Communication device, communication system, control method and program

Abstract

To provide a communication device including a USB interface conforming to USB3.0 having a function of preventing interference with wireless communication.SOLUTION: The communication device includes: wireless communication means; a USB interface capable of switching between an operation of interfering with wireless communication and an operation of not interfering with wireless communication; determination means for determining presence / absence of communication via the USB interface; and control means for, when it is determined by the determination means that the communication is absent, controlling the operation of the USB interface to be the operation of not interfering with the wireless communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It is known that USB 3.0 can interfere with wireless communications (desensitization). For example, a communication system is available in which a wireless communication device such as a mobile router is connected to a cradle via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and the cradle is connected to an information processing device via a wired LAN. In this communication system, data transfer between the information processing device and the wireless communication device is performed via the wired LAN and the USB interface, and the wireless communication device transmits and receives data to and from the Internet. In such a communication system, if the USB interface operates at USB 3.0, interference with wireless communications can occur, resulting in a decrease in communication speed or disconnection.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a control that switches the USB operation to USB 2.0 when wireless LAN communication is started while connected to an external device via USB and the USB is operating in USB 3.0 and the wireless LAN communication is in the 2.4 GHz band, thereby suppressing interference with the wireless LAN caused by USB 3.0.

[0004] The specified transfer speed for USB3.0 is 5Gbps, while that for USB2.0 is 480Mbps. The transfer speed of USB3.0 exceeds the transfer speed of a wired LAN (for example, 1Gbps), so there is no problem, but if you switch to USB2.0 to suppress interference, the data transfer speed will be limited to the USB2.0 transfer speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-113899 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In wireless communication devices with a USB 3.0 compliant interface, this provides a function to suppress interference with wireless communication via USB 3.0, except when transferring data with other devices via USB.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication device, a communication system, a control method, and a program that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication device comprises a wireless communication means, a USB interface capable of switching between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, a judgment means for judging whether or not communication is occurring through the USB interface, and a control means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so that it does not interfere with the wireless communication when the judgment means judges that no communication is occurring. The determination means determines that the communication is occurring when the information processing device is connected via a wired LAN to a device connected via the USB interface, or when the determination means receives a LinkUp notification via the USB interface.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication system includes: a communication device comprising: a wireless communication means; a USB interface capable of switching between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; and a control means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so that it does not interfere with wireless communication when the determination means determines that no communication is occurring; The communication device includes a device connected via the USB interface, and an information processing device connected to the device via a wired LAN or connected to the communication device via a wireless LAN.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control method is a control method for determining whether or not communication is occurring through a USB interface of a communication device that includes a wireless communication means and a USB interface that can be switched between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, and for controlling the operation of the USB interface so that the operation does not interfere with wireless communication when it is determined that no communication is occurring. The presence or absence of communication is determined when the information processing device is connected to a device connected through the USB interface via a wired LAN, or when a LinkUp notification is received through the USB interface.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the program causes a computer of a communication device having a wireless communication means and a USB interface capable of switching between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication to function as a means for determining whether or not communication is occurring through the USB interface, and, if the determining means determines that no communication is occurring, a means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so that it does not interfere with the wireless communication. The determining means determines that the communication is occurring when the information processing device is connected via a wired LAN to a device connected via the USB interface, or when a LinkUp notification is received via the USB interface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, interference with wireless communication via USB 3.0 can be suppressed except when high-speed data transfer via USB 3.0 is used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main part of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication device having a minimum configuration. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a communication device having a minimum configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the configuration of parts that are not related to the present invention may be omitted or not shown.

[0015] <Embodiment> (composition) FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system 1 includes an information processing device 100, a mobile router 200, and a cradle 300. The information processing device 100 is a device configured by a computer such as a PC (personal computer), a server, a tablet, or a smartphone. The mobile router 200 is a wireless communication device that connects to the Internet 4 via wireless communication 3 such as a wireless LAN such as Wifi (registered trademark) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The mobile router 200 is attached to the cradle 300 via the USB I / F unit 220. The cradle 300 is a base for mounting the mobile router 200. The cradle 300 has a function of charging the mobile router 200 and a function of connecting the mobile router 200 and the information processing device 100 via a wired LAN 2.

[0016] The information processing device 100 is connected to the cradle 300 via a wired LAN 2, and further connected to the mobile router 200 via a USB I / F unit 220, and accesses the Internet 4 via the mobile router 200 via wireless communication 3. When the information processing device 100 communicates with an external device using this method, USB is used. If the USB I / F unit 220 operates using USB 3.0, there is a possibility that USB 3.0 and wireless communication 3 may interfere with each other, but data transfer between the information processing device 100 and the mobile router 200 can be performed at high speed.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the mobile router 200 and the information processing device 100 can be connected via a wireless LAN 5. In this case, the information processing device 100 accesses the Internet 4 by wireless communication 3 via the wireless LAN 5 and the mobile router 200. When the information processing device 100 communicates with an external device using this method, the USB is not used. In this case, interference with the wireless communication 3 can be suppressed by operating the USB I / F unit 220 using USB 2.0.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main part of a communication system according to the embodiment. The information processing device 100 includes a wireless LAN I / F unit 110 that is an interface for a wireless LAN, and a wired LAN I / F unit 120 that is an interface for a wired LAN. Mobile router 200 includes control unit 210, USB I / F unit 220 which is an interface for USB connection, charging unit 230 which charges a battery (not shown) with power supplied via USB I / F unit 220, USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240 which converts between a data format used for data transfer via USB and a data format used for communication via Ethernet, wireless LAN I / F unit 250 which is an interface for wireless LAN, and LTE I / F unit 260 which is an interface for LTE. Control unit 210 controls USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240, wireless LAN I / F unit 250, and LTE I / F unit 260. For example, control unit 210 converts data transferred from cradle 300 via USB I / F unit 220 into an Ethernet data format using USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240, and transmits the data to Internet network 4 or the like via wireless LAN I / F unit 250 or LTE I / F unit 260. Furthermore, the control unit 210 converts data received via the wireless LAN I / F unit 250 or the LTE I / F unit 260 into a USB data format using the USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240, and transfers the data to the cradle 300 via the USB I / F unit 220. The USB I / F unit 220 is compliant with USB 3.0 and can also operate as USB 2.0. The control unit 210 can switch the operation of the USB I / F unit 220 between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 via the USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240.

[0019] Cradle 300 includes control unit 310, power supply unit 320 that receives power from AC adapter 400 and supplies the power to mobile router 200 via USB I / F unit 330, USB I / F unit 330 as an interface for USB connection, wired LAN I / F unit 340 as an interface for wired LAN, and USB / Ethernet conversion unit 350 that converts between the data format used for data transfer via USB and the data format used for Ethernet communication. Control unit 310 controls wired LAN I / F unit 340 and USB / Ethernet conversion unit 350. USB I / F unit 330 complies with USB 3.0 and can also operate as USB 2.0. Control unit 310 switches the operation of USB I / F unit 330 between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 based on instructions from control unit 210 of mobile router 200.

[0020] (operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of switching control of USB connections in the communication system 1 will be described, taking as an example a scene where the mobile router 200 is attached to the cradle 300. When the mobile router 200 and the cradle 300 are attached (step S1), the cradle 300 notifies the control unit 210 of the attachment via the USB I / F unit 330 etc. (step S2). The control unit 210 then starts cradle control (step S3). The control unit 210 then requests the USB I / F unit 220 to operate in USB 3.0 (step S4). Based on the request from the control unit 210, the USB I / F unit 220 is set to operate in USB 3.0. The control unit 310 of the cradle 300 receives the request from the control unit 210 and controls the USB I / F unit 330 to operate in USB 3.0 (step S5).

[0021] Next, control unit 210 starts monitoring for a LinkUp notification for wired LAN I / F unit 340 of cradle 300 (step S6). Wired LAN I / F unit 340 waits for a wired LAN connection with information processing device 100, and when a connection is established (step S7), it transmits a LinkUp notification (step S8). The LinkUp notification is transmitted to mobile router 200 via control unit 310, USB / Ethernet conversion unit 350, and USB I / F unit 330, and control unit 210 receives the LinkUp notification via USB I / F unit 220 and USB / Ethernet conversion unit 240. Control unit 210 monitors for the presence or absence of a LinkUp notification until a predetermined notification monitoring time expires (step S9).

[0022] If a LinkUp notification is received between the start of monitoring for a LinkUp notification and the expiration of the monitoring time (step S10; Yes), it is determined that communication is occurring via the wired LAN, and the control unit 210 keeps the USB I / F unit 220 operating at USB 3.0. This allows data transfer between the information processing device 100 and the mobile router 200 without impeding the communication performance of the wired LAN 2, and the information processing device 100 can communicate with the Internet network 4 via the mobile router 200.

[0023] If there is no LinkUp notification (step S10; No), it is determined that there is no communication via the wired LAN 2, and the control unit 210 requests the USB I / F unit 220 to operate in USB 2.0 (step S11). Based on the request from the control unit 210, the USB I / F unit 220 is controlled to operate in USB 2.0. Furthermore, the control unit 310 of the cradle 300 sets the USB I / F unit 330 to operate in USB 2.0 (step S11). This allows the information processing device 100 and other information processing devices (not shown) using the mobile router 200 to communicate with the Internet network 4 via the mobile router 200 without being affected by interference with the wireless communication 3 via USB 3.0.

[0024] Thereafter, the processes from step S6 onward may be repeated at predetermined control intervals. If, in step S10, a LinkUp notification is received and the USB I / F unit 220 is operating at USB 2.0, the control unit 210 requests the USB I / F unit 330 to switch to USB 3.0 operation, as in step S4, and controls the USB I / F unit 220 to operate in accordance with USB 3.0. Based on the request from the control unit 210, the control unit 310 controls the USB I / F unit 330 to operate in accordance with USB 3.0. Furthermore, if a LinkUp notification is not received in a subsequent control interval, the control unit 210 requests the USB I / F unit 330 to operate in USB 2.0 operation, as in step S11, and controls the USB I / F unit 220 to operate in accordance with USB 2.0. Based on the request from the control unit 210, the control unit 210 controls the USB I / F unit 330 to operate in accordance with USB 2.0. Thereafter, the same control is repeated. As a result, when the information processing device 100 and the cradle 300 are connected via the wired LAN 2, it is considered that "communication is occurring" and the USB I / F unit 220 and the USB I / F unit 330 operate at USB 3.0, and when the information processing device 100 and the cradle 300 are not connected via the wired LAN 2, it is considered that "communication is not occurring" and the USB I / F unit 220 and the USB I / F unit 330 operate at USB 2.0.

[0025] (effect) As described above, according to this embodiment, after the mobile router 200 is attached to the cradle 300, the wired LAN I / F unit 340 monitors for LinkUp notifications, and determines whether or not there is a notification before the monitoring time expires to determine whether or not there is communication through the wired LAN I / F unit 340. If it is determined that there is no communication, the operation of the USB (USB I / F units 220, 330) is switched to USB 2.0, thereby suppressing interference with the wireless communication 3. Switching to USB 2.0 prevents the wired LAN 2 from operating at its maximum communication performance, but only when monitoring for LinkUp notifications indicates that there is no communication, that is, when the wired LAN 2 is not connected and there is no need to consider a decrease in the communication performance of the wired LAN 2, is the operation switched to USB 2.0, thereby suppressing interference with the wireless communication 3 (desensitization).

[0026] On the other hand, if it is deemed that communication is occurring, that is, if there is a connection to a wired LAN 2, by operating using USB 3.0, which allows for high-speed transfer, high-speed communication can be achieved by communicating between the information processing device 100 and the Internet network 4 while maintaining the communication performance of the wired LAN 2 (although there is still a possibility of interference with wireless communication 3).

[0027] One possible method for suppressing interference with wireless communication via USB 3.0 is to use hardware, but because hardware is difficult for the connector connecting the mobile router 200 and cradle 300, this embodiment uses software. Because this is a software solution, a function for suppressing interference with wireless communication via USB 3.0 can be incorporated into the communication device, except in cases where high-speed data transfer via USB 3.0 is used at relatively low cost. The mobile router 200 may be another wireless communication device with a USB port, and the device connected to this wireless communication device via USB may be anything other than the cradle 300 as long as it can switch between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Furthermore, the above-mentioned USB 3.0 may also be USB 3.1 or USB 3.2.

[0028] (Minimum configuration) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication device having a minimum configuration. The communication device 800 includes a wireless communication unit 801, a USB interface 802 that can switch between an operation that interferes with wireless communication (USB 3.0) and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication (USB 2.0), a determination unit 803 that determines whether or not communication, including data transfer, is occurring through the USB interface 802, and a control unit 804 that switches the USB interface 802 to an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication when the determination unit 803 determines that no communication is occurring. The mobile router 200 is an example of the communication device 800. The wireless LAN I / F unit 250 and the LTE I / F unit 260 are examples of the wireless communication unit 801. The USB I / F unit 220 is an example of the USB interface 802. The control unit 210 (the function of step S10 in FIG. 4) is an example of the determination unit 803. The control unit 210 (the function of step S11 in FIG. 4) is an example of the control unit 804.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a communication device having a minimum configuration. The determination means 803 of the communication device 800 determines whether or not there is communication including data transfer through the USB interface 802 (step S801). If it is determined that there is no communication (step S801; no), the control means 804 switches the USB interface 802 to an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication (step S802).

[0030] Note that the information processing device 100, mobile router 200, and cradle 300 in the above-described embodiments may be partially implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing these functions may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the "computer system" referred to here refers to the computer system built into the information processing device 100, mobile router 200, and cradle 300, and includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0031] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" may also include devices that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks like the Internet or communication lines like telephone lines, or devices that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within computer systems that serve as servers or clients in such cases. Furthermore, the above-mentioned programs may be programs that realize some of the aforementioned functions, or may be programs that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already stored in the computer system.

[0032] Furthermore, some or all of the information processing device 100, mobile router 200, and cradle 300 in the above-described embodiments may be realized as integrated circuits such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each functional unit of the information processing device 100, mobile router 200, and cradle 300 may be individually implemented as a processor, or some or all of them may be integrated into a processor. Furthermore, the integrated circuit implementation method is not limited to LSI, and may be implemented using a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. If an integrated circuit implementation technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used.

[0033] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, configurations in which elements described in the above embodiments and variations are substituted with elements that achieve the same effect are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Communication Systems 2...Wired LAN 3. Wireless Communication 4. Internet network 5...Wireless LAN 100 Information processing device 110...Wireless LAN I / F section 120...Wired LAN I / F section 200···Mobile router 210 Control unit 220···USB I / F section 230...Charging part 240···USB / Ethernet conversion unit 250...Wireless LAN I / F section 260...LTE I / F section 300···Cradle 310 Control unit 330···USB I / F section 320...Power supply section 340...Wired LAN I / F section 350···USB / Ethernet conversion unit

Claims

1. wireless communication means; a USB interface that can be switched between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; a control means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so as not to interfere with the wireless communication when the determination means determines that the communication is not present; Equipped with the determining means determines that the communication is occurring when an information processing device is connected via a wired LAN to a device connected via the USB interface; Communication equipment.

2. wireless communication means; a USB interface that can be switched between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; a control means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so as not to interfere with the wireless communication when the determination means determines that the communication is not present; Equipped with The determining means determines that the communication is present when a LinkUp notification is received through the USB interface. Communication equipment.

3. The USB interface complies with any of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.

2. When the determining means determines that there is no communication, the control means controls the operation of the USB interface to conform to USB 2.

0.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The USB interface complies with any of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.

2. When the determination means determines that the communication is present, the control means controls the operation of the USB interface to conform to any one of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.

2.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A communication device comprising: wireless communication means; a USB interface capable of switching between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether communication is occurring through said USB interface; and a control means for controlling the operation of said USB interface so that it does not interfere with said wireless communication when said determination means determines that no communication is occurring. a device connected via the USB interface; an information processing device connected to the device via a wired LAN or connected to the communication device via a wireless LAN; A communication system comprising:

6. The control means of the communication device When the information processing device is connected to the device via a wired LAN, the operation of the USB interface is controlled to conform to any one of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.2; When the information processing device is connected to the communication device via a wireless LAN, the operation of the USB interface is controlled to conform to USB 2.

0. The communication system according to claim 5 .

7. the device is a cradle for the communication device; The communication system according to claim 5 .

8. A communication device includes a wireless communication unit and a USB interface that can switch between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, and the operation of the USB interface is controlled by: determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; If it is determined that there is no communication, the device controls the operation so as not to interfere with the wireless communication; When an information processing device is connected via a wired LAN to the device connected via the USB interface, it is determined that the communication is occurring. Control method.

9. A communication device includes a wireless communication unit and a USB interface that can switch between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, and the operation of the USB interface is controlled by: determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; If it is determined that there is no communication, the device controls the operation so as not to interfere with the wireless communication; When a LinkUp notification is received through the USB interface, it is determined that the communication is present. Control method.

10. A computer of a communication device including a wireless communication means and a USB interface that can switch between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, means for determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; a means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so as not to interfere with the wireless communication when the determining means determines that there is no communication; It functions as the determining means determines that the communication is occurring when an information processing device is connected via a wired LAN to a device connected via the USB interface; program.

11. A computer of a communication device including a wireless communication means and a USB interface that can switch between an operation that interferes with wireless communication and an operation that does not interfere with wireless communication, means for determining whether communication is occurring through the USB interface; a means for controlling the operation of the USB interface so as not to interfere with the wireless communication when the determining means determines that there is no communication; It functions as the determining means determines that the communication is present when receiving a LinkUp notification via the USB interface; program.

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