JP6666669B2 - Communication device, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that communicates with an external device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  With the spread of wireless communication, it has been proposed to mount a wireless communication function on a portable terminal such as a digital camera and transmit data such as a video file to an external device (Patent Document 1). For example, when transmitting data to an external device using a wireless LAN, the portable terminal first executes a process of joining a wireless LAN network to which the external device belongs, and then executes a process of establishing communication with the external device.

JP 2009-152689 A

  However, after establishing communication with the external device, if it is determined that the external device cannot appropriately process (eg, cannot reproduce) data such as a video file transmitted from the portable terminal to the external device, the data is executed by that time. Communication processing is wasted. Therefore, it is necessary to specify data that can be processed by the external device at an appropriate timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and provides a communication device capable of specifying data that can be processed by an external device at an appropriate timing, a control method thereof, and a program. With the goal.

In order to solve this problem, for example, the communication device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via the participating network and to transmit / receive control information to / from the external device before joining the network; and control means for controlling processing using the communication means. And a request for establishing communication via the network when the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network. Is sent to the external device with an inquiry as to whether the external device can process the first data format. Based on a response to the request received from the external device, the external device determines whether it is possible to process the data format, if an external device is capable of processing the first data format, participating in the network to establish communication with the external device, the external device is first If not, processing over data format, characterized by performing the transmission and reception of control information again, and controls to determine whether or not it is possible to process the second data format external device is different from the first data format, the And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device capable of specifying data that can be processed by an external device at an appropriate timing, a control method thereof, and a program.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital camera as an example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration related to a communication function of the digital camera according to the embodiment. Schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation sequence between the digital camera and the external device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of a communication control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of a communication control process according to the second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of a communication control process according to the third embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of a communication control process according to the fourth embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, as an example of a communication device, an example in which the present invention is applied to an arbitrary digital camera capable of transmitting and receiving data by communication will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and is applicable to any device capable of transmitting and receiving data by communication. These devices may include, for example, a mobile phone, a game machine, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a watch-type or glasses-type information terminal, and the like.

(Configuration of Digital Camera 100)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital camera 100 as an example of a communication device according to the present embodiment. Note that one or more of the functional blocks illustrated in FIG. 1 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or a programmable logic array (PLA), or may be realized by a programmable processor such as a CPU or an MPU executing software. You may. Further, the present invention may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Therefore, in the following description, even when different functional blocks are described as the operation subject, the same hardware can be realized as the subject.

  The imaging unit 101 includes an optical lens, an image sensor, a digital image processing unit, and the like, photoelectrically converts a subject optical image input through an imaging optical system to generate an analog signal, and further converts the digital signal into digital data to generate an image. Generate data. For example, one frame can output image data of 1920 pixels horizontally × 1080 pixels vertically at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 frames per second). Such an output from the imaging unit 101 is transmitted as, for example, moving image data via a bus and stored in the storage unit 103.

  The control unit 102 includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU, and develops a control program stored in a ROM included in the storage unit 103 in a work area of a RAM included in the storage unit 103 and executes the program. Control. The control unit 102 performs various control processes such as setting communication parameters with an external device on the network, participating in the network, and establishing communication with the external device (control means).

  The storage unit 103 includes various memories such as a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and a flash memory, and stores a control program executed by the control unit 102 and various information such as communication parameters. The storage unit 103 functions as a data storage unit that stores moving image data and still image data captured by the digital camera 100. The storage unit 103 may store, in addition to moving image data and still image data captured by the digital camera 100, moving image data generated by an external device and received from the device.

  The wireless unit 104 is a processing circuit or a functional module for performing wireless communication, and executes wireless LAN communication compliant with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 102 (communication means).

  The display unit 105 includes a monitor including, for example, a touch panel LCD or an LED panel. The display unit 105 is capable of outputting visually recognizable information such as moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 or an operation screen (menu screen) for operating the digital camera 100, or audio output such as a speaker. . The display unit 105 has a function of outputting at least one of visual information and sound information.

  The data conversion unit 106 converts the moving image data and the still image data stored in the storage unit 103 into data of a different format and stores the data in the storage unit 103 (data conversion unit). For example, MOV format moving image data and MP4 format moving image data can be mutually converted, and JPEG still image data and PNG still image data can be mutually converted. The data conversion unit 106 may be configured by dedicated hardware called, for example, a transcoder.

  The antenna control unit 107 includes a control circuit or a control module that controls the antenna 108 for performing wireless communication, and controls a signal output and the like for performing wireless communication.

  The operation unit 109 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and the user operates the digital camera 100 by performing various inputs and the like from various buttons and a menu screen. The operation unit 109 transmits the detected user input to the control unit 102.

(Configuration of functional blocks related to the communication control function)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a functional block 201 using software that realizes the communication control function of the present embodiment. The communication control function of the functional block 201 is realized by hardware and software included in the digital camera 100.

  The discovery control unit 202 searches for an external device to be a communication partner and performs device discovery (Device Discovery) processing. Also, the GO negotiation control unit 203 performs a GO Negotiation process based on the Wi-Fi Direct protocol specification to determine which of the external devices plays a role of a wireless LAN access point (or wireless LAN station). In Wi-Fi Direct, a communication device that provides a wireless LAN access point function is called a P2P group owner (hereinafter, also referred to as GO), and a communication device that provides a wireless LAN station function is called a P2P client (hereinafter, also called CL). . When the digital camera 100 is a GO or wireless LAN access point, a wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 described later is activated. On the other hand, when the digital camera 100 is a CL or a wireless LAN station, a wireless LAN station function control unit 210 described later is activated. Since the protocol related to the GO Negotiation process is defined in the Wi-Fi Direct specification, the details are omitted. In Wi-Fi Direct, a network formed by GO is called a P2P group. Also in the present embodiment, the network may be referred to as a P2P group, and these will be described in the same sense. A P2P group owner (GO), a P2P client (CL), and a communication device group whose role has not been determined are collectively referred to as a P2P device.

  The DHCP client control unit 204 provides a function of a DHCP client, and is started when the role of the digital camera 100 in the GO negotiation control unit 203 is a wireless LAN station. Further, the DHCP server control unit 205 provides a function of a DHCP server, and is activated when the role of the digital camera 100 in the GO negotiation control unit 203 becomes a wireless LAN access point.

  WPS enrollment control section 206 receives communication parameters necessary for wireless LAN communication from another WPS registrar device. Like the DHCP client control unit 204, the digital camera 100 operates when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN station. WPS registrar control section 207 provides communication parameters necessary for wireless LAN communication to another WPS enrollee device. Like the DHCP server control unit 205, the digital camera 100 operates when the role of the digital camera 100 is a wireless LAN access point. The communication parameters provided by the WPS registrar are parameters such as an SSID as a network identifier, an encryption key, an encryption method, an authentication key, and an authentication method.

  The wireless LAN packet receiving unit 208 and the wireless LAN packet transmitting unit 209 perform transmission and reception of all packets including the communication protocol of the upper layer. The wireless LAN station function control unit 210 performs authentication processing, encryption processing, and the like when the digital camera 100 operates as a wireless LAN station, and participates in a wireless network formed by a device that operates as a wireless LAN access point.

  When the digital camera 100 operates as a wireless LAN access point function, the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 forms a wireless network, and performs authentication processing, encryption processing, external device management processing, and the like. Either the wireless LAN station function control unit 210 or the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 may operate, or may operate simultaneously.

  The packet routing control unit 212 bridges and routes a communication packet when the wireless LAN access point function control unit 211 operates.

  The data storage unit 213 stores software programs, wireless LAN parameters, and various tables such as the above-described DHCP address table and ARP table.

  The service discovery control unit 214 implements a service discovery function unique to Wi-Fi Direct. The service discovery function acquires service information provided by an external device by transmitting and receiving an action frame that is a part of a management frame defined by IEEE 802.11u. Specifically, the service discovery control unit 214 transmits an SD Query and receives an SD Response as a response. Alternatively, the service discovery control unit 214 receives an SD Query from an external device and transmits an SD Response as a response. The SD Response includes information indicating the type of service, and indicates the type of service provided by the device that has transmitted the response, for example, a file transfer service, a print service, a moving image streaming service, and the like.

  The P2P invitation control unit 215 controls an invitation function defined by the Wi-Fi Direct standard. Although the Invitation function is defined in the Wi-Fi Direct specification, its description is omitted. However, the GO or CL is a function for prompting the connection of a P2P device whose role is not determined as a P2P client.

  The service providing unit 216 provides an application layer file transfer service. The application layer refers to a service providing layer in a fifth or higher layer in the OSI reference model. In the file transfer service, transmission / reception processing of various request responses and transmission / reception processing of a transfer file are performed using the HTTP protocol.

  The service using unit 217 uses a service provided by the file transfer service providing unit of the application layer of the external device.

  The session control unit 218 manages a logical connection in the file transfer service. When using the file transfer service, a session generation request is transmitted to an external device by transmitting information of data to be transferred (transferred data related information), and a response is received. In the case of providing a file transfer service, it receives transfer data related information, determines whether a session can be generated based on the contents of the transfer data related information, and responds. The transfer data related information is information including, for example, the number of files to be transferred, a total size, and a file name. When it is determined that a session can be created, the session control unit 218 executes a connection process in the wireless layer. The exchange of information relating to session management is performed as transmission and reception of so-called control information for transferring a file, and is performed using a public action frame which is a part of a management frame defined in, for example, IEEE 802.11. Will be

  Note that all the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 are not limited to those provided by software, and at least a part thereof may be provided by hardware. Each functional block has a mutual relationship, and a plurality of functional blocks may constitute one functional block, or any functional block may be further divided into blocks that perform a plurality of functions. . Further, the file transfer service in the application layer is realized by a device that provides the service and a device that uses the service. In an example of the present embodiment, the device that uses the service is the digital camera 100, and the device that provides the service may be a smartphone, a tablet, a digital camera, a storage device, or the like.

  FIG. 3 shows a digital camera 100 (also referred to as STA-A representing a file transmitting side in FIGS. 3 and 4) and an external device (also referred to as a STA-B representing a file receiving side in FIGS. 3 and 4). 2 shows an example of a wireless network 31 composed of a wireless network. Each device has hardware and software (for example, the one shown in FIG. 1) that realizes the communication control function of the functional block 201 described with reference to FIG. The digital camera 100 and the external device participate in the formed wireless network 31, and establish wireless communication conforming to, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series.

(Operation sequence related to communication control processing)
FIG. 4 shows an operation sequence between the devices when the STA-A (corresponding to the digital camera 100) transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the STA-B (corresponding to the external device). FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, STA-A is a communication device on the transmission side that uses the file transfer service, and STA-B operates as a communication device on the reception side that provides the file transfer service.

  In S401, upon receiving the selection completion of the file to be transferred by the user operation, the STA-A transmits an inquiry signal (file transfer service search) for searching for a communication device providing the file transfer service in S402. I do.

  In S403, STA-B receives the inquiry signal and transmits a detection response signal to STA-A.

  In step S404, the STA-A receives the detection response, and transmits a session creation request signal to which transfer data related information has been added in order to establish a logical connection with the STA-B for the file transfer service. For example, the transfer data related information may be “number of files: 1, total size: 5 MB, file name: 20130807.MOV”. At this time, the extension of the file name indicating the data format to be transferred (“MOV” in this example) is not omitted. By transmitting the transfer data related information at this timing (that is, before joining the wireless network), the STA-B can recognize in advance what data will be transferred. In the following description, a file initially selected as data to be transferred may be referred to as an initial file. The transmission and reception of the information related to the file transfer service search and the session creation request is performed based on the action frame which is a part of the management frame described above under a specific frequency band (also called a channel) defined by STA-A and STA-B. Done using.

  In S405, STA-B receives the session creation request signal transmitted from STA-A, and transmits a permission response signal or a rejection response signal to STA-A according to the transfer data related information. Specifically, the STA-B determines whether or not the data can be processed by the STA-B with reference to the data format included in the transfer data related information. When the STA-B determines that processing is possible, the STA-B transmits a permission response signal to the STA-A. For example, if the STA-B has a function of playing MP4 format moving image data but does not have a function of playing MOV format moving image data, the extension (data format) of the file name included in the received transfer data related information. ) Is a MOV, a rejection response signal is transmitted.

  When the STA-B transmits the rejection response signal in S405, the STA-A performs the following processing of S406 to S408.

  Upon receiving the rejection response signal in S406, the STA-A selects a file (alternative file) to be transferred as a substitute for the file (initial file) to be transferred in S404. Specifically, for the original file included in the transfer data-related information for which the rejection response has been received, it is determined whether or not an alternative file having a different extension from the storage unit 103 exists. Select files for transmission. If there is no substitute file, the STA-A selects a file obtained by converting the original file as a transfer target. For example, in the example of the transfer data related information described above, when a file name (for example, “20130807.AVI”) having a different extension exists in the storage unit 103, this file is selected as an alternative file. If the file does not exist, for example, a file name in MP4 format (for example, “20130807.MP4”) obtained by converting the MOV format by the data conversion unit 106 of the STA-A is selected.

  In S407, when the STA-A selects the alternative file, the STA-A transmits a session generation request again using the transfer data related information including the data format of the selected alternative file. In S408, STA-B transmits a permission response signal or a rejection response signal to STA-A in the same manner as in S405. At this time, when the STA-A receives the rejection response signal, the STA-A confirms the response signal from the STA-B by again performing the alternative file selection in S406 and the session generation request in S407. That is, the STA-A repeats the processes of S406 to S408 until it receives the permission response signal from the STA-B, and specifies a data format that the STA-B can process.

  Further, steps after S409 will be described. The steps after S409 are processing in the case where the STA-A receives the permission response signal from the STA-B in S408.

  In step S409, upon receiving the permission response signal, the STA-A executes a wireless layer connection process with the STA-B. The connection process in the wireless layer is a connection process based on the above Wi-Fi Direct specification. That is, one of STA-A and STA-B becomes a P2P group owner (GO), and the other becomes a P2P client (CL). The CL performs a so-called network joining process of joining the wireless network formed by the GO. However, when the GO forms a wireless network, it is assumed that the GO is performing a network participation process.

  In S410, the STA-A executes a predetermined start process of the file transfer service via the participating network. Specifically, a process of setting an IP address by DHCP or the like is performed to establish a connection with the STA-B, and a process of acquiring detailed information required for HTTP transfer in the file transfer service from the STA-B is executed.

  In S411, the STA-A executes a file transmission process to the STA-B based on the transfer data related information (S404 or S407) used in the session generation request when the permission response signal is received.

  In S412, when the STA-A ends the file transfer, the STA-A executes a predetermined end process for the file transfer service. Specifically, a process of deleting the information generated in S410 and canceling the setting is executed.

  In S413, the STA-A transmits a session end request signal to end the logical connection of the file transfer service with the STA-B. Also, in S414, STA-B receives the session end request signal, and transmits a permission response signal to STA-A.

  In S415, the STA-A receives the permission response signal and executes a process of disconnecting the wireless layer connection with the STA-B. Note that the disconnection process in the wireless layer is a disconnection process based on the above Wi-Fi Direct specification. When STA-A and STA-B complete the above processing, they end the operation sequence relating to the communication control processing.

(Series of operations related to communication control processing)
Next, a series of operations related to communication control processing of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This series of operations is processing in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the external device using the file transfer service. Note that, in a state where a file to be transferred is displayed on the display unit 105 of the digital camera 100, for example, when a user performs a selection operation on the operation unit 109, the present process is started. This processing is realized by the control unit 102 expanding the program stored in the storage unit 103 into a work area and executing the program.

  In step S501, the control unit 102 displays a screen (transfer file selection screen) for the user to select a file to be transferred on the display unit 105. FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 105 in this step. The screen configuration is configured so that a user can select a desired file to be transferred by the operation unit 109. A list of reduced still images (so-called thumbnail images) 601 to 606 of the files stored in the storage unit 103 is displayed on the transfer file selection screen. Also, a scroll 609 for scrolling the screen according to the number of files to be displayed, a send button 607 for determining the transfer of the selected file, and a stop button 608 for stopping the operation and returning to the previous screen are displayed. Is done.

  FIG. 5 is referred to again. In step S502, the control unit 102 determines whether a file has been selected by the user on the transfer file selection screen. If a file has been selected, the control unit 102 advances the process to step S503. If a file has not been selected, the control unit 102 returns to step S502 again and waits for the user to select a file. More specifically, on the screen in FIG. 6, the user waits until the user selects one of the thumbnail images 601 to 606 via the operation unit 109 and presses the send button 607. In the present embodiment, one file to be transferred is described as being selected. However, a plurality of files can be selected and transferred.

  In step S503, the control unit 102 determines whether an external device has been detected. More specifically, the control unit 102 starts a search process of the file transfer service, and determines whether a detection response from an external device has been received within a predetermined time from the start of the detection process. If the detection response has not been received, a message to that effect is separately displayed on the display unit 105 to notify the user, and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, if a detection response has been received, the process proceeds to S504. If a plurality of external devices are detected in this step, the control unit 102 displays a list of the external devices that have transmitted the detection response on the display unit 105, and prompts the user to select a device to which the file is to be transferred. An operation may be accepted.

  In S504, the control unit 102 performs a session generation process. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information relating to a file to be transferred, and transmits a session generation request including the transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In S505, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session creation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via wireless unit 104 is determined, and if this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509; if this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S506. Proceed.

  First, processing (S506 to S508) performed when a rejection response is made to the session generation request will be described. In step S <b> 506, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having a different extension is present in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a file in the storage unit 103 that differs only in the extension from the file name of the file selected in S502 and is not used in the session generation processing in S504. If the file exists, the process returns to S504, and the session generation process is performed again using the information of the file. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S507.

  In step S507, the control unit 102 determines whether the file used in the session generation processing can be converted. That is, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the file used in the session generation processing can be converted into data having a different data format (data having a different extension) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process proceeds to S508; otherwise, the series of processes is terminated assuming that data usable by the external device cannot be prepared.

  In step S508, the control unit 102 starts the data conversion process using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion processing is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion processing, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. After that, the control unit 102 returns the process to S504, and performs the session generation process again using the information of the file generated by the conversion process. That is, the control unit 102 repeats the above-described processing of S504 to S508 until receiving the permission response signal, and specifies a data format that can be processed by the external device.

  Next, the processing (S509 to S514) in a case where an authorization response is made to the session generation request will be described.

  In S509, the control unit 102 executes a wireless layer connection process including participation in a network with an external device based on the Wi-Fi Direct specification. Further, a transfer service start process such as an IP address setting process by DHCP and a process of acquiring detailed information necessary for HTTP transfer in a file transfer service is executed.

  In S510, when the data conversion process has been started in S508, the control unit 102 determines whether the data conversion process is in progress. If the control unit 102 determines that the data conversion process is in progress, it returns the process to S510 again and waits for the completion of the conversion process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the conversion process has been completed, the process proceeds to S511.

  In step S511, the control unit 102 executes a file transfer process to an external device via the participating network based on the transfer data related information transmitted in step S504. When the transmission process of the file is completed in S512, the control unit 102 executes a process of ending the file transfer service in S512, and further executes a session end process in S513.

  Upon completion of the session end process, the control unit 102 further executes a wireless layer disconnection process in S513, and in S514, deletes the converted data generated in S508 from the storage unit 103 as necessary. At this time, the control unit 102 may delete all data after the data conversion, or may selectively delete only data having a data format for which a permission response has not been obtained from the external device in S505. . In this way, only data that can be transferred to the storage unit 103 can be stored in the storage unit 103. When completing the processes of S513 and S514, the control unit 102 ends the series of operations.

(Specific example of communication control processing)
A series of processes illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described as a specific example in a case where the digital camera 100 receives a rejection response signal from an external device in S505.

  It is assumed that the file name of the file selected by the user in S502 is “20130807.MOV”, and that “20130807.WMV” is stored in the storage unit 103 in addition to the selected file. The data conversion unit 106 of the digital camera 100 has a function of converting various types of moving image data into the MP4 format. Further, it is assumed that the external device cannot reproduce the moving image data in the MOV format and the WMV format, but can reproduce the moving image data in the MP4 format.

  The digital camera 100 adds the information of the file “20130807.MOV” according to the user's file selection and performs a session generation process (corresponding to S504). On the other hand, the external device cannot reproduce the MOV format moving image data. For this reason, upon receiving a rejection response signal from the external device (corresponding to NO in S505), the digital camera 100 checks the storage unit 103 and finds a file “20130807.WMV” having a different extension (corresponding to YES in S506). .

  The digital camera 100 performs the session generation process again using the information of the file “20130807.WMV” (corresponding to S504), but receives the rejection response signal again because the external device cannot reproduce the WMV format moving image data. (Corresponding to NO in S505). At this time, there is no more file having only an extension in the storage unit 103 (corresponding to NO in S506). For this reason, the digital camera 100 uses the data conversion unit 106 to convert “20130807.WMV” into an MP4 format file “20130807.MP4” (corresponding to YES in S507 and S508). In step S508, “20130807.MOV” may be converted to the MP4 format.

  When the session generation process based on the MP4 format file is performed, the digital camera 100 receives the permission response signal (corresponding to YES in S505) because the external device can reproduce the MP4 format moving image data. Thereafter, in accordance with S509 to S513, the MP4 format moving image data converted by the data conversion unit 106 is transferred to an external device, and when the transfer is completed, the converted data is deleted from the storage unit 103 (corresponding to S514).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, before the digital camera 100 joins the wireless network, the digital camera 100 transmits transfer data related information, which is control information, to an external device, and changes the data format of the data to be transferred via the participating network. Determined whether the device can process. When the data format to be transferred cannot be processed by the external device, it is determined whether the external device can process data stored in the storage unit 103 and having another format or another format that can be converted. By doing so, it is possible to specify data that can be processed by the external device at an appropriate timing (that is, before establishing wireless communication with the external device). Further, when the data format of the data to be transferred is a data format that can be processed by the external device, the device joins the network and transfers the data of the format to the external device. In this way, after establishing the wireless communication, it is possible to avoid waste when transmitting data that cannot be processed by the external device, and select data that can be processed by the external device from data in a format that can be prepared by the transmission side. Can be sent.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which, when a rejection response is received in the session generation processing, data conversion processing is performed to transfer a file having a different data format. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, data conversion is started before the session generation processing. The configuration of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a series of operations related to the communication control process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment except for the above-described process. For this reason, in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the drawings referred to in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. explain.

(A series of operations related to the communication control processing in the second embodiment)
Next, a series of operations related to the communication control processing of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the external device using the file transfer service, as in the first embodiment. The state in which this processing is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each processing are the same as in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 102 executes the processing of S501 to S502 and advances the processing to S701 when a predetermined file is selected by the user.

  In step S701, the control unit 102 determines whether the file selected in step S502 can be converted. That is, the control unit 102 determines whether the selected file can be converted into data having a different format (data having a different extension) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process proceeds to S702; otherwise, the process proceeds to S703.

  In step S702, the control unit 102 starts data conversion processing using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion processing is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion processing, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. If the data conversion unit 106 has a function of converting data into a plurality of formats, the conversion to a plurality of data formats may be started in this step.

  In step S703, the control unit 102 determines whether an external device has been detected. More specifically, the control unit 102 starts a search process of the file transfer service, and determines whether a detection response from an external device has been received within a predetermined time from the start of the detection process. If the detection response has not been received, a message to that effect is separately displayed on the display unit 105 to notify the user, and the process proceeds to S707 without performing other processes. On the other hand, if a detection response has been received, the process proceeds to S704. If a plurality of external devices are detected in this step, the control unit 102 displays a list of the external devices that have transmitted the detection response on the display unit 105, and prompts the user to select a device to which the file is to be transferred. An operation may be accepted.

  In S704, the control unit 102 performs a session generation process. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information relating to a file to be transferred, and transmits a session generation request including the transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In step S705, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session generation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via wireless unit 104 is determined, and if this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509; if this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S706. Proceed.

  In step S <b> 706, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having a different extension is present in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a file in the storage unit 103 that differs only in the extension from the file name of the file selected in S502 and is not used in the session generation processing in S704. At this time, the files existing in the storage unit 103 also include the file for which the conversion process has been started in S702 described above (the conversion process may be incomplete). If the file exists, the process returns to S704, and the session generation process is performed again using the information of the file. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S514 without performing another process.

  The subsequent processes of S509 to S513 shown in FIG. 7 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the control unit 102 performs a connection process with an external device in a wireless layer and then performs file transfer.

  In step S707, when the data conversion processing is performed in step S702, the control unit 102 deletes the data generated by the data conversion processing, and ends a series of operations according to the processing.

  After the data conversion process is started in S702, if a permission response signal is received during the data conversion process (S705), the data being generated may be deleted. That is, if the data format of the received response signal is different from the data format of the ongoing conversion process, the control unit 102 may stop the conversion process and delete the data being generated. In this way, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary processing for files that are not transferred.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, data to be transferred is subjected to data conversion in advance. In this way, when a rejection response is received from an external device, it is possible to quickly transmit data usable by the external device.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which, when a rejection response is received in the session generation processing, data conversion processing is performed to transfer a file having a different data format. In the third embodiment, the storage unit 103 further functions as a history storage unit that stores a history of response signals, and the control unit 102 stores data transfer-related information for a file having an extension for which a rejection response has been made in the past. Do not send. The configuration of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a series of operations related to the communication control process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment except for the above-described process. For this reason, in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the drawings referred to in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. explain.

(A series of operations related to the communication control processing in the third embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 8, a series of operations related to communication control processing of the digital camera 100 will be described. This series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the external device using the file transfer service, as in the first and second embodiments. The state in which this processing is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each processing are the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  The control unit 102 executes the processing of S501 to S503 to perform file selection by the user and detection processing of the external device. When the external device is detected, the process proceeds to S801.

  In step S801, the control unit 102 determines whether there is a history of receiving a rejection response in the session generation process in the past for the external device detected in step S503. More specifically, the control unit 102 reads from the storage unit 103 a rejection history in which the external device is associated with the extension of the transfer target file. In the rejection history, for example, a set of an identifier for specifying the external device (for example, the MAC address of the external device) and the extension of the file when the rejection response signal is received is stored. The rejection history is searched using the identifier of the provided external device as a key. If there is a history of the rejection response, the process proceeds to S802; otherwise, the process proceeds to S806. The history of the rejection response is updated at any time in S808 described later.

  In step S802, the control unit 102 determines whether the extension of the transfer target file (ie, the initial file) selected in step S502 is the extension used in the past when a rejection response was made in the session generation processing. Is determined. If the extension of the transfer target file matches the extension for which a rejection response has been made in the past, the process proceeds to S803; otherwise, the process proceeds to S806.

  In step S <b> 803, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having a different extension is present in the storage unit 103. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a file that differs from the file name of the file selected in S502 only in the extension and is not used in the session generation processing in S806 described below exists in the storage unit 103. I do. If the file exists, the process advances to step S806 to perform a session generation process. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S804. When determining whether or not a file exists, it is necessary to further consider the history of the rejection response and consider that even if there is a file with an extension that matches the extension for which the rejection response was issued, the file does not exist. It may be determined.

  In step S804, the control unit 102 determines whether the file to be transferred can be converted. That is, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the transfer target file can be converted into data having a different format (data having a different extension) using the data conversion unit 106. If data conversion is possible, the process proceeds to S805; otherwise, the series of processes is terminated on the assumption that data usable by the external device cannot be prepared.

  In step S805, the control unit 102 starts data conversion processing using the data conversion unit 106. The file name of the new alternative file generated by this conversion processing is obtained by changing the extension of the file name used for the data conversion processing, and the generated file is stored in the storage unit 103. After that, the control unit 102 advances the process to S806, and performs a session generation process using the information of the file generated by the conversion process.

  It should be noted that the extension that was rejected in the past as in S802 may be considered when determining whether the file to be transferred can be converted in S804. In other words, the control unit 102 may preferentially convert the data into a format that can be supported by the external device (or possibly) when performing the data conversion process.

  In S806, the control unit 102 performs a session generation process. Specifically, the control unit 102 generates transfer data related information relating to a file to be transferred, and transmits a session generation request including the generated transfer data related information via the wireless unit 104. In S807, the control unit 102 determines whether a permission response to the session creation request has been received. Specifically, a response to the session generation request received via wireless unit 104 is determined, and if this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S509; if this response is a rejection response, the process proceeds to S808. Proceed.

  In S808, the control unit 102 stores the refusal history. More specifically, the control unit 102 associates the extension of the transfer target file with the external device and stores the rejection history in the storage unit 103. Then, the process proceeds to S803.

  The subsequent processing of S509 to S514 illustrated in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The control unit 102 performs a connection process with the external device in the wireless layer, performs file transfer, and ends a series of processing. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data format for which a rejection response has been received in the past by the external device is stored using the rejection history, and when performing file transfer, data is selected using the rejection history. I made it. That is, moving image data in a data format that has not been rejected in the past by the external device is selected. In this way, when transmitting the transfer data-related information to the external device, it is possible to reduce the waste of performing the session generation process using a data format that cannot be processed by the external device, thereby reducing the amount of communication with the external device and the like. The speed of the communication control process can be increased.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the history of the rejection response is stored, and the data transfer-related information is not transmitted to the file having the extension that has been rejected in the past. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the history of the permission response is stored, and the file of the extension for which the response was permitted in the past is preferentially used. The configuration of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment (that is, the first embodiment), and a series of operations related to the communication control process is also described in the third embodiment except for the above-described process. The processing is the same. For this reason, in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar configurations and steps as those in the diagram referred to in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. explain.

(A series of operations related to the communication control processing in the fourth embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 9, a series of operations related to the communication control processing of the digital camera 100 will be described. This series of operations is a process in which the digital camera 100 transmits the moving image data stored in the storage unit 103 to the external device using the file transfer service, as in the first to third embodiments. The state in which this processing is started and the point that the control unit 102 executes each processing are the same as in the first to third embodiments.

  The control unit 102 performs the processing of S501 to S503 to perform file selection and external device detection processing by the user, and proceeds to S901 when an external device is detected.

  In step S901, the control unit 102 determines whether the external device detected in step S503 has a history of receiving a permission response in the session generation process in the past. More specifically, the control unit 102 reads from the storage unit 103 a permission history in which an external device is associated with an extension of a file to be transferred. In the permission history, for example, a set of an identifier (for example, the MAC address of the external device) for specifying the external device and the extension of the file when the permission response signal is received is stored. The permission history is searched using the identifier of the provided external device as a key. If there is a history of the permission response, the process proceeds to S902; otherwise, the process proceeds to S806. The history of the permission response is updated at any time in S905 described later.

  In step S <b> 902, the control unit 102 determines whether the extension of the transfer target file (that is, the initial file) selected in step S <b> 502 is an extension used in the past when a permission response was made in the session generation processing. Is determined. If the extension has been permitted in the past, the process proceeds to step S806. If the extension does not have a history of permitted responses, the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S <b> 903, the control unit 102 determines whether a file having an extension for which an extension response has been made in the past exists in the storage unit 103. Specifically, the control unit 102 determines that the file name of the file selected in S502 differs only in the extension and matches the extension included in the permission history. It is determined whether or not an unused file exists in the storage unit 103. If the file exists, the process advances to step S806 to perform a session generation process. On the other hand, if the corresponding file does not exist, the process proceeds to S804. In the process of S903, a file having an extension different from that of the file selected in S502 is preferentially selected based on the permission history.

  In the subsequent steps S803 to S806, as in the third embodiment, when there is no file having a different extension from the selected file in the storage unit 103, the control unit 102 starts the data conversion process and then executes the session generation process. Do. However, when determining whether the file to be transferred can be converted in S804, the extension permitted in the past as in S902 and S903 may be considered. That is, the control unit 102 may preferentially use a data format that can be supported by the external device when performing the data conversion process.

  In step S904, the control unit 102 determines whether the response to the session generation request received via the wireless unit 104 is a permission response. If this response is a permission response, the process proceeds to S905; otherwise, the process proceeds to S803.

  In S905, the control unit 102 stores the permission history. More specifically, the control unit 102 causes the storage unit 103 to store the combination of the external device and the extension of the transfer target file as the permission history. Then, the process proceeds to S509.

  The subsequent processing of S509 to S514 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The control unit 102 performs a connection process with the external device in the wireless layer, performs file transfer, and ends a series of processes. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data format for which the permission response has been received in the past by the external device is stored, and when performing the file transfer, the data format for which the permission response has been received is selected. That is, data having a data format permitted in the past by the external device is preferentially selected. In this way, when transmitting the transfer data-related information to the external device, it is possible to reduce the waste of performing the session generation process using not only a data format that the external device cannot process but also a format that is unknown whether or not it can be processed. It becomes possible to do. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication with the external device and to speed up the communication control process.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless LAN system based on IEEE 802.11 has been described as an example, but the communication system is not limited to this. That is, the present invention may use other wireless communication schemes such as wireless USB, MBOA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, and ZigBee (registered trademark). Further, the present invention may be implemented in a wired communication medium such as a wired LAN. Note that MBOA is an abbreviation of Multi Band OFDM Alliance, and UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET, and the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, moving image data has been described as an example of data to be transferred. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the case of transmitting data having a plurality of file formats, such as still image data, audio data, document data, and a database.

  The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. This processing can be realized. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

102: control unit, 103: storage unit, 104: wireless unit, 105: display unit, 109: operation unit

Claims (11)

Communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via the participating network and to transmit and receive control information to and from the external device before joining the network;
Control means for controlling processing using the communication means,
The control means includes:
If the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network, the external device issues a request for establishing communication via the network to the first device. A query is added to the external device as to whether the external device can process the data format, and the external device can process the first data format based on a response to the request received from the external device. Judge whether or not
If the external device can process the first data format, it joins the network to establish communication with the external device, and if the external device cannot process the first data format, Controlling to perform transmission and reception of information again to determine whether the external device can process a second data format different from the first data format,
A communication device characterized by the above-mentioned. Data storage means for storing a plurality of data including the first data as a file having a file name including an extension,
The control means, when the second data is stored in the data storage means with a file name different from the file name of the first data only in the extension, changes the data format of the second data to the second data. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication format is a data format. A conversion unit configured to convert the first data into another data format;
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the other data format as the second data format. Data storage means for storing a plurality of data including the first data as a file having a file name including an extension;
Conversion means for converting the first data into another data format,
The control unit may set the other data format to the second data format when data having a file name different from only the file name of the first data and an extension is not stored in the data storage unit. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts the conversion using the conversion unit after determining that the external device cannot process the first data format. 6. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts the conversion using the conversion unit before determining whether the external device can process the first data format. . The control means stops the conversion when it is determined that the external device can process the first data format during the conversion using the conversion means. The communication device as described. The apparatus further includes a history storage unit configured to store a data format determined to be unprocessable by the external device by the control unit in association with the external device,
The control unit does not determine whether or not the external device can process the first data format when the first data format is stored in the history storage unit in association with the external device. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising determining whether or not the external device can process the second data format. The apparatus further includes a history storage unit that stores the data format determined to be processable by the external device by the control unit in association with the external device,
8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein a data format selected from data formats stored in the history storage unit in association with the external device is used as the second data format. 9. The communication device according to claim 1. A method for controlling a communication device having communication means configured to transfer data to an external device via a participating network and to transmit and receive control information to and from the external device before joining the network,
Control means has a control step of controlling processing using the communication means,
In the control step,
If the first data having the first data format is selected as a transfer target before the communication means joins the network, the external device issues a request for establishing communication via the network to the first device. A query is added to the external device as to whether the external device can process the data format, and the external device can process the first data format based on a response to the request received from the external device. Judge whether or not
If the external device can process data having the first data format, join the network to establish communication with the external device, and if the external device cannot process the first data format. Controlling the external device to transmit and receive the control information again to determine whether the external device can process a second data format different from the first data format,
A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as each unit except for the communication unit of the communication device according to claim 1.

Images