of the present invention.

[0010] (Embodiment) [Example of System Configuration] A communication system including a first electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of such a communication system.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment can include a first electronic device 1, a second electronic device 2, and a relay device 3. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration example of the relay device 3, the second electronic device 2, and the first electronic device 1 will be described in this order.

[0012] [Schematic Configuration Example of Relay Device 3] The relay device 3 can be a device that performs relaying for connecting the first electronic device 1 to a network (not shown). The relay device 3 can be, for example, a communication control device that serves as an AP (Access Point) of the network, or a communication control device having an AP function and a router function such as a wireless LAN router connected to the network. Note that LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. The relay device 3 includes a wireless communication unit 34 that performs wireless communication with a first wireless communication unit 14 (to be described later) of the first electronic device 1. Regarding other configurations of the relay device 3, the description will be omitted.

[0013] [Schematic Configuration Example of Second Electronic Device 2] The second electronic device 2 can be a device equipped with a communication function, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), a printer, a handheld terminal, an automatic change machine, or a credit card payment terminal. The handheld terminal can be equipped with a scanning function for reading barcodes and the like. The second electronic device 2 is not limited to a portable device, and may be a stationary device. The second electronic device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 25 that wirelessly communicates with a second wireless communication unit 15 (described later) of the first electronic device 1. Other configurations of the second electronic device 2 will not be described.

[0014] [Example of schematic configuration of first electronic device 1] The first electronic device 1 can be a concentrator having a function of communicating with a plurality of electronic devices. The concentrator can also be simply called a hub. Alternatively, the first electronic device 1 can be a device having a communication function, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC. The first electronic device 1 is not limited to a portable device, and can also be a stationary device.

[0015] The first electronic device 1 can include a control unit 10 having a communication control unit 11 , a storage unit 12 , an operation unit 13 , a first wireless communication unit 14 , and a second wireless communication unit 15 .

[0016] The control unit 10 may also be referred to as a controller, and performs overall control of the first electronic device 1. The control unit 10 may include a communication control unit 11 that controls communication in the first wireless communication unit 14 and the second wireless communication unit 15.

[0017] The control unit 10 can be configured to include, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, and the like. The control unit 10 or the communication control unit 11 can also be configured as a SoC (System on a Chip). The control unit 10 can be configured to store a control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 10 can also be configured to store the control program as a circuit configuration like an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or configured as a dedicated circuit. The above program can include a program for realizing the functions of the first electronic device 1 while cooperating with the storage unit 12, the operation unit 13, the first wireless communication unit 14, and the second wireless communication unit 15.

[0018] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or other memory. A part of the memory included in the control unit 10 may be regarded as the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 can also be regarded as a part of the control unit 10.

[0019] Also, although not shown, the first electronic device 1 may include a display unit for displaying information. This display unit can display an operation image, which is a user interface (UI) image, as information. This operation image can be stored in the storage unit 12. This display unit is configured by, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. This display unit can also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0020] The operation unit 13 is a part that receives operations and inputs by the user, and can also be referred to as an operation reception unit. The operation unit 13 can include, for example, a group of physical buttons. The operation unit 13 may include a touch panel or a touch sensor mounted on a display unit (not shown). In this case, when the user performs a touch operation on the operation image displayed on the display unit, the operation unit 13 can receive an operation corresponding to the area where the touch operation was performed. Such a display unit that displays an operation image and the operation unit 13 including the touch panel or the touch sensor mounted on the display unit can constitute the operation panel of the first electronic device 1. A part of the group of physical buttons can also be configured to be able to receive operations on the above operation image. Of course, a part or all of the group of physical buttons can also be configured to receive operations independent of the operation image.

[0021] The first wireless communication unit 14 performs first wireless communication with the relay device 3 by a first communication method. The first wireless communication unit 14 can be a communication interface for the first electronic device 1 to perform wireless communication with an external device in accordance with the communication protocol of the first communication method. In the communication system 100, this includes the case where the external device is the relay device 3, but can also include the case where it is another device.

[0022] The second wireless communication unit 15 performs second wireless communication with other electronic devices by a second communication method different from the first communication method. Here, the above other electronic devices are described as the second electronic device 2. The second wireless communication unit 15 can be a communication interface for the first electronic device 1 to perform wireless communication with an external device in accordance with the communication protocol of the second communication method. In the communication system 100, this includes the case where the external device is the second electronic device 2, but can also include the case where it is another device.

[0023] Note that the first electronic device 1 can be used as a device with a higher communication frequency with the relay device 3 than with the second electronic device 2. In that case, the first communication method can adopt a communication method with a higher communication speed than the second communication method. However, there may be no difference in the communication speed between the first communication method and the second communication method, or a communication method with a higher communication speed for the second communication method than the first communication method may be adopted.

[0024] When an error occurs in the first wireless communication during the execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication by the first electronic device 1, the first wireless communication unit 14 transmits a first reconnection request to the relay device 3, and the second wireless communication unit 15 transmits a second reconnection request to the second electronic device 2. Here, the error in the first wireless communication refers to a state where the first wireless communication cannot be normally performed, and can also be referred to as an error in the wireless connection for the first wireless communication.

[0025] Here, the first reconnection request is a reconnection request by the first communication method. Also, the second reconnection request is a reconnection request by the second communication method. Note that the second reconnection request may be transmitted after the transmission of the first reconnection request, or the first reconnection request may be transmitted after the transmission of the second reconnection request, or the transmission of the first reconnection request and the transmission of the second reconnection request may be started at the same timing.

[0026] In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the communication control unit 11 executes the transmission of such a first reconnection request and the transmission of the second reconnection request by controlling the first wireless communication unit 14 and the second wireless communication unit 15, respectively. That is, when an error occurs in the first wireless communication during the execution of the first and second wireless communications, the communication control unit 11 controls the first wireless communication unit 14 to transmit a first reconnection request to the relay device 3, and controls the second wireless communication unit 15 to transmit a second reconnection request to the second electronic device 2.

[0027] [Processing Example of First Electronic Device 1] Using FIG. 2, a processing example of the first electronic device 1 in the communication system 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining such a processing example.

[0028] The communication control unit 11 starts the second wireless communication with the second electronic device 2 and also starts the first wireless communication with the relay device 3 (step S1). In step S1, the order of starting the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication does not matter.

[0029] Next, the communication control unit 11 performs control to periodically transmit packets to the relay device 3 to the first wireless communication unit 14 (step S2). Then, the communication control unit 11 determines whether an error has occurred in the first wireless communication by determining whether there is a response from the relay device 3 to the transmitted packet (step S3). In this way, the communication control unit 11 can determine whether an error has occurred in the first wireless communication by periodically transmitting packets to the relay device 3. Note that the packets transmitted in step S2 can include the packets transmitted for the transmission and reception of information between the first electronic device 1 and the relay device 3.

[0030] If the result in step S3 is NO, the communication control unit 11 returns to step S2, waits for the arrival of the regular transmission timing, and performs control to transmit a packet to the relay device 3 to the first wireless communication unit 14.

[0031] If the result in step S3 is YES, the communication control unit 11 performs control to transmit a reconnection request to the relay device 3 to the first wireless communication unit 14 (step S4). By step S4, if the error in the first wireless communication has been resolved, the first wireless communication will be restarted. Next to step S4, the communication control unit 11 performs control to transmit a reconnection request to the second electronic device 2 to the second wireless communication unit 15 (step S5) and ends the process. By step S5, the second wireless communication will be restarted. Note that the order of steps S4 and S5 does not matter. Also, although the explanation has been omitted, in steps S4 and S5, it is advisable to search in advance for the partner to which the reconnection request is to be transmitted.

[0032] A supplementary explanation will be given for step S3. The case where an error occurs in the first wireless communication can include the case where an error occurs in the first wireless communication and the first electronic device 1, the control unit 10, or the communication control unit 11 is restarted. When the control unit 10 is restarted or the communication control unit 11 is restarted, it is preferable that the first wireless communication unit 14 and the second wireless communication unit 15 are also restarted simultaneously. The target of executing the restart associated with the occurrence of an error during the first wireless communication may be determined in advance, or may be determined in advance according to the type of error.

[0033] [More specific example of the system configuration (configuration example of communication system 100a)] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, specific examples of the first communication method and the second communication method will be given, and a specific example of the communication system 100, namely the communication system 100a, will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a more specific configuration example of the communication system 100.

[0034] The communication system 100a shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 1a is an example of the first electronic device 1, the terminal device 2a is an example of the second electronic device 2, and the AP 3a is an example of the relay device.

[0035] In the communication system 100a, an example is given where the first communication method is a communication method compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark. The same applies hereinafter.) standard, and the second communication method is a communication method compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark. The same applies hereinafter.) standard. Hereinafter, wireless communication by a communication method compliant with the Wi-Fi standard is referred to as Wi-Fi communication, and wireless communication by a communication method compliant with the Bluetooth standard is referred to as BT communication.

[0036] The Wi-Fi standard refers to, for example, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard and its derivative standards. Thus, the version of the Wi-Fi standard is not limited. Also, the version of the Bluetooth standard is not limited. Therefore, the Bluetooth standard may be, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0037] The electronic device 1a includes an SoC 10a as an example of the control unit 10. The electronic device 1a includes a Wi-Fi communication unit 14a as an example of the first wireless communication unit 14. The Wi-Fi communication unit 14a is a wireless communication unit that performs Wi-Fi communication. The electronic device 1a includes a BT communication unit 15a as an example of the second wireless communication unit 15. The BT communication unit 15a is a wireless communication unit that performs BT communication. And, the electronic device 1a mounts the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a and the BT communication unit 15a as one IC chip. Hereinafter, this IC chip will be described by referring to it as the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16. In the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, for example, the antenna used for Wi-Fi communication in the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a and the antenna used for BT communication in the BT communication unit 15a can also be configured in common.

[0038] The terminal device 2a includes a BT communication unit 25a as an example of the wireless communication unit 25. The BT communication unit 25a is a wireless communication unit that performs BT communication. The AP 3a includes a Wi-Fi communication unit 34a as an example of the wireless communication unit 34. The Wi-Fi communication unit 34a is a wireless communication unit that performs Wi-Fi communication.

[0039] Note that the first communication method and the second communication method are not limited to the examples described in FIG. 3. For example, the first communication method may be a communication method compliant with communication standards such as the fourth-generation mobile communication system and the fifth-generation mobile communication system. For example, the second communication method may be a communication method compliant with other short-range wireless communication standards such as Zigbee (registered trademark).

[0040] [Processing Example of Communication System 100a] Using FIG. 4, a processing example in the communication system 100a will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining such a processing example. In FIG. 4, a processing example is described starting from a state where the electronic device 1a is already performing BT communication with the terminal device 2a and performing Wi-Fi communication with the AP 3a.

[0041] To determine an error in Wi-Fi communication, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a transmits a ping to the AP 3a via the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a (step S41). In response to this ping, the AP 3a returns a ping response (step S42). When the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a receives this ping response, it can determine that the Wi-Fi communication is being executed normally. The transmission of the ping in step S41 is executed periodically. For example, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to transmit the next ping to the AP 3a after t1 (s) in step S41 (step S43). Note that the value of t1 can be any value, as long as it is preset, for example, to 10 (ms).

[0042] Here, the case where there is no ping response to the ping transmission in step S43 will be described. When the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a cannot receive a ping response from the AP 3a to the ping in step S43 within a predetermined period (step S44), it restarts the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, that is, performs a hardware (HW) reset (step S45). Note that the above predetermined period may be set in advance to be shorter than t1. In step S45, the disconnection of the BT communication will also occur due to this HW reset.

[0043] After the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a transmits a connection request for Wi-Fi communication to the AP 3a (step S46). The AP 3a receives this connection request and transmits connection permission (step S47). As a result, the connection for Wi-Fi communication between the electronic device 1a and the AP 3a is restored, and the Wi-Fi communication is restarted. In this way, in the electronic device 1a, although the connection for Wi-Fi communication is disconnected after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, it can automatically reconnect by automatically transmitting a connection request to the AP 3a.

[0044] Also, after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16 in the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a, a connection request for BT communication, that is, a Bluetooth connection request, is sent to the terminal device 2a (step S48). The terminal device 2a receives this connection request and sends a connection permission (step S49). As a result, the connection for BT communication between the electronic device 1a and the terminal device 2a is executed again, and the BT communication is resumed. In this way, in the electronic device 1a, although the Bluetooth connection is disconnected after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, by automatically sending a connection request to the terminal device 2a, the reconnection can be automatically performed.

[0045] Therefore, in the electronic device 1a, the user does not need to instruct such a reconnection request for BT communication from, for example, the operation unit 13, which reduces the user's work, and the user can use both Wi-Fi communication and BT communication without stress. Although an example in which the process of step S48 is performed after the process of step S46 is given, the processing order of steps S46 and S48 may be reversed or simultaneous.

[0046] [Description of the communication system according to the comparative example] To explain the effect of the communication system 100, a communication system according to a comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the communication system according to the comparative example.

[0047] The communication system according to the comparative example that executes the processing example shown in FIG. 5 includes an electronic device 5a, a terminal device 2a, and an AP 3a. The electronic device 5a is different from the electronic device 1a in that the control of the BT communication unit 15a and the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a of the SoC 10a is different. Also in FIG. 5, an example of processing is described starting from a state where the electronic device 5a is already performing BT communication with the terminal device 2a and Wi-Fi communication with the AP 3a.

[0048] The SoC (not shown) of the electronic device 5a, similar to step S41, transmits a ping to the AP3a via the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to determine an error in Wi-Fi communication (step S51). In response to this ping, the AP3a returns a ping response (step S52). The SoC of the electronic device 5a can determine that the Wi-Fi communication is being executed normally when it receives this ping response. The transmission of the ping in step S51 is executed periodically. For example, the SoC of the electronic device 5a controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to transmit the next ping to the AP3a after t1 (s) in step S51 (step S53).

[0049] Here, the case where there is no ping response to the transmission of the ping in step S53 will be described. When the SoC of the electronic device 5a cannot receive a ping response from the AP3a within a predetermined period for the ping in step S53 (step S54), it restarts the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, that is, performs an HW reset (step S55). In step S55, along with this HW reset, the disconnection of the BT communication also occurs.

[0050] After the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, the SoC of the electronic device 5a, similar to step S46, transmits a connection request for Wi-Fi communication to the AP3a (step S56). The AP3a receives this connection request and transmits a connection permission (step S57). Thereby, the connection for Wi-Fi communication between the electronic device 5a and the AP3a is restored, and the Wi-Fi communication is restarted. In this way, also in the electronic device 5a, although the connection for Wi-Fi communication is disconnected after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, it can automatically reconnect by automatically transmitting a connection request to the AP3a.

[0051] However, if the SoC of the electronic device 5a is based on the Bluetooth standard, after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, it will not perform reconnection for resuming BT communication, and the terminal device 2a will also not perform reconnection for resuming BT communication (step S58). The reconnection for BT communication will be performed upon receiving a user operation from the terminal device 2a. Therefore, in the communication system according to the comparative example, the connection for BT communication between the electronic device 5a and the terminal device 2a remains unrecovered, and BT communication will not resume. Thus, in the communication system according to the comparative example, every time an error occurs in Wi-Fi communication, the user has to perform the operation of reconnecting the necessary Bluetooth, which will cause stress to the user.

[0052] [Effects of the Present Embodiment] As described above, according to the communication system 100a, different from the comparative example, every time an error occurs in Wi-Fi communication, the user operation of reconnecting the necessary Bluetooth is eliminated, and the user can use the electronic device 1a without stress. Thus, in the present embodiment, when performing wireless communication with both the first communication method and the second communication method, although an error may occur in the wireless communication by one of the wireless communication methods, even in such a case, both wireless communications can be restored without any operation by the user. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, wireless communication can be performed with both the first communication method and the second communication method without degrading the convenience of the user.

[0053] [Another Processing Example 1 of the Communication System 100a] Another processing example of the electronic device 1a in the communication system 100a will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining such a processing example.

[0054] The SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a starts BT communication with the terminal device 2a and also starts Wi-Fi communication with the AP 3a (step S61). In step S61, the order of starting Wi-Fi communication and starting BT communication does not matter.

[0055] Next, the SoC 10a controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to periodically send packets to the AP 3a (step S62). Then, the SoC 10a determines whether an error has occurred in the Wi-Fi communication by determining whether there is a response from the AP 3a to the sent packet (step S63). Note that, similar to step S2 in FIG. 2, the packet transmitted in step S62 can include the packet transmitted for the transmission and reception of information between the electronic device 1a and the AP 3a.

[0056] If the answer in step S63 is NO, the SoC 10a returns to step S62, waits for the arrival of the regular transmission timing, and controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to send a packet to the AP 3a.

[0057] If the answer in step S63 is YES, the SoC 10a controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to send a reconnection request to the AP 3a (step S64). Through step S64, if the error in the Wi-Fi communication has been resolved, the Wi-Fi communication will be resumed (step S65).

[0058] Next to step S64 or step S65, the SoC 10a controls the BT communication unit 15a to search for a connection partner for the BT communication (step S66). The SoC 10a determines whether the BT communication unit 15a has discovered the terminal device 2a as a connection partner (step S67), and if the answer is NO, the process ends. In this way, when the SoC 10a cannot find the terminal device 2a that is the destination of the reconnection request for the BT communication, it is advisable to stop the process of sending this reconnection request. That is, when the BT communication unit 15a cannot find the terminal device 2a that is the destination of the reconnection request for the BT communication, it is advisable to stop the process of sending this reconnection request.

[0059] If the answer in step S67 is YES, SoC 10a determines whether the number of times of sending the reconnection request has exceeded a predetermined threshold Th (step S68). If the answer in step S68 is YES, the process ends. The value of the predetermined threshold Th can be any value, for example, it can be set in advance to 10 times or the like.

[0060] If the answer in step S68 is NO, SoC 10a controls the BT communication unit 15a to send a reconnection request to the terminal device 2a (step S69). Next, SoC 10a determines whether the connection was successful (step S70). If the answer in step S70 is YES, SoC 10a resumes the BT communication with the terminal device 2a (step S71) and ends the process. If the answer in step S70 is NO, SoC 10a performs the process of step S68.

[0061] In this way, when SoC 10a cannot receive a connection response from the terminal device 2a for the reconnection request regarding BT communication, it is advisable to send this reconnection request to the terminal device 2a again. And when the number of times of sending this reconnection request exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is advisable to stop sending this reconnection request. That is, when the BT communication unit 15a cannot receive a connection response from the terminal device 2a for the reconnection request regarding BT communication, it is advisable to send this reconnection request to the terminal device 2a again, and when the number of times of sending this request exceeds a predetermined threshold, stop sending this reconnection request.

[0062] As described above, in processing example 1, the reconnection process for BT communication can be stopped under specific conditions, and it is possible to suppress continuously sending a reconnection request despite the situation where BT communication cannot be established. Here, as specific conditions, the conditions such as the connection partner not being found exemplified in step S67 and the condition that the reconnection request fails exceeding a predetermined threshold are listed, but other conditions may also be adopted.

[0063] Note that the order of step S64 and step S66 does not matter. For example, the process of step S64 may be executed after the process of step S66, or the processes of step S64 and step S66 may be executed simultaneously, or after the processes of steps S66 to S71, the processes of steps S64 and S65 may be performed.

[0064] [Another Processing Example 2 of Communication System 100a] Another processing example in communication system 100a will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining such a processing example.

[0065] Processing example 2 is a processing example of a scenario where the terminal device 2a is connected to the AP 3a using Bluetooth tethering in the communication system 100a. That is, in processing example 2, the case where the terminal device 2a is connected to a network connected by the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a via the BT communication unit 15a of the electronic device 1a will be described. FIG. 7 explains a processing example starting from a state where the electronic device 1a is already performing Wi-Fi communication with the AP 3a and performing Bluetooth tethering by BT communication with the terminal device 2a.

[0066] In such a connection environment, in the electronic device 1a, there is a protocol such as ping, which is a general connectivity check in TCP / IP communication, that can perform a connectivity check regardless of what kind of device the other device is. Note that TCP / IP is an abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.

[0067] Therefore, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a can determine whether an error has occurred in the Wi-Fi communication by periodically transmitting packets to the terminal device 2a via BT communication. Processing example 2 can perform such a determination by, for example, the following procedure.

[0068] The SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a performs ping transmission and reception with the AP 3a via the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a to determine Wi-Fi communication errors, in the same manner as the processes of steps S41 to S43 in FIG. 4 (steps S81 to S83). However, here, the case where the SoC 10a receives a ping response to the ping transmission in step S83 via the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a (step S84) will be described.

[0069] In parallel with steps S81 to S84, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a transmits a ping to the terminal device 2a via the BT communication unit 15a to determine Wi-Fi communication errors (step S85). In response to this ping, the terminal device 2a returns a ping response (step S86). When the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a receives this ping response, it can determine that the Wi-Fi communication is being executed normally. The ping transmission in step S85 is also executed periodically. For example, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a controls the BT communication unit 15a to transmit the next ping to the terminal device 2a after t2 (s) in step S85 (step S87). Note that the value of t2 can be the same as or different from t1 regardless of its value. It is sufficient if t2 is preset to, for example, 10 (ms).

[0070] Here, the case where there is no ping response to the ping transmission in step S87 will be described. When the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a cannot receive a ping response to the ping in step S87 from the terminal device 2a within a predetermined period (step S88), it restarts the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, that is, performs an HW reset (step S89). Note that the above-mentioned predetermined period may be set in advance to be shorter than t2. In step S89, the disconnection of the BT communication also occurs due to this HW reset.

[0071] Similar to steps S46 and S47, after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a sends a connection request for Wi-Fi communication to the AP 3a (step S90) and receives a connection permission as a response (step S91). As a result, the connection for Wi-Fi communication between the electronic device 1a and the AP 3a is restored, and the Wi-Fi communication is resumed. In this way, in the electronic device 1a, although the connection for Wi-Fi communication is disconnected after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, by automatically sending a connection request to the AP 3a, automatic reconnection can be performed.

[0072] Also, similar to steps S48 and S49, after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, the SoC 10a of the electronic device 1a sends a connection request for BT communication to the terminal device 2a (step S92) and receives a connection permission as a response (step S93). As a result, the connection for BT communication between the electronic device 1a and the terminal device 2a is executed again, the BT communication is resumed, and the Bluetooth tethering is also resumed. In this way, in the electronic device 1a, although the Bluetooth connection is disconnected after the HW reset of the Wi-Fi / BT combo chip 16, by automatically sending a connection request to the terminal device 2a, automatic reconnection can be performed.

[0073] Therefore, also in processing example 2, in the electronic device 1a, the user does not need to issue such a reconnection request for BT communication from, for example, the operation unit 13, reducing the user's workload, and the user can use both Wi-Fi communication and BT communication without stress.

[0074] Processing example 2 corresponds to an example in which, in processing example 1 described with reference to FIG. 6, packets are periodically sent to the terminal device 2a together with the processing in step S62. And in processing example 2, in step S63, it is possible to determine whether an error has occurred in Wi-Fi communication depending on whether an error has occurred in BT communication.

[0075] (Other modifications) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist. For example, each device such as the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the relay device applied to the communication system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated ones.

[0076] Also, in the above-described embodiment, it is premised that the SoC 10a controls both the Wi-Fi communication unit 14a and the BT communication unit 15a, and the communication control unit 11 controls both the first wireless communication unit 14 and the second wireless communication unit 15. However, in the present embodiment, a first communication control unit that controls the communication of the first wireless communication unit 14 and a second communication control unit that controls the communication of the second wireless communication unit 15 may be provided separately. Even in such a configuration example, when an error occurs in the communication of the first wireless communication unit 14, it can be said that it is an environment in which an error may also occur in the communication of the second wireless communication unit 15. Therefore, it can be said that it is beneficial to execute the transmission process of the reconnection request for both wireless communications in the same manner.

[0077] Also, each device such as the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the relay device provided in the communication system according to the above-described embodiment can each have, for example, the following hardware configuration. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device.

[0078] The device 1000 shown in FIG. 8 can include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 can include an interface necessary according to the device, for example, a communication interface, a sensor, an interface with an input / output device, and the like.

[0079] Processor 1001 may be, for example, a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) also referred to as a microprocessor, etc. Processor 1001 may include a plurality of processors. Memory 1002 is constituted by, for example, a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The functions in each device are realized by Processor 1001 reading a program stored in Memory 1002 and executing it while exchanging necessary information via Interface 1003.

[0080] Also, when the above-described program is read into a computer, it includes a group of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or other memory technologies. Also, by way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0081] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited only to the configurations of the above embodiments, and of course includes various modifications, corrections, and combinations that can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention of the claims of the present patent application.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1…First electronic device, 1a…Electronic device, 2…Second electronic device, 2a…Terminal device, 3…Relay device, 3a…AP, 5a…Electronic device, 10…Control unit, 10a…SoC, 11…Communication control unit, 12…Memory unit, 13…Operation unit, 14…First wireless communication unit, 14a…Wi-Fi communication unit, 15…Second wireless communication unit, 15a…BT communication unit, 16…Wi-Fi / BT combo chip, 25…Wireless communication unit, 25a…BT communication unit, 34…Wireless communication unit, 34a…Wi-Fi communication unit, 1000…Device, 1001…Processor, 1002…Memory, 1003…Interface

Claims

1. A relay device, a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication with the first communication method, A second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication with another electronic device by a second communication method different from the first communication method, Comprising, During the execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, when an error occurs in the first wireless communication, the first wireless communication unit transmits a first reconnection request by the first communication method to the relay device, and the second wireless communication unit transmits a second reconnection request by the second communication method to the other electronic device. Electronic device.

2. A communication control unit for controlling the communication of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit is provided, During the execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, when an error occurs in the first wireless communication, the communication control unit controls the first wireless communication unit to transmit the first reconnection request to the relay device, and controls the second wireless communication unit to transmit the second reconnection request to the other electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. By periodically transmitting packets to the relay device, it is determined whether the error has occurred. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the other electronic device is connected to the network connected by the first wireless communication unit via the second wireless communication unit, by periodically transmitting packets to the other electronic device by the second wireless communication, it is determined whether the error has occurred. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the other electronic device which is the transmission destination of the second reconnection request cannot be found, the second wireless communication unit stops transmitting the second reconnection request. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. When the second wireless communication unit cannot receive a connection response from the other electronic device for the second reconnection request, the second wireless communication unit transmits the second reconnection request to the other electronic device again. When the number of times the second reconnection request is transmitted exceeds a predetermined threshold, the transmission of the second reconnection request is stopped. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first communication method is a communication method compliant with the Wi-Fi standard, The second communication method is a communication method compliant with the Bluetooth standard. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. An electronic device including a relay device, a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication with the relay device by a first communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication with another electronic device by a second communication method different from the first communication method. When an error occurs in the first wireless communication during the execution of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication, the first wireless communication unit transmits a first reconnection request by the first communication method to the relay device, and the second wireless communication unit transmits a second reconnection request by the second communication method to the other electronic device. Control method.

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