Electronic device and method for controlling an electronic device

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient electronic device and a control method for the electronic device.SOLUTION: An electric device includes a first communication unit that performs first wireless communication based on a first communication standard, a second communication unit that performs second wired communication based on a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard, and a control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit. When the second communication is connected while the first communication is connected, the control unit does not disconnect the first communication until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and disconnect the first communication when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a method for controlling the electronic device, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices that communicate via a wired network or a wireless network are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of connecting an electronic device that operates within a limited workspace to a personal computer or a cloud server using a wireless network.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method that enables an electronic device to perform wireless communication and wired communication and switch between wireless communication and wired communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic device including: a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard; a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; and a control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit. The control unit, during the connection of the first communication, when the second communication is connected, does not disconnect the first communication until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and disconnects the first communication when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication.

[0006] Also, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a control method for an electronic device having a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard and a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. When the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, the first communication is not disconnected until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and the first communication is disconnected when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the electronic device 100 according to the present embodiment. The electronic device 100 includes a first communication unit 110, a second communication unit 120, and a control unit 130. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a colorimeter, but may also be a personal computer, a wearable device, a biological information measuring device, a robot, a video device, a physical quantity measuring device, a printer, or the like. Here, the wearable device refers to a smart watch or an activity tracker, etc. The biological information measuring device refers to a pulse meter or a pedometer, etc. The video device refers to a camera or a projector, etc. The physical quantity measuring device refers to a thermometer or a weighing scale, etc. Here, the printer mentioned here includes a multifunction printer. A multifunction printer refers to a printer that includes functions other than the printer function, and the functions other than the printer function refer to a copy function, a fax function, a scanner function, or the like, but may be other functions.

[0010] The first communication unit 110 is a communication interface that performs wireless first communication based on the first communication standard. The first communication unit 110 may be realized by a single semiconductor device having a communication function compliant with the first communication standard, or may be realized as a partial function of a semiconductor device having other functions. The first communication standard here is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), but may be other wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), NFC (Near field communication), or ANT+ (registered trademark). Here, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) includes BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), which is a wireless communication standard that operates with low power consumption.

[0011] The second communication unit 120 is a communication interface that performs wired second communication based on the second communication standard. The second communication unit 120 may be realized by a single semiconductor device having a communication function compliant with the second communication standard, or may be realized as a part of the functions of a semiconductor device having other functions. The second communication standard here is, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), but may be other wired communication standards such as PoE (Power over Ethernet) or PLC (Power Line Communications). Also, the wired here is specifically one cable, but may be a plurality of cables. Further, the second communication standard is a wired communication standard capable of transmitting both signals and power with one cable, but may be a wired communication standard for transmitting only signals with one cable.

[0012] The control unit 130 performs control of each part in the electronic device 100 and execution processing of jobs, such as the first communication unit 110 and the second communication unit 120. The jobs here include, for example, commands or instructions given by the first device 200, which is an external device, to the electronic device 100 through the first communication, or commands or instructions given by the second device 300, which is an external device, to the electronic device 100 through the second communication. For example, when the electronic device 100 is a colorimeter, the jobs include commands or instructions from the first device 200 that has installed an application program capable of operating the colorimeter or the second device 300 that has installed the application program. The same applies when the electronic device 100 is a device other than a colorimeter. Here, the external device is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, but may be a personal computer or the like. Note that the control unit 130 can also perform execution processing of jobs without going through the first communication unit 110 or the second communication unit 120. The execution processing of jobs without going through the first communication unit 110 or the second communication unit 120 is, for example, execution processing of jobs through the operation of an operation unit (not shown).

[0013] The control unit 130 can include a plurality of CPUs such as a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a sub CPU. The main CPU controls each part of the electronic device 100 and performs overall control. The sub CPU is, for example, a CPU that controls the communication of the first communication unit 110 and the second communication unit 120. In addition, when the electronic device 100 is a colorimeter, a CPU that performs each process regarding color measurement may be further provided. Further, the control unit 130 of the present embodiment can be configured by the following hardware. The hardware can include at least one of a circuit that processes digital signals and a circuit that processes analog signals. The hardware can be configured by, for example, one or more circuit devices or one or more circuit elements mounted on a circuit board. Note that the circuit device is, for example, an integrated circuit device. Further, the circuit element is, for example, an active element such as a transistor or a passive element such as a resistor or a capacitor.

[0014] The control unit 130 can be realized by the following processor. The control unit 130 of the present embodiment includes a memory (not shown) that stores information and a processor that operates based on the information stored in the memory. Note that the information is, for example, a program and various data. When the electronic device 100 is a colorimeter, the program is the aforementioned application program regarding color measurement, and further includes a program regarding the control of the first communication and the second communication described later. The data is, for example, data regarding the conditions of color measurement when the electronic device 100 is a colorimeter. The processor includes hardware. Further, various processors such as a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used as the processor.

[0015] As described above, when the electronic device 100 of this embodiment includes, for example, a sensor (not shown) or an imaging device (not shown), by including the first communication unit 110, measurement data and imaging image data stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the electronic device 100 can be transmitted to the first device 200 by the first communication. Thereby, the storage area of the storage unit can be secured. Further, for example, when the user operates the first device 200 and transmits a job to the electronic device 100 by wireless first communication, the user can operate the electronic device 100 with the first device 200. More specifically, for example, the user holds the colorimeter, which is the electronic device 100, in one hand, positions the colorimetric unit of the colorimeter opposite a predetermined colorimetric object, and holds the smartphone, which is the first device 200, in the other hand. Then, the user operates the smartphone with the other hand, and can operate the colorimeter with the smartphone by means of an application program installed in the smartphone. Further, for example, the user can fix the colorimeter, which is the electronic device 100, at a predetermined position and perform colorimetry on a colorimetric object such as a printed matter by means of an application program installed in the personal computer, which is the first device 200. In such a case, when measurement is performed using the second communication, which is a wired communication, a cable, which is wired, or the shadow caused by the cable may interfere with the colorimetry. In that regard, when using the colorimeter by the first communication, since there is no cable that interferes with the colorimetry, a decrease in colorimetry quality can be prevented. However, when the electronic device 100 is small, the battery (not shown) mounted thereon is also small, and the capacity of the battery is limited. Further, when the first communication standard is a standard such as Bluetooth, the first device 200 cannot supply power to the electronic device 100. Therefore, it is preferable for the user to use the electronic device 100 using the first communication compliant with a low power consumption standard. Here, the battery is, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery, but may be a primary battery.

[0016] Also, when the first communication standard is, for example, the aforementioned Wi-Fi standard, the electronic device 100 and the first device 200 can realize the first communication by means of an external access point (not shown). On the other hand, when the first communication standard is, for example, the Bluetooth standard, the electronic device 100 and the first device 200 can realize the first communication without passing through the external access point. For example, the user can establish a connection by the first communication by performing pairing processing between the electronic device 100 and the first device 200 based on the Bluetooth standard. In the following description, "communication connection according to the communication standard" will be simply referred to as "connection" as appropriate, but electrical connection may also be simply referred to as "connection". Also, after the user disconnects the communication connection between the electronic device 100 and the first device 200, when reconnecting the same electronic device 100 and the same first device 200 by the first communication, the electronic device 100 and the first device 200 can be automatically connected without inputting the password.

[0017] In addition, the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment includes the second communication unit 120, so that measurement data and captured image data stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the electronic device 100 can be transmitted to the second device 300 by the second communication. Also, for example, when the electronic device 100 itself is small and cannot display a captured image or the like in a large size, the electronic device 100 can transmit the captured image data from the electronic device 100 to the second device 300, which is a personal computer, by the second communication, and the captured image data can be largely displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the second device 300. Also, by connecting the second device 300 with a second communication cable described later, the user can also supply power from a battery (not shown) of the second device 300 to a battery (not shown) of the electronic device 100 via the power transmission line of the second communication cable. For example, in this way, it is difficult to continuously use the electronic device 100 only by the connection by the first communication, and it is also necessary to be able to use the electronic device 100 by the connection by the second communication. However, as described above, from the viewpoint of convenience, there may be a case where the user wants to use the electronic device 100 with the connection by the second communication minimized.

[0018] Here, in some cases, the electronic device 100 may be configured such that connections via the first communication and the second communication cannot be performed simultaneously. More specifically, when the connections via the first communication and the second communication conflict, the connection via the second communication may be given priority. Therefore, when the user wants to use the second communication while using the electronic device 100 via the first communication, the user has to disconnect the connection via the first communication once and then make a connection via the second communication. Alternatively, when the user is using the electronic device 100 via the first communication and a second communication cable is connected to the second communication unit 120, the connection via the first communication may be automatically disconnected and the connection via the second communication may be started in some cases. In such a case, it cannot be said that the electronic device 100 meets the above-described user requirements. Therefore, by applying the method of the present embodiment described below, it is possible to minimize the connection via the second communication.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment. When the control unit 130 receives a connection request for the first communication, it performs a first communication connection establishment process. As a result, a connection via the first communication is established. The establishment of a connection via the first communication is, for example, the establishment of a connection by pairing when the first communication standard is the Bluetooth standard, but in the case of other communication standards, it follows them.

[0020] Thereafter, the electronic device 100 receives a connection request for the second communication at a predetermined timing. Here, it is assumed that the electronic device 100 in the present embodiment has a specification in which the second communication is prioritized when the connection by the first communication and the connection by the second communication conflict. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the second communication cable is connected to the second communication unit 120. When the second communication standard is the USB standard, the second communication cable is the USB cable described later with reference to FIG. 3. For example, if the second communication standard is a communication standard that does not necessarily require the connection process between the electronic device 100 and the second device 300 at this predetermined timing, the control unit 130 does not disconnect the first communication. Also, for example, if the second communication standard is a communication standard that must start the connection process between the electronic device 100 and the second device 300 at this predetermined timing, the control unit 130 discards the connection request by the second communication. By doing so, the maintenance of the connection by the first communication can be realized at this predetermined timing.

[0021] In addition, when the second communication cable includes a power transmission line, since the second communication cable and the second communication unit 120 are physically connected, the electronic device 100 may start charging a battery (not shown) of the electronic device 100 via the power transmission line of the second communication cable.

[0022] Thereafter, the control unit 130 performs a first communication connection disconnection process at the timing when a predetermined packet is received by the second communication. Specifically, for example, the control unit 130 can realize the first communication connection disconnection process by performing a process of outputting an instruction signal for disconnecting the first communication to the first communication unit 110. Also, for example, when the control unit 130 receives a predetermined packet by the second communication, it may output a predetermined interrupt signal to the first communication unit 110 and perform a process of disabling the first communication to realize the first communication connection disconnection process. Note that the process of disabling the first communication is, for example, a process of turning on a predetermined flag. At this timing, a connection establishment process by the second communication is performed, and a connection by the second communication is established between the electronic device 100 and the second device 300. In other words, as long as the electronic device 100 does not receive a predetermined packet, in the electronic device 100, the connection by the first communication continues while the second communication cable is connected to the second communication unit 120. Furthermore, as described above, when the second communication cable includes a power transmission line, as long as the electronic device 100 does not receive a predetermined packet, the connection by the first communication continues while the battery is being charged.

[0023] As described above, the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment includes a first communication unit 110 that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, a second communication unit 120 that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, and a control unit 130 that controls the first communication unit 110 and the second communication unit 120. When the second communication connection is made during the connection of the first communication, the control unit 130 does not disconnect the first communication until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and disconnects the first communication when a predetermined packet is received by the second communication.

[0024] Conventionally, in devices where wired second communication is prioritized, when a second communication cable is connected, the wireless first communication is automatically disconnected, which has been a problem in terms of convenience. In this regard, according to this embodiment, in the electronic device 100 where wired second communication is prioritized, even when a second communication cable is connected to the second communication unit 120, the connection by the first communication can be continued until a predetermined packet is received. As a result, the degree of freedom in switching from the first communication to the second communication of the electronic device 100 is increased. For example, even if the user connects the second device 300 to the second communication unit 120 via the second communication cable, the user can use the electronic device 100 while continuing the connection by the first communication, and further, the user can switch from the connection by the first communication to the connection by the second communication at a desired timing. Thereby, the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved. Also, when the second communication cable includes a power transmission line, since the connection by the first communication continues while the battery is being charged, the user can continue to use the electronic device 100 while maintaining the connection by the first communication without considering battery consumption.

[0025] Also, for example, assume that the user uses the electronic device 100 using the connection by the first communication until just before the battery is completely depleted, and then connects the second communication cable. When the battery charging is completed, the user can remove the second communication cable from the electronic device 100 to return to a state without the second communication cable and continue using the electronic device 100. Thereby, when the presence of the second communication cable hinders the use of the electronic device 100, the state in which the user uses the electronic device 100 including the second communication cable can be minimized, so that the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved. Note that the electronic device 100 may be a colorimeter including a color measurement unit (not shown). By doing so, a colorimeter to which the method of this embodiment is applied can be obtained. Such a colorimeter has not existed until now.

[0026] Also, the method of this embodiment may be implemented as a control method for the electronic device 100. That is, the control method for the electronic device 100 of this embodiment is a control method for the electronic device 100 having a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard and a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. Further, when the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, the first communication is not disconnected until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and the first communication is disconnected when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication. Thereby, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Note that, as described above, the method of this embodiment may also be a control method for a colorimeter.

[0027] Also, as described above, the second communication standard is a communication standard capable of power supply from the device at the connection destination of the second communication. By doing so, it is possible to charge the battery of the electronic device 100 using the battery (not shown) of the second device at the connection destination via the power transmission line of the second communication cable, so that the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved. In particular, when the capacity of the battery mounted on the electronic device 100 is small, it is convenient for the user if the battery can be charged using the second communication.

[0028] Also, as described above, when power supply is started without the control unit 130 receiving a predetermined packet by the second communication, the connection of the first communication is not disconnected. By doing so, for example, when the second communication standard is a wired communication standard capable of transmitting both a signal and power with one cable and the second communication cable includes a power transmission line, the user can connect the second communication cable to the second communication unit 120 to continue using the electronic device 100 by the first communication while starting to charge the battery of the electronic device 100. Thereby, the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved. to

[0029] ​Note that the electronic device 100 of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications such as adding other components are possible. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the electronic device 100 of this embodiment. The electronic device 100 in FIG. 3 includes, in addition to the aforementioned first communication unit 110, second communication unit 120, and control unit 130, a secondary battery 140. Further, the control unit 130 further includes a power control unit 132 and a communication control unit 134.

[0030] The secondary battery 140 is a rechargeable battery and can be realized by, for example, a lithium battery or a nickel battery. More specifically, the lithium battery is a lithium-ion secondary battery or a lithium-ion polymer secondary battery, etc. The nickel battery is more specifically a nickel-metal hydride storage battery or a nickel-cadmium storage battery, etc.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 3, the first communication unit 110 communicates with the first device 200 via Bluetooth. That is, the first communication standard of this embodiment is the Bluetooth standard. By doing so, the electronic device 100 and the first device 200 can be connected without the need for an external access point, so the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved. Also, since communication using a low-power communication standard such as the aforementioned BLE can be used, the power supply frequency of the electronic device 100 is reduced, and the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be further improved.

[0032] Note that in the example of FIG. 3, the second communication unit 120 is connected to the second device 300 via a USB cable, which is a second communication cable. That is, the second communication standard of this embodiment is the USB standard. By doing so, the electronic device 100 can perform data communication with a device compatible with USB. Also, since the USB cable includes a power supply line VBUS which is a power transmission line, as described above, by connecting the second communication unit 120 and the USB cable, while continuing the use of the electronic device 100 by the first communication, the electronic device 100 can start charging the secondary battery 140. Thereby, the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the USB cable includes a ground line GND, a power line VBUS, and data lines D+, D-. The ground line GND and the power line VBUS are connected to the power control unit 132. The data lines D+, D- are connected to the communication control unit 134. The communication control unit 134 controls the electronic device 100 and the second communication unit 120. Specific control of the communication control unit 134 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0034] The power control unit 132 controls the power supply of the electronic device 100. When power is supplied from the power line VBUS, the power control unit 132 supplies the power from the power line VBUS to the secondary battery 140. Note that the power control unit 132 may further include a charging level detection circuit (not shown). The power control unit 132 detects a signal indicating whether the charging level, which is emitted from the charging level detection circuit, is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. When it is determined that the charging level has reached the predetermined threshold value or higher, the power supply to the secondary battery 140 is stopped.

[0035] Also, when power can be supplied to the electronic device 100 from another external power source, the power control unit 132 may further include a voltage detection circuit (not shown) that detects the connection to the other external power source and a power supply switching circuit (not shown) that switches the power supply source to the secondary battery 140. For example, when the power control unit 132 receives a signal from the voltage detection circuit indicating that an external power source is connected, the power control unit 132 controls the power supply switching circuit to switch the power supply source for supplying power to the secondary battery 140 from the power line VBUS to the external power source. On the other hand, when the power control unit 132 receives a signal from the voltage detection circuit indicating that no external power source is connected, the power control unit 132 controls the power supply switching circuit to switch the power supply source for supplying power to the secondary battery 140 from the external power source to the power line VBUS. Further, since the electronic device 100 includes an interface to which, for example, an AC adapter can be connected, when a problem occurs in the secondary battery 140, for example, the user can use the electronic device 100 with the AC adapter connected to the interface.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a more detailed processing flow of the electronic device 100 according to the present embodiment. The communication control unit 134 receives a connection request by the first communication from the first device 200, and then performs a first communication connection establishment process, thereby establishing a connection by the first communication between the first device 200 and the electronic device 100. As a result, the user can operate the electronic device 100 by the application program of the first device 200. Then, it is assumed that the user connects the second communication unit 120 and a USB cable which is a second communication cable. The communication control unit 134 performs negotiation with the second device 300 which is the connected device, for example, in accordance with the specification of USB BC (Battery Charging Specification) 1.2 at this timing. Specifically, the communication control unit 134 determines the relationship where the second device 300 is the host and the electronic device 100 is the node, and performs a handshake for determining appropriate power supply conditions.

[0037] When a USB cable is connected to the second communication unit 120, power supply is performed by the power line VBUS. As a result, charging of the secondary battery 140 and the like becomes possible. Next, the communication control unit 134 performs negotiation for determining the transfer speed mode to any one of the HS (High Speed) mode, FS (Full Speed) mode, and LS (Low Speed) mode. Specifically, the communication control unit 134 transmits and receives information regarding setting information such as the transfer mode using the OS (Operating System) of the second device 300 and the endpoint 0 which is a bidirectional logical connection. As a result, it becomes possible to start USB communication in the determined transfer mode. Note that the transfer modes include control transfer, bulk transfer, interrupt transfer, isochronous transfer, and the like, and the communication for determining the transfer mode is performed by control transfer. Note that the details of each transfer mode are well-known matters conforming to the USB specification, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the transfer mode is determined to be bulk transfer by the negotiation.

[0038] When bulk transfer is determined as the transfer mode, in addition to the aforementioned endpoint 0, the communication control unit 134 further prepares a predetermined number of other endpoints and determines the data transfer direction for each of the other endpoints. The predetermined number is a number that varies depending on the specifically selected transfer mode. Thereby, the communication control unit 134 performs the second communication with the second device 300 by means of control transfer by endpoint 0 and bulk transfer by the endpoint to which the bulk transfer direction is assigned. Note that the direction in which a communication packet travels from the second device 300, which is the host, to the electronic device 100, which is the node, is called OUT, and the reverse direction is called IN. In the present embodiment, thereafter, at the timing when a command is transmitted by an OUT packet from the second device 300 to the electronic device 100 using the endpoint assigned to bulk OUT of the bulk transfer by the application program executed in the second device 300, the first communication disconnection process is performed. That is, the predetermined packet is an OUT packet in the bulk transfer in the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. By doing so, the first communication can be disconnected at an appropriate timing when the second communication starts to be used.

[0039] Also, it can be considered that the predetermined packet is a packet transmitted according to an instruction of an application program for the electronic device 100 of the second device 300, which is a device connected by the second communication. Thereby, since the connection by the first communication is not disconnected before the application program of the second device 300 connected by the second communication cable starts up, the user can continue to use the electronic device 100 with the connection by the first communication. Thereby, the use of the connection by the second communication with respect to the electronic device 100 can be minimized, and thus the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved.

[0040] By the method described above, in the electronic device 100, the connection by the first communication is disconnected. In other words, the connection by the second communication is established, and the user can operate the electronic device 100 by the application program of the second device 300.

[0041] After that, assume that the user removes the second communication cable from the second communication unit 120 for reasons such as finishing the use of the application program of the second device 300. At this timing, the communication control unit 134 performs the first communication re-establishment process. Specifically, for example, the power control unit 132 detects that the power line VBUS has been disconnected and transmits a signal for disconnecting the second communication to the communication control unit 134, thereby realizing the first communication re-establishment process. Alternatively, for example, the power control unit 132 detects that the power line VBUS has been disconnected and transmits a signal indicating that fact to the communication control unit 134. Based on receiving the signal, the communication control unit 134 may perform the process of turning off the aforementioned predetermined flag to realize the first communication re-establishment process. As a result, the connection establishment by the first communication is performed again between the electronic device 100 and the first device 200. In this way, the control unit 130 including the communication control unit 134 reconnects the disconnected first communication when the wired connection of the second communication is disconnected. Thereby, since it is not necessary for the user to perform the connection by the first communication, the convenience of the electronic device 100 can be improved.

[0042] Note that the method of this embodiment is not limited to the above and various modifications can be made. As a modification example, for example, after the connection by the first communication is established, the communication control unit 134 may perform the first communication connection disconnection process by receiving a packet instructing the disconnection of the first communication in the control transfer by the aforementioned endpoint 0. At this time, the communication control unit 134 needs to analyze that the data received by the control transfer is data including an instruction for disconnecting the first communication. As described above, the predetermined packet is a packet instructing the disconnection of the first communication in the control transfer in the USB standard. By doing so, since the packet includes an instruction for disconnecting the first communication, the disconnection of the first communication can be surely performed based on the user's intention.

[0043] Also, as another modification example, for instance, after the connection by the second communication is established, in the control transfer by the aforementioned endpoint 0, the communication control unit 134 may perform the first communication re-establishment process by receiving a packet instructing the disconnection of the second communication. At this time, the communication control unit 134 needs to analyze that the data received by the control transfer is data including an instruction for disconnecting the second communication. As described above, when there is an instruction to disconnect the connection of the second communication from the second device 300 which is the connection destination device of the second communication, the control unit 130 including the communication control unit 134 reconnects the disconnected first communication. Thereby, the user can disconnect the connection by the second communication without removing the second communication cable, so the user can continue to charge the secondary battery 140 and operate the electronic device 100 again by the application program of the first device 200.

[0044] As described above, the electronic device of the present embodiment includes a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, and a control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit. When the second communication connection is made during the connection of the first communication, the control unit does not disconnect the first communication until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and disconnects the first communication when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication.

[0045] By doing so, the electronic device can switch from the connection by the first communication to the connection by the second communication. Also, for example, when the second communication cable is connected to the second communication unit, the electronic device can continue the connection by the first communication. Further, for example, when the electronic device has a battery and the second communication cable includes a power transmission line, the connection by the first communication continues while the battery is being charged, so the user can use the electronic device while continuing the connection by the first communication without considering the consumption of the battery. Thereby, the time of the connection by the second communication is not unnecessarily lengthened, and the use by the connection of the second communication can be minimized, so the convenience of the electronic device can be improved.

[0046] Also, the second communication standard may be a communication standard capable of supplying power from the device at the connection destination of the second communication.

[0047] By doing so, power can be supplied via the power transmission line of the second communication cable. For example, when the electronic device has a battery and the device at the connection destination has a battery, the user can use the device at the connection destination to charge the battery of the electronic device.

[0048] Also, when power supply is started without receiving a predetermined packet by the second communication, the control unit may not disconnect the connection of the first communication.

[0049] By doing so, while charging the battery of the electronic device, the use of the electronic device by the first communication can be continued, so that convenience can be improved.

[0050] Also, the second communication standard may be a USB standard.

[0051] By doing so, the electronic device can perform data communication with a device compatible with USB.

[0052] Also, the predetermined packet may be an OUT packet in bulk transfer in the USB standard.

[0053] By doing so, the connection by the first communication can be maintained until the user wants to use the device at the connection destination of the second communication.

[0054] Also, the predetermined packet may be a packet instructing disconnection of the first communication in control transfer in the USB standard.

[0055] By doing so, disconnection of the connection by the first communication can be performed based on the user's intention.

[0056] Also, the first communication standard may be a Bluetooth standard.

[0057] By doing so, it is possible to use the electronic device with low power consumption without requiring an external access point.

[0058] Also, the predetermined packet may be a packet transmitted according to an instruction of an application program for the electronic device of a device connected by the second communication.

[0059] By doing so, it is possible to switch from the first communication to the establishment of a connection by the second communication at a more appropriate timing.

[0060] Also, when the wired connection of the second communication is disconnected, the control unit may reconnect the disconnected first communication.

[0061] By doing so, it becomes unnecessary to establish a connection by the first communication by the user's operation, and the convenience of the electronic device can be improved.

[0062] Also, when an instruction to disconnect the connection of the second communication is received from the device at the connection destination of the second communication, the control unit may reconnect the disconnected first communication.

[0063] By doing so, it is possible to re-establish a connection by the first communication without disconnecting the connection between the electronic device and the second communication cable.

[0064] Also, the control method of the electronic device according to the present embodiment is a control method of an electronic device including a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard and a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. Also, during the connection of the first communication, when the connection of the second communication is performed, the first communication is not disconnected until a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and the first communication is disconnected when the predetermined packet is received by the second communication.

[0065] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, those skilled in the art will easily understand that many modifications can be made without substantially departing from the novel matters and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the specification or drawings, a term described at least once together with a broader or synonymous different term can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Also, all combinations of the present embodiment and the modifications are included in the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the configurations and operations of the electronic device, the control method of the electronic device, etc. are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modified implementations are possible.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0066] 100... Electronic device, 110... First communication unit, 120... Second communication unit, 130... Control unit, 132... Power control unit, 134... Communication control unit, 140... Secondary battery, 200... First device, 300... Second device

Claims

1. A first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, A second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, A control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit, comprising The control unit When the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, if a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, the first communication is disconnected. The second communication standard is the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, The predetermined packet is an OUT packet in bulk transfer in the USB standard, and the electronic device is characterized by this.

2. In the electronic device according to Claim 1, The control unit When the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, the first communication is not disconnected until the predetermined packet is received by the second communication, and the electronic device is characterized by this.

3. In the electronic device according to Claim 1 or 2, The second communication standard is a communication standard capable of supplying power from the device at the connection destination of the second communication, and the electronic device is characterized by this.

4. In the electronic device according to Claim 3, The control unit When the power supply is started without receiving the predetermined packet by the second communication, the connection of the first communication is not disconnected, and the electronic device is characterized by this.

5. In the electronic device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, The first communication standard is the Bluetooth standard, and the electronic device is characterized by this.

6. In the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the predetermined packet is a packet transmitted according to an instruction of an application program for an electronic device of a device connected by the second communication, and the electronic device is characterized in that.

7. In the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the control unit when the wired connection of the second communication is disconnected, reconnects the disconnected first communication, and the electronic device is characterized in that.

8. In the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the control unit when a disconnection instruction of the second communication is received from a device at the connection destination of the second communication, reconnects the disconnected first communication, and the electronic device is characterized in that.

9. a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a control unit that controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit, and includes the control unit when the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, disconnects the first communication when a predetermined packet is received by the second communication, the second communication standard is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, the predetermined packet is a packet that instructs the disconnection of the first communication in a control transfer in the USB standard, and the electronic device is characterized in that.

10. a first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, A control method for an electronic device having a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, which is a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, wherein: When the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, the first communication is disconnected when an OUT packet in the bulk transfer in the USB standard, which is a predetermined packet, is received by the second communication. A control method for an electronic device, characterized in that.

11. A first communication unit that performs wireless first communication based on a first communication standard, A control method for an electronic device having a second communication unit that performs wired second communication based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, which is a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, wherein: When the second communication is connected during the connection of the first communication, the first communication is disconnected when a packet instructing the disconnection of the first communication is received by the second communication in the control transfer in the USB standard, which is a predetermined packet. A control method for an electronic device, characterized in that.

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