Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Program

Abstract

To set the communication speed between a first wireless communication module and each of a plurality of second wireless communication modules to the speed according to the data capacity of data transmitted between the first wireless communication module and each of the second wireless communication modules when wireless communication is performed between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules on one communication channel to be used.SOLUTION: A communication performance measuring unit 64 measures communication performance of wireless communication using a wireless master unit 60 for each communication channel for a plurality of frequency bands. A channel setting unit 66 selects a communication channel to be used for wireless communication by the wireless master unit 60 on the basis of the communication performance related to the wireless communication of the wireless master unit 60. A band setting unit 68 sets a communication band between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 in one communication channel to be used, according to the data capacity of each data transmitted by wireless communication between one wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposed information processing devices that have multiple modules (a collection of components for performing a certain function, also called units) inside, and that perform communication between the modules via wireless communication. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device that has multiple device configuration units inside, and that transmits data between the device configuration units via UWB (Ultra Wide Band) wireless communication. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a blade server that has multiple modules inside, and that performs communication between the modules via wireless communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-220264 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-184659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Consider an information processing device having a wireless communication module therein, in which a first wireless communication module performs wireless communication with a plurality of second wireless communication modules other than the first wireless communication module. In such a case, the first wireless communication module performs wireless communication with the plurality of second wireless communication modules over a single wireless communication channel.

[0005] Here, there are cases where the data capacity of data transmitted by wireless communication between the first wireless communication module and each of the multiple second wireless communication modules differs from one another. In such cases, it is desirable that the communication speed between the first wireless communication module and each of the multiple second wireless communication modules is a speed corresponding to the data capacity of data transmitted between the first wireless communication module and each of the multiple second wireless communication modules.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to set the communication speed between a first wireless communication module and each of a plurality of second wireless communication modules to a speed corresponding to the data volume of data transmitted between the first wireless communication module and each of the second wireless communication modules when wireless communication is performed between the first wireless communication module and each of the second wireless communication modules using a single communication channel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] request request 1 The invention relates to an information processing device comprising a processor, a first wireless communication module, and a plurality of second wireless communication modules, wherein the second wireless communication module, which is the communication partner of the first wireless communication module, varies depending on the attributes of a processing command input to the information processing device, and the processor sets a communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules within a pre-selected communication channel used for the wireless communication depending on the data capacity of each data transmitted by wireless communication between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules, and changes the communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module, which is the communication partner of the first wireless communication module, depending on the attributes of the processing command input to the information processing device. Claim 2The invention according to claim [claim number] is characterized in that the processor executes a measurement process for measuring the communication performance of wireless communication using the first wireless communication module for each communication channel, and based on the result of the measurement process, selects the used communication channel from a plurality of the communication channels. 1 to The information processing apparatus according to the description. Claim 3 The invention according to claim [claim number] is characterized in that the processor executes the measurement process when the information processing apparatus is started up. 2 The information processing apparatus according to the description. Claim 4 The invention according to claim [claim number] is characterized in that the processor executes the measurement process after operating components within the information processing apparatus. 2 Or 3 The information processing apparatus according to the description. Claim 5 The invention according to claim [claim number] is characterized in that the communication performance includes reception sensitivity and communication speed, and the processor preferentially selects either the reception sensitivity or the communication speed among the communication performance according to the data capacity of data transmitted in the wireless communication using the first wireless communication module, and selects the used communication channel. 2 The information processing apparatus according to the description. Claim 6 The invention according to claim [claim number] is characterized in that the first wireless communication module can communicate with a plurality of second wireless communication modules in a plurality of frequency bands. 5 The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to [claim number]. Claim 7 The invention according to claim [claim number] is The device includes a first wireless communication module and a plurality of second wireless communication modules, and the second wireless communication module that is the communication partner of the first wireless communication module changes according to the attribute of a processing command input to the device. To cause a computer to The aforementioned Set the communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules within a preselected one used communication channel for the wireless communication according to the data capacity of each data transmitted in the wireless communication between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules, The aforementioned And this is an information processing program characterized by this. A communication band between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module, which is a communication partner of the first wireless communication module, is changed according to an attribute of a processing command input to the computer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the invention according to claim 1 or 7 in the case of performing wireless communication on one available communication channel between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules, the communication speed between the first wireless communication module and each second wireless communication module can be set to a speed corresponding to the data capacity of the data transmitted between the first wireless communication module and each second wireless communication module. Also, According to the variation of the second wireless communication module that becomes the communication partner of the first wireless communication module based on the attribute of the processing instruction input to the information processing apparatus, the communication speed between the first wireless communication module and each second wireless communication module can be dynamically changed. Claim 2 According to the invention according to claim Claim 3 According to the invention according to claim Claim 4 According to the invention according to claim Claim 5 According to the invention according to claim Claim 6 According to the invention according to claim

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the configuration of a reading module, a printing module, and a control module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a table showing communication performance for each communication channel in wireless communication using a wireless master device. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing communication speeds between each wireless master device and each wireless slave device. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing how wireless communication is performed between each wireless master device and each wireless slave device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is a device that executes processing related to a job in response to the job as a processing command input by a user. A typical example of the information processing device 10 is a multifunction peripheral that has a print function, a scan (image reading) function, a copy function, a fax sending function, etc. However, the information processing device 10 may be any other device as long as it has multiple wireless communication modules inside and performs wireless communication between the wireless communication modules.

[0011] The communication interface 12 includes, for example, a network adapter, etc. The communication interface 12 performs a function of communicating with other devices (for example, a user terminal used by a user) via a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0012] In particular, the communication interface 12 receives jobs including data to be processed from user terminals, such as print jobs for causing the information processing device 10 to perform printing.

[0013] The input / output interface 14 includes an input interface such as a touch panel or buttons, and an output interface such as a display or speaker.

[0014] The input interface is used by the user to input various instructions to the information processing device 10. For example, the user can place a paper document in a paper tray (not shown) of the information processing device 10 and then input, from the input interface, a scan job for causing a scanner (not shown) of the information processing device 10 to perform a scan process. Similarly, the user can input, from the input interface, a copy job for causing the information processing device 10 to perform a copy process (a process of printing image data obtained by scanning a paper document onto a print medium) or a fax job for causing the information processing device 10 to perform a fax transmission process (a process of sending image data obtained by scanning a paper document by fax).

[0015] The output interface is used to output various information to the user by the information processing device 10. For example, various screens are displayed on a display serving as the output interface.

[0016] The memory 16 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an embedded multi media card (eMMC), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 16 stores information processing programs for causing each unit of the information processing device 10 to function, as well as various data necessary for processing by the information processing device 10.

[0017] Inside the information processing apparatus 10, a plurality of modules are provided. As described above, a module is an aggregate of components for performing a certain function. Each module may include software. As shown in FIG. 1, in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a reading module 18, a printing module 20, and a control module 22 are provided in the information processing apparatus 10 as a plurality of modules. Although details will be described later, data transmission between the modules is performed by wireless communication.

[0018] The reading module 18 is a module that optically reads a paper medium set on a paper tray and generates read image data corresponding to the paper medium. The reading module 18 includes, for example, a light source composed of a white fluorescent lamp or the like, an image sensor composed of a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or the like, and an original conveying device composed of a driving roller or the like. In the reading module 18, the paper medium is conveyed by the original conveying device, the paper medium is irradiated with light from the light source during conveyance, and the image sensor receives the reflected light from the paper medium, thereby generating read image data.

[0019] The printing module 20 is a module that executes a printing process for performing printing on a printing medium. Specifically, the printing module 20 includes a photosensitive drum, an LED print head, toner, a fixing device, a print controller that performs various processes related to the printing process, a printing medium conveying device that conveys the printing medium, and the like. An image is written on the photosensitive drum by the LED print head based on the print image data, toner adheres to the photosensitive drum according to the written image, and the toner transferred to the printing medium is fixed to the printing medium by the fixing device.

[0020] The control module 22 is a module that controls each module (the reading module 18 and the printing module 20 in this embodiment) provided in the information processing device 10. Note that in this embodiment, the modules that are controlled by the control module 22 are the reading module 18 and the printing module 20, but the number of modules that are controlled by the control module 22 in the information processing device 10 may be one or three or more.

[0021] The communication interface 12, the input / output interface 14, and the memory 16 are connected to the control module 22 via a bus line. In addition, the reading module 18 is connected to the control module 22 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly, and the printing module 20 is connected to the control module 22 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0022] 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the configuration of the reading module 18, printing module 20, and control module 22 according to this embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, details of the reading module 18, printing module 20, and control module 22, as well as wireless communication between the control module 22 and the reading module 18, and between the control module 22 and the printing module 20 will be described.

[0023] Of the elements included in the reading module 18, image sensor F30, image sensor B32, and document transport device 34 are representatively illustrated in Figure 2. Image sensor F30 is an image sensor that receives light reflected from the front surface of the paper medium, and image sensor B32 is an image sensor that receives light reflected from the back surface of the paper medium.

[0024] Among the elements included in the printing module 20, FIG. 2 typically shows the LPH (LED Print Head)-Y40, LPH-M42, LPH-C44, LPH-K46, and the printing controller 48. Since the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a color multifunction machine, the printing module 20 is provided with four LPHs, namely, the LPH-Y40 corresponding to yellow, the LPH-M42 corresponding to magenta, the LPH-C44 corresponding to cyan, and the LPH-K46 corresponding to key plate. When the information processing apparatus 10 is a monochrome multifunction machine, only one LPH (LPH-K46) is provided in the printing module 20.

[0025] Each element included in the reading module 18 has a wireless slave unit 50 as a second wireless communication module. The wireless slave unit 50 is configured to include, for example, an antenna, a wireless chip, and peripheral circuits, and is a module for performing wireless communication with a wireless master unit (described later) provided in the control module 22. Specifically, the image sensor F30 has the wireless slave unit 50a, the image sensor B32 has the wireless slave unit 50b, and the document feeder 34 has the wireless slave unit 50c. Thereby, the image sensor F30, the image sensor B32, and the document feeder 34 can each perform wireless communication with the control module 22 (specifically, the wireless master unit).

[0026] Each element included in the printing module 20 also has a wireless slave unit 50 as a second wireless communication module. Specifically, the LPH-Y40 has the wireless slave unit 50d, the LPH-M42 has the wireless slave unit 50e, the LPH-C44 has the wireless slave unit 50f, the LPH-K46 has the wireless slave unit 50g, and the printing controller 48 has the wireless slave unit 50h. Thereby, the LPH-Y40, the LPH-M42, the LPH-C44, the LPH-K46, and the printing controller 48 can also each perform wireless communication with the control module 22 (specifically, the wireless master unit).

[0027] Among the elements included in the control module 22, the wireless master unit 60 as the first wireless communication module and the processor 62 are typically illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0028] The wireless master unit 60 is configured to include, for example, an antenna, a wireless chip, and peripheral circuits, and is a module for performing wireless communication with one or more wireless slave units 50. Thereby, the control module 22 can perform wireless communication with the reading module 18 and each part of the control module 22 (specifically, the wireless slave units 50 provided in each part).

[0029] Wireless communication is possible between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50 in a plurality of frequency bands. Also, between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50, a plurality of communication channels can be selected in each frequency band, and wireless communication can be performed using the selected communication channel. Here, the communication channel means the width of the frequency required for data transmission, and the width is narrower than the frequency band. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50 is performed using Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Specifically, between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50, wireless communication is possible in two frequency bands of 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band. In the 2.4 GHz band, 13 communication channels can be selected, and in the 5 GHz band, 19 communication channels can be selected. In particular, in the present embodiment, when transmitting data as seen from the wireless master unit 60, the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band is used, and when receiving data as seen from the wireless master unit 60, the frequency band of the 5 GHz band is used. Thereby, data transmission and reception can be performed simultaneously between a pair of the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50. Note that when transmitting data as seen from the wireless master unit 60, the frequency band of the 5 GHz band may be used, and when receiving data as seen from the wireless master unit 60, the frequency band of the 2.4 GHz band may be used. Also, the communication channel used by the wireless master unit 60 is pre-selected by a processor 62 (more specifically, a channel setting unit 66) described later.

[0030] In this embodiment, the control module 22 has a plurality of wireless master devices 60. That is, the control module 22 has a wireless master device A 60a, a wireless master device B 60b, a wireless master device C 60c, and a wireless master device D 60d. When the wireless master devices A to D 60a to 60d are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as a wireless master device 60. Note that the control module 22 does not necessarily have to have a plurality of wireless master devices 60, and may have only one wireless master device 60.

[0031] Each wireless master device 60 has predetermined wireless slave devices 50 as communication partner candidates that can be communication partners in wireless communication. For example, the communication partner candidates of the wireless master device A 60a are the wireless slave device 50a, the wireless slave device 50c, the wireless slave device 50d, and the wireless slave device 50h. The communication partner candidates of the wireless master device B 60b are the wireless slave device 50b, the wireless slave device 50c, the wireless slave device 50e, and the wireless slave device 50h. The communication partner candidates of the wireless master device C 60c are the wireless slave device 50c, the wireless slave device 50f, and the wireless slave device 50h. The communication partner candidates of the wireless master device D 60d are the wireless slave device 50c, the wireless slave device 50g, and the wireless slave device 50h. That is, wireless master device A60a is used when communicating wirelessly between the control module 22 and the image sensor F30, the document transport device 34, the LPH-Y40, and the print controller 48, wireless master device B60b is used when communicating wirelessly between the control module 22 and the image sensor B32, the document transport device 34, the LPH-M42, and the print controller 48, wireless master device C60c is used when communicating wirelessly between the control module 22 and the document transport device 34, the LPH-C44, and the print controller 48, and wireless master device D60d is used when communicating wirelessly between the control module 22 and the document transport device 34, the LPH-K46, and the print controller 48. As will be described later, the wireless slave device 50 that is the communication partner of each wireless master device 60 may change depending on the operating state of the information processing device 10, but regardless of the operating state, each wireless master device 60 does not communicate wirelessly with any wireless slave device 50 other than the wireless slave device 50 that is a communication partner candidate. In this specification, the "communication partner" from the perspective of the wireless master device 60 means the wireless slave device 50 that actually transmits data.

[0032] The processor 62 refers to a processor in a broad sense and includes at least one of a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) and a dedicated processing device (e.g., a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a programmable logic device). The processor 62 may not be a single processing device, but may be configured by the cooperation of multiple processing devices located in physically separate locations. As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 62 performs the functions of a communication performance measurement unit 64, a channel setting unit 66, and a bandwidth setting unit 68 according to an information processing program stored in the memory 16.

[0033] The communication performance measurement unit 64 executes a measurement process for each wireless master unit 60 to measure the communication performance of wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60 for each communication channel in a plurality of frequency bands. In this specification, "wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60" is a concept including wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each of one or more wireless slave units 50. In the present embodiment, the communication performance measurement unit 64 measures the reception sensitivity (RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)) and the communication speed as the communication performance. The RSSI is an index indicating that the higher the value, the better the reception sensitivity. Here, the communication performance of the wireless master unit 60 can vary depending on the wireless slave unit 50 that is the communication partner. Therefore, when there are a plurality of wireless slave units 50 that are communication partners of the wireless master unit 60, the communication performance measurement unit 64 measures the communication performance (RSSI and communication speed) between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 that are communication partners, and calculates the communication performance of the wireless master unit 60 based on the plurality of measured communication performances. Specifically, the communication performance measurement unit 64 sets the representative value obtained from the plurality of measured RSSIs as the RSSI of the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60, and sets the representative value obtained from the plurality of measured communication speeds as the communication speed of the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60. The representative value obtained from the plurality of RSSIs may be the minimum value, average value, or mode value among the plurality of measured RSSIs. Similarly, the representative value obtained from the plurality of communication speeds may be the minimum value, average value, or mode value among the plurality of measured communication speeds.

[0034] For example, looking at the wireless master unit A60a, the communication performance measurement unit 64 measures the communication performance of the wireless communication between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50a, the communication performance of the wireless communication between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50c, the communication performance of the wireless communication between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d, and the communication performance of the wireless communication between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50h, respectively, and sets these representative values as the communication performance of the wireless master unit A60a.

[0035] As a method for measuring communication performance, a conventional method can be adopted. For example, test data may be sent from the wireless master unit 60 to the wireless slave unit 50, the wireless slave unit 50 may measure the RSSI, and the measured RSSI may be sent to the wireless master unit 60. Alternatively, the wireless slave unit 50 may be made to send test data to the wireless master unit 60, and the wireless master unit 60 may measure the RSSI. Further, test data may be sent from the wireless master unit 60 to the wireless slave unit 50, and the wireless slave unit 50 may be made to return a response signal (ACK) to the test data, and the wireless master unit 60 may calculate the communication speed based on the time from the transmission time of the test data to the reception time of the ACK.

[0036] Through the measurement process by the communication performance measurement unit 64, for each wireless master unit 60, the RSSI and the communication speed for each communication channel in a plurality of frequency bands are acquired. FIG. 3 shows the RSSI and the communication speed for each communication channel in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band for one wireless master unit 60 (for example, the wireless master unit A60a).

[0037] The communication performance measurement unit 64 may execute the above measurement process when the information processing apparatus 10 is activated. The activation includes a case where the information processing apparatus 10 changes from the power-off state to the power-on state and a case where the information processing apparatus 10 resumes from the standby state to the operating state. The communication performance regarding the wireless communication for each wireless master unit 60 may vary due to various factors. The various factors include, for example, fluctuations in the radio wave environment near the information processing apparatus 10 (such as a device that emits strong radio waves coming nearby), or fluctuations in the configuration within the information processing apparatus 10 (such as a new module being added). By having the communication performance measurement unit 64 of the wireless master unit 60 perform the measurement process when the information processing apparatus 10 is activated, the communication performance of each wireless master unit 60 is measured each time the information processing apparatus 10 is activated. As will be described later, the channel setting unit 66 selects a communication channel to be used in the wireless communication based on the communication performance of the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60. By having the communication performance measurement unit 64 perform the measurement process when the information processing apparatus 10 is activated, the channel setting unit 66 can select the communication channel based on the most recent communication performance among the communication performances of the various wireless master units 60 that may vary.

[0038] Also, the communication performance measurement unit 64 may execute the above measurement process after operating the components within the information processing apparatus 10. More desirably, after operating each component within the information processing apparatus 10 to its maximum extent (for example, rotating a motor at its maximum rotational speed), the above measurement process may be executed. When the components within the information processing apparatus 10 operate, interfering radio waves may be radiated from the components, which may cause a decrease in the communication performance of the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50. Therefore, by performing the above measurement process after operating the components within the information processing apparatus 10, it is possible to measure the communication performance of the wireless communication of each wireless master unit 60 in consideration of the decrease in the communication performance of the wireless communication caused by the operation of the components within the information processing apparatus 10.

[0039] Also, for example, an administrator of the information processing apparatus 10 or the like can determine in advance the required reception sensitivity for each wireless master unit 60. In that case, the communication performance measurement unit 64 determines whether the measured RSSI of the wireless master unit 60 is equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity. Here, the communication performance measurement unit 64 determines that the RSSI of the wireless master unit 60 is equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity when the representative value of the RSSIs of the measured plurality of wireless channels is equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity. Examples of the representative value may include a minimum value (in this case, the RSSIs of all communication channels need to be equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity), a maximum value (in this case, it is sufficient if the RSSI of at least one communication channel is equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity), or an average value, a mode value, or the like.

[0040] When the RSSI of the wireless master unit 60 is less than the required reception sensitivity, the communication performance measurement unit 64 may determine that reliable wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60 cannot be performed or there is a risk thereof, notify the user (for example, by displaying an error message on the input / output interface 14), and then stop the processing. Note that when the RSSI of the wireless master unit 60 is equal to or higher than the required reception sensitivity, the communication performance measurement unit 64 does not perform the above notification or stop the processing.

[0041] Furthermore, if the RSSI for the wireless access point 60 is below the required receiving sensitivity, the communication performance measurement unit 64 may determine whether the information processing device 10 can operate with limited functions, and if so, may operate the information processing device 10 in a limited-function state. Whether the information processing device 10 can operate with limited functions can be determined, for example, by inquiring of the user. For example, if the RSSI for the wireless access point 60 is below the required receiving sensitivity, and there is a possibility that suitable wireless communication between the control module 22 and the print module 20 will not be possible and suitable printing processing will not be possible, the communication performance measurement unit 64 inquires of the user as to whether it is okay to accept only scan jobs and not print jobs (for example, by displaying an inquiry screen on the input / output interface 14). Furthermore, if there is a possibility that suitable wireless communication between the control module 22 and the reading module 18 will not be possible, the communication performance measurement unit 64 inquires of the user as to whether it is okay to accept only scan jobs with a resolution below a predetermined value (for example, 600 dpi or less). If the user gives permission in response to the inquiry, the information processing device 10 operates in a limited-function state. If the user does not give permission, the information processing device 10 notifies the user and stops processing.

[0042] The channel setting unit 66 selects, for each wireless master device 60, a communication channel to be used for wireless communication by the wireless master device 60 (hereinafter referred to as a "used communication channel") based on the measurement results of the communication performance related to wireless communication of each wireless master device 60 by the communication performance measurement unit 64. In more detail, the channel setting unit 66 selects a used communication channel for each frequency band (in this embodiment, for each of the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band).

[0043] The channel setting unit 66 basically selects, as the communication channel to be used, the communication channel with the maximum RSSI or communication speed among a plurality of communication channels. For example, when the measurement result of the communication performance regarding the wireless communication of the wireless master unit A60a is as shown in FIG. 3, the channel setting unit 66 selects, as the communication channel in the 2.4 GHz band, the communication channel "13" with the maximum RSSI and communication speed among the plurality of communication channels as the communication channel to be used. Also, for example, the channel setting unit 66 selects, as the communication channel in the 5 GHz band, the communication channel "136" with the maximum communication speed among the plurality of communication channels as the communication channel to be used.

[0044] The channel setting unit 66 sets the selected communication channel to be used in each wireless master unit 60. As a result, each wireless master unit 60 performs wireless communication with each wireless slave unit 50 using the communication channel to be used selected by the channel setting unit 66. When the communication performances of the respective wireless master units 60 are different from each other, different communication channels to be used may be set in the respective wireless slave units 50.

[0045] The channel setting unit 66 may select the communication channel to be used for the wireless master unit 60 by prioritizing RSSI or communication speed in the communication performance according to the data capacity of the data transmitted in the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60. Basically, the channel setting unit 66 prioritizes the communication speed when the data capacity of the data transmitted in the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60 is large (for example, when it is equal to or greater than a predetermined data capacity threshold), and prioritizes RSSI when the data capacity of the data transmitted in the wireless communication using the wireless master unit 60 is small (for example, when it is less than a predetermined data capacity threshold).

[0046] If the data volume of data to be transmitted in wireless communication using the wireless master device 60 could be acquired in advance, the channel setting unit 66 could select a communication channel to be used by prioritizing RSSI or communication speed depending on the acquired data volume. However, there are cases where the channel setting unit 66 is unable to acquire in advance the exact data volume of data to be transmitted in wireless communication using the wireless master device 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, the channel setting unit 66 selects a communication channel to be used by prioritizing RSSI or communication speed depending on the type of data to be transmitted in wireless communication using the wireless master device 60. This is because, in general, the data volume of the data can be roughly estimated based on the type of data. For example, control signals have a fairly small data volume, print image data has a larger data volume than control signals, and scanned image data has a larger data volume than print image data. Even when a communication channel to be used is selected by prioritizing RSSI or communication speed depending on the type of data to be transmitted in wireless communication using the wireless master device 60, it can be said that the channel setting unit 66 indirectly selects a communication channel to be used for the wireless master device 60 by prioritizing RSSI or communication speed depending on the data volume of data to be transmitted in wireless communication using the wireless master device 60.

[0047] For example, if the data transmitted via wireless communication using the wireless master device A60a consists solely of control signals (e.g., signals for issuing instructions to the document transport device 34 or the print controller 48), the communication channel to be used may be selected by prioritizing RSSI over communication speed among the communication performance factors. This allows for more reliable transmission of control signals with small data volumes. On the other hand, if the data transmitted via wireless communication using the wireless master device A60a includes actual data related to a job (e.g., scanned image data or image data to be printed), the communication channel to be used may be selected by prioritizing communication speed over RSSI among the communication performance factors. This allows actual data, which at least has a larger data volume than control signals, to be transmitted between modules more quickly, thereby improving the job processing speed, at least compared to a case in which RSSI is always prioritized over communication speed.

[0048] In particular, in cases where the type of data transmitted in wireless communication using a wireless base station 60 changes as a result of the wireless slave station 50 that is the communication partner of a wireless base station 60 changing depending on the operating state of the information processing device 10, the channel setting unit 66 may dynamically change the communication channel used by the wireless base station 60 accordingly.

[0049] For example, as described above, the wireless master device A60a is used for wireless communication between the control module 22 and the image sensor F30, document feeder 34, LPH-Y40, and print controller 48. However, when a print job instructing monochrome printing is input to the information processing device 10, the image sensor F30, document feeder 34, and LPH-Y40 are not used in processing the print job. Therefore, the wireless master device A60a communicates only with the print controller 48 (specifically, the wireless slave device 50h). In this operating state, the wireless communication using the wireless master device A60a (i.e., the wireless communication between the wireless master device A60a and the wireless slave device 50h) does not transmit scanned image data or print image data, but only control signals. Therefore, when processing the print job, the channel setting unit 66 prioritizes RSSI over communication speed when selecting a communication channel to use. On the other hand, when a print job instructing color printing is input to the information processing device 10, the image sensor F30 and the document feeder 34 are not used in processing the print job, but the LPH-Y40 is. Therefore, the communication partners of the wireless master device A60a are the LPH-Y40 (specifically, the wireless slave device 50d) and the print controller 48 (specifically, the wireless slave device 50h). In this operating state, print image data is transmitted between the wireless master device A60a and the wireless slave device 50d. Therefore, when processing the print job, the channel setting unit 66 selects a communication channel to be used, prioritizing communication speed over RSSI.

[0050] In this way, the channel setting unit 66 can select the communication channels used by the respective wireless master devices 60 according to the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10 (in the above example, according to the attributes of the input job (i.e., the type and settings of the job)). When selecting the communication channels used by the respective wireless master devices 60 according to the attributes of the input job, the channel setting unit 66 preferably selects the communication channels used by the respective wireless master devices 60 according to the attributes of the job each time a job is input to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0051] Also, an administrator or the like of the information processing apparatus 10 can set in advance the required communication speed between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50. This is to ensure that data is transmitted between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50 at a high speed (i.e., at a speed equal to or higher than the required communication speed). The required communication speed may be determined according to the type of data transmitted between the wireless master device 60 and the wireless slave device 50. For example, since a control signal is transmitted between the wireless master device A 60a and the wireless slave device 50c (original document conveying device 34) and the data capacity thereof is not very large, the required communication speed can be set to a relatively low 10 (Mbps). Also, since print image data is transmitted between the wireless master device A 60a and the wireless slave device 50d (LPH-Y40) and the data capacity thereof is larger than that of the control signal, the required communication speed can be set to 45 (Mbps). Further, since read image data is transmitted between the wireless master device A 60a and the wireless slave device 50a (image sensor F30) and the data capacity thereof is larger than that of the print image data, the required communication speed can be set to 100 (Mbps). In this way, in the present embodiment, since the type of data (i.e., the approximate data capacity) transmitted between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50 is determined in advance, the required communication speed corresponding to the data capacity of the data to be transmitted can be set in advance between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50.

[0052] The channel setting unit 66 selects a communication channel for use such that the communication speed of the communication channel is higher than the sum of the required communication speeds between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the wireless slave units 50 that are communication partners of the wireless master unit 60. As described above, since the wireless slave unit 50 that is a communication partner of a certain wireless master unit 60 may change according to the operation state of the information processing apparatus 10 (for example, the attributes of the input job), the sum of the required communication speeds between each of the wireless slave units 50 with which the wireless master unit 60 communicates may vary depending on the operation state of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0053] A specific example will be described in the case where the communication performance of the wireless master unit A60a is as shown in FIG. 3. For example, when a print job instructing color printing is input to the information processing apparatus 10, as described above, the communication partners of the wireless master unit A60a are the LPH-Y40 (specifically, the wireless slave unit 50d) and the print controller 48 (specifically, the wireless slave unit 50h). Here, it is assumed that the required communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d is 45 (Mbps), and the required communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50h is 10 (Mbps). In this case, the channel setting unit 66 selects, as the communication channel for use, a communication channel (for example, communication channel "13") having a communication speed of 45 + 10 = 55 (Mbps) or higher from among the communication channels in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0054] If there is no communication channel having a communication speed of 55 (Mbps) or higher in the 2.4 GHz band, for the wireless master unit A60a, the transmission frequency band and the reception frequency band may be exchanged (that is, the transmission frequency band is set to 5 GHz and the reception frequency band is set to 2.4 GHz), and a communication channel having a communication speed of 55 (Mbps) or higher may be selected as the communication channel for use from among the communication channels in the 5 GHz band.

[0055] When one wireless master unit 60 performs wireless communication with a plurality of wireless slave units 50, the bandwidth setting unit 68 sets the communication bandwidth between the one wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 within one available communication channel according to the data capacity of each data transmitted in the wireless communication between the one wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50. As a method of dividing one available communication channel into a plurality of communication bandwidths corresponding to the plurality of wireless slave units 50, an existing technique can be used. For example, using the OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) technique, one available communication channel can be divided into a plurality of communication bandwidths. The larger the width of the divided communication bandwidth, the higher the communication speed of the wireless communication between the wireless slave unit 50 corresponding to the communication bandwidth and the wireless master unit 60 can be increased.

[0056] The bandwidth setting unit 68 increases the width of the communication bandwidth corresponding to the wireless slave unit 50 as the data capacity of the data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50 increases. Thereby, the higher the data capacity of the data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50, the higher the communication speed between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50 can be increased, and the data can be transmitted faster.

[0057] If the data capacity of each data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 can be acquired in advance, the bandwidth setting unit 68 may set the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 according to the acquired data capacity. However, there may be a case where the bandwidth setting unit 68 cannot acquire in advance the exact data capacity of each data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50. Therefore, in the present embodiment, similar to the channel setting unit 66, the bandwidth setting unit 68 sets the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 according to the type of data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50. Even when setting the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 according to the type of data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50, it can be said that the bandwidth setting unit 68 indirectly sets the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 according to the data capacity of each data transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50.

[0058] The bandwidth setting unit 68 sets the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 for each wireless master unit 60. FIG. 4 shows the communication speeds between the wireless master units A to D 60a to d and the wireless slave units 50a to h (that is, the image sensor F30, the image sensor B32, the document transport device 34, the LPH-Y40, the LPH-M42, the LPH-C44, the LPH-K46, and the print controller 48). FIG. 4 shows the communication speeds between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 in an operation state (hereinafter referred to as "this operation state") in which a scan job instructing double-sided scanning and a print job instructing color printing are simultaneously input to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0059] Specifically, focusing on the transmission side of the wireless master unit A 60a, it is assumed here that the communication channel used on the transmission side (2.4 GHz band) of the wireless master unit A 60a is "13" by the channel setting unit 66.

[0060] The communication band with the image sensor F30 (wireless slave unit 50a) is shown as "-". This means that on the transmitting side of the wireless master unit A60a, the wireless slave unit 50a is not a communication partner and no communication band is allocated to it. That is, in the scanning process, since the read image data is transmitted from the wireless slave unit 50a to the wireless master unit A60a, on the receiving side of the wireless master unit A60a, the wireless slave unit 50a is a communication partner (in the used communication channel on the receiving side (5 GHz band) of the wireless master unit A60a, the communication band "100" is allocated). However, since no data is transmitted from the wireless master unit 60a to the wireless slave unit 50a, on the transmitting side of the wireless master unit A60a, the wireless slave unit 50a is not a communication partner.

[0061] The communication band with the image sensor B32 (wireless slave unit 50b) is painted black, which means that the wireless slave unit 50b is not a candidate communication partner of the wireless master unit A60a.

[0062] The communication band with the document transport device 34 (wireless slave unit 50c) is also "-". This is because in this operating state, the data transmission between the control module 22 and the document transport device 34 can be achieved by wireless communication using the wireless master unit C60c and the wireless master unit D60d. Therefore, in this operating state, the wireless slave unit 50c is not a communication partner of the wireless master unit A60a.

[0063] In this operating state, since both the LPH-Y40 (wireless slave unit 50d) and the print controller 48 (wireless slave unit 50h) are communication partners of the wireless master unit A60a, a communication band is allocated. Here, print image data is transmitted between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d, and a control signal is transmitted between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50h. Therefore, although the communication speed of the used communication channel "13" is about 55 (Mbps), the band setting unit 68 sets the communication band so that the communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d becomes 45 (Mbps), and sets the communication band so that the communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50h becomes 10 (Mbps). Of course, the band setting unit 68 allocates a communication band to each wireless slave unit 50 so that the total communication speed between each wireless slave unit 50 does not exceed the communication speed of the used communication channel. Note that information indicating how much communication speed can be achieved by allocating how much communication band is stored in advance in the memory 16 or the like, and the band setting unit 68 sets the communication band corresponding to the communication speed to be achieved based on the information.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which wireless communication is performed between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 when the communication band between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 is set so as to achieve the communication speed shown in FIG. 4. Note that not all wireless communications between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 shown in FIG. 4 are illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0065] As described above, when a required communication speed is set between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50, the band setting unit 68 sets the communication band between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 so that the communication speed is equal to or higher than the required communication speed. For example, when the required communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d is 45 (Mbps), the band setting unit 68 sets the communication band so that the communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d is 45 (Mbps) or higher.

[0066] Also, as described above, since the wireless slave device 50 that becomes the communication partner of each wireless master device 60 varies according to the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10, the bandwidth setting unit 68 may change the communication bandwidth between the wireless master device 60 and the wireless slave device 50 that becomes the communication partner of the wireless master device 60 according to the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0067] For example, FIG. 4 shows the communication speed between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50 in an operating state where a scan job instructing double-sided scanning and a print job instructing color printing are simultaneously input. However, in an operating state where only a print job instructing color printing is input, wireless communication is not performed between the control module 22 and the reading module 18. Therefore, for example, focusing on the receiving side of the wireless master device A60a, in an operating state where a scan job instructing double-sided scanning and a print job instructing color printing are simultaneously input, the communication bandwidth is allocated so that the communication speed between the wireless master device A60a and the image sensor F30 (wireless slave device 50a) becomes 100 (Mbps). However, in an operating state where only a print job instructing color printing is input, there is no need to allocate a communication bandwidth between the wireless master device A60a and the wireless slave device 50a. In this case, the communication bandwidth of 100 (Mbps) can be allocated to other wireless slave devices 50. For example, the communication bandwidth allocation can be changed so that the communication speed between the wireless master device A60a and the LPH-Y40 (wireless slave device 50d) becomes 125 (Mbps), and the communication speed between the wireless master device A60a and the print controller 48 (wireless slave device 50h) becomes 30 (Mbps).

[0068] In particular, when the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10 varies according to the attributes of the job input to the information processing apparatus 10, the bandwidth setting unit 68 may change the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and the wireless slave unit 50 that is the communication partner of the wireless master unit 60 according to the attributes of the input job. For example, focusing on the receiving side of the wireless master unit A60a, when a print job instructing monochrome printing is input to the information processing apparatus 10, wireless communication is not performed between the wireless master unit A60a and the LPH-Y40 (wireless slave unit 50d). Therefore, it is not necessary to allocate a communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit A60a and the wireless slave unit 50d. Also in this case, the communication bandwidth of 45 (Mbps) can be allocated to other wireless slave units 50. For example, the allocation of the communication bandwidth can be changed so that the communication speed between the wireless master unit A60a and the print controller 48 (wireless slave unit 50h) becomes 55 (Mbps).

[0069] The outline of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is as described above. In the information processing apparatus 10, while wireless communication is performed between one wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50, the bandwidth setting unit 68 sets the communication bandwidth between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50 within one available communication channel according to the data capacity of each data transmitted by the wireless communication between the wireless master unit 60 and each of the plurality of wireless slave units 50. Thereby, the communication speed between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 can be set to a speed corresponding to the data capacity of the data transmitted between the wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50.

[0070] Also, in the information processing apparatus 10, communication between each wireless master unit 60 and each wireless slave unit 50 is performed by Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi has a longer communication distance than at least UWB. Therefore, compared with the case where wireless communication is performed between each module by UWB, each module can be physically arranged at a greater distance. Thereby, the degree of freedom in arranging the modules within the information processing apparatus 10 is increased.

[0071] Hereinafter, the processing flow of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] In step S10, when the information processing device 10 is started up, the processor 62 operates the components in the information processing device 10 to the maximum extent. At this time, the components provided in the reading module 18 and the printing module 20 are operated by transmitting a control signal from each wireless master device 60 to each wireless slave device 50. At this time, the communication channel and communication band between each wireless master device 60 and each wireless slave device 50 are predetermined (default setting) communication channels and communication bands.

[0073] In step S12, the communication performance measurement unit 64 measures the communication performance (RSSI and communication speed) of each wireless master device 60 for each communication channel in a plurality of frequency bands (2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band in this embodiment).

[0074] In step S14, the communication performance measurement unit 64 determines whether the RSSI for each wireless master device 60 is equal to or greater than the required receiving sensitivity, based on the RSSI of each wireless master device 60 measured in step S12. If the RSSI for each wireless master device 60 is equal to or greater than the required receiving sensitivity, the process proceeds to step S22, and if the RSSI for each wireless master device 60 is less than the required receiving sensitivity, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0075] In step S16, the communication performance measurement unit 64 inquires of the user to determine whether or not the information processing device 10 can be operated with limited functions. If the information processing device 10 can be operated with limited functions, the process proceeds to step S20, and if the information processing device 10 cannot be operated with limited functions, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0076] In step S18, the communication performance measuring unit 64 displays an error message on the input / output interface 14 to notify the user, and then ends the process.

[0077] In step S20, the communication performance measurement unit 64 causes the input / output interface 14 to display a notification message for notifying the user that the information processing device 10 will be operated in a function-limited state.

[0078] In step S22, the information processing device 10 accepts a job from a user. Based on the attributes of the job, the operating state of the information processing device 10, more specifically, the wireless slave device 50 with which each wireless master device 60 communicates, is determined.

[0079] In step S24, the channel setting unit 66 selects and sets a communication channel to be used for each wireless master device 60 based on the communication performance of each wireless master device 60 in step S12.

[0080] In step S24, the channel setting unit 66 determines whether the communication speed of the available communication channel set in step S24 is greater than the sum of the required communication speeds between the wireless master device 60 and each of the wireless slave devices 50 with which the wireless master device 60 is communicating. If the communication speed of the available communication channel satisfies the condition, the process proceeds to step S28; if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S24, and the channel setting unit 66 sets the available communication channel again. For example, the frequency band on the transmitting side (e.g., 2.4 GHz) and the frequency band on the receiving side (e.g., 5 GHz) are swapped, and the available communication channel is set again. Note that if there is no available communication channel that satisfies the condition, the channel setting unit 66 may end the process after notifying the user.

[0081] In step S28, the bandwidth setting unit 68 sets the communication bandwidth between each wireless base station 60 and each wireless slave station 50 according to the type of data (i.e., data capacity) transmitted in the wireless communication between the wireless base station 60 and each wireless slave station 50.

[0082] In step S30, the job input in step S22 is executed by wireless communication between each wireless base station 60 and each wireless slave station 50 using the communication channel set in step S24 and the communication bandwidth set in step S28.

[0083] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0084] For example, in this embodiment, the processor 62 was provided in the control module 22. However, the processor 62 does not necessarily have to be provided in the control module 22 and may be provided outside the control module 22.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 10 Information processing apparatus, 12 Communication interface, 14 Input / output interface, 16 Memory, 18 Reading module, 20 Printing module, 22 Control module, 30 Image sensor F, 32 Image sensor B, 34 Document conveyance device, 40 LPH-Y, 42 LPH-M, 44 LPH-C, 46 LPH-K, 48 Printing controller, 50, 50a to h Wireless slave units, 60 Wireless master unit, 60a Wireless master unit A, 60b Wireless master unit B, 60c Wireless master unit C, 60d Wireless master unit D, 62 Processor, 64 Communication performance measurement unit, 66 Channel setting unit, 68 Bandwidth setting unit.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus including a processor, a first wireless communication module, and a plurality of second wireless communication modules, wherein the second wireless communication module that is a communication partner of the first wireless communication module varies according to an attribute of a processing instruction input to the information processing apparatus, and the processor, sets a communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules within one preselected available communication channel used for the wireless communication according to a data capacity of each data transmitted by the wireless communication between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules, and changes a communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module that is a communication partner of the first wireless communication module according to an attribute of a processing instruction input to the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The processor, executes a measurement process of measuring communication performance of the wireless communication using the first wireless communication module for each communication channel, and selects the available communication channel from the plurality of communication channels based on a result of the measurement process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The processor, executes the measurement process when the information processing apparatus is started. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The processor, executes the measurement process after operating components within the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

5. The communication performance includes reception sensitivity and communication speed, and the processor, selects the available communication channel while prioritizing either the reception sensitivity or the communication speed among the communication performance according to a data capacity of data transmitted in the wireless communication using the first wireless communication module. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. The first wireless communication module can communicate with the plurality of second wireless communication modules in a plurality of frequency bands. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

7. A computer including a first wireless communication module and a plurality of second wireless communication modules, wherein the second wireless communication module that is a communication partner of the first wireless communication module varies according to an attribute of a processing instruction input to the own apparatus. Set the communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules within one preselected available communication channel used for the wireless communication according to the data capacity of each data transmitted by the wireless communication between the first wireless communication module and each of the plurality of second wireless communication modules. Change the communication bandwidth between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module that is the communication partner of the first wireless communication module according to the attribute of the processing instruction input to the computer. An information processing program characterized by the above.

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