Wireless communication device and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication device that achieves efficient switching of wireless communication methods and a control method for the same.SOLUTION: The wireless communication device has first wireless communication means and second wireless communication means. When the wireless communication device enables an external device to connect to a network generated by the first wireless communication means, the same is notified to the external device by the second wireless communication means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known wireless communication devices that can selectively use a plurality of wireless methods. Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless communication device that can communicate using BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi).

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a request to switch from a BLE connection to a wireless LAN connection and information required for connecting to the wireless LAN, which is generated in response to the request, are exchanged between a pair of wireless communication devices via the BLE connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 66560793 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, the wireless communication device that requested switching to a wireless LAN connection (request source) is not notified that a wireless LAN has been created. Since the requesting wireless communication device does not know when to send a connection request to the wireless LAN, it must wait a sufficient amount of time or repeatedly send the connection request. As a result, it takes longer than necessary to connect, and power is consumed by unnecessary transmissions, resulting in inefficiency.

[0006] In view of the problems with the conventional technology, one aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communication device and a control method thereof that realizes efficient switching of wireless communication systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object is to provide a wireless communication system having a first wireless communication means, a second wireless communication means, and a control means. A wireless communication device , the control means is , th 1. Network created by wireless communication means If generated by a request from an external device, The external device is notified by the second wireless communication means that the external device is now connectable to the However, when the network is generated by the operation of the wireless communication device, the external device is not notified that it has become possible for the external device to connect to the network generated by the first wireless communication means. This is achieved by a wireless communication device characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device and a control method thereof that realizes efficient switching of wireless communication systems. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera as an example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smartphone as another example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Sequence diagram of wireless LAN connection in an embodiment [Figure 5] Flowchart for wireless LAN connection operation of a digital camera according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless LAN connection operation of a smartphone according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart of wireless LAN connection operation of a smartphone in the second embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of them are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] The following description will be given of embodiments of the present invention using a digital camera and a smartphone. However, imaging and communication functions are not essential for the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in any electronic device that can switch between multiple wireless communication methods. Such electronic devices include video cameras, computer devices (personal computers, tablet computers, media players, PDAs, etc.), mobile phones, game consoles, robots, drones, and drive recorders. These are merely examples, and the present invention can also be implemented in other electronic devices.

[0012] [First embodiment] <Configuration of Digital Camera 100> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera 100, which is an example of a wireless communication device according to the present invention. The control unit 101 has one or more processors capable of executing programs. The control unit 101 operates programs stored in, for example, a nonvolatile memory 103. for The program is loaded into memory and executed to realize the operations of the digital camera 100, which will be described later. Note that at least some of the functions realized by the control unit 101 executing the program may be performed by one or more other pieces of hardware.

[0013] The imaging unit 102 includes, for example, a photographing optical system and an imaging element that photoelectrically converts the subject image generated by the photographing optical system into an image signal. The photographing optical system includes movable lenses such as a focus lens and an aperture, the driving of which is controlled by the control unit 101. The imaging element has multiple pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and each pixel generates an electric charge according to the amount of incident light, thereby converting the subject image into a pixel signal group (analog image signal). The imaging element may be a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The analog image signal is subjected to noise reduction processing and A / D conversion processing, and then output from the imaging unit 102 as a digital image signal (image data). Note that the imaging unit 102 may include other components such as a focal plane shutter and an anti-vibration mechanism. The operation of the imaging unit 102 is controlled by the control unit 101.

[0014] The control unit 101 applies various image processing to the image data, and image data is generated according to the settings and purpose. The image data generated for recording is stored in a data file in a format according to the settings, and is recorded on the recording medium 110.

[0015] The nonvolatile memory 103 is electrically rewritable and stores programs that can be executed by the processor of the control unit 101, GUI data such as menu screens, various settings for the digital camera 100, and unique information.

[0016] The working memory 104 is, for example, a RAM, and is used to temporarily store programs, data, etc. A portion of the working memory 104 is used as a video memory for the display unit 106.

[0017] Operation unit 105 is a collective term for a group of input devices used by the user of digital camera 100 to input instructions to digital camera 100. Operation unit 105 includes, for example, a power switch for instructing power on / off of digital camera 100, a release switch for instructing still image capture, a video capture switch for instructing video capture, and a playback button for instructing playback of image data. Operation unit 105 also includes a connection button for starting communication with an external device via connection unit 111, which will be described later. If display unit 106 is a touch display, operation unit 105 also includes a touch panel that display unit 106 has.

[0018] The release switch has a switch (SW1) that turns on when pressed halfway and a switch (SW2) that turns on when pressed fully. The control unit 101 recognizes the ON of SW1 as an instruction to prepare for still image shooting, and the ON of SW2 as an instruction to start still image shooting.

[0019] When SW1 is turned ON, the control unit 101 executes, as a shooting preparation operation, for example, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (pre-flash) processing, etc. Furthermore, when SW2 is turned ON, the control unit 101 executes a series of still image shooting and recording operations, from still image shooting to recording of image data obtained by shooting on the recording medium 110, based on the exposure conditions determined by the AE processing.

[0020] The display unit 106 displays image data obtained by shooting, image data played back from the recording medium 110 or the like, GUIs such as menu screens, setting information for the digital camera 100, etc. By continuously shooting video in the imaging unit 102 and displaying the obtained video data on the display unit 106, the display unit 106 functions as an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Note that the display unit 106 may not be a component of the digital camera 100 but may be an external device. If the display unit 106 is an external device, the digital camera 100 outputs to the display unit 106 display image data or a signal in a format that can be displayed by the display unit 106.

[0021] The recording medium 110 may be, for example, at least one of a removable memory card and a built-in nonvolatile memory. The recording medium 110 is a recording destination for image data obtained by capturing images with the imaging unit 102. Note that the recording destination for the image data may also be an external storage device accessible by the digital camera 100.

[0022] The connection unit 111 (first wireless communication means) is a communication interface with an external device, and in this embodiment, communication is possible using at least one wireless communication method. The connection unit 111 may have a wired communication interface such as a USB interface or an HDMI interface. The connection unit 111 includes components necessary for the communication method it supports. The components include, for example, an antenna, a connector, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a transmission / reception circuit, etc.

[0023] In this embodiment, the connection unit 111 communicates with an external device using a wireless LAN method conforming to the IEEE801.11x series (where x is a, b, g, n, ac, ax, etc.) standards. The connection unit 111 also has an access point function that generates a wireless LAN network by itself, and accepts connection requests from external devices that have station functions. The operation of the connection unit 111 is controlled by the control unit 101. The connection unit 111 may also communicate with an external device using one or more other wireless communication methods. There are no particular restrictions on the protocol used for communication over the established wireless connection, and known protocols such as TCP / IP can be used.

[0024] Similar to the connection unit 111, the proximity wireless connection unit 112 (second wireless communication means) is also a communication interface with an external device. The proximity wireless connection unit 112 communicates with an external device using a wireless communication method with a shorter communication distance than the connection unit 111. In this embodiment, the proximity wireless connection unit 112 performs wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy standard, but may perform wireless communication in accordance with other proximity wireless communication standards. The operation of the proximity wireless connection unit 112 is controlled by the control unit 101.

[0025] The digital camera 100 (control unit 101) can communicate with external devices using one or more of the connection unit 111 and the proximity wireless connection unit 112. A communicable external device is an external device that supports at least one of the communication standards supported by the connection unit 111 and the communication standards supported by the proximity wireless connection unit 112.

[0026] <Configuration of smartphone 200> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smartphone 200, which is another example of a wireless communication device according to the present invention. The control unit 201 has one or more processors capable of executing programs. The control unit 201 operates programs stored in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 203. for The program is loaded into memory and executed to realize the operation of the smartphone 200, which will be described later. Note that at least a part of the functions realized by the control unit 201 executing the program may be implemented by one or more other pieces of hardware.

[0027] The imaging unit 202 includes, for example, a photographing optical system and an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image generated by the photographing optical system into an image signal. The photographing optical system includes movable lenses such as a focus lens and an aperture, the driving of which is controlled by the control unit 201. The imaging element has multiple pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and each pixel generates an electric charge according to the amount of incident light, thereby converting the subject image into a pixel signal group (analog image signal). The imaging element may be a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The analog image signal is subjected to noise reduction processing and A / D conversion processing, and then output from the imaging unit 202 as a digital image signal (image data). Note that the imaging unit 202 may include other components such as a focal plane shutter and an anti-vibration mechanism. The operation of the imaging unit 202 is controlled by the control unit 201.

[0028] The control unit 201 applies various image processing to the image data, and image data is generated according to the settings and purpose. The image data generated for recording is stored in a data file in a format according to the settings, and is recorded on the recording medium 207.

[0029] The nonvolatile memory 203 is electrically rewritable. The nonvolatile memory 203 stores programs executable by the processor of the control unit 201, GUI data such as menu screens, various settings for the smartphone 200, and unique information. The programs include an operating system (OS) and application programs (hereinafter, applications) that run on the OS. In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 203 stores applications that communicate with the digital camera 100.

[0030] The working memory 204 is, for example, a RAM, and is used to temporarily store programs, data, etc. A portion of the working memory 204 is used as a video memory for the display unit 206.

[0031] Operation unit 205 is a collective term for a group of input devices used by the user of smartphone 200 to input instructions to smartphone 200. Operation unit 205 includes, for example, a power switch for instructing power ON / OFF of smartphone 200, and + / - buttons used for adjusting the volume, etc. Furthermore, operation unit 205 also includes a touch panel provided on display unit 206, which is a touch display.

[0032] The display unit 206 is a touch display that displays image data obtained by the imaging unit 202, image data reproduced from the recording medium 207, and GUIs such as screens provided by the OS. In the smartphone 200, launching an application or operating a GUI provided by an application is basically performed by touching the display unit 206.

[0033] The recording medium 207 may be, for example, at least one of a removable memory card and a built-in nonvolatile memory. The recording medium 207 is a recording destination for image data obtained by capturing an image with the imaging unit 202. Note that the recording destination for the image data may be an external storage device accessible by the smartphone 200.

[0034] The connection unit 208 is a communication interface with an external device, and in this embodiment, communication is possible using at least one wireless communication method. The connection unit 208 may have a wired communication interface such as a USB interface or an HDMI interface. The connection unit 208 includes components necessary for the communication method it supports. These components include, for example, an antenna, a connector, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a transmission / reception circuit, etc.

[0035] In this embodiment, the connection unit 208 supports wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE801.11x series (where x is a, b, g, n, ac, ax, etc.) standards. The connection unit 208 only needs to support infrastructure mode, and support for ad hoc mode is optional. The operation of the connection unit 208 is controlled by the control unit 201. The connection unit 208 may also support one or more other wireless communication methods. There are no particular restrictions on the protocol used for communication over the established wireless connection, and known protocols such as TCP / IP can be used.

[0036] Similar to the connection unit 208, the proximity wireless connection unit 209 is also a communication interface with an external device. The proximity wireless connection unit 209 supports a wireless communication method with a shorter communication distance than the connection unit 208. In this embodiment, the proximity wireless connection unit 209 supports wireless communication compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy standard, but may support other proximity wireless communication standards. The operation of the proximity wireless connection unit 209 is controlled by the control unit 201.

[0037] The smartphone 200 (control unit 201) can communicate with external devices using one or more of the connection unit 208 and the proximity wireless connection unit 209. A communicable external device is an external device that supports at least one of the communication standards supported by the connection unit 208 and the communication standards supported by the proximity wireless connection unit 209.

[0038] The public network connection unit 211 is a wireless communication interface for connecting to a mobile phone network. The smartphone 200 can connect to a mobile phone network conforming to the 3GPP standard, such as 3G, 4G, or 5G, via the public network connection unit 211 to make calls with landline phones and mobile phones, and perform data communication with information processing devices. When making a call, the control unit 201 can use the microphone 212 as an audio input device and the speaker 213 as an audio output device. The public network connection unit 211 includes components necessary for the communication method it supports. These components include, for example, an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a transmission / reception circuit, and the like. The antenna can also be used in conjunction with the connection unit 208.

[0039] The applications stored in the non-volatile memory 203 include a remote control application for the digital camera 100. The user can remotely control the digital camera 100 by operating the remote control application. The remote control application provides a control UI for remotely controlling various functions of the digital camera 100. The control UI is made up of so-called software keys that are operated by touching the touch panel of the display unit 206. By operating buttons and switches according to the functions, the user can view images recorded on the recording medium 110 of the digital camera 100 on the display unit 206 and perform shooting operations.

[0040] <Network system configuration> 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a network system in which a digital camera 100 and smartphones 200 and 300 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The smartphone 300 has the same configuration as the smartphone 200. Here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 can communicate with each other via at least one of the connection units 111 and 208 and the proximity wireless connection units 112 and 209. Meanwhile, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 300 can communicate with each other via the connection units 111 and 208. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the connection units 111 and 208 communicate via wireless LAN, and the proximity wireless connection units 112 and 209 communicate via BLE.

[0041] <Wireless LAN connection establishment sequence> Next, an example of an operation sequence for establishing a wireless LAN connection between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 in the network shown in Fig. 3 will be described using the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 4. Here, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 have already been paired, that the smartphone 200 and the digital camera 100 are within a communication range, and that a BLE connection has been established. It is also assumed that a wireless LAN connection has not been established. Below, an example of the operation of the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 when establishing a wireless LAN connection from this state will be described.

[0042] In S401, for example, a remote control application for the digital camera 100 is launched on the smartphone 200. As a result, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 requests a wireless LAN connection to the digital camera 100 (a so-called handover request) by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 209. Note that the request for wireless LAN connection may be transmitted in response to an event other than the launch of the remote control application. The control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 receives the connection request.

[0043] In S402, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 responds to the wireless LAN connection request by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 112. At this time, the control unit 101 transmits connection information (e.g., SSID, encryption key) necessary for the smartphone 200 to connect to the wireless LAN network generated by the connection unit 111 to the smartphone 200 by BLE communication.

[0044] Note that connection information required for the smartphone 200 to connect to the wireless LAN network generated by the connection unit 111 may be transmitted from the digital camera 100 to the smartphone 200 when a BLE connection with the smartphone 200 is established.

[0045] In S403, the control unit 101 activates the access point function of the connection unit 111 and creates a wireless LAN network. Specifically, it starts broadcasting a beacon containing SSID information. This allows the smartphone to recognize the existence of the network. The camera also becomes ready to accept a request from the smartphone to join the network.

[0046] In S404, the control unit 101 transmits an access point activation notification to the smartphone 200 by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 112. This allows the smartphone to understand that the camera has generated a wireless LAN network (i.e., started broadcasting a beacon).

[0047] In S405, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 uses the connection information transmitted from the digital camera 100 to transmit a request to join the wireless LAN network generated by the digital camera 100 via wireless LAN communication through the connection unit 208. When an approval response to the join request is received from the digital camera 100 via wireless LAN communication, a wireless LAN connection is established between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200. After the wireless LAN connection is established, the BLE connection may be disconnected or continued.

[0048] <Digital camera wireless LAN generation operation> The operation of digital camera 100 in the sequence of Fig. 4 will be described in detail using the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. Note that the processing described below is realized by control unit 101 of digital camera 100 executing a program to control the components of digital camera 100.

[0049] The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed in a state where the control unit 101 is operable and a BLE connection with an external device (here, the smartphone 200) is established via the proximity wireless connection unit 112.

[0050] In S501, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a wireless LAN connection request has been received via BLE communication from the smartphone 200. If the control unit 101 determines that a wireless LAN connection request has been received, it executes S503, and if not, it executes S502.

[0051] In S502, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the user has instructed the activation of the access point function (generation of a wireless LAN network). The user can instruct the activation of the access point function by operating the menu screen displayed on the display unit 106 via the operation unit 105, for example.

[0052] If the control unit 101 determines that the activation of the access point function (generation of a wireless LAN network) has been instructed by the user, it executes S507, and if not, it executes S501.

[0053] In S507, the control unit 101 displays, for example, on the display unit 106, a setting screen for connection information of the wireless LAN network (access point) generated by the digital camera 100. The setting screen is configured so that the user can set connection information (for example, SSID and password) using the operation unit 105.

[0054] When the control unit 101 detects an operation of the execute (decide) button on the setting screen or the operation unit 105, it saves the connection information input on the setting screen in the non-volatile memory 103. Then, the control unit 101 executes S504. Note that when the control unit 101 detects an operation of the cancel button on the setting screen or the operation unit 105, the control unit 101 may end S507 and execute S501.

[0055] Here, when a user instructs the digital camera 100 to generate a wireless LAN network, the user is prompted to set connection information for the wireless LAN network (access point) to be generated. However, pre-set connection information may be used. In this case, in S507, the control unit 101 may display on the display unit 106 a screen inquiring the user as to whether or not to generate a wireless LAN network. If the control unit 101 detects an input indicating that a wireless LAN network may be generated, the control unit 101 executes S504, and if the control unit 101 detects an input indicating that a wireless LAN network should not be generated, the control unit 101 executes S501.

[0056] Meanwhile, in S503, the control unit 101 transmits to the smartphone 200, by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 112, a wireless LAN connection response and connection information for joining the wireless LAN network generated by the digital camera 100. The connection information includes the SSID and password of the access point. The connection information transmitted here may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 in advance, or may be automatically generated by the control unit 101. When the control unit 101 automatically generates the connection information, the control unit 101 stores the generated connection information in the nonvolatile memory 103. There are no particular limitations on the method for automatically generating the SSID and password, and any known method may be used.

[0057] In S503, in order to respond to the wireless LAN connection request within an appropriate time, the control unit 101 transmits saved connection information or automatically generated connection information to the smartphone 200 without requiring the user to set the connection information. Then, the control unit 101 executes S504.

[0058] In S504, control unit 101 activates the access point function of connection unit 111 using the connection information stored in non-volatile memory 103. If this step is executed via S503, the connection information prepared in S503 is used. If this step is executed via S507, the connection information prepared in S507 is used. Connection unit 111 activates the wireless LAN access point (AP) function in response to an instruction from control unit 101, and begins operating as an AP. Connection unit 111 as an AP periodically transmits a beacon including the SSID included in the connection information.

[0059] When control unit 101 receives a request to join the wireless LAN network from an external device via connection unit 111, it determines whether the password included in the request to join matches the password included in the connection information stored in nonvolatile memory 103. If control unit 101 determines that the passwords match, it permits the external device to join the network, and if it does not, it denies the external device from joining the network.

[0060] When the connection unit 111 completes the generation of the wireless LAN network in S504, the control unit 101 executes S505 without waiting for a connection request via the wireless LAN to be received from the smartphone 200. In S505, the control unit 101 determines whether the wireless LAN network was generated in response to a request received from an external device (smartphone 200) or in response to a user instruction (operation of the operation unit 105). The control unit 101 can make this determination, for example, based on whether or not connection information has been transmitted to the smartphone 200 (S503 has been executed), but may also use other methods for the determination.

[0061] If it is determined that the wireless LAN network has been generated in response to a request from an external device (smartphone 200), S506 is executed; if not, S506 is not executed and a request to join the network via the wireless LAN from smartphone 200 is awaited.

[0062] In S506, the control unit 101 notifies the smartphone 200 by BLE communication through the proximity wireless connection unit 112 that the generation of the wireless LAN network has been completed. This notification notifies the smartphone 200 that the smartphone 200 is now able to connect to the generated wireless LAN network. After this, the control unit 101 expects that a request to join the network will be transmitted from the smartphone 200 via the wireless LAN, and waits for the reception of the request.

[0063] This notification allows the smartphone 200 (control unit 201) to know that the digital camera 100 has completed creating a wireless LAN network in response to the transmitted wireless LAN connection request. Therefore, the control unit 201 does not need to perform an operation to find out whether the digital camera 100 has created a wireless LAN network, such as repeatedly transmitting a join request. This prevents the smartphone 200 from unnecessarily consuming power. It also reduces the waiting time until joining a wireless LAN network.

[0064] On the other hand, if the wireless LAN network is created in response to a user instruction, the digital camera 100 does not notify the smartphone 200 that the creation of the wireless LAN network has been completed. This is because the smartphone 200 has not requested connection to the wireless LAN network. After that, when a wireless LAN connection request is received from the smartphone 200, the control unit 101 may notify the smartphone 200 that the wireless LAN network has been created together with the connection information.

[0065] <Smartphone wireless LAN connection operation> Fig. 6 is a flowchart relating to the operation of smartphone 200 corresponding to the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. Note that the processing described below is realized by control unit 201 of smartphone 200 executing a program to control the components of smartphone 200.

[0066] The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed when the control unit 201 is operable and a BLE connection with an external device (here, the digital camera 100) is established via the proximity wireless connection unit 209.

[0067] In S602, the control unit 201 transmits a wireless LAN connection request to the digital camera 100 by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 209. The wireless LAN connection request is transmitted, for example, as an operation within a remote control application for the digital camera 100 running on the smartphone 200. The wireless LAN connection request may be transmitted, for example, when an operation requiring high-speed communication is to be performed. For example, this may be the case when a live view image of the digital camera 100 is displayed on the smartphone 200, or when images stored on the recording medium 110 are viewed or downloaded on the smartphone 200. These are merely examples, and the wireless LAN connection request may be transmitted based on other conditions.

[0068] In step S602, the control unit 201 receives a wireless LAN connection response and connection information from the digital camera 100 by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 209. The control unit 201 stores the received connection information in the nonvolatile memory 203.

[0069] Thereafter, the control unit 201 waits for reception of a notification that the wireless LAN network has been created. During this wait, the control unit 201 does not perform communication to confirm whether or not the wireless LAN network has been created in the digital camera 100, such as a wireless LAN participation request using the connection information received from the digital camera 100 in S602.

[0070] In step S603, the control unit 201 receives a notification of completion of creation of a wireless LAN network from the digital camera 100 via BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 209.

[0071] Then, in S604, the control unit 201 transmits a wireless LAN participation request using the connection information received from the digital camera 100 in S602 to the digital camera 100 via wireless LAN communication via the connection unit 208. When participation in the wireless LAN network created by the digital camera 100 is permitted, the smartphone 200 becomes able to perform wireless LAN communication with the digital camera 100 via the connection unit 208.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a wireless communication device capable of generating a wireless network generates a wireless network in response to a request from an external device, the external device that made the request is notified of the completion of generation of the wireless network, thereby realizing reductions in power consumption and standby time in the external device that made the request.

[0073] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 was configured not to notify the external device (smartphone 200) of the completion of generation of the wireless LAN network when the wireless LAN network is generated in response to operation of the operation unit 105. In contrast, in this embodiment, even when the wireless LAN network is generated in response to operation of the operation unit 105, the control unit 101 notifies the external device (smartphone 200) of the completion of generation of the wireless LAN network.

[0074] 5, the operation of the digital camera 100 is omitted. However, the destination of the notification of completion of generation of the wireless LAN network sent in S506 differs depending on whether the wireless LAN network is generated in response to a request from an external device or in response to an operation of the operation unit 105. When the wireless LAN network is generated in response to a request from an external device, the destination of the notification of completion of generation of the wireless LAN network is the external device that issued the request. On the other hand, when the wireless LAN network is generated in response to an operation of the operation unit 105, the notification of completion of generation of the wireless LAN network may be broadcast.

[0075] <Smartphone wireless LAN connection operation> 7 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the smartphone 200 in this embodiment. Note that the processing described below is realized by the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 executing a program and controlling the components of the smartphone 200.

[0076] The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed when the control unit 201 is operable and a BLE connection with an external device (here, the digital camera 100) is established via the proximity wireless connection unit 209.

[0077] In S701, the control unit 201 determines whether a notification of completion of creation of a wireless LAN network has been received from the digital camera 100 by BLE communication via the proximity wireless connection unit 209. If it is determined that a notification of completion of creation of a wireless LAN network has been received, the control unit 201 executes S702, and if it is not determined that a notification of completion of creation of a wireless LAN network has been received, the control unit 201 executes S701 again.

[0078] In step S702, the control unit 201 determines whether a wireless LAN connection request has been sent to the digital camera 100. This is because the received notification of completion of creation of the wireless LAN network has been automatically Body This corresponds to determining whether the notification is in response to a wireless LAN connection request sent by the smartphone 200. If it is determined that a wireless LAN connection request has been sent to the digital camera 100, the control unit 201 executes step S703, and if not, executes step S704. Note that the determination may also be made based on whether the received notification of completion of creation of the wireless LAN network is a broadcast message or a message addressed to the smartphone 200.

[0079] In S703, the control unit 201 transmits a wireless LAN join request to the digital camera 100, similar to S604 in the first embodiment. If the notification of completion of creation of the wireless LAN network corresponds to the wireless LAN connection request transmitted to the digital camera 100, the control unit 201 can transmit the wireless LAN join request using the connection information that has already been received.

[0080] On the other hand, in S704, the control unit 201 does not send a wireless LAN join request to the digital camera 100. If the notification of completion of creation of the wireless LAN network is not in response to the wireless LAN connection request sent to the digital camera 100, it is considered that the wireless LAN network was created in response to an operation (user instruction) of the operation unit 105 of the digital camera 100.

[0081] 3, there may be another external device (smartphone 300) that can communicate with the digital camera 100 via wireless LAN. If the smartphone 300 is not connected to the digital camera 100 via BLE, the digital camera 100 must be operated to create a wireless LAN network, and the smartphone 300 must be manually connected to the wireless LAN network.

[0082] In such a case, if the smartphone 200 transmits a wireless LAN join request in response to receiving a notification that the generation of the wireless LAN network has been completed, there is a risk that the smartphone 300 will not be able to join the wireless LAN network of the digital camera 100. For this reason, the smartphone 200 in this embodiment is configured to transmit a wireless LAN join request when it receives a notification that the generation of the wireless LAN network has been completed in response to the wireless LAN connection request that it itself has transmitted.

[0083] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, it is possible to realize an effect that when another external device manually connects to a wireless network created by a wireless communication device, it is possible to prevent the connection from being hindered.

[0084] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100... digital camera, 101, 201... control unit, 103, 203... non-volatile memory, 105, 205... operation unit, 106, 206... display unit, 111, 208... connection unit, 112, 209... proximity wireless connection unit, 200... smartphone

Claims

1. a first wireless communication means; A second wireless communication means; A wireless communication device having a control means, The control means When the network generated by the first wireless communication means is generated in response to a request from an external device, the second wireless communication means notifies the external device that the external device has become connectable to the network; A wireless communication device characterized in that, when the network is generated by operation of the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device does not notify the external device that the external device is now able to connect to the network generated by the first wireless communication means.

2. 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the request is received through the second wireless communication means.

3. a first wireless communication means; A second wireless communication means; a control means; When the control means receives a notification from the external device by the second wireless communication means that a connectable network has been generated by the first wireless communication means, If the notification corresponds to the request transmitted to the external device, a request to join the network is transmitted to the external device by the first wireless communication means; If the notification does not correspond to the request, the request to join the network is not transmitted to the external device by the first wireless communication means; If the notification is a broadcast message, determining that the notification is not in response to the request; A wireless communication device comprising:

4. 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein said control means determines that said notification is in response to said request if said notification is addressed to said wireless communication device.

5. 5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication means communicates with the external device using a wireless communication method that has a shorter communication distance than the first wireless communication means.

6. A method for controlling a wireless communication device having a first wireless communication means and a second wireless communication means, comprising: a control means of the wireless communication device notifying the external device by the second wireless communication means that the external device has become connectable to the network when the network generated by the first wireless communication means is generated in response to a request from the external device; A control method for a wireless communication device, characterized in that the control means does not notify the external device that the external device has become able to connect to the network generated by the first wireless communication means when the network is generated by operation of the wireless communication device.

7. A method for controlling a wireless communication device having a first wireless communication means and a second wireless communication means, comprising: receiving, by the second wireless communication means, a notification that a connectable network has been generated by the first wireless communication means from an external device; a control means of the wireless communication device transmitting a request to join the network to the external device by the first wireless communication means if the notification corresponds to a request transmitted to the external device; the control means not transmitting a request to join the network to the external device by the first wireless communication means unless the notification is in response to the request; The method for controlling a wireless communication device, wherein not transmitting the notification includes determining that the notification does not comply with the request if the notification is a broadcast message.

8. 6. A program for causing a computer included in a wireless communication device having a first wireless communication means and a second wireless communication means to function as the control means included in the wireless communication device according to claim 1.

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