Communication device, method for controlling the communication device, and program

Abstract

To provide a piece of communication equipment capable of properly completing connection processing on various devices with different connection establishment methods.SOLUTION: The communication equipment is configured so as to, when a transition to a state where an external device is not connected is detected before first time has elapsed since the connection has been established with the external device, control not to terminate the process to establish a connection with the external device until second time elapses after the transition to the state not connected to the external device, and when detecting a transition to a state where the external device is not connected after the first time has elapsed since the connection has been established with the external device, control to terminate the processing to establish the connection with the external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, imaging devices such as digital cameras with a built-in wireless communication function in the main body have become widespread, and further, imaging devices with a built-in wired LAN capable of stable and high-speed communication in the main body are also becoming widespread. Since a wired LAN allows various devices to configure a network at a low cost, a wired LAN is mainly used when constructing a network in an office or the like.

[0003] The standard of a wired LAN is defined in IEEE802.3, and an optimal mode is selected from those available at a plurality of communication speeds, communication modes, etc., by auto-negotiation. However, depending on conditions, there are also devices that repeat auto-negotiation a plurality of times or devices whose time until a communication establishment state is reached is not constant, and there may be a problem with connectivity. Various techniques for solving such connectivity problems have been disclosed.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a device having means for forcibly establishing a link with a counterpart device and means for setting the function of the means for establishing this link on or off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 forcibly restarts auto-negotiation if a link cannot be established via auto-negotiation. Specifically, it is a technology that prohibits the transmission and reception of data until the sequence based on auto-negotiation is completed, and forcibly restarts when it is determined that the connection process cannot be continued. Therefore, since it is not a technology that changes the criteria for determining whether or not the connection process can be continued, it is not possible to adequately monitor the connection status. In addition, if the other device's normal operation is to complete the connection after repeating auto-negotiation multiple times, there is a possibility that it may mistakenly determine that the connection process cannot be continued. In this case, it becomes impossible to repeat auto-negotiation.

[0007] In view of the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to enable the proper completion of connection processing for various devices with different connection establishment methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that connects to an external device via a network, comprising: communication means for communicating with the external device; detection means for detecting a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device after the connection with the external device by the communication means has been established; and when the detection means detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device after a first time has elapsed since the connection with the external device was established, Perform the cutting process, The system includes a control means for controlling the termination of the process for establishing a connection with the external device. Furthermore, if the detection means detects a transition to a state where the system is not connected to the external device before a first time has elapsed since the connection with the external device was established, the control means controls the system not to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device until a second time has elapsed since the transition to the state where the system is not connected to the external device. If the process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not started within the second time elapsed since the transition to the state where the system is not connected to the external device, the control means controls the system to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, connection processing can be properly completed for various devices with different connection establishment methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the transitions in the connection status of a wired LAN. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the processing procedure when connecting to an external device via the communication unit. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of the connection and disconnection process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples of means for realizing the present invention and may be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Furthermore, the embodiments can be combined as appropriate. The following description will focus on embodiments in which the communication device of the present invention is mounted on, for example, an imaging device such as a digital camera, but is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to information processing devices such as mobile phones, portable media players, so-called tablet devices, and personal computers.

[0012] First, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration and function of the imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in general terms. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the control unit 101 controls various parts of the digital camera 100 according to the input signals and the program described later. Alternatively, instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire device, multiple hardware components may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0013] The imaging unit 102 converts the subject light formed by the lens included in the imaging unit 102 into an electrical signal, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs the digital data as image data. The generated image data is stored in a buffer memory, then predetermined calculations are performed by the control unit 101, and it is recorded on the recording medium 107.

[0014] The non-volatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable and recordable non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like executed by the control unit 101, as described later. The working memory 104 is used as a buffer memory to temporarily hold image data generated by the imaging unit 102, as well as an image display memory for the display unit 106 and as a working area for the control unit 101.

[0015] The control unit 105 is used to receive instructions from the user for the digital camera 100. The control unit 105 includes, for example, a power button for the user to turn the digital camera 100 on or off, a shutter release switch for taking a picture, and a playback button for playing back image data. The touch panel formed on the display unit 106, which will be described later, is also included in the control unit 105.

[0016] The release switch has two switches, SW1 and SW2. When the release switch is half-pressed, SW1 turns ON. This allows the camera to receive instructions for preparing for shooting, such as AF (autofocus), AE (automatic exposure), AWB (auto white balance), and EF (flash pre-flash). When the release switch is fully pressed, SW2 turns ON. This allows the camera to receive instructions for taking a picture.

[0017] The display unit 106 displays the viewfinder image during shooting, displays captured image data, and displays text for interactive operation screens. Note that the display unit 106 does not necessarily need to be built into the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 can connect to an internal or external display unit 106 and only needs to have a display control function to control the display of the display unit 106.

[0018] The recording medium 107 can record the image data output from the imaging unit 102. The recording medium 107 may be configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100, or may be built into the digital camera 100. That is, the digital camera 100 only needs to have means for accessing at least the recording medium 107.

[0019] The communication unit 108 is a communication unit built into the main body of the digital camera 100. The control unit 101 realizes communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 108. The communication methods include wireless LAN and wired LAN. In this embodiment, an example of communication using a local area network will be described.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the connection state of the wired LAN in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, there are the following four states in the connection state. The OFF state 201 indicates the power-off state of the wired LAN. The NOLINK state 202 indicates a state where there is no link with the partner device. The AUTONEGO state 203 indicates a state where auto-negotiation with the partner device is in progress. In auto-negotiation, a process for selecting an optimal mode (communication condition) from among those available at a plurality of communication speeds, communication modes, etc. is performed between the partner devices. The RUNNING state 204 indicates a state where the auto-negotiation with the partner device has been completed.

[0021] When the power of the wired LAN is turned on in the OFF state 201, it transitions to the NOLINK state 202 where it is not connected to the peer device via the network. It does not transition from the NOLINK state 202 if it is not connected to the peer device with a wired LAN cable. On the other hand, when it is connected to the peer device with a wired LAN cable and starts auto - negotiation, it transitions from the NOLINK state 202 to the AUTONEGO state 203. During the auto - negotiation with the peer device, it remains in the AUTONEGO state 203, and when the auto - negotiation is completed, it transitions to the RUNNING state 204. However, if the link is disconnected during the auto - negotiation, it transitions from the AUTONEGO state 203 to the NOLINK state 202. The RUNNING state 204 is a state where the connection with the peer device is established, and data communication is possible in this state. However, if the link with the peer device is disconnected for some reason, it transitions from the RUNNING state 204 to the NOLINK state 202.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure when the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment connects to an external device via the communication unit 108. First, a menu screen is displayed on the display unit 106. In S301, in response to being operated by the user, the control unit 101 operates the communication unit 108 and starts the process for connecting to the external device. At this time, since the power of the communication unit 108 is turned on, the state of the communication unit 108 transitions from the OFF state 201 to the NOLINK state 202.

[0023] Then, in S302, the control unit 101 determines whether the state of the communication unit 108 transitioned from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 within the monitoring time. Here, the monitoring time from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 is denoted as t1, and the actual time from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 is denoted as t. If t ≤ t1, it is determined that the transition from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 occurred within the monitoring time. On the other hand, if t > t1, i.e., the transition from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 did not occur within the monitoring time, a timeout is determined. If the control unit 101 determines that the state of the communication unit 108 transitioned from NOLINK state 202 to AUTONEGO state 203 within the monitoring time, the process proceeds to S303. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that a timeout has occurred, the process proceeds to S307.

[0024] Next, in S303, the control unit 101 determines whether the state of the communication unit 108 transitioned from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 within the monitoring time. Here, the monitoring time from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 is denoted as t2, and the actual time from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 is denoted as t. If t ≤ t2, it is determined that the transition occurred from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 within the monitoring time. On the other hand, if t > t2, i.e., the transition did not occur from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 within the monitoring time, a timeout occurs. If the control unit 101 determines that the state of the communication unit 108 transitioned from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204 within the monitoring time, the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that a timeout has occurred, the control unit 101 returns the state of the communication unit 108 from the AUTONEGO state 203 to the NOLINK state 202 and returns the process to S302.

[0025] Next, in S304, the control unit 101 determines whether the state of the communication unit 108 transitioned from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 within the monitoring time. Here, the monitoring time from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 is denoted as t3, and the actual time from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 is denoted as t. If t > t3, it is determined that a timeout occurred and that the transition from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 did not occur within the monitoring time. On the other hand, if t ≤ t3, it is determined that the transition from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 occurred within the monitoring time. If the control unit 101 determines that the state of the communication unit 108 did not transition from RUNNING state 204 to NOLINK state 202 within the monitoring time, it proceeds to S305. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the state of the communication unit 108 has transitioned from the RUNNING state 204 to the NOLINK state 202 within the monitoring time, it returns to process S302.

[0026] Next, in S305, the control unit 101 determines that the connection process is complete, assuming that the state of the communication unit 108 has been maintained in the RUNNING state 204 for t3 or longer.

[0027] In S306, the control unit 101 determines whether the state of the communication unit 108 has transitioned from the RUNNING state 204 to the NOLINK state 202. If the control unit 101 determines that the state of the communication unit 108 has transitioned from the RUNNING state 204 to the NOLINK state 202, it proceeds to S307; otherwise, it remains in standby mode.

[0028] In S307, the control unit 101 considers communication impossible, performs a disconnection process, and terminates the process for establishing a connection.

[0029] Next, we will explain the connection and disconnection processes in the various patterns shown in Figure 4, referring to the processing steps in Figure 3.

[0030] The example shown in Figure 4(a) illustrates the processing flow from when the state of the communication unit 108 transitions from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204, and then to NOLINK state 202, until a disconnection is detected.

[0031] First, the control unit 101 starts the connection process, causing the communication unit 108 to enter the AUTONEGO state 401 (Yes in S302), and performs auto-negotiation with the external device. Once auto-negotiation is complete, it enters the RUNNING state 402 (Yes in S303). At this point, the control unit 101 sets a monitoring time t3 using the third monitoring process 403 and compares it with the actual time t from the RUNNING state 402 to the NOLINK state 404.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 4(a), since t ≤ t3 (No in S304), the control unit 101 starts the first monitoring process 405 after transitioning to the NOLINK state 404. Let t1 be the monitoring time at this time, and let t be the actual time until transitioning from the NOLINK state 404 to the AUTONEGO state. In the example shown in Figure 4(a), since t > t1 (No in S302), communication is considered impossible and the connection is disconnected 406 (S307).

[0033] The example shown in Figure 4(b) illustrates the process flow from the transition of the communication unit 108's state from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204, through which the RUNNING state 204 continues until the connection is completed.

[0034] First, the control unit 101 starts the connection process, causing the communication unit 108 to enter the AUTONEGO state 411 (Yes in S302), and performs auto-negotiation with the external device. Once auto-negotiation is complete, it enters the RUNNING state 412 (Yes in S303). At this point, the control unit 101 sets a monitoring time t3 using the third monitoring process 413 and compares it with the actual time t until the transition from the RUNNING state 412 to the NOLINK state. In the example in Figure 4(b), since t > t3 (Yes in S304), it does not transition to the NOLINK state and maintains the RUNNING state 412, and the control unit 101 considers the connection complete 414 (S305), and simultaneously starts the fourth monitoring process 415 (S306). Note that the fourth monitoring process has no upper limit set for the monitoring time and continues until the transition from the RUNNING state 422 to the NOLINK state 426.

[0035] The example shown in Figure 4(c) illustrates the process flow from when the state of the communication unit 108 transitions from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204, when the connection is completed while remaining in RUNNING state 204, until it transitions to NOLINK state 202 and a disconnection is detected.

[0036] First, the control unit 101 initiates the connection process, causing the communication unit 108 to enter the AUTONEGO state 421 (Yes in S302), and performs auto-negotiation with the external device. Once auto-negotiation is complete, the state becomes RUNNING state 422 (Yes in S303). At this point, the control unit 101 sets a monitoring time t3 using the third monitoring process 423 and compares it with the actual time t from RUNNING state 422 to NOLINK state.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 4(c), since t > t3 (Yes in S304), the connection does not transition to the NOLINK state and maintains the RUNNING state 422. The control unit 101 considers the connection complete 424 and simultaneously starts the fourth monitoring process 425. The fourth monitoring process has no upper limit set for monitoring time and detects the transition from the RUNNING state 422 to the NOLINK state 426. When it detects that the connection has transitioned to the NOLINK state 426 (Yes in S306), the control unit 101 considers communication impossible and disconnects (S307).

[0038] The example shown in Figure 4(d) illustrates a transition in the communication unit 108 from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204, and then to NOLINK state 202. This example shows the process flow until the connection is completed, with the unit then transitioning again from AUTONEGO state 203 to RUNNING state 204. Below, we will explain an example of connecting to a device that repeats auto-negotiation multiple times.

[0039] First, the control unit 101 starts the connection process, causing the communication unit 108 to enter the AUTONEGO state 431 (Yes in S302), and performs auto-negotiation with the external device. Once auto-negotiation is complete, it enters the RUNNING state 432 (Yes in S303). At this point, the control unit 101 sets a monitoring time t3 using the third monitoring process 433 and compares it with the actual time t from the RUNNING state 432 to the NOLINK state 434.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 4(d), since t ≤ t3 (No in S304), the control unit 101 starts the first monitoring process 435 after transitioning to the NOLINK state 434. Let the monitoring time at this time be t1, and let t be the actual time from the NOLINK state 434 to the AUTONEGO state 436. In the example shown in Figure 4(d), since t ≤ t1 (Yes in S302), the system transitions to the AUTONEGO state 436, and the control unit 101 starts the second monitoring process 437. Let the monitoring time at this time be t2, and let t be the elapsed time from the AUTONEGO state 436. Since t ≤ t2 (Yes in S303), the system transitions to the RUNNING state 438, and the control unit 101 starts the third monitoring process 439 again.

[0041] Similar to the third monitoring process 433, the third monitoring process 439 compares the monitoring time t3 with the actual time t from the RUNNING state 438 to the NOLINK state. In the example in Figure 4(d), since t > t3 (Yes in S304), the RUNNING state 438 is maintained without transitioning to the NOLINK state, the control unit 101 considers the connection complete 440, and simultaneously starts the fourth monitoring process 441.

[0042] As described above, this embodiment modifies the monitoring process according to the state of the communication unit 108. In particular, by performing the first monitoring process, the communication unit 108 can appropriately connect to devices that perform irregular operations, such as those that repeatedly execute sequences based on auto-negotiation. Furthermore, it becomes possible to immediately detect disconnection after the connection is deemed complete.

[0043] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the monitoring time t1 is a fixed value. However, when transitioning from S301 to S302, the monitoring time t1 used for the decision in S302 may be made longer. For example, in the first transition to the AUTONEGO state, if the control unit 101 determines in S302 that the transition occurred within a monitoring time t1' longer than t1, the process proceeds to S303. From the second time onward, if the control unit 101 determines in S302 that the transition occurred within the monitoring time t1, the process proceeds to S303.

[0044] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0045] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0046] (Composition 1) A communication device that connects to external devices via a network, A communication means for communicating with the aforementioned external device, A detection means for detecting a transition to a state where the connection with the external device is not established via the communication means, A control means that controls the process for establishing a connection with the external device to terminate when the detection means detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device after a first time has elapsed since the connection with the external device was established. A communication device characterized by having the following features.

[0047] (Configuration 2) The communication device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the communication means performs a process for selecting communication conditions with the external device, and establishes a connection with the external device after selecting the communication conditions.

[0048] (Composition 3) The communication device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the detection means detects a transition to a state where it is not connected to the external device before a first time has elapsed since the connection with the external device was established, the control means controls the system so as not to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device until a second time has elapsed since the transition to the state where it is not connected to the external device. (Composition 4) The communication device according to configuration 3, characterized in that if a process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not started within the second time elapsed after transitioning to a state where it is not connected to the external device, the control means controls the process for establishing a connection with the external device to terminate. (Composition 5) The communication device according to configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that, if the device is not connected to the external device and the first process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not initiated within a third time period longer than the second time, the control means controls the device to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device.

[0049] (Composition 6) The communication means is characterized by communicating with the external device via a local area network, as described in any of configurations 1 to 5.

[0050] (method) A method for controlling a communication device that connects to an external device via a network, A communication process for communicating with the aforementioned external device, A detection step is performed to detect a transition to a state where the connection with the external device is not established through the communication step, A control step that controls the process to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device if, after a first time has elapsed since the establishment of a connection with the external device, the detection step detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device, A method for controlling a communication device, characterized by having the following features. (program) A program to cause a computer to function as one of the means of communication devices described in any of configurations 1 to 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 101 Control unit, 108 Communication unit

Claims

1. A communication device that connects to external devices via a network, A communication means for communicating with the aforementioned external device, A detection means for detecting a transition to a state where the connection with the external device is not established via the communication means, A control means that, when the detection means detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device after a first time has elapsed since the connection to the external device was established, executes a disconnection process and controls the process for establishing a connection to the external device to terminate. It has, If the detection means detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device before a first time has elapsed since the connection with the external device was established, the control means controls the process of establishing a connection with the external device not to terminate until a second time has elapsed since the transition to the state where the device is not connected to the external device. A communication device characterized in that, if a process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not started within the second time elapsed after transitioning to a state where it is not connected to the external device, the control means controls the process for establishing a connection with the external device to terminate.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means performs a process for selecting communication conditions with the external device, and establishes a connection with the external device after selecting the communication conditions.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the device is not connected to the external device and the first process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not initiated within a third time period longer than the second time, the control means controls the device to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device.

4. The communication means is characterized by communicating with the external device via a local area network, as described in claim 1.

5. A method for controlling a communication device that connects to an external device via a network, A communication process for communicating with the aforementioned external device, A detection step is performed to detect a transition to a state where the connection with the external device is not established through the communication step, A control step that, if a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device is detected in the detection step after a first time has elapsed since the connection to the external device was established, executes a disconnection process and controls the process to terminate the process for establishing a connection to the external device. It has, If the detection step detects a transition to a state where the device is not connected to the external device before a first time has elapsed since the connection to the external device was established, the control step controls the process of establishing a connection to the external device not to terminate until a second time has elapsed since the transition to the state where the device is not connected to the external device. A control method for a communication device, characterized in that, if a process for selecting communication conditions with the external device is not started within the second time elapsed after transitioning to a state where the device is not connected to the external device, the control step controls the device to terminate the process for establishing a connection with the external device.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in claim 1.

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