Electronic apparatus and communication control method

Wireless communication electronic equipment and communication control method

The present invention relates to an electronic device, which searches for a connected device through a wireless communication line, wirelessly connects the searched device, and transmits and receives data; and a communication control method for such an electronic device, especially regarding, suitable for use Electronic equipment and communication control methods in the case of Bluetooth and other short-range wireless communication line communication.

In recent years, Bluetooth has attracted attention as a standard for short-range wireless data communication. For Bluetooth, the corresponding wireless module has been miniaturized and lowered in price. Because of its low power consumption, it is easy to install in mobile devices such as digital cameras or mobile phones, or PCs (personal computers) between these devices. Data such as images or sounds can be easily sent and received wirelessly between other information equipment. For example, the image data captured by a digital camera is directly sent to a printer without a PC or recording medium, and it is proposed to print the image.

In the case of using Bluetooth to connect a certain machine to another machine, for file sending, etc., when connecting to the machine (host), first, you need to specify the opponent machine (slave) you want to connect to. Especially, in the case of initial connection, searching for Bluetooth devices that exist around it is a general procedure to connect to the slave devices of the selected purpose found by the search.

For such a search on the connected end machine, the target slave machine may not be found initially. Setting the number of search machines to about 5~10 is the previous general method. However, with such conditions, a situation where a plurality of slave machines are found, among which, for example, the slave machine that needs to be input by the user to select the purpose may deteriorate the user's sense of use.

In this regard, recently, by reducing the infinite power of the wireless module during search to lower than usual, narrowing the searchable physical range, by approaching the master machine to the slave machine, and searching for the technology that the slave machine is connected to be considered. With such a technology, as a result, the probability of connecting the slave machine for the purpose of connection is increased at an earlier stage, so the user can realize the intuitive connection action.

In addition, search for multiple machines, such as whether they correspond to the application used, or filter these machines based on machine categories, and automatically connect the slave machines deemed to correspond to them, or only display the list of slave machines deemed to correspond to the method for the user to choose Also considered.

Furthermore, the device address of the searched opponent machine is registered, and when the device address is used to migrate to the connection operation, the burden on the user's operation or the cost of the device are reduced. As such a wireless transmission device, there is a log-in switch. When the log-in switch is pressed, the slave machine will be searched. When the machine is found, the device position of the slave machine will be obtained, and then it will be judged whether the log-in switch has been pressed. When it is pressed, it is judged as the registration approval, the device address obtained by the slave side machine is stored in the memory, and the wireless transmission device completes the registration action (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[Patent Document 1] JP 2003-037603 A (paragraph numbers [0027] ~ [0031], Figure 2)

However, for the purpose of connecting the slave machine in a short time and there is no other Bluetooth machine around the machine, just set the number of machines to be searched to one. However, in reality, for example, in the vicinity of the printer, there is a wireless mouse for PC, and the possibility of multiple Bluetooth devices being in close proximity is not low. This is, as described above, even if the wireless power of the wireless module during search is reduced to lower than usual. Therefore, for example, when connecting to other slave machines that are found, and then searching for the same slave machine again, it takes time to connect correctly, which may deteriorate the user's sense of operation.

In addition, if the number of machines to be searched is 2 or more, it may also happen that plural slave machines are found, and the user selects and operates incorrectly to connect to other machines, or only searches for slave machines other than the target. The user wants The possibility of choosing from among them and spending extra time and other situations.

Furthermore, the searched machines are filtered according to the corresponding application or machine category, and there are still multiple slave machines remaining as selection objects after filtering. The situation where the user has difficulty in selecting has not changed. In this way, it is not easy to connect the slave machine to the purpose in a short time and reliably, and to enhance the user's sense of operation.

The present invention is made in view of such problems, and aims to provide an electronic device that enhances the user's sense of operation when connecting a desired slave device by wireless communication.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a communication control method that can enhance the user's sense of operation while wirelessly connecting to a desired slave device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides an electronic device that searches for a device connected to the terminal through a wireless communication line, and transmits and receives signals from the device that is wirelessly connected to the searched device. The device is characterized by: The aforementioned wireless communication line sends and receives signals; the communication control means, which controls the communication process by the aforementioned wireless communication means; the attribute information memory means, which memorizes the attribute information of the machine as the connection terminal in advance, and the aforementioned communication control means determines the machine to be searched In the case of sending a consultation signal, the aforementioned attribute information of the machine responding to the aforementioned consultation signal is obtained from the reception information of the aforementioned responding machine, and the aforementioned attribute information stored in the aforementioned attribute information memory means is compared, and the situation is checked. Establish the aforementioned connection with the aforementioned responding machine. In the case of inconsistency, and if there is no responding machine, increase the number of search machines and send the aforementioned advisory signal.

Here, the wireless communication means is to send and receive numbers through the wireless communication line, and the communication program is controlled by the communication control means. In addition, in the attribute information memory means, the attribute information of the machine as the connection terminal is memorized before the connection of the machine. The communication control method is based on the wireless communication method, which determines the number of machines to be searched to send advisory signals. Then, the attribute information about the machine responding to the inquiry signal is obtained from the receiving information of the responding machine at this time, and the attribute information memorized in the aforementioned attribute information memory means is compared to determine the possibility of the desired machine High or no. Here, the comparison of the information and the verification of the same situation will enable the wireless communication means to establish a connection with the aforementioned responding machine. In addition, in the case of inconsistency and the situation where the machine does not respond to the consultation signal, increase the number of search machines to make it easier to search for the state of the desired machine, so that the wireless communication means sends the consultation signal again.

In addition, in the above-mentioned electronic device, when the first consultation signal is sent, it is preferable to further provide a sending power control means to make the sending power lower than that after the connection is established.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned electronic machine is further equipped with an identification information memorizing means to memorize the identification information of the machine in response to the inquiry signal. When it comes to the attribute information of the machine in response to the first inquiry signal, and the attribute memorized in the attribute information memorizing means Information, check the inconsistency, store the identification information of the machine in the identification information memory means, perform the re-sending of the consulting signal, and the machine that responds after the re-sending, the identification information and memory in the identification information memory The receiving information of the machine with inconsistent means of information obtains the attribute information. When the obtained attribute information is consistent with the information stored in the attribute information memory means, it is better to establish the connection with the machine to form the communication control means. .

In addition, in the present invention, a communication control method is provided, which is to search for a connected device through a wireless communication line, and wirelessly connect the searched device to send and receive signals, which is characterized in that the attribute information of the connected device is memorized in advance , Determine the number of machines to search and send a consultation signal on the aforementioned wireless communication line, and compare the aforementioned attribute information about the machine that responded to the aforementioned consultation signal from the reception information of the aforementioned responding machine, and compare it with the aforementioned attribute information stored in advance If the situation is checked for consistency, the aforementioned connection connection with the aforementioned responding machine will be established. If the situation is inconsistent, and if there is no responding machine, the number of searches will be increased and the aforementioned advisory signal will be sent.

In such a communication control method, the number of machines to be searched is determined to send a consultation signal, and the attribute information of the responding machine is obtained from the receiving information of the aforementioned responding machine, and compared with the attribute information memorized in advance to determine that it is expected The possibility of the machine is high or not. Here, if the compared information is checked and the situation is consistent, the connection with the machine is established. In addition, in the case of inconsistency, and the situation where the machine does not respond to the inquiry signal, increase the number of search machines to make it easier to search for the state of the desired machine, and then send the inquiry signal.

Also, when sending the first consultation signal, it is better to make the sending power lower than after the connection is established.

Furthermore, when the attribute information of the machine responding to the first consultation signal is inconsistent with the previously memorized attribute information check, the identification information of the machine will be memorized, and the consultation signal will be sent again, and the response will be responded after the letter is sent again. Among the machines, the attribute information is obtained from the receiving information of the machine whose identification information is inconsistent with the information stored in the memory. When the obtained attribute information is matched with the previously memorized attribute information, the connection with the machine is established. Line is better.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is suitable for machines that perform wireless communication at relatively short distances. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that a Bluetooth wireless communication system is used as such a wireless communication standard. The wireless communication system is, as shown in FIG. 1, including a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a DSC) 1 and a printer 2. DSC1 records the captured still images on a recording medium with digital image information, and transmits the recorded image information wirelessly via Bluetooth. The printer 2 prints out the image data on a specific paper based on the wirelessly received image data.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image data recorded on the recording medium will be sent to the printer 2 by shooting on the DSC1. However, in an actual wireless communication system, although it is not shown in the figure, there may be devices that can perform wireless communication in a Bluetooth mode around these devices. In this embodiment, as such a device, for example, there may be a wireless communication mouse, a PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. In the present invention, in such a case, the DSC1 acting as the master device uses the printer 2 as a slave device to communicate wirelessly, preventing misconnection with other devices, and improving the user operability of the DSC1.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of DSC1.

As shown in Figure 2, the DSC1 series is equipped with: a camera block 11 serving as a shooting function; a signal processing LSI12 for analog-digital conversion or data format conversion processing of image signals for shooting; a temporary storage of image data, etc. Memory 13 composed of VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), etc.; R/W (Reader/Writer) 14 for writing and reading memory card 14a of removable semiconductor memory The monitor 15 for image display; the input unit 16 for user operation input; and the control microcomputer 17 of the entire control device, which are respectively connected by a bus. In addition, the control microcomputer 17 is connected with a Bluetooth module 18 for wireless communication with external devices.

The camera block 11 is composed of photographic elements such as an optical system or an aperture of a lens through which light enters the object, a shutter, and a CCD (Charge Couple Device) that photoelectrically converts the incident light.

The signal processing LSI12 system performs conversion processing from the output signal of the camera element to a digital signal, or noise removal processing or pixel correction processing, to brightness. Color difference signal conversion processing, symbolization processing into specific data formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) specifications. In addition, the image data read from the memory 14a is decoded or data formatted, resolution, etc. are transformed.

Memory 13 series, stored in the image shooting. Play actions, and various application software or necessary data for wireless communication. In addition, during the execution of these processes, the image data is temporarily memorized.

The R/W14 system converts the signal processing LSI 12 into image data in a specific data format and writes it to the installed memory card 14a. In addition, the image data recorded on the memory card 14a is read and sent to the control microcomputer 17 or the signal processing LSI 12.

The monitor 15 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and displays the image taken in the photograph block 11. In addition to the so-called camera view image, it can also display the image read by the memory card 14a. picture.

The input unit 16 is composed of, for example, a shutter button for operating the shutter operation of the photographing block 11, or a selector switch for selecting an action mode, etc., and outputs an input signal corresponding to the instruction operated by the user to the control microcomputer 17.

The control microcomputer 17 is a control processing unit that controls each circuit block of the DSC1, and executes the application program stored in the memory 13 as needed, and controls each circuit block according to the instruction input signal from the input unit 16.

The Bluetooth module 18 is, for example, an antenna and RF (Radio Frequency) transceiver for signal transmission and reception in a frequency hopping type spectrum diffusion method, or a processor that performs basic frequency processing, performs and controls the microcomputer 17 interface processing, etc. It is configured to wirelessly communicate with external devices such as the printer 2 in accordance with the communication program controlled by the control microcomputer 17.

In such a DSC1, under the control of the control microcomputer 17, the image signal taken in the camera block 11 is displayed on the monitor 15 through the signal processing LSI12. In addition, with the instruction input signal from the input unit 16, when the shutter of the photographing block 11 is pressed, the photographed image signal is converted into digital data in a specific data format by the signal processing LSI 12 and sent to R/W 14. Recorded on the memory card 14a. Furthermore, reading the image data recorded on the memory card 14a is combined with the signal processing LSI12, the generated image can be displayed outside the monitor 15, and the read image data can be transmitted through the Bluetooth module. Group 18, wireless transmission to external devices headed by printer 2.

Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the Bluetooth module 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the Bluetooth module 18 includes a baseband circuit 181, an RF transceiver circuit 182, a control unit 183, and an RF transmitter 184.

The baseband circuit 181, for example, is equipped with a memory that controls the microcomputer 17 or temporarily stores data received by the RF transceiver circuit 182, or is a signal processing circuit that controls the physical (RF) layer, etc., under the control of the control unit 183 The data of the control microcomputer 17 provides communication connection, or packet re-sending, error correction and other processing.

The RF transceiver circuit 182 has a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit for wireless communication. Specifically, it has, for example, a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) 182a, a low-pass filter 182b, an IQ modulator 182c, a transmitting amplifier 182d, an RF switching circuit 182e, a receiving amplifier 182f, an IQ demodulator 182g, and Filter 182h, frequency discriminator 182i, FM demodulator 182j, ADC (analog-digital converter) 182k, antenna 1821.

The signal supplied by the baseband circuit 181 is converted into an analog signal by the DAC 182a, the high frequency component is removed by the low-pass filter 182b, and then modulated by the IQ modulator 182c. The IQ modulator 182 uses the reference wave of the RF oscillator 184 as a base to perform spectrum diffusion in a frequency hopping manner. The modulated signal is amplified by the transmitting amplifier 182d, supplied to the antenna 1821 via the RF switch circuit 182e, and transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the amplification rate of the transmitting amplifier 182d is controlled by the control signal of the control unit 183.

On the other hand, the signal received by the antenna 1821 is supplied to the receiving amplifier 182f via the RF switch circuit 182e, amplified, and demodulated by the IQ demodulator 182g based on the reference wave of the RF oscillator 184. Furthermore, after the band filter 182h limits the frequency band, it is down-converted to the intermediate frequency by the FM demodulator 182j or ADC 182k via the frequency discriminator 182i, and supplied to the base frequency circuit 181.

The control unit 183 controls each block in the Bluetooth module 18 according to the information input by the baseband circuit 181 of the control microcomputer 17. Here, in response to the control signal from the control microcomputer 17, the control unit 183 can reduce the amplification rate of the transmission amplifier 182d to be lower than that after the communication connection is established, so that the transmission power is small when inquiring and sending messages to the slave device. In addition, the transmission power may be controlled in a gradient.

The RF oscillator 184 is equipped with an oscillator or PLL (Phase Locked Loop), and is controlled by the control unit 183 to supply the frequency hopping reference wave to the IQ modulator 182c and the IQ demodulator 182g.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the printer 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 2 is equipped with a Bluetooth module 21 having the same functions as the Bluetooth module 18 of the DSC2 shown in FIG. Memory 23 for memory, etc., signal processing LSI 24 for composite processing of received image data, etc., printing module 25 for printing images on printing paper, display unit 26 for displaying operating status, input unit for manual operation by the user 27 constituted.

The Bluetooth module 21, under the control of the control microcomputer 22, can communicate wirelessly with external devices headed by the DSC1. In the control microcomputer 22, the control processing unit that controls each circuit block of the printer 2 executes the application program in the memory 23 as necessary, based on the instruction input signal from the input unit 16, or via the Bluetooth module 21 The received information controls each circuit block.

The memory 23 is composed of ROM, RAM, etc., and stores application programs or data such as printing operations or wireless communication. In addition, the data is temporarily stored when the image data is received or printed. The signal processing LSI 24 performs composite processing or resolution conversion processing of the received image data.

The printing module 25 is composed of a paper insertion part, a paper feeding mechanism, a printing mechanism, etc., and prints an image on the set printing paper according to the input image data. The display unit 26 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), etc., and displays the operation status or operation mode of the printer 2 such as the printing operation or the data receiving operation. The input unit 27 is composed of a button switch operated by the user, etc., and can set the paper feeding or operation mode.

In such a printer 2, under the control of the control microcomputer 22, the Bluetooth module 21 communicates wirelessly with external devices such as DSC1, etc., to receive image data. The received image data is processed by the signal processing LSI 24 for composite processing, and then output to the printing module 25 for printing.

However, in Bluetooth, the master machine is a slave machine for the connection purpose, and the master machine needs to broadcast consultation information on the wireless communication line to find the machine that responds to it. However, if there are multiple bluetooth machines around the main machine, the response of these machines will result in the need to select the destination machine.

Here, the bluetooth signal transmission range is about 10m, but by reducing the power when the consultation information is sent, the information reaching range is narrowed. As a result, only the slave machine close to the master machine responds, and the purpose can be easily found. machine. For example, when either the master machine or the slave machine at the connection end is a mobile machine, when connecting, the mobile machine can be displayed close to the opponent's machine, and the user can realize the intuitive connection action at the same time. Connect the destination machine more reliably.

However, with the increase of Bluetooth devices, even if the sending power is reduced, the sending response information does not necessarily exist in the target slave machine within the reach of the signal. It is still possible to receive and respond from multiple slave machines in the above method. .

In this regard, when searching for machines, try to reduce the number of machines searched by the main machine to limit the machines that respond. However, if there are multiple slave machines in the signal arrival range, the machines that responded at an earlier stage may not contain the destination machine, which cannot prevent incorrect connection.

For this reason, filter based on the information of the responding machine, and automatically determine whether the responding machine is the target, or which one of the plural responding machines is the target. By using such filtering, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user needs to make a selection operation from the responding machine.

In the case of Bluetooth, the above-mentioned consultation process is defined by dividing the consultation frequency hopping series into two carriers, and the consultation for each carrier is repeated at least 256 times in a 10 ms cycle. Therefore, the consultation status of each carrier lasts for 2.56 seconds, and it takes about 10 seconds or longer to establish a connection. Therefore, after the connection is established, filtering is performed to determine whether the connection is incorrect, which will greatly damage the user's sense of operation.

On the other hand, in response to the inquiry information, the master machine informs the device address of the slave machine. In addition, at this time, the master machine can obtain information about the service type or device type and machine name corresponding to the slave machine in response to the slave machine request. Therefore, in the present invention, by filtering based on the information obtained before the connection is established, the connection can be made in a short time without the user's selection operation, and the probability of misconnection can be reduced as much as possible, and the connection time can be substantially increased. The operability.

In the following, assuming that the image data recorded on the memory card 14a of the DSC1 is wirelessly transmitted to the printer 2, the communication program is implemented by the wireless connection of the control microcomputer 17 of the DSC1, and three control examples are given.

[First control example]

First, as a first control example, a case where the number of search machines is set to one in the initial state will be explained. In this control example, filter the first machine searched, and move to the connection action for the case of the corresponding machine. If there is no corresponding case, increase the number of search machines and search again. In addition, among the machines that responded to the search again, the machines that responded to the first search are removed, and the remaining machines are filtered to reduce the chance of misconnection.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the first control example during wireless connection.

In step S501, in response to the user's operation, the application program for transmitting the image is activated. At this time, as an initial setting, it is decided to use the information of the application. Here, filter is performed according to the service type of the machine responding to the inquiry, and all the service types corresponding to the image transmission are set in the memory 13. Also, the number of search machines is set to one.

In step S502, a control command is issued by reducing the amplification rate of the transmission amplifier 182d of the Bluetooth module 18, so that the transmission power will be lower than usual. Then, the inquiry information is sent to the Bluetooth module 18, and the machine search is performed.

In step S503, the response information to the inquiry is obtained by the Bluetooth module 18. Then, if there is one device responding to the inquiry, proceed to step S504, and if there is no responding device, proceed to step S507.

In step S504, the information of the corresponding application of the response machine is obtained and compared with the information of the utilization application determined in step S501. Specifically, compare service categories.

In step S505, from the comparison result, if the responding machine is a machine corresponding to the target application (in this case, a machine with a corresponding image transmission service category), go to step S512, and go to step S506 if there is no correspondence.

In step S506, the identification information about the responding machine is temporarily stored in the memory 13. In this case, for example, the device address obtained during response is stored.

In step S507, the amplification rate of the transmitting amplifier 182d of the Bluetooth module 18 is increased to increase the transmitting power compared to the first search. Then, set the number of search machines to 2, send an inquiry message, and perform the search.

In step S508, if there is more than one responding machine, go to step S509, and if there is no responding machine, go to S513.

In step S509, from the responding machines, the machine with the same address as the device address stored in step S506 is removed. Here, by using the unique device address of the Bluetooth module of the machine as the comparison object, the machine that is judged as uncorresponding in the first search response is definitely eliminated, and the connection can be avoided.

In step S510, the information (here, the service category) about the remaining machines compared in step S509 is compared with the information of the previously determined utilization application.

In step S511, if there is more than one image transmission machine, go to step S512, if not, go to step S513.

In step S512, it is determined that the machine corresponding to the image transmission is found. Here, when it is determined in step S505 that it is the corresponding machine, and when there is only one machine corresponding to step S511, for example, when the device name of the machine is displayed on the monitor 15 and the user confirms that it is the target machine for input operation To establish a connection. Also, it may be automatically established without user's operation. In this way, the image data is transmitted. On the other hand, when there are two devices corresponding to step S511, for example, the device names of these devices are displayed on the monitor 15 and the connection is established for the device selected by the user's operation.

In step S513, it is determined that the corresponding machine is not found, for example, the user is notified by displaying this on the monitor 15.

Furthermore, the slave machine side (for example, printer 2), in the consultation scan state, waits for consultation information from other Bluetooth machines, and when receiving information, it sends the response information to the master machine and shifts to the slave response state. In the slave response state, in response to the request from the master, the device address or service type, device type, device name and other information are sent to the master. Then, if the host sends a confirmation packet, it will transition to the connected state. If the packet is not received within a certain period of time, it will return to the consultation scan state.

In the process of the above process, if the first search in step S502 receives a response from the slave machine (here, printer 2) corresponding to the application used, the connection can be established in a short time.

In addition, in the first search, when a non-target slave machine (such as a wireless communication mouse) responds, the second search in step S507 is automatically executed again by comparing and using the filter of the application to avoid misconnection. Here, if the same machine is still found in the second search, it will be judged that the corresponding machine has not been found, which can avoid the wrong connection and prevent the need for the user to cut off the wrong connection.

In addition, in the second search, the search range was expanded, and by increasing the number of search machines, the probability of finding the target's subordinate machine was increased. This will generate the possibility of two machine responses, but the machine found in the first search is removed by the processing of step S509, and other machines are filtered. Then, determine the situation of the corresponding machine and notify the user. In other words, in the case of two devices responding, the user will only be notified to the one device that has a high probability of finding the target, and the user can continue to operate continuously without confusion.

In addition, in the case where no search was found in the first search, but two were found in the second search, by comparing the use of applications, the machine with a high probability of being the target was selected. In addition, since the number of search machines in the second search is set to 2, it can avoid finding many machines and making it difficult for users to choose.

As described above, if the number of searched machines in the initial search is regarded as one, the probability of finding the target slave machine at the end of the above processing will increase, and the connection can be established in a short time. At the same time, in the case of a machine whose purpose is not found, this will be notified before the connection is established. Therefore, the user can quickly perform operations such as changing the location of the master machine or the slave machine and then search, which can reduce the operating pressure .

[Second control example]

Next, explain the situation where the number of machines to be searched in the initial state is set to 2. In the second control example, although the number of search machines is two, but only one response, the possibility of using the machine as the purpose machine is high. That is, by searching for situations where there is only 1 response, the machine is unconditionally judged as the corresponding machine, and the situations with 2 responses are filtered to determine the corresponding machine.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of control during wireless connection.

In step S601, the application program for transmitting images is activated, the information of the application (here, the service type) is determined to be used, and the number of search machines is set to 2 at the same time.

In step S602, the sending power is reduced, the consultation information is sent to the Bluetooth module 18, and the machine search is executed.

In step S603, if there is 1 device responding to the inquiry, proceed to step S612, and if there are 2 devices, proceed to S604. Also, in the case of a machine that does not respond, go to step S607.

In step S604, obtain the corresponding application information (in this service category) of the responding machine, and compare it with the previously determined utilization application.

In step S605, from the comparison result, if the responding machine is a machine of the corresponding application, go to step S612, and go to step S606 if there is no corresponding machine.

In step S606, the information (device addresses) of all the responding machines is temporarily stored in the memory 13.

In step S607, the sending power is increased compared to the first search, the number of search machines is set to 3, the consultation information is sent, and the search is executed.

In step S608, the device address of the machine that will respond is searched, and the device address stored in step S606 is compared to remove duplicate machines.

In step S609, if the number of machines remaining after removing the duplicate machines is one, go to step S612, and go to step S610 when there are two machines. Also, if there are no remaining devices, the process proceeds to step S613.

In step S610, the information about the remaining two machines is compared with the previously determined utilization application information.

In step S611, if there is more than one device corresponding to the image transmission, go to step S612, if not, go to step S613.

In step S612, the image transfer is determined to find the corresponding machine of the transmission. Here, if it is determined in steps S603 and S609 to correspond, and if there is one device corresponding to step S611, for example, the device name of the device is notified to the user, and the connection is automatically established in response to the user's input operation. Connect. In addition, in the case where there are two devices corresponding to step 6511, for example, the device names of these devices are displayed on the monitor 15 and the connection is established to the device selected by the user's operation.

In step S613, it is determined that the corresponding machine is not found, for example, the user is notified by displaying this on the monitor 15.

In the above processing, the machine is judged as the corresponding machine based on the situation that only one slave machine responds in the first search. When the number of search machines is plural, only one machine responds. Since the machine is the target machine, it is highly possible to connect with the target machine in a short time. In the second search, the number of search machines is plural. After removing the duplicate machines, the number of search machines remaining becomes 2 pieces. Therefore, if the number of response machines left at this time is 1 piece, the machine is judged as the corresponding machine. The possibility of a machine as a purpose machine is high.

In addition, the response of multiple machines is filtered based on the type of service to increase the probability of finding the target machine. Here, if a plurality of machines with the same service category are found in the above processing, it is possible to notify the user. Also, although they are of the same service category, there is a possibility of discovering non-purpose machines. However, in the first search with a limited search range, try to reduce the number of search machines (ie 2), and do not increase randomly in the second search. The possibility of avoiding such a situation becomes higher. Therefore, it is found that more than two machines require user's choice and operation, or the possibility of connecting non-purpose machines is practically extremely small, which can reduce the user's operating pressure.

[3rd control example]

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a third control example during wireless connection.

In the flow chart of FIG. 7, which is different from the situation of FIG. 6, according to the judgment of step S703, in the case of receiving more than one response, a comparison based on the application of step S704 must be performed to determine the corresponding machine. In addition, the second search is the same. In the case of receiving more than one response in step S708, after removing the duplicated devices in step S709, the remaining devices must be compared based on the application. That is, in the third control example, all responding machines are filtered to increase the probability of finding the target machine. Also, as in the second control example, by limiting the number of search machines as much as possible, it prevents most machines from responding and confuses the user when selecting a connection terminal.

Furthermore, in the above example, the filter utilization service category of the responding machine can also use other types, such as device category and device name. In addition, the combined use of such information can further increase the probability of discovering the target slave machine.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it is explained that the present invention is applied to a DSC that performs wireless communication with a printer device, but the present invention can also be applied to other devices. For example, it can be applied to other photography devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, remote control devices, still image playback devices and image recording playback devices, PCs, printing devices, etc. Here, it is preferable that at least one of the master machine to which the present invention is applied and the slave machine that becomes the connection end is a portable small machine. In this way, the power of sending a consultation letter from the main machine can be low, and by wirelessly connecting the machine on one side close to the machine on the other side, it can give the user a natural sense of operation.

For example, using a camera as a host device to wirelessly connect a mobile phone, and using the mobile phone as an access point to a wide area network such as the Internet, is suitable for situations where the camera device transmits and receives data to and from the wide area network. In addition, it is applicable to situations where a mobile phone or a dedicated remote control device is used as the main machine, and the camera device or camera device is connected wirelessly to operate the device remotely. In addition, it is also suitable for using PC as a main machine, wireless communication mouse or detachable external memory device, etc., close to PC identification, wireless connection, input operation to PC or exchange of memory data with external memory device situation.

In the electronic device of the present invention, when the desired device is found in the first consultation, the attribute information is compared to determine whether to connect, and the probability of connecting the desired device to the desired device in a short time and correctly is improved. In addition, when the desired machine is not found in the first consultation, or when there is no response to the machine, increase the number of machines to be searched. Since the desired machine is easier to search for for re-consultation, there is no need for the user to operate , You can continue to search for the desired machine. Therefore, the desired device can be connected more accurately and in a short time, and the user's sense of operation to the connection can be improved.

For another example, when sending the first search signal, by further setting the sending power control method to be lower than that after the connection is established, the probability of finding the desired machine in the first consultation can be improved. .

Furthermore, for example, there is an identification information memory method that memorizes the identification information of the machine that recognizes and responds to the inquiry signal. When the attribute information of the machine in response to the first inquiry signal is checked against the attribute information stored in the attribute information memory means, it is inconsistent. In the case, the identification information of the machine is memorized in the identification information memory means, and the re-sending of the consulting signal is executed. In the machine that responds after the letter is sent, the identification information is inconsistent with the information memorized in the identification information memory means The machines receiving information obtains the attribute information, and when the obtained attribute information is consistent with the information stored in the attribute information memory means,

By establishing a connection with the corresponding machine to form a communication control method, it reduces the number of unintended machines in the second search, and the user is forced to select from the searched machines, which can be improved even higher. A sense of operation.

Moreover, in the communication control method of the present invention, when the desired device is found in the first consultation, by comparing the attribute information to determine whether to connect, the probability of correctly connecting the desired device in a short time can be improved. In addition, in the case of searching for unintended machines or machines with no response in the first consultation, increase the number of machines to be searched. Since re-consultation is carried out in a state that is easier to search, no user operation is required, and the search can be continued. The desired machine. Therefore, the desired device can be connected more accurately and in a short time, and the user's sense of operation to the connection can be improved.

For another example, when sending the first search signal, by making the sending power lower than that after the connection is established, the probability of finding the desired machine in the first consultation can be improved.

For another example, when the attribute information of the machine responding to the first consultation signal is inconsistent with the previously memorized attribute information check, the identification information of the machine will be memorized, the consultation signal will be sent again, and the response will be responded after the re-sent Among the machines, the attribute information is obtained from the receiving information of the machine whose identification information is inconsistent with the information stored in the memory. When the obtained attribute information is consistent with the previously memorized attribute information, it is established to be consistent with that machine The connection connection reduces the number of unintended machines found in the second search. The user is forced to select from the searched machines, which can further improve the sense of operation.

<p>1DSC</p><p>2Printer</p><p>11Camera block</p><p>12Signal processing LSI</p><p>13Memory</p><p>14R/W</p><p>14aMemory Card</p><p>15Monitor</p><p>16Input part</p><p>17Control Microcomputer</p><p>18Bluetooth Module</p><p>21Bluetooth Module</p><p>22Control Microcomputer</p><p>23Memory</p><p>24Signal processing LSI</p><p>25Printing Module</p><p>26Display</p><p>27Input part</p><p>181Baseband circuit</p><p>182RF transceiver circuit</p><p>182aDAC (digital-analog converter)</p><p>182bLow Pass Filter</p><p>182cIQ modulator</p><p>182dSending Amplifier</p><p>182eRF switch circuit</p><p>182fReceiving amplifier</p><p>182gIQ demodulator</p><p>182hWith filter</p><p>182iFrequency Discriminator</p><p>182jFM demodulator</p><p>182kADC (analog-digital converter)</p><p>1821antenna</p><p>183Control Department</p><p>184RF Oscillator</p>

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of a DSC.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the Bluetooth module.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the printer.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the first control example during wireless connection.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of control during wireless connection.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a third control example during wireless connection.