COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

A method and apparatus for communicating between devices by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner. The method and apparatus include detecting radio frequency interference, and switching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporates in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a form of utilizing a wireless LAN according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a QoS compatible access point (QAP1) according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary state of using a radio frequency band in a case where a Hybrid Coordination Function Controlled Channel Access (HCCA) method is used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary radio frequency band in a case where radio frequency interference occurs.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the QAP1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary radio frequency band in a case where the first exemplary embodiment is applied.

FIG. 7 illustrates a form of utilizing a wireless LAN according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the QAP1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the QAP1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a form of utilizing a wireless LAN in which a hidden node problem occurs.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between devices by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner, the method comprising: detecting radio frequency interference; andswitching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: temporarily storing received data; andchanging an amount of data that can be temporarily stored according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference and communication between devices.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: searching for a radio frequency band different from a detected radio frequency; andswitching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of searching for a different radio frequency band and a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising changing a maximum transmission rate according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.

5. A communication apparatus configured to communicate with another apparatus by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner, the communication apparatus comprising: a detection unit configured to detect radio frequency interference; anda switching unit configured to switch between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detection of the radio frequency interference.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a storing unit configured to temporarily store received data,wherein the amount of data that can be temporarily stored is changed according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference and a communication between the communication apparatus and another device.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a searching unit configured to search for a radio frequency band different from a detected radio frequency; andswitching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of searching for a different radio frequency band and a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a changing unit configured to change a maximum transmission rate according to a result detecting the radio frequency interference.

9. Computer-executable process steps, stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for controlling a communication apparatus configured to communicate with another apparatus by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner, the computer-executable process steps comprising: detecting radio frequency interference; andswitching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.