JP7304982B2 - Communication device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly to a communication device that performs wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11n standard, for example.

In recent years, wireless LANs conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard have been widely used. In a wireless LAN, base stations called access points (hereafter AP) constitute a network called BSS (Basic Service Set), and stations (hereafter STAs) connect to this network for communication. Recently, devices conforming to the IEEE802.11n standard, which aims to increase the speed of wireless LANs, have been widely used.

The IEEE 802.11n standard supports a mode of operation with a channel width of 20 MHz (hereinafter referred to as 20 MHz mode), which is the same as before, and an optional mode of operation with a channel width of 40 MHz (hereinafter referred to as 40 MHz mode). By using a channel width of 40 MHz, it is possible to communicate with approximately double the throughput, but since radio channels overlap in the 2.4 GHz band, interference is likely to occur due to the influence of the surrounding BSS. Also, in communication with a channel width of 40 MHz, a wireless device that does not conform to the IEEE802.11n standard cannot detect a carrier, and frame collision may occur frequently.

Therefore, the IEEE802.11n standard defines OBSS (Overlapping Basic Service Set) scanning. An OBSS scan is as follows.

A STA operating in 40 MHz mode periodically scans the surrounding network (BSS). If the scanning detects a BSS that does not support the IEEE802.11n standard or does not allow the 40 MHz mode, it sends a report to the connected AP. Upon receiving the report, the AP stops operating in 40MHz mode and switches to a wireless network that only supports 20MHz mode. OBSS scanning has been implemented with STAs operating in 40 MHz mode in the 2.4 GHz band.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for preventing degradation of communication quality due to channel switching by OBSS scanning.

JP 2016-149648 A

However, some communication devices capable of executing the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode in parallel implement the STA function and the AP function with one wireless chip and one antenna for cost reduction. In this case, since it is not possible to wait for a plurality of channels at the same time, it is necessary to use the same frequency band channel and channel width in the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode.

In addition, since the AP function installed in the communication device is a simple AP realized by software, there are restrictions in terms of function and performance compared to general AP-dedicated equipment. Specifically, there is no function for automatically searching for and using an empty channel, there is no function for dynamically switching the channel width, and the like. In such cases, the AP-side functionality of OBSS scanning cannot be supported.

On the other hand, the size of image data handled by mobile terminals represented by smartphones is increasing. Therefore, when data of an image captured by a mobile terminal is transferred via a wireless LAN and printed by an MFP, faster communication is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of communication quality by selecting an appropriate channel width according to communication mode settings. and

In order to achieve the above objects, the communication apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the communication apparatus is capable of executing a first mode of performing wireless communication via an external base station and a second mode of performing wireless communication with a communication partner apparatus without using the external base station. and if the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled, the external base from a plurality of channel widths including at least a first channel width and a second channel width. setting a channel width specified based on station settings as a channel width for wireless communication, and wireless communication when the first mode is disabled and the second mode is enabled; When the first channel width is set without setting the second channel width as the channel width of, the first mode is enabled, and the second mode is enabled, setting means for setting the first channel width as a channel width for wireless communication; and communication control means for executing wireless communication according to the channel width set by the setting means; 2, the communication speed using the second channel width is higher than the communication speed using the first channel width. Characterized by

Further, from another aspect of the present invention, there are a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external base station, and a second mode in which wireless communication is performed with a communication partner device without using the external base station. mode capable of executing at least a first frequency band and from the first frequency band when the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled setting a frequency band specified based on the setting of the external base station from a plurality of frequency bands including a wide second frequency band as a frequency band for wireless communication, and disabling the first mode; and when the second mode is activated, the first frequency band is set without setting the second frequency band as the frequency band for wireless communication, and the first mode is activated. and, when the second mode is enabled, setting means for setting the first frequency band as a frequency band for wireless communication, and performing wireless communication in the frequency band set by the setting means. and communication control means, wherein the communication device operates as a device that executes a function corresponding to a base station in wireless communication in the second mode.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce packet loss while realizing communication at the highest possible speed.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio communication system; FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a portable communication terminal device. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation unit of the MFP; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication terminal device; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a WLAN unit control module; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing combinations of communication modes and channel widths that can be set; 4 is a flow chart showing operations during setup of a wireless infrastructure; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation when switching the P2P mode setting from invalid to valid; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation when switching the setting of P2P mode from valid to invalid.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the already demonstrated part, and duplicate description is abbreviate|omitted.

In this specification, "recording" (sometimes referred to as "printing") is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but it does not matter whether it is significant or not. In addition, regardless of whether or not it is materialized so that humans can perceive it visually, it also refers to the case of forming an image, pattern, pattern, etc. on a wide recording medium, or processing the medium. .

In addition, "recording medium" (sometimes called "sheet") means not only paper used in general recording devices, but also a wide range of materials such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. , also represent ink receptivity.

Furthermore, "ink" (sometimes referred to as "liquid") should be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of "print" above. Therefore, by being applied on a recording medium, it can be used for forming an image, design, pattern, etc., processing the recording medium, or treating ink (for example, solidifying or insolubilizing the coloring agent in the ink applied to the recording medium). shall represent a liquid that can be

Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the term "nozzle" is used to collectively refer to an ejection port, a liquid path communicating therewith, and an element that generates energy used for ejecting ink.

First, a communication system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system including a mobile communication terminal device, a multifunction printer (MFP) and an access point (AP). Note that the present embodiment will be described using an MFP as an example of a communication device.

A portable communication terminal device 200 shown in FIG. 1 includes a device having a wireless LAN (WLAN) communication unit, specifically a personal information terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a digital camera, and the like. The MFP 300 can wirelessly communicate with the portable communication terminal device 200, and has a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, a telephone function, etc., in addition to the printing function. The access point (AP) 400 has a WLAN communication unit and provides wireless infrastructure mode communication by relaying communication between devices permitted to connect to the access point.

The portable communication terminal device 200 and the MFP 300 may perform wireless communication in the wireless infrastructure mode via the access point 400 or P2P communication such as Wi-Fi Direct using their respective WLAN communication units. . Note that the mobile communication terminal device 200 and the MFP 300 can execute processing corresponding to a plurality of print services via WLAN, as will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mobile communication terminal device 200. As shown in FIG. This figure shows the appearance of a smartphone as an example. A smart phone is a multifunctional mobile phone equipped with a camera, a web browser, an e-mail function, etc. in addition to the functions of a mobile phone.

In FIG. 2, a WLAN unit 201 is a unit for performing WLAN communication, and is capable of data (packet) communication in a WLAN system complying with IEEE802.11n technical specifications, for example. Further, in wireless communication using the WLAN unit 201, communication based on Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), software AP mode, wireless infrastructure mode, and the like are possible. The display unit 202 is, for example, a display having an LCD display mechanism. The operation unit 203 has a touch panel type operation mechanism, and detects user operations. For example, a representative method is that the display unit 202 displays button icons and a software keyboard, and an operation event is detected when the user touches these locations. A power key 204 is a hardware key used for turning on and off the power.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP 300. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, a document platen 301 is a glass-like transparent plate on which a document to be read by a scanner (reading unit) is placed. A document cover 302 is a cover for holding a document when the document is read by the scanner, and for preventing light from a light source for irradiating the document when reading the image of the document from leaking to the outside. An insertion slot 303 is an insertion slot into which recording media of various sizes (for example, printing paper) can be set. The printing paper set in the insertion port 303 is conveyed to the printing unit one by one, printed by the printing unit, and discharged from the discharge port 304 . An operation unit 305 includes keys such as a character input key, a cursor key, an enter key, and a cancel key, an LED, an LCD, and the like, and allows the user to activate various functions of the MFP and perform various settings. Further, the operation unit 305 may be configured with a touch panel. WLAN antenna 306 is an embedded antenna for WLAN communication.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen display of the operation unit of the MFP.

FIG. 4A is a home screen showing a state (idle state) in which the power of the MFP 300 is turned on and no operation such as printing or scanning is performed. From the home screen, it is possible to perform copy, scan, menu display of cloud functions using Internet communication, various settings, and function execution by key operation and touch panel operation. Functions different from those on the home screen can be displayed seamlessly from the home screen shown in FIG. 4(a) through key operations and touch panel operations.

FIG. 4(b) is an example of a screen different from the home screen, and is a screen on which execution of print and photo functions and change of LAN settings can be performed, and FIG. 4(c) is shown in FIG. 4(b). This screen is displayed when LAN setting is selected on the screen. From this screen, various LAN setting changes such as enable/disable setting of the wireless infrastructure mode and enable/disable setting of the WFD mode can be executed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable communication terminal device. The mobile communication terminal device 200 has a main board 501 for main control of the device itself and a WLAN unit 517 for WLAN communication.

In the main board 501 , a CPU 502 serving as a system control unit controls the entire portable communication terminal device 200 . Processing of the mobile communication terminal device 200 described below is executed under the control of the CPU 502 . The ROM 503 stores control programs executed by the CPU 502, embedded operating system (OS) programs, and the like. Here, each control program stored in the ROM 503 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the control of the built-in OS stored in the ROM 503 .

The RAM 504 is composed of an SRAM or the like, stores data such as program control variables, stores setting values registered by the user and data such as management data of the portable communication terminal device 200, and is provided with various work buffer areas. there is Image memory 505 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM, and temporarily stores image data received via WLAN unit 517 and image data read from data storage unit 513 for processing by CPU 502 .

The nonvolatile memory 512 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power is turned off. Note that the memory configuration as described above is not limited to this. For example, the image memory 505 and RAM 504 may be shared, or data may be backed up in the data storage unit 513 . Also, here, a DRAM is used for the image memory 505, but other storage media such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory may be used.

A data conversion unit 506 analyzes data in various formats and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. A telephone unit 507 controls a telephone line and processes voice data input/output via a speaker unit 514 to realize communication by telephone. An operation unit 508 corresponding to the operation unit 203 controls signals generated by user operations. A GPS (Global Positioning System) 509 acquires position information such as the current latitude and longitude of the portable communication terminal device 200 . The display unit 510 electronically controls the contents displayed on the display unit 202, and can perform various input operations, display the operation status and status of the MFP 300, and the like.

The camera unit 511 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through a lens. Images captured by the camera unit 511 are stored in the data storage unit 513 . A speaker unit 514 realizes a function of inputting or outputting voice for a telephone function, and other functions such as alarm notification. A power supply unit 515 is a portable battery, and controls power supply to the device. The power state includes a dead battery state in which there is no remaining battery power, a power off state in which the power key 205 is not pressed, a normal startup state, and a power saving state in which the device is started but in power saving mode. be.

The mobile communication terminal device 200 can wirelessly communicate with WLAN. Thereby, the portable communication terminal device 200 performs data communication with other devices such as MFP. The WLAN unit 517 converts the data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices. Conversely, the packet from the external device is restored to the original data and transmitted to the CPU 502 . WLAN unit 517 is connected to main board 501 via bus cable 516 . A WLAN unit 517 is a unit for realizing communication conforming to the IEEE802.11n standard.

Various components 503 to 515 in the main board 501 and the WLAN unit 517 are interconnected via a system bus 518 managed by the CPU 502 .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP. The MFP 300 has a main board 601 for main control of the device itself, a WLAN unit 616 for WLAN communication, and a modem 619 . The WLAN unit 616 and modem 619 are types of communication units, the WLAN unit 616 supporting wireless communication, and the modem 619 supporting wired communication.

In main board 601 , CPU 602 serving as a system control unit controls MFP 300 as a whole. The processing of MFP 300 described below is executed under the control of CPU 602 . A ROM 603 stores control programs executed by the CPU 602, embedded operating system (OS) programs, and the like. Here, each control program stored in the ROM 603 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the control of the built-in OS stored in the ROM 603 . A RAM 604 is composed of an SRAM or the like, stores data such as program control variables, stores data such as setting values registered by the user and management data of the MFP 300, and is provided with various work buffer areas.

The non-volatile memory 605 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power is turned off. The image memory 606 is configured by a memory such as a DRAM, and stores image data received via the WLAN unit 616, image data processed by the encoding/decoding processing unit 611, and the like. Moreover, like the memory configuration of the mobile communication terminal device 200, such a memory configuration is not limited to this. A data conversion unit 608 analyzes data in various formats and converts image data into print data.

A reading control unit 607 controls a reading unit 609 (for example, a CIS (contact image sensor)) to optically read an image of a document, and converts the image to generate an image signal as image data. Output. At this time, the image may be output after being subjected to various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing.

An operation unit 610 corresponds to the operation unit 305 in FIG. An encoding/decoding processing unit 611 performs encoding/decoding processing of image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 300 and enlargement/reduction processing. A paper feed unit 613 holds print paper, and can feed print paper from the paper feed unit 613 under the control of the print control unit 614 . In particular, the paper feed unit 613 may include multiple paper feed units to hold multiple types of print paper in one MFP. In this case, the print control unit 614 controls from which paper feed unit paper is fed.

The print control unit 614 performs various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, print density correction processing, and color correction on image data used for printing, and then outputs the processed image data to the printing unit 612 . The printing unit 612 is, for example, an inkjet printer engine that prints an image by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank from a print head. The print control unit 614 also plays a role of periodically reading the information of the printing unit 612 and updating the information of the RAM 604 . Specifically, status information such as the remaining amount of the ink tank and the state of the print head is updated.

WLAN unit 616 is a unit having the same function as WLAN unit 517 mounted on portable communication terminal device 200 , and is connected to main board 601 via bus cable 615 . Note that the mobile communication terminal device 200 and the MFP 300 are capable of WFD-based communication and have a software access point (software AP) function.

A FAX control unit 617 controls facsimile transmission/reception via a modem 619 .

Various components 602 - 614 , 617 in main board 601 , WLAN unit 616 and modem 619 are interconnected via system bus 618 managed by CPU 602 .

Next, communication control executed in the radio communication system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of modules for controlling the WLAN unit 616 stored in the ROM 603 of the MFP 300. As shown in FIG.

A WLAN control unit 701 is a module responsible for overall control of the WLAN unit 616, and performs various controls such as activation and deactivation of the wireless IF. The STA function unit 702 has a function for performing STA operation conforming to the IEEE802.11n standard when the MFP 300 is enabled in infrastructure mode. The AP function unit 703 has a function of operating as a group owner (GO) of WFD when the MFP 300 is enabled in the P2P mode, and performing AP operations complying with the IEEE802.11n standard. A channel width selection unit 704 selects whether the WLAN unit 616 operates in a channel width 20 MHz mode or a channel width 20/40 MHz mode.

Here, the 20 MHz channel width mode is a mode in which communication is performed with the channel width fixed at 20 MHz regardless of the communication partner. The channel width 20/40 MHz mode is a mode in which communication is performed by automatically selecting a channel width of 20 MHz or 40 MHz depending on the communication partner. In other words, this is a mode in which communication is performed with a channel width of 40 MHz when the communication partner supports communication with a channel width of 40 MHz, which enables high-speed communication, and communication is performed with a channel width of 20 MHz when communication with a channel width of 40 MHz is not supported. .

Also, the access point (AP) 400 connects with a station (STA) that supports only a 20 MHz channel width with a channel width of 20 MHz, and connects with an STA that supports a channel width of 40 MHz with a channel width of 40 MHz. configured to connect. Therefore, when the MFP 300 selects the channel width 20 MHz mode, it connects to the access point 400 with a channel width of 20 MHz. On the other hand, when the MFP 300 selects the channel width 20/40 MHz mode, it connects with the access point 400 with a channel width of 40 MHz. That is, the communication speed using a channel width of 40 MHz is faster than the communication speed using a channel width of 20 MHz.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing possible combinations of communication modes and channel widths. In FIG. 8, the leftmost column indicates the setting number of the communication mode, and there are 1 to 4 settings in this embodiment.

Here, the communication mode setting 1 is a pattern in which both the wireless infrastructure mode and the P2P mode are disabled, for example, a LAN disabled setting that does not use the network.

Communication mode setting 2 is a pattern in which the wireless infrastructure mode is enabled and the P2P mode is disabled. For example, from the LAN disabled state, setup with a wireless access point is performed in the wireless infrastructure mode, and the wireless settings when connection with the wireless access point is completed are saved. In this case, the channel width 20/40 MHz mode is set, and communication is performed with a channel width of 20 MHz or 40 MHz depending on the functions and settings on the access point 400 side.

Communication mode setting 3 is a pattern in which the wireless infrastructure mode is disabled and the P2P mode is enabled. If you switch to setting, it will be saved as communication mode setting 3. In this case, the channel width 20 MHz mode is set, and communication is performed with the P2P-connected portable communication terminal device 200 with a channel width of 20 MHz.

Communication mode setting 4 is a pattern in which both the wireless infrastructure mode and the P2P mode are enabled. In this case, the channel width 20 MHz mode is set, and communication is performed with the infrastructure-connected access point 400 and the P2P-connected portable communication terminal device 200 with a channel width of 20 MHz.

Here, the reason for setting the channel width as shown in FIG. 8 will be described. As described above, the IEEE802.11n standard defines OBSS scanning. The STA (the MFP 300 in this embodiment) operating in the 40 MHz mode periodically executes OBSS scanning. That is, communications operating at a channel width of 40 MHz involve periodic OBSS scanning (Periodic Network Discovery Process). On the other hand, communications operating at a channel width of 20 MHz do not involve periodic OBSS scanning (periodic network detection process).

When executing OBSS scanning, MFP 300 notifies AP 400 that it will be absent for a certain period of time. Therefore, even if AP 400 cannot communicate with MFP 300 for a certain period of time due to OBSS scanning by MFP 300, AP 400 does not erroneously recognize that the wireless connection with MFP 300 has been disconnected.

For the above reasons, in communication mode setting 2, the channel width is set to the 20/40 MHz mode, so that high-speed communication can be executed as much as possible.

On the other hand, while the MFP 300 is executing the OBSS scan, communication on the side of the partner device connected by P2P communication is disabled. Therefore, even if MFP 300 is connected to AP 400 in wireless infrastructure mode and is connected to portable communication terminal apparatus 200 in P2P mode, portable communication terminal apparatus 200 cannot send data to MFP 300 while MFP 300 is executing the OBSS scan. cannot be sent. Therefore, packet loss or the like may occur.

Also, when executing the OBSS scan, the MFP 300 cannot notify the portable communication terminal device 200 connected in the P2P mode that it is absent for a certain period of time. As a result, portable communication terminal apparatus 200 may erroneously recognize that MFP 300 is absent from the network, and disconnect the P2P connection.

For the above reasons, by fixing the channel width to 20 MHz in communication mode setting 4, the MFP 300 does not need to execute OBSS scanning, and problems such as packet loss described above can be reduced.

In this embodiment, communication mode 3 is fixed at 20 MHz, but may be set to 20/40 MHz mode.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing setup of the wireless infrastructure implemented in the MFP. These setups are achieved by the CPU 602 reading the control program stored in the ROM 603 into the RAM 604, developing it, and executing it.

First, in step S901, when wireless infrastructure setup is operated from the operation unit 305 of the MFP 300, the wireless IF is activated in step S902. Then, in step S903, the WLAN unit 616 is set to the channel width 20/40 MHz mode.

Next, in step S904, the MFP 300 presents the setup method (push button, manual) to the operation unit 305, and allows the user to select one of the methods, thereby starting setup. Then, in step S905, setup of the wireless infrastructure is performed according to the method selected by the user. Here, when the push button is selected, by pressing the button of the access point (AP) 400 and the key of the MFP 300 within a predetermined time, both connection parameters are exchanged and setup is executed. On the other hand, in the manual mode, wireless infrastructure is set up by searching for access points, selecting a desired access point from the list, and entering connection parameters such as a passphrase.

Setup is completed by the above operation, and connection between the MFP 300 and the access point (AP) 400 is established in step S906. Then, in step S907, parameters necessary for infrastructure connection are saved in the nonvolatile memory 605. FIG.

After that, in step S908, it is checked whether the P2P mode is enabled. As described with reference to FIG. 8, communication mode settings 3 and 4 enable the P2P mode, and communication mode settings 1 and 2 disable the P2P mode.

Here, if the P2P mode is not enabled, setup of the wireless infrastructure ends as is. On the other hand, if the P2P mode is valid, the process advances to step S909 to temporarily stop the wireless infrastructure connection, and furthermore to stop the wireless IF in step S910. Then, in step S911, the wireless IF is restarted. After that, the setup process proceeds to step S912.

As described above, in steps S909 to S911, the reason why the wireless infrastructure connection is temporarily stopped and the wireless IF is restarted is that the channel width mode is not activated due to the restrictions of the wireless chip mounted on the MFP 300. This is because it cannot be changed literally. In other words, since the channel width 20/40 MHz mode is set in step S903, in order to operate the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode in parallel, the wireless IF must be temporarily stopped and restarted, and then the channel width 20 MHz mode will be set. This is because the mode needs to be set again.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. If there is no such limitation of the wireless chip, steps S909 to S911 are unnecessary, and if it is determined in step S908 that the P2P mode is enabled, the process can proceed to step S912.

Then, in step S912, the WLAN unit 616 is set to the channel width 20 MHz mode, and in step S913, wireless infrastructure connection with the access point (AP) 400 is established. After that, in step S914, the P2P mode is activated and a connection from the mobile communication terminal device 200 is awaited.

With the above setup, when the infrastructure mode is enabled, if P2P is disabled, the access point will be connected in channel width 20/40 MHz mode, and if P2P is enabled, the access point and mobile communication terminal will be connected in channel width 20 MHz mode. Connect with the device. That is, the CPU 602 selects a channel width for wireless communication from options including a channel width of at least 20 MHz and a channel width of 40 MHz to perform periodic network detection processing, according to the communication mode. Although 20 MHz and 20 MHz/40 MHz are described as channel width options in this embodiment, other options may be available.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the internal operation of the MFP when the P2P mode is changed from disabled to enabled. This operation is achieved by the CPU 602 reading the control program stored in the ROM 603 into the RAM 604, developing it, and executing it.

First, in step S1001, when an instruction to switch the P2P mode from the disabled setting to the enabled setting is executed from the screen of the operation unit 305 shown in FIG. , is invalid. Here, if it is determined that the wireless infrastructure is disabled, since the MFP 300 is in the LAN disabled state, the process advances to step S1008 to activate the wireless IF. Subsequently, the channel width 20 MHz mode is set in step S1009, and the P2P mode is activated in step S1010. On the other hand, if it is determined that the wireless infrastructure is valid, the process advances to step S1003 to temporarily stop the wireless infrastructure connection and stop the wireless IF in step S1004 in order to reset the channel width. do.

Thereafter, the wireless IF is restarted in step S1005, and the channel width 20 MHz mode is set in step S1006. Then, in step S1007, the wireless infrastructure is reconnected. Subsequently, in step S1010, the P2P mode is activated and a connection from the mobile communication terminal device 200 is awaited.

In the above processing flow, steps S1003 to S1005 are also due to restrictions of the wireless chip, and the present invention is not limited to this as described with reference to FIG.

When the P2P mode is enabled by the above operation, it connects with the access point or the portable communication terminal device in the channel width 20 MHz mode.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the internal operation of the MFP when the P2P mode is changed from enabled to disabled.

First, in step S1101, when an instruction to switch the P2P mode from enabled to disabled is executed from the screen of the operation unit 305 shown in FIG. 4C, operation in the P2P mode is stopped in step S1102. After that, in step S1103, it is checked whether the infrastructure mode is valid. Here, if it is determined that the wireless infrastructure is disabled, the MFP 300 enters the LAN disabled state, and the process ends as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the wireless infrastructure is effective, the process advances to step S1104 to stop the wireless infrastructure connection and stop the wireless IF in step S1105 in order to reset the channel width.

Then, the wireless IF is restarted in step S1106, and the channel width 20/40 MHz mode is set in step S1107. Then, in step S1108, the wireless infrastructure is reconnected.

In the processing flow described above, steps S1104 to S1106 are also due to the limitations of the wireless chip, and the present invention is not limited to this, as described with reference to FIG.

According to the flow described above, when operating in infrastructure mode alone, connection is established with an access point in channel width 20/40 MHz mode.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiments, when both the infrastructure mode and P2P mode operations are effective in the MFP, or when the P2P mode operation is effective, access points and mobile communications are performed in the channel width 20 MHz mode. Connect to terminal equipment. On the other hand, when the P2P mode operation is invalid and only the infrastructure mode is valid, the access point is connected in the channel width 20/40 MHz mode.

In this way, the MFP can appropriately change the channel width for wireless communication according to the communication mode. Therefore, when operating only in the infrastructure mode, if the communication partner is a device that supports high-speed communication, the channel width is 40 MHz. high-speed communication becomes possible. As a result, when a large amount of image data is transmitted from a communication partner and an image is printed, data communication can be performed in a short time.

Also, in the case of simultaneous operation in infrastructure mode and P2P mode, or operation in only P2P mode, the channel width is fixed. As a result, since the channel width is not switched during communication, stable communication can be realized without packet loss due to channel switching.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

300 MFP, 305 operation unit, 400 access point (AP)

Claims (20)

A communication device capable of executing a first mode of performing wireless communication via an external base station and a second mode of performing wireless communication with a communication partner device without using the external base station,
of the external base station from a plurality of channel widths including at least a first channel width and a second channel width when the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled; setting the channel width specified based on the setting as the channel width for wireless communication, and when the first mode is disabled and the second mode is enabled, the channel for wireless communication; wireless communication when the first channel width is set without setting the second channel width as the width, the first mode is enabled, and the second mode is enabled; setting means for setting the first channel width as the channel width of
a communication control means for executing wireless communication according to the channel width set by the setting means;
has
The communication device operates as a device that performs a function corresponding to a base station in wireless communication in the second mode,
A communication apparatus, wherein a communication speed using the second channel width is faster than a communication speed using the first channel width. 2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein said first channel width is 20 MHz and said second channel width is 40 MHz. From a state in which the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled, the first mode is enabled and the second mode is enabled wireless communication in the second channel width is disconnected, and the first channel width is set by the communication control means when the state of the communication device is changed to the state of 3. A communication device according to claim 1 or 2. From a state in which the first mode is enabled and the second mode is enabled, the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled characterized in that, when the state of the communication device is changed to the state of being set to the state of the communication device, the wireless communication in the first channel width is disconnected, and the second channel width is set by the communication control means. 4. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when said second channel width is set, said communication device executes detection processing for notifying said external base station of a predetermined network detection result. 1. The communication device according to claim 1. A communication device capable of executing a first mode of performing wireless communication via an external base station and a second mode of performing wireless communication with a communication partner device without using the external base station,
a plurality of frequencies including at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band wider than the first frequency band when the first mode is enabled and the second mode is disabled; A frequency band specified based on the setting of the external base station from the band is set as a frequency band for wireless communication, the first mode is disabled, and the second mode is enabled. If so, the first frequency band is set without setting the second frequency band as the frequency band for wireless communication, the first mode is enabled, and the second mode is enabled setting means for setting the first frequency band as a frequency band for wireless communication, if
a communication control means for executing wireless communication in the frequency band set by the setting means;
A communication device, wherein the communication device operates as a device that performs a function corresponding to a base station in wireless communication in the second mode. 7. The communication according to claim 6, wherein when said second frequency band is set, said communication device executes a detection process of notifying said external base station of a detection result of a predetermined network. Device. 8. A communication device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said first frequency band is 20 MHz and said second frequency band is 40 MHz. As the detection process, OBSS (Overlapping Basic Service
e Set) scan is performed,
8. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined network detection result obtained by executing the OBSS scan is notified to the external base station. 11. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined network is a network that does not support the IEEE802.11n standard. 11. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 7, 9, and 10, wherein the predetermined network is a network that does not support wireless communication at 40 MHz. 12. The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said first mode and said second mode are enabled based on a user's instruction using an operation panel of said communication device. Device. 13. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said communication control means performs wireless communication according to the IEEE802.11n standard. 14. A communication device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first mode is an infrastructure mode and said second mode is a P2P mode. 15. The communication device of claim 14, wherein the P2P mode is Wi-Fi Direct mode. 16. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising print control means for executing print processing using ink supplied from an ink tank. 17. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the communication device executes processing for configuring a network as a device that executes a function corresponding to a base station in wireless communication in the second mode. Communication device as described. 18. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a BSS (Basic Service Set) network is configured as the network. 19. A communication device according to any preceding claim, wherein the communication device is capable of operating as a base station or as a group owner. A program that causes a computer to function as each means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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