Communication device, control method for communication device, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique that makes it easier for a user to recognize a frequency band used by an access point.SOLUTION: A communication device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating frequency bands used by access points for each of the one or more access points, a determination unit that uses the information acquired by the acquisition unit to determine which of the one or more access points uses a first frequency band, and a control unit that performs display control to display a list of the one or more access points in a manner that allows the access point determined by the determination unit to use the first frequency band to be identified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method for a communication device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various devices, such as digital cameras and smartphones, are equipped with wireless LANs (Local Area Networks). This allows for easy data communication between devices. Establishing wireless LAN communication generally begins with an access point building a network (transmitting a beacon) and a client searching for that network. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for searching for networks built by surrounding access points and displaying the SSIDs and channel numbers of multiple networks found. By knowing the SSIDs and channels, a user can select an appropriate network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-220962 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above display method, it may be difficult to distinguish between networks when SSIDs overlap.

[0005] Furthermore, some of the channel numbers available in the 6 GHz band of wireless LAN overlap with those available in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands. In other words, if there are other frequency bands (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) in the vicinity that use the same channel numbers as the 6 GHz band, the above display method presents a problem in that it is difficult for users to distinguish between the 6 GHz band and other frequency bands.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a technique that makes it easier for users to recognize the frequency band of a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The communication device of the present invention is characterized by having an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the frequency band used at each of one or more access points; a determination unit that uses the information acquired by the acquisition unit to determine which of the one or more access points uses a first frequency band; and a control unit that performs display control to display a list of the one or more access points in a manner that allows the access points determined by the determination unit to use the first frequency band to be identified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier for a user to recognize the frequency band used by an AP in a communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a connection configuration between a digital camera and an AP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of processing executed by the digital camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of processing executed by a digital camera according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples of means for realizing the present invention, and may be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Furthermore, the embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0011] First Embodiment A communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera 100, which is an example of a communication device according to this embodiment. Note that, although a digital camera is assumed as an example of a communication device here, the communication device is not limited to this. The communication device according to this embodiment may also be an information processing device such as a portable media player, a so-called tablet device, or a personal computer.

[0012] The control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit of the digital camera 100 in accordance with signals input to the control unit 101 and programs described below. Note that instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire device, the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

[0013] The imaging unit 102 includes, for example, an optical lens unit, an optical system that performs optical control such as aperture, zoom, and focus, and an imaging element that converts light (image) entering the device through the optical lens unit into an electrical video signal. A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the imaging element. Under the control of the control unit 101, the imaging unit 102 converts subject light focused by a lens of the imaging unit 102 into an electrical signal using the imaging element, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs the resulting digital data as image data. In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, image data is stored in the storage medium 110 in accordance with the DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) standard.

[0014] The nonvolatile memory 103 is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically erased and stored, and programs to be executed by the control unit 101, which will be described later, are stored in the nonvolatile memory 103. The working memory 104 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data captured by the imaging unit 102, an image display memory for the display unit 106, a working area for the control unit 101, etc. The working memory 104 is also used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores audio data input from the microphone 107.

[0015] The operation unit 105 is used by the user to receive instructions for the digital camera 100 from the user. The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a power button for instructing the digital camera 100 to be powered on / off, a release switch for instructing photography, and a playback button for instructing playback of image data. It also includes operation members such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via a connection unit 111 described later. The operation unit 105 also includes a touch panel formed on the display unit 106 described later. The release switch is The camera has two switches (SW1 and SW2). When the release switch is pressed halfway, switch SW1 turns ON. This allows operation unit 105 to accept instructions for performing shooting preparations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing. When the release switch is pressed all the way, switch SW2 turns ON. This allows operation unit 105 to accept instructions for performing shooting.

[0016] The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image during shooting, displays captured image data, and displays text for interactive operation with the user. Note that the display unit 106 does not necessarily have to be included in the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 106, and it is sufficient that the digital camera 100 has at least a display control function for controlling the display on the display unit 106.

[0017] The microphone 107 collects sound waves such as voice and generates audio data. When capturing a video with audio, the control unit 101 generates video data with audio from the audio data generated by the microphone 107 and the image data generated by the imaging unit 102. The control unit 101 can also store the audio data generated by the microphone 107 in association with the image data generated by the imaging unit 102. In this embodiment, the microphone 107 is built into the digital camera 100. Note that the process of generating audio data from sound waves by the microphone 107 may be performed by other hardware (for example, the control unit 101) sharing part of the processing.

[0018] The storage medium 110 stores image data output from the imaging unit 102. In this embodiment, the storage medium 110 is configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100. For example, the storage medium 110 is a storage medium that is detachable from the digital camera, such as an SD card or a CF Express card.

[0019] The connection unit 111 is an interface for communicating with smart devices via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 standard. The digital camera 100 transmits and receives data to and from smart devices via the connection unit 111. For example, the digital camera 100 can transmit image data generated by the imaging unit 102 to the smart device via the connection unit 111.

[0020] In this embodiment, it is assumed that frequency bands usable in wireless LANs include the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. For 6 GHz band communications, the digital camera 100 has three modes for transmission output: Standard Power (SP) mode, Low Power Indoor (LPI) mode, and Very Low Power (VLP) mode. The SP mode is intended for both indoor and outdoor use at high output, and determines the channel and output depending on the location of the AP. The LPI mode is a mode that can only be used indoors, while the VLP mode reduces the transmission output, allowing for use outdoors without any restrictions on location. The digital camera 100 in this embodiment is assumed to support the VLP mode.

[0021] It should be noted that the connection unit 111 does not necessarily have to be built into the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 only needs to have at least a connection control function that controls the operation of the internal or external connection unit 111. The control unit 101 controls the connection unit 111 to realize wireless communication with the smart device.

[0022] The short-range wireless communication unit 112 is configured with, for example, an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit for processing wireless signals, and a communication controller. The antenna outputs a modulated wireless signal and the antenna demodulates the wireless signal received, thereby achieving short-range wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE802.15 standard (known as Bluetooth (registered trademark)). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication employs version 4.0 of Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy, which has low power consumption. This Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication has a narrower communication range (i.e., a shorter communication distance) than wireless LAN communication. Furthermore, the communication speed of Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication is slower than wireless LAN communication. On the other hand, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication consumes less power than wireless LAN communication.

[0023] The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can transmit and receive data to and from a smart device via the short-range wireless communication unit 112. For example, when the control unit 101 receives a command to take a photograph from the smart device via the short-range wireless communication unit 112, it controls the imaging unit 102 to perform a photographing operation. When the control unit 101 receives a command to transmit and receive data via wireless LAN communication, it controls the connection unit 111 to start wireless LAN communication.

[0024] The wired communication unit 113 is an interface for wired connection with a smart device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can send and receive data to and from the smart device via the wired communication unit 113. In this embodiment, the wired communication unit 113 includes an interface for communicating with the smart device via a wired LAN. The control unit 101 realizes wired communication with the smart device by controlling the wired communication unit 113. The communication method is not limited to a wired LAN.

[0025] The connection unit 111 has an AP (access point) mode in which it operates as an access point in infrastructure mode, and a CL (client) mode in which it operates as a client in infrastructure mode. By operating the connection unit 111 in CL mode, the digital camera 100 in this embodiment can operate as a CL device in infrastructure mode. When the digital camera 100 operates as a CL device, it can connect to a nearby access point and participate in a network formed by the access point.

[0026] Furthermore, by operating connection unit 111 in AP mode, digital camera 100 in this embodiment can also operate as a simple access point (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP), which is a type of access point but has more limited functionality. Digital camera 100 forms a network when operating as a simple AP. Devices surrounding digital camera 100 then recognize digital camera 100 as an access point and are able to join the network formed by digital camera 100. A program for operating digital camera 100 as a simple AP is stored in non-volatile memory 103.

[0027] Although the digital camera 100 operating as a simple AP in this embodiment is a type of access point, it does not have a gateway function for forwarding data received from a client device to an Internet provider or the like. Therefore, even if the digital camera 100 receives data from another device participating in the network formed by the digital camera 100, it cannot forward the received data to a network such as the Internet. This concludes the description of the digital camera 100.

[0028] <Connection type overview> Next, the connection between the digital camera 100 and the AP 200 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows the connection between the digital camera 100 and the AP 200 in this embodiment. This is a diagram schematically showing the connection form. The control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 detects the AP 200 around the digital camera 100 by controlling the connection unit 111. The digital camera 100 receives the beacon transmitted from the AP 200 and acquires the information of the AP 200. The acquisition of the AP information will be specifically described. The information of the AP 200 includes information such as the SSID of the AP 200, the corresponding authentication method, the encryption type, the channel, the frequency band, etc. Among these, the SSID, the corresponding authentication method, and the encryption type are the information included in the beacon, so they are acquired by referring to the information included in the received beacon. On the other hand, for the channel and the frequency band, among the information included in the beacon, the frequency information of the beacon being transmitted is referred to for acquisition. Specifically, a table associating the frequency with the channel number is held, and the channel number is acquired by referring to the table using the frequency included in the beacon as the key. Also, the frequency band may be obtained in the same way. Note that the method of obtaining the frequency is not limited to this. When receiving the beacon, the digital camera 100 performs a scanning operation. The scanning operation is to determine whether a beacon is received at the frequency to be scanned. When a beacon is received, it can be known that it is a beacon of that frequency. Therefore, the frequency may be specified by referring to the information grasped by the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 as to which frequency is being scanned. Also, the AP 200 is not limited to an AP such as a wireless LAN router, and other digital cameras, smartphones, etc. may also be used.

[0029] <Display Processing of AP Detection Result> Next, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3G and 4, a display process of the AP detection result in the digital camera 100 will be described. FIGS. 3A to 3G are diagrams showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a process for displaying APs detected by the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the control unit 101 controlling each unit of the digital camera 100 in accordance with an input signal and a program. The process of this flowchart is started when the user of the digital camera 100 operates the menu to select "New Settings" item 301, which allows the user to set up a new connection with an AP, on the communication setting screen shown in FIG. 3A and presses "OK" button 302. The process of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 101 loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 into the work memory 104 and executing the program.

[0030] First, in step S401, the control unit 101 controls the connection unit 111 to search for APs present around the digital camera 100, acquire information about the detected APs, and store the acquired information in the working memory 104. The surrounding APs broadcast beacons including an SSID and a channel number. Here, searching for surrounding APs means that the connection unit 111 detects the networks of the surrounding APs by receiving the beacons. The same applies hereinafter. Here, the control unit 101 is an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the frequency band used by each of one or more access points.

[0031] Next, in step S402, the control unit 101 identifies the frequency band used by the detected AP using the information about the AP stored in the working memory 104 in step S401. Next, in step S403, the control unit 101 determines whether the frequency band used by the AP identified in step S402 is the 6 GHz band. Here, the control unit 101 is a determination unit that determines an access point that uses a first frequency band (6 GHz band) from among one or more access points. If the control unit 101 determines that the frequency band used by the AP is the 6 GHz band (S403: YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the frequency band of the AP is not the 6 GHz band (S403: NO), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S405.

[0032] In step S404, the control unit 101 stores in the working memory 104 information indicating that the AP determined to be in the 6 GHz band in step S403 is an AP that displays to the user in a manner that allows the user to identify that the frequency band it uses is the 6 GHz band.

[0033] Next, in step S405, the control unit 101 determines whether the frequency bands of all APs acquired in step S402 have been determined. If the control unit 101 determines that the frequency bands of all APs have been determined (S405: YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the frequency bands of all APs have not been determined (S405: NO), the control unit 101 returns the process to step S402.

[0034] Next, in step S406, the control unit 101 displays a list of detected APs based on the information stored in the working memory 104 in step S404 indicating that the AP is an "AP that displays to the user in a manner that the frequency band it uses is the 6 GHz band." Here, the control unit 101 is a control unit that performs display control to display a list of one or more access points so that the access points determined by the determination unit to use the first frequency band can be identified. Details of the display control by the control unit 101 will be described below.

[0035] 3B to 3G show examples of the AP detection result screen displayed on the display unit 106 in step S406. In the example of FIG. 3B, the detection result screen displays a list including the SSID 311 of the detected AP, an icon 312 indicating that the AP is password protected, and the channel 313 of the AP. Note that in the examples of FIGS. 3C to 3G, the AP list is displayed in the same display manner as in FIG. 3B. In FIG. 3B, it is displayed that the frequency band used by the AP with the SSID "Network-0004" is the 6 GHz band. Specifically, on the display unit 106, an icon 303 indicating "6 GHz" is displayed between the SSID ("Network-0004") and the channel ("13ch"). As a result, on the display unit 106, the fact that the frequency band used by the AP is the 6 GHz band is displayed in a manner that is recognizable to the user.

[0036] If none of the frequency bands used by the detected APs are the 6 GHz band, the control unit 101 displays a list 304 of the detected APs and channels on the display unit 106, as shown in Figure 3C, and does not display the 6 GHz band as shown in Figure 3B.

[0037] The display mode on the display unit 106 that the frequency band used by the AP is the 6 GHz band is not limited to the mode shown in Fig. 3B. For example, the control unit 101 can display that the frequency band used by the AP is the 6 GHz band in a manner that is recognizable to the user by changing the color or font of the SSID of the AP that uses the 6 GHz frequency band. As an example, as shown in Fig. 3D, a display mode using a display tab 305 that switches the display of detected APs for each frequency band may be adopted.

[0038] 3E, the 6 GHz band may be displayed only when there is an AP 306 ("Network-0001") that belongs to the same channel as an AP 307 ("Network-0008") that uses the 6 GHz frequency band. For example, in FIG. 3E, assume that there is no AP that belongs to the same channel ("36ch" in this example) as an AP (e.g., an AP with SSID "Network-0003") that uses the 6 GHz frequency band. In this case, the display unit 106 does not display that the AP with SSID "Network-0003" uses the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 3F, the display unit 106 displays the most preferred channels in the 6 GHz band. A Preferred Scanning Channel (hereinafter, PSC), which is a channel that is searched first, may also be displayed in a manner that is recognizable to the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3F , for an AP with an SSID of “Network-0009,” the fact that the frequency band being used is the 6 GHz band and that it is a PSC are displayed in a manner that is recognizable to the user (icon 308 of “6 GHz (PSC)”). Note that the fact that the frequency band being used is the 6 GHz band and that it is a PSC may be displayed on the display unit 106 by changing the color or font. Also, on the display unit 106, only the 6 GHz band is displayed in a manner that is recognizable to the user, and the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band do not need to be displayed in a manner that is recognizable to the user. This is because only the channel number of the 6 GHz band overlaps with other frequency bands. Since the channel numbers of the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band do not overlap, it is possible to distinguish between the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band by looking at the channel number, even if the fact that it is the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band is not displayed. In the example of Figure 3F, non-PSC 6 GHz band channels may be displayed more prominently than PSC channels. This is because PSC channels are preferentially searched, and there is a relatively high possibility that many devices will connect to them, causing network congestion and slowing down communication speeds. By highlighting non-PSC 6 GHz band channels, it becomes easier to select a less crowded network.

[0040] 3G, the frequency band used for each detected AP may be displayed on the display unit 106. This makes it easier for users with little knowledge of channel numbers to distinguish between the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3G, the display unit 106 displays an icon 309 indicating that the frequency band used is the 2.4 GHz band and an icon 310 indicating that the frequency band used is the 5 GHz band. Furthermore, the display unit 106 displays an icon 311 indicating that the frequency band used is the 6 GHz band in a manner that is more noticeable to the user than the icons 309 and 310.

[0041] Here, we will explain the conspicuous display mode mentioned in the explanation of Fig. 3F and Fig. 3G. Conspicuous display in this embodiment means, for example, that icon 311 indicating the 6 GHz band has a different font color or background color from icon 309 indicating the 2.4 GHz band or icon 310 indicating the 5 GHz band.

[0042] In this case, it is preferable that the font and background colors of icon 311 be more eye-catching than the font and background colors of icons 309 and 310. For example, if the background color of the network list is achromatic, it is preferable that the font and background colors of icon 311 be chromatic, warm colors with high saturation and brightness. In this case, it is also preferable that the font and background colors of icons 309 and 310 be achromatic or chromatic, cool colors with low saturation and brightness. In other words, it is preferable that the font and background colors of icon 311 be closer to colors that form a contrasting hue and brightness combination with the background color of the network list than the font and background colors of icons 309 and 310.

[0043] Alternatively, the font of icon 311 may be made larger or bolder than the fonts of icons 309 and 310. Furthermore, the icon size of icon 311 itself may be made larger than icons 309 and 310. In addition, a further display mode may be adopted, such as making icon 311 blink while not blinking icons 309 and 310. Although omitted in FIG. 3G for simplicity of explanation, even in the display mode shown in FIG. 3G, it may be displayed so as to be distinguishable as a PSC, as in FIG. 3F.

[0044] In the above description, the process of the flowchart in FIG. 4 is performed in response to the user's operation of the operation unit 105. 4 is started by pressing "OK" button 302 on the display unit 106, but the trigger for starting the process is not limited to this. For example, in the example of FIG. 3B, an "Update" button 314 may be further displayed on the display unit 106, and when the "Update" button 314 is pressed by a user operation, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 4 may be started again. Alternatively or in addition to this, the control unit 101 may automatically start the process of the flowchart of FIG. 4 again after an arbitrary time has elapsed since the process of the flowchart of FIG. 4 was completed.

[0045] In the examples of FIGS. 3B to 3G, the display order of the APs when displaying the detection results of the APs may be the order in which the APs were detected by the digital camera 100, or may be in descending order of connection time according to the connection history with the digital camera 100. Alternatively, the display order of the APs when displaying the detection results of the APs may be in the order of 6 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 2.4 GHz band according to the frequency bands used by the APs, or may be in descending order of radio wave strength according to the radio wave strength of the APs. Alternatively, the display order of the APs when displaying the detection results of the APs may be a combination of these orders, or any display order not limited to these may be appropriately adopted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 101 can perform display control in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish that the first frequency band (6 GHz band) allows faster communication than the second frequency band (2.4 GHz band or 5 GHz band).

[0046] According to the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, when the detection result of an AP is displayed on the display unit 106, the frequency band used by the AP is clearly displayed as being the 6 GHz band. This allows the user of the digital camera 100 to identify the frequency band used by the detected AP and select the desired AP.

[0047] Second Embodiment Next, a communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components and processes as those of the communication device according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] <Display process of the simple AP setting screen> 5A to 5G and 6, a description will be given of processing related to setting the AP displayed on the display unit 106 when the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment is operated as an AP. FIGS. 5A to 5G are diagrams showing an example of a UI screen displayed on the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of processing related to setting the AP by the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100.

[0049] In this embodiment, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 causes the connection unit 111 to operate in AP (access point) mode, so that the digital camera 100 operates as a simple access point (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP) with limited functionality. Here, the control unit 101 is an operation control unit that controls the operation of the digital camera 100, which is a communication device, to operate as an access point. When the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP, the digital camera 100 forms a network for communicating with devices in the vicinity of the digital camera 100.

[0050] Peripheral devices of the digital camera 100 recognize the digital camera 100 as an AP and are able to participate in the network formed by the digital camera 100. Note that the program for operating the digital camera 100 as a simple AP and the program for executing the following processes are assumed to be stored in non-volatile memory 103.

[0051] First, in step S601, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 106 to display a network selection screen. The SSID of the AP detected by the processing described above and a selection option for operating the digital camera 100 as an access point are displayed. The user operates the operation unit 105 to select the SSID of the AP to connect to on the selection screen, or to select a selection option for operating the digital camera 100 as a simple AP. When the control unit 101 receives a selection from the user, it determines whether or not to operate the digital camera 100 as a simple AP based on the received selection. If the control unit 101 determines that the digital camera 100 should operate as a simple AP (S601: YES), it proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the digital camera 100 should not operate as a simple AP (S601: NO), it ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0052] In step S602, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 106 to display an input screen for the SSID of the digital camera 100 as a simple AP. The user inputs the SSID by operating the SSID input screen displayed on the display unit 106. When the control unit 101 accepts the SSID input by the user, the process proceeds to step S603.

[0053] In step S603, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 106 to display a selection screen for selecting a method for setting a frequency band and a channel to be used when the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP. The user selects whether to automatically or manually set the frequency band and channel on the selection screen for setting a frequency band and a channel displayed on the display unit 106. Then, upon receiving the user's selection, the control unit 101 determines whether to automatically set the frequency band and the channel based on the received selection. If the control unit 101 determines that the frequency band and the channel should be automatically set (S603: YES), the process proceeds to step S606. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the frequency band and the channel should not be automatically set (to be manually set) (S603: NO), the process proceeds to step S604.

[0054] In step S604, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 106 to display a setting screen for setting the frequency band and channel to be used when the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP. Then, in step S605, the control unit 101 accepts settings for the frequency band and channel to be used when the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP in response to a user's operation on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 106. Details of the setting screen display process in step S604 and the setting acceptance process in step S605 will be described later. Then, upon completing the process of step S605, the control unit 101 ends the process of this flowchart.

[0055] Furthermore, in step S606, the control unit 101 automatically sets the frequency band and channel to be used when the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP. Here, the control unit 101 is a setting unit that sets the channel to be used by the AP when the digital camera 100, which is a communication device, operates as an AP. Note that the process related to automatic setting of the frequency band and channel can be realized using well-known technology, so detailed explanation of the process will be omitted here. Then, when the control unit 101 completes the process of step S606, it ends the process of this flowchart.

[0056] 5A to 5G show examples of AP setting screens displayed on the display unit 106 when the user operates the digital camera 100 to operate as a simple AP in the processing of the above flowchart.

[0057] 5A is a diagram showing an example of a network selection screen displayed on the display unit 106 in step S601. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, on the network selection screen, a "camera access point mode" item 501 is selected by a user operation on the UI screen displayed on the display unit 106, and an "OK" button 502 is pressed. As a result, the control unit The process advances from step S601 to step S602. The "camera access point mode" is a mode in which the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP.

[0058] 5B and 5C show examples of setting screens related to a simple AP. Fig. 5B is a setting screen for setting the SSID of the simple AP. Fig. 5C is a setting screen for setting the channel of the frequency band used by the simple AP. Note that the setting screen for the simple AP displayed on the display unit 106 is not limited to this, and a setting screen for a password or the like related to the simple AP may also be displayed on the display unit 106.

[0059] When the control unit 101 advances the process to step S602, the UI screen displayed on the display unit 106 transitions to a setting screen for setting the SSID of the simple AP, as shown in FIG. 5B . In the example of FIG. 5B , the user inputs the SSID "camera-AP6" used when operating the digital camera 100 as a simple AP into the input box 503 on the setting screen. The user then presses the "OK" button 504. This causes the control unit 101 to advance the process from step S602 to step S603. Note that although the SSID is input by the user here, this is not a limitation. For example, a random SSID may be generated and displayed. Alternatively, a random SSID may be generated when entering this setting screen and displayed as input into the input box 503. In this case, the user can modify the randomly generated SSID to any character string.

[0060] In step S603, as shown in Fig. 5C, a selection screen for a channel to be used when operating the digital camera 100 as a simple AP is displayed on the display unit 106. On the selection screen, either the "Auto Setting" item or the "Manual Setting" item is selected by a user operation. In the example of Fig. 5C, the "Manual Setting" item 505 is selected by a user operation.

[0061] Then, in step S604, the user operates the channel switching button 507 displayed on the selection screen to switch the channel and select the desired frequency band and channel. Here, the channel can be selected from the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. Furthermore, when the user operates the channel switching button 507 to switch to the 6 GHz band channel, as shown in FIG. 5D , a "6 GHz" icon 508 is displayed together with the channel. This makes it possible to display on the selection screen in a manner that makes it easy to identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band. Note that the display in a manner that makes the 6 GHz band easy to identify on the selection screen is not limited to the icon 508, and any display manner may be adopted as long as the user can identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band.

[0062] Also, as in the case of FIG. 3F, the fact that the digital camera 100 is a PSC in the 6 GHz band may be displayed in a manner that makes it distinguishable from other 6 GHz band channels. In this case, unlike the case of connecting to a nearby AP in FIG. 3F, the digital camera 100 is in a position where it wants nearby devices to search for the network, so it is preferable to display the fact that it is a PSC in a manner that is more prominent than other channels. The above-mentioned variations in the manner of prominence can be adopted. Furthermore, for example, when a channel number that is desired to be prominent is selected, it may be made difficult to switch to other channel numbers. For example, operation of the channel switching button 507 may be disabled for a certain period of time after the channel number that is desired to be prominent is selected. Also, for example, a vibration unit formed by a motor or the like (not shown) may be provided, and haptic feedback may be adopted in which the digital camera 100 vibrates each time a channel number is selected. In such a case, when a channel number that is desired to be prominent is selected, the degree of feedback may be stronger (i.e., the vibration may be stronger) than when a channel number that is not desired to be prominent is selected. ) The same applies when providing feedback of the selection by sound. Also, for example, the channel may be switched not only by operating the channel switching button 507 but also by performing a touch-and-move operation on the area where the channel number is displayed.

[0063] Here, a description will be given of another example of the display of the selection screen in step S603. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5E, the display unit 106 displays a selection screen for the frequency band to be used when the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP. On the selection screen, one of three items, "2.4 GHz," "5 GHz," or "6 GHz," is selected by a user operation. In the example of FIG. 5E, the user selects the "6 GHz" item 509. Then, the user presses the "OK" button 510. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5F, the display unit 106 displays a selection screen for a channel in which the frequency band usable for the simple AP is the 6 GHz band.

[0064] In step S604, the user operates channel switching button 512 displayed on the selection screen of FIG. 5F to switch channels and select a desired channel. Since "6 GHz" was selected on the frequency band selection screen of FIG. 5E, icon 511 of "6 GHz" is displayed on the channel selection screen of FIG. 5F. This allows the selection screen to display in a manner that allows the user to identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band. Note that the display in a manner that allows the user to identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band is not limited to icon 511, and any display manner may be adopted as long as the user can identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band.

[0065] In the example shown in Fig. 5D, with channel "5ch" on which "6GHz" icon 508 is displayed selected on the selection screen, the user presses "OK" button 506. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 5F, with channel "5ch" selected on the selection screen, the user presses "OK" button 513. As a result, control unit 101 advances the process from step S604 to step S605.

[0066] In the above example, in step S605, the control unit 101 sets the frequency band and channel to 6 GHz and 5ch, respectively, when the digital camera 100 is operated as a simple AP. In this embodiment, the control unit 101 stores the settings of the simple AP configured as described above in the nonvolatile memory 103. Then, the control unit 101 displays a setting confirmation screen on the display unit 106 based on the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 103. As shown in FIG. 5G, the setting confirmation screen displays the SSID (“camera-AP6”) input in step S602 (FIG. 5B), an icon 514 indicating the frequency band (“6 GHz”) used by the simple AP, and the channel (“5ch”). Note that the information indicating the setting of the simple AP may be stored in the working memory 104 or the storage medium 110, and the storage location of the information is not limited to these. The control unit 101 may store the information indicating the setting of the simple AP in the nonvolatile memory 103 either after or before the simple AP is started up. Furthermore, the control unit 101 can control the display unit 106 to display the confirmation screen for the setting contents at any timing, whether after or before the simple AP is started.

[0067] As described above, with the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment, when the digital camera 100 is operated as a simple AP, it is possible to display in a manner that allows the user to identify that the frequency band used by the simple AP is the 6 GHz band. This allows the user of the digital camera 100 to identify the frequency band corresponding to the channel used by the simple AP and select a channel corresponding to the desired frequency band.

[0068] The present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications are also encompassed within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, the present invention also encompasses a case in which a software program implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device having a computer capable of executing the program, either directly from a storage medium or via wired or wireless communication, and the program is executed. Therefore, the program code itself supplied to and installed on a computer to implement the functional processing of the present invention also embodies the present invention. In other words, the computer program itself for implementing the functional processing of the present invention is also encompassed by the present invention. In this case, the program may take any form, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS, as long as it has the program functionality. Examples of storage media for providing the program include magnetic storage media such as hard disks and magnetic tapes, optical / magneto-optical storage media, and nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Another conceivable method for providing the program is to store the computer program implementing the present invention on a server on a computer network, and then download and program the computer program from a connected client computer.

[0069] The various controls described above may or may not be performed by a single piece of hardware (e.g., a processor or circuit). The entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors, multiple circuits, or a combination of one or more processors and one or more circuits) sharing the processing.

[0070] The above processor is a processor in the broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors and dedicated processors. General-purpose processors include, for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro Processing Units), and DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). Dedicated processors include, for example, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices). Programmable logic devices include, for example, FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) and CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices).

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0072] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program, or by a circuit that realizes one or more functions.

[0073] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a frequency band used at each of one or more access points; a determination unit that determines an access point that uses a first frequency band from among the one or more access points using the information acquired by the acquisition unit; Identifying an access point that is determined by the determination unit to use the first frequency band In another possible aspect, a control unit that performs display control to display a list of the one or more access points; A communication device comprising: (Configuration 2) The communication device according to Configuration 1, wherein the control unit performs the display control in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the first frequency band allows faster communication than the second frequency band. (Configuration 3) the first frequency band is 6 GHz; The control unit performs the display control in a manner that enables identification that the channel corresponding to the first frequency band is a PSC (Preferred Scanning Channel). 3. The communication device according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The communication device according to configuration 3, wherein the control unit performs the display control to display the PSC in a manner different from the manner in which the first frequency band is displayed. (Configuration 5) the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; 5. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit performs the display control in the order in which the plurality of access points are detected. (Configuration 6) the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; 5. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to a connection history with the communication device. (Configuration 7) the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; 5. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to frequency bands used by the plurality of access points. (Configuration 8) the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; 5. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to the radio wave strength of the plurality of access points. (Configuration 9) 9. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control unit performs the display control when a frequency band different from the first frequency band belongs to the same channel. (Configuration 10) A communication device, a setting unit that sets a channel to be used by the access point when the communication device is operated as the access point; a determination unit that determines whether the channel to be set by the setting unit is a channel corresponding to a first frequency band; a control unit that performs display control to display the channel in a manner that allows the user to identify that the channel to be set by the setting unit is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band when the determination unit determines that the channel to be set by the setting unit is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band; A communication device comprising: (Configuration 11) 11. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit performs the display control in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the first frequency band allows faster communication than the second frequency band. (Configuration 13) the first frequency band is 6 GHz; The control unit performs the display control in a manner that enables identification that the channel corresponding to the first frequency band is a PSC. 12. The communication device according to configuration 10 or 11. (Configuration 13) The communication device according to configuration 12, wherein the control unit performs the display control to display the PSC in a manner different from the manner in which the first frequency band is displayed. (Method 1) an acquiring step of acquiring information indicating, for each of one or more access points, a frequency band used at the access point; a determining step of determining an access point that uses a first frequency band from among the one or more access points using the information acquired by the acquiring step; a control step of performing display control to display a list of the one or more access points in a manner that allows identification of the access points determined to use the first frequency band in the determination step; 10. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising: (Method 2) A method for controlling a communication device, comprising: a setting step of setting a channel to be used by the access point when the communication device is operated as the access point; a determining step of determining whether the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to a first frequency band; a control step of performing display control to display the channel in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band, when the determination step determines that the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band; 10. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising: (program) 14. A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100 digital camera, 101 control unit, 106 display unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a frequency band used at each of one or more access points; a determination unit that determines an access point that uses a first frequency band from among the one or more access points, using the information acquired by the acquisition unit; a control unit that performs display control to display a list of the one or more access points in a manner that allows identification of the access points determined by the determination unit to use the first frequency band; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the first frequency band allows faster communication than the second frequency band.

3. the first frequency band is 6 GHz; the control unit performs the display control in a manner that enables identification that the channel corresponding to the first frequency band is a PSC (Preferred Scanning Channel).

2. The communication device according to claim 1.

4. The communication device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit performs the display control so as to display the PSC in a manner different from the manner in which the first frequency band is displayed.

5. the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in the order in which the plurality of access points are detected.

6. the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to a connection history with the communication device.

7. the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to frequency bands used by the plurality of access points.

8. the acquisition unit acquires the information on each of a plurality of access points; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in an order according to radio wave strengths of the plurality of access points.

9. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the display control when a frequency band different from the first frequency band belongs to the same channel.

10. A communication device, a setting unit that sets a channel to be used by the access point when the communication device is operated as the access point; a determination unit that determines whether the channel to be set by the setting unit is a channel corresponding to a first frequency band; The determination unit determines whether the channel to be set by the setting unit corresponds to the first frequency band. a control unit that performs display control to display the channel in a manner that allows the channel to be identified as a channel corresponding to the first frequency band when the channel is determined to be a channel corresponding to the first frequency band by the setting unit; A communication device comprising:

11. The communication device according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit performs the display control in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the first frequency band allows faster communication than the second frequency band.

12. the first frequency band is 6 GHz; the control unit performs the display control in a manner that enables identification that the channel corresponding to the first frequency band is a PSC.

11. The communication device according to claim 10.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit performs the display control so as to display the PSC in a manner different from the manner in which the first frequency band is displayed.

14. an acquiring step of acquiring information indicating, for each of one or more access points, a frequency band used at the access point; a determining step of determining an access point that uses a first frequency band among the one or more access points using the information acquired by the acquiring step; a control step of performing display control to display a list of the one or more access points in a manner that allows identification of the access points determined to use the first frequency band in the determination step; 10. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:

15. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising: a setting step of setting a channel to be used by the access point when the communication device is operated as the access point; a determining step of determining whether the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to a first frequency band; a control step of performing display control to display the channel in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band, when the determination step determines that the channel to be set in the setting step is a channel corresponding to the first frequency band; 10. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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