Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing the possibility of sending unnecessary connection requests. [Solution] The communication device has a response means for transmitting a response to a connection request when the connection request is received from an external communication device, a reception means for receiving a connection wait stop instruction to stop the connection wait state, a notification means for transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the reception means receives the connection wait stop instruction, and a control means for maintaining the connection wait state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been sent to the external communication device, and for causing the response means to transmit a response to stop sending the connection request when the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection wait state is maintained, and then stopping the connection wait state.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND Conventionally, a function has been provided in which a communication device transmits video captured by a camera to a video distribution server via the Internet, and the video distribution server then live-distributes the video to a personal computer or a smartphone.

[0003] In live streaming over the Internet, network connection may be interrupted due to a temporary network failure, an increase in the load on the video distribution server, etc. After the connection is interrupted, the network may be restored immediately or the load on the video distribution server may be reduced, so it is conceivable that the communication device will automatically repeat a connection request to the video distribution server in order to resume live streaming.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when the server enters an abnormal state in which it cannot receive data, it repeatedly requests to resume transmission. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-004323 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a live streaming administrator stops the live streaming, the communication device cannot distinguish between the stoppage of the live streaming and a disconnection due to other factors, and therefore the communication device may repeatedly request reconnection in an attempt to resume the live streaming.

[0007] At this time, the communications device continued to send unnecessary connection request packets to the Internet, and the video distribution server that received them returned an error response at the IP layer, placing a burden on the video distribution server.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the possibility of sending unnecessary connection requests. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, a communication device according to the present invention comprises: a response means for transmitting a response to a connection request when the connection request is received from an external communication device; a receiving means for receiving a connection wait stop instruction for stopping the connection wait state; a notification means for transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the reception means receives the connection wait stop instruction; a control means for maintaining the connection waiting state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been transmitted to the external communication device, and for causing the response means to transmit a response for stopping transmission of the connection request, when the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection waiting state is being maintained, and then terminating the connection waiting state; The present invention is characterized by having the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that can reduce the possibility that unnecessary connection requests will be sent. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1A is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a connection setting screen of the communication device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a connection setting screen of the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a connection operation screen of the communication device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a connection operation screen of the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a connection waiting state stop operation by the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a connection waiting state stop process in step S5005 of the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a connection waiting state stop process in step S5005 of the communication device 2000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In each drawing, the same members or elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. The network configuration of the communication device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a system configuration including a communication device 1000 that initiates the connection process for connection, and a communication device 2000 that is waiting for connection and is connected to the communication device 1000 by the connection process initiated by the communication device 1000.

[0015] 1 is also capable of transmitting a connection request from communication device 1000 to communication device 2000 via network 3000. Communication device 2000 waiting for a connection returns an OK response indicating that connection is possible in response to the connection request from external communication device 1000, and a connection between the communication devices is established.

[0016] Fig. 2(A) is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the internal configuration of the connection initiating communication device 1000. Note that some of the functional blocks shown in Fig. 2(A) are realized by causing a CPU or the like serving as a computer included in the communication device to execute a computer program stored in a memory serving as a storage medium.

[0017] However, some or all of these functions may be implemented by hardware, which may be a dedicated circuit (ASIC) or a processor (reconfigurable processor, DSP).

[0018] Furthermore, the functional blocks shown in Fig. 2(A) do not have to be built into the same housing, but may be configured as separate devices connected to each other via signal paths. The above explanation regarding Fig. 2(A) also applies to Fig. 2(B).

[0019] 2A, reference numeral 1001 denotes an operation unit that provides the user with a connection setting screen and a connection operation screen for operating a connection, starting a connection waiting state, and stopping a connection waiting state. The user sets the connection mode, which indicates whether the communication device is the connection initiator or the connection waiting state, to the connection initiator on the operation unit 1001, and sets the IP address and port number of the connection destination, etc.

[0020] The connection waiting state is a state in which a request for a communication connection using a protocol for video distribution, etc. For example, the SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) protocol or the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) can be used as a protocol for video distribution.

[0021] When using the SRT protocol, the state of accepting a connection request of the SRT protocol is the connection waiting state. In this state of accepting a connection request of the protocol, whether or not to actually establish a connection in response to the connection request is indicated by a response conforming to the protocol.

[0022] When actually connecting, the necessary information is exchanged between the communication devices, a connection based on the protocol is established, and video distribution becomes possible. In other words, the connection waiting state can be said to be a state in which a connection request that complies with a predetermined protocol for video distribution can be accepted.

[0023] On the other hand, if the connection is not in a waiting state (if the connection waiting state is stopped), a response conforming to that protocol will not be sent to a connection request of such a protocol. Note that even if the connection waiting state is stopped, responses at the IP layer may still be sent. This can cause a problem in that the communication bandwidth is congested by connection requests and responses at the IP layer.

[0024] Reference numeral 1002 denotes a connection unit. When a user performs a connection start operation on the operation unit 1001, a connection request is sent from the connection unit 1002 to the communication device 2000.

[0025] A data input unit 1003 receives, for example, video and audio data via an interface such as HDMI (registered trademark), and inputs the data to a compression encoding unit 1004.

[0026] A compression encoding unit 1004 generates video data and audio data by compressing and encoding the video input from the data input unit 1003 in accordance with a format such as JPEG, H.264, or H.265, and the audio in accordance with a format such as AAC.

[0027] A data communication unit 1005 is provided. When the connection unit 1002 receives a connection OK response from the communication device 2000 and a connection between the communication devices is established, the data communication unit 1005 transmits the video data and audio data compressed and encoded by the compression encoding unit 1004 to the communication device 2000.

[0028] Reference numeral 1006 denotes a CPU serving as a computer, which controls each unit within the communication device 1000 by executing a computer program stored in a memory 1007 serving as a storage medium.

[0029] FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the internal configuration of the communication device 2000 on the connection waiting side.

[0030] 2(B), reference numeral 2001 denotes an operation unit that provides the user with a connection setting screen and a connection operation screen for operating connections, starting a connection waiting state, and stopping a connection waiting state. Using the operation unit 2001, the user sets the connection mode, which indicates whether the communication device is the connection initiation side or the connection waiting side, to the connection waiting side, and sets the port number for waiting for a connection (accepting connection processing), etc.

[0031] Reference numeral 2002 denotes a connection unit. When a user operates the operation unit 2001 to start connection waiting, the connection waiting starts with the set connection settings. When a connection request is received via the network 3000 from the communication device 1000 that initiated the connection, the connection unit 2002 transmits a connection OK response to the communication device 1000.

[0032] A data communication unit 2003 receives compressed and encoded video data and audio data from the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side via the network 3000 and inputs the data to a decoding unit 2004.

[0033] A decoding unit 2004 decodes video data and audio data that have been compressed and encoded in formats such as JPEG, H.264, or H.265 for video, and AAC for audio, to obtain the video and audio data, which are then input to a data output unit 2005.

[0034] 2005 is a data output unit that outputs video and audio from a video and audio interface such as HDMI (registered trademark), displays the video on a monitor, and plays the audio through speakers.

[0035] Reference numeral 2006 denotes a CPU serving as a computer, which controls each unit within the communication device 2000 by executing a computer program stored in a memory 2007 serving as a storage medium.

[0036] The internal configurations of the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side and the communication device 2000 on the connection waiting side have been described above with reference to Figures 2(A) and 2(B). However, the processing blocks shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are merely an example of an embodiment of the communication device in this embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0037] The data input unit 1003 of the communication device 1000 may have an imaging unit, capture an image of a subject formed by an imaging optical system, convert the acquired analog signal into digital data, obtain captured video, and input the captured video to the compression encoding unit 1004.

[0038] Alternatively, the data input unit 1003 may have a built-in video recording / playback device or may be connected to a video recording / playback device, and may acquire video and audio played by the video recording / playback device and input them to the compression / encoding unit 1004.

[0039] In addition, in this description, communication device 1000 is set as the connection initiating side and communication device 2000 as the connection waiting side, but either device can initiate a connection between the communication devices. Communication device 1000 and communication device 2000 can initiate a connection and wait for a connection using connection unit 1002 and connection unit 2002, respectively, according to the connection mode set on the connection setting screen of operation unit 1001 and operation unit 2001.

[0040] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a connection setting screen of the communication device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the connection setting screen P1000 provided by the operation unit 1001 of the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side according to this embodiment will be described.

[0041] P1001 is a check box for the connection mode that sets whether the communication device 1000 is the connection initiating side or the connection waiting side, and for example, the connection initiating side is selected for the communication device 1000. That is, in this embodiment, the communication device 1000 can be set as either the connection initiating side or the connection waiting side.

[0042] P1002 and P1003 are text boxes for inputting the settings required to start a connection, P1002 is for inputting the destination IP address, and P1003 is for inputting the destination port number.

[0043] Reference numeral 1004 is a text box for entering the connection waiting port number (the port number that accepts connections). However, if the connection initiation button is selected in the check box P1001, the text box P1004 on the connection waiting side settings screen may be hidden.

[0044] P1005 is a selection box for connection repetition settings and is displayed when the connection initiator button is selected in check box P1001. In addition, in P1005, the connection initiator can select "Enable" if they want to automatically repeat the connection when the connection is lost, or "Disable" if they do not want to automatically repeat the connection, for example, by clicking the mouse.

[0045] In the communication device 1000 of this embodiment, enabled is selected, but the user may not be able to select the connection repetition setting, in which case the setting may be automatically set to either automatically repeat connection or not automatically connect.

[0046] Furthermore, in the communication device 1000, if the connection repeat setting is set to "enabled," the communication device may automatically repeat the connection when it is started up.

[0047] P1006 is a setting button, which stores the connection settings set in P1001 to P1005 in the memory 1007 of the communication device 1000.

[0048] Next, Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of a connection setting screen of the communication device 2000 relating to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3B, we will explain the connection setting screen P1000 provided by the operation unit 2001 of the communication device 2000 waiting for connection in this embodiment.

[0049] P2001 is a check box for the connection mode that sets whether the communication device is the connection initiating side or the connection waiting side, and the connection waiting side is selected for the communication device 2000. That is, in this embodiment, the communication device 2000 as an external communication device can be set to the connection initiating side or the connection waiting side.

[0050] P2002 and P2003 are text boxes for entering the settings required to start a connection, with P2002 for entering the destination IP address and P2003 for entering the destination port number. However, if the connection waiting side button is selected in check box P2001, text boxes P2002 and P2003 on the connection initiation side settings screen may be configured not to be displayed.

[0051] P2004 is a text box for inputting the settings required for connection waiting. It is displayed when the connection waiting button is selected in the check box P2001, and is used to input the port number for waiting for a connection.

[0052] P2006 is a setting button, which stores the connection settings made in P2001 and P2004 in the memory 2007 of the communication device 2000.

[0053] Figure 4A is a diagram showing an example of a connection operation screen of the communication device 1000 relating to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4A, we will explain the connection operation screen P4000 provided by the operation unit 1001 of the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side relating to this embodiment.

[0054] P4001 is a connection start button, and pressing this button causes the connection unit 1002 to make a connection request to the communication device 2000 waiting for connection, using the connection start settings stored in the memory 1007.

[0055] P4002 is a connection stop button, and pressing this button sends a connection disconnection notice to the communication device 2000, and disconnects the connection between the communication devices.

[0056] On the other hand, Figure 4B is a diagram showing an example of a connection operation screen of the communication device 2000 relating to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4B, we will explain the connection operation screen P5000 provided by the operation unit 2001 of the communication device 2000 on the connection initiation side relating to this embodiment.

[0057] P5001 is a start button for instructing the start of a connection waiting state, and pressing this button puts the connection unit 2002 into a state where it can accept a connection request from the communication device 1000 in accordance with the connection waiting settings stored in the memory 2007. In other words, it puts the connection unit 2002 into a state where it can respond to a connection request in accordance with the protocol corresponding to the connection request.

[0058] P5002 is a stop button for stopping the connection waiting state, and by pressing this button, the communication device 2000 executes a reception step for receiving a connection waiting stop instruction for stopping the connection waiting state. In addition, a connection disconnection notification is sent to the communication device 1000, and the connection between the communication devices is disconnected.

[0059] Here, the operation unit 2001 including the connection wait stop button P5002 functions as a receiving means for executing a receiving step of receiving a connection wait stop instruction for stopping the connection wait state. Also, the connection unit 2002 functions as a notifying means for transmitting a connection disconnection notification for notifying the external communication device (communication device 1000) that the connection will be disconnected when the receiving means receives the connection wait stop instruction.

[0060] The receiving unit may receive a connection wait stop instruction from the operation unit 2001 of the communication device 2000 or from an external device via a network or the like.

[0061] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example sequence of a connection waiting stop operation by the communication device 2000 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Figure 5, the sequence of a connection waiting stop operation by the communication device 2000 on the connection waiting side according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0062] The operations of the steps in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5 are performed sequentially by a CPU or the like serving as a computer included in each of the communication devices 1000 and 2000 executing a computer program stored in a memory.

[0063] When the user presses the connection start button P4001 on the connection operation screen P4000 of the communication device 1000 in Fig. 4A, in step S5001, a connection request is sent from the connection unit 1002 to the communication device 2000. Here, step S5001 functions as a connection request step (connection request means) that sends a connection request to the communication device 2000 as the connection waiting communication device.

[0064] In response to this, in step S5002, communication device 2000 sends a connection OK response to communication device 1000 from connection unit 2002, and a connection between the communication devices is established. Here, step S5002 functions as a response step (response means) that, when a connection request is received from communication device 1000 as an external communication device, transmits a response to the connection request.

[0065] Furthermore, in the communication device 1000, step S5002 also functions as a receiving step (receiving means) of receiving a connection response to a connection request from the communication device 2000 as a connection waiting side communication device.

[0066] After the connection is established, in steps S5003 and S5004, the communication device 1000 transmits video data and audio data from the data communication unit 1005 to the communication device 2000. That is, the communication device 2000 functions as a receiving means for receiving video from the external communication device 1000.

[0067] Next, when the user presses the connection wait stop button P5002 on the connection operation screen P5000 in FIG. 5B of the communication device 2000, a connection wait stop instruction is accepted, and the communication device 2000 starts the connection wait stop process in step S5005. Then, in step S5006, the connection unit 2002 transmits a connection disconnection notification to the communication device 1000.

[0068] Here, step S5006 functions as a notification step of transmitting a connection disconnection notification to the external communication device 1000 to notify that the connection will be disconnected when a connection wait stop instruction is received in the receiving step.

[0069] In step S5005, which is the connection wait stop process, even after the connection disconnection is notified, the connection unit 2002 does not immediately stop the connection wait, but waits for a connection request from the communication device 1000.

[0070] When the connection unit 2002 receives a connection request from the communication device 1000 in step S5007, it returns a connection prohibition response (a stop request for stopping the transmission of connection requests) in step S5008. Also, it stops the communication device 1000 from repeatedly sending connection requests to the communication device 2000.

[0071] 5 does not limit the communication protocol. Furthermore, the connection prohibition response of the communication device 2000 may be a response from a plurality of different communication layers, such as a connection prohibition response at the transport layer. Alternatively, it may be a connection prohibition response at the application layer, etc. In other words, the response means may be one that transmits a response for stopping the transmission of the connection request from a plurality of different communication layers.

[0072] In any case, any information that can stop the transmission of a connection request is sufficient. As a connection prohibition response (stop request), for example, a TCP FIN in the transport layer or a connection prohibition response uniquely defined in the application layer can be used. In other words, any flag or parameter value that has been set in advance between communication devices can be used.

[0073] In this way, the different communication layers that return a connection prohibition response may include at least two layers from the transport layer that controls transfer, the session layer that performs access management, the presentation layer, and the application layer.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the connection wait stop process in step S5005 of the communication device 2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Note that a CPU 2006 or the like as a computer included in communication device 2000 executes a computer program stored in memory 2007, thereby functioning as a control unit (control means), and sequentially performs the operations of each step in the flowchart of Fig. 6. The control unit (control means) can be realized by various hardware and software such as a dedicated IC chip, FPGA, ASIC, etc.

[0076] 6, the communication device 2000 transmits a disconnection notification from the connection unit 2002 to the communication device 1000, and the process proceeds to step S6002. Note that step S6001 corresponds to step S5006 in FIG.

[0077] 6, the control unit of communication device 2000 checks whether a connection request has been received from communication device 1000. If a connection request has been received, the process proceeds to step S6003, and if a connection request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S6002. Note that if the answer is Yes in step S6002, this corresponds to step S5007 in FIG.

[0078] 6, the control unit of the communication device 2000 causes the connection unit 2002 to transmit a connection prohibition response to the communication device 1000, and the process proceeds to step S6004. Note that step S6003 corresponds to step S5008 in FIG.

[0079] In step S6004 in FIG. 6, the control unit of the communication device 2000 stops the connection wait state in the connection unit 2002, and ends the connection wait stop operation processing in FIG.

[0080] Here, in the response steps shown in steps S6001 to S6004, even after a connection disconnection notification is sent to the external communication device, the control unit including CPU 2006, memory 2007, etc. maintains a connection waiting state for at least a predetermined time.

[0081] Furthermore, if a connection request is received from an external communication device while the connection waiting state is maintained, the control unit executes a control step of causing the response means to transmit a response to stop the transmission of the connection request, and then stopping the connection waiting state.

[0082] In step S6001, the communication device 1000 repeats the connection request even after receiving a connection disconnection notification from the connection waiting communication device (communication device 2000). If a connection prohibition response is received from the connection waiting communication device in step S6003, the communication device 1000 stops repeating the connection request.

[0083] As described above, in embodiment 1, when a connection waiting stop operation is performed on the communication device 2000 on the connection waiting side, the connection waiting state is not immediately stopped, but rather a determination is made as to whether the communication device 1000 on the connection initiating side will send a connection request.

[0084] When a connection request is sent from the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side, a connection prohibition response is returned to the connection request, thereby stopping unnecessary connection requests from the communication device 1000.

[0085] In this way, in consideration of the possibility that the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side may send a connection request, the communication device 1000 waits for the connection request, and when the connection request is received, an appropriate response can be sent in response to the received connection request in order to stop sending the connection request.

[0086] In addition, there are cases where communication is performed with a large number of communication devices that are connection initiators, and in such cases, by identifying the communication device that has sent the connection request and then transmitting the connection prohibition response, it is possible to more appropriately transmit the connection prohibition response.

[0087] <Embodiment 2> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the connection wait stop processing in step S5005 of the communication device 2000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The connection wait stop processing 4000 of the communication device 2000 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0088] Note that a description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) will be omitted. Note that the operation of each step in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed sequentially by a CPU or the like serving as a computer included in the communication device 2000 executing a computer program stored in a memory.

[0089] In step S7001 of FIG. 7, the communication device 2000 transmits a disconnection notification from the connection unit 2002 to the communication device 1000, and the process proceeds to step S7002.

[0090] In step S7002 of FIG. 7, the communication device 2000 starts measuring the time during which the connection unit 2002 waits for a connection request from the communication device 1000 (the time during which the connection wait state is maintained), and then the process proceeds to step S7003.

[0091] 7, the communication device 2000 checks whether a connection request has been received from the communication device 1000. If a connection request has been received, the process proceeds to step S7004, and if a connection request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S7005.

[0092] In step S7004 of FIG. 7, the communication device 2000 sends a connection prohibition response from the connection unit 2002 to the communication device 1000, and the process proceeds to step S7006.

[0093] On the other hand, in step S7005 of FIG. 7, communication device 2000 determines in connection section 2002 whether the time it has been waiting for a connection request from communication device 1000 has exceeded a predetermined time, and if so, transitions to step S7006; if not, transitions to step S7003.

[0094] In this way, in step S7005, after sending a disconnection notification to the external communication device 1000, if a connection request is not received from the communication device 1000 as an external communication device within a predetermined time, the connection waiting state is stopped.

[0095] In step S7006 of FIG. 7, the communication device 2000 stops the connection wait state in the connection unit 2002, and ends the connection wait stop process.

[0096] As described above, in the second embodiment, when a connection wait stop operation is performed on the communication device 2000 on the connection waiting side, the connection wait state is not immediately stopped, but the connection wait state is maintained for a predetermined time period for the connection request from the communication device 1000 on the connection initiation side. Then, if a connection request is received within the predetermined time period, a connection prohibition response is returned. This makes it possible to stop unnecessary connection requests from the communication device 1000 within the predetermined time period.

[0097] The present invention has been described in detail above based on an embodiment thereof, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and combinations of the above embodiment are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0098] The present invention also includes those that realize the functions of the above embodiments using, for example, at least one processor such as a CPU, memory, or circuit (for example, ASIC). Also, multiple processors may be used to perform distributed processing.

[0099] In order to realize part or all of the control in the above-described embodiment, a computer program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment may be supplied to a communication device or the like via a network or various storage media.

[0100] The computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) in the communication device or the like may then read and execute the program. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention. The present invention also includes the following combinations.

[0101] (Configuration 1) A communication device characterized by having: a response means for transmitting a response to a connection request when the connection request is received from an external communication device; a reception means for receiving a connection wait stop instruction to stop the connection wait state; a notification means for transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the reception means receives the connection wait stop instruction; and a control means for maintaining the connection wait state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been sent to the external communication device, and for causing the response means to transmit a response to stop sending the connection request when the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection wait state is maintained, and then stopping the connection wait state.

[0102] (Configuration 2) The communication device described in Configuration 1, wherein the control means stops the connection waiting state if the connection request is not received from the external communication device within a predetermined time after sending the connection disconnection notification to the external communication device.

[0103] (Configuration 3) The communication device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the response means transmits the response for stopping transmission of the connection request from a plurality of different communication layers.

[0104] (Configuration 4) The communication device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the different communication layers include at least two layers from a transport layer that controls transfer, a session layer that performs access management, a presentation layer, and an application layer.

[0105] (Configuration 5) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the accepting means accepts the connection wait stop instruction from an operation unit or from the outside.

[0106] (Configuration 6) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a receiving means for receiving video from the external communication device.

[0107] (Configuration 7) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the external communication device can be set as a connection initiation side or a connection waiting side.

[0108] (Configuration 8) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the connection waiting state is a state in which the communication device is able to accept the connection request conforming to a predetermined protocol for video distribution.

[0109] (Method 1) A communication method comprising: a response step of transmitting a response to a connection request when the connection request is received from an external communication device; a reception step of receiving a connection wait stop instruction to stop the connection wait state; a notification step of transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the connection wait stop instruction is received by the reception step; and a control step of maintaining the connection wait state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been sent to the external communication device, and if the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection wait state is maintained, transmitting a response to stop the transmission of the connection request and then stopping the connection wait state.

[0110] (Program) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1000: Communication device initiating the connection 2000: Communication device waiting for connection 3000: Network

Claims

1. a response means for transmitting a response to a connection request when the connection request is received from an external communication device; a receiving means for receiving a connection wait stop instruction for stopping the connection wait state; a notification means for transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the reception means receives the connection wait stop instruction; a control means for maintaining the connection waiting state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been transmitted to the external communication device, and for causing the response means to transmit a response for stopping transmission of the connection request, when the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection waiting state is being maintained, and then terminating the connection waiting state; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means stops the connection waiting state if the connection request is not received from the external communication device within a predetermined time after sending the connection disconnection notification to the external communication device.

3. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the response unit transmits the response for stopping transmission of the connection request from a plurality of different communication layers.

4. 4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the different communication layers include at least two layers selected from a transport layer for controlling transfer, a session layer for performing access management, a presentation layer, and an application layer.

5. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives the connection wait stop instruction from an operation unit or an external device.

6. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving video from the external communication device.

7. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external communication device can be set as a connection initiating side or a connection waiting side.

8. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connection waiting state is a state in which the communication device is able to accept the connection request conforming to a predetermined protocol for video distribution.

9. a response step of transmitting a response to a connection request received from an external communication device; a receiving step of receiving a connection wait stop instruction for stopping the connection wait state; a notification step of transmitting a connection disconnection notification to notify the external communication device that the connection will be disconnected when the connection wait stop instruction is received in the receiving step; a control step of maintaining the connection wait state for at least a predetermined time even after the connection disconnection notification has been transmitted to the external communication device, and when the connection request is received from the external communication device while the connection wait state is being maintained, transmitting a response for stopping transmission of the connection request, and then terminating the connection wait state; A communication method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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