IP Library Granted Patent US 8,542,386
Granted Patent B2
US 8,542,386 · App. 13/007,559 · Granted Sep 24, 2013

Electronics device capable of wireless communication, electronics device system, and wireless communication method

Inventor: Hideaki Ogata (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,542,386
App. No.
13/007,559
Granted
Sep 24, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronics device, which is connected to a host apparatus via a wireless communication, includes a communication section configured to perform a wireless communication, and a communication control section configured to, if a start-up timing of the electronics device is earlier than any start-up timing of at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a master device, so as to cause the communication section to perform relaying of a wireless communication between the host apparatus and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and if a start-up timing of the electronics device is later than any start-up timing of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a sub device, so as to cause the communication section to perform a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the master device.

Claims (21)

1. An electronics device, which is connected to a host apparatus via a wireless communication, the electronics device comprising:

a communication section configured to perform a wireless communication; and

a communication control section configured to, if a start-up timing of the electronics device is earlier than any start-up timing of at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, which is connected to the host apparatus via a wireless communication, and further, is in an operating condition, perform control, as a master device, so as to cause the communication section to perform relaying of a wireless communication between the host apparatus and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and if a start-up timing of the electronics device is later than any start-up timing of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a sub device, so as to cause the communication section to perform a wireless communication with the host apparatus via a master device that is one of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device.

2. The electronics device according to claim 1 ,

wherein, in the host apparatus, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication recipient, in the case where the electronics device is the master device, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication originator, and in the case where the electronics device is the sub device, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication recipient, and further, communication information specific to the electronics device is set as a communication originator.

3. The electronics device according to claim 1 ,

wherein information associated with an order of the start-up timings of the electronics device and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device is retained, and

wherein, on the basis of the information, a determination as to whether the start-up timing is earlier or later is made.

4. The electronics device according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication is performed by using an ad-hoc mode.

5. The electronics device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the electronics device has two communication systems, and

wherein, when functioning as the master device, one of the two communication systems is used for a communication with the host computer, and the other one of the two communication systems is used for a communication with the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device.

6. The electronics device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the wireless communication is performed by using an infrastructure mode, and

wherein, when functioning as the master device, the electronics device functions as an access point.

7. An electronics device system including a host apparatus and a plurality of electronics devices, the host apparatus and the plurality of electronics devices being connected to one another via a wireless communication,

wherein an electronics device, the start-up timing of which is the earliest start-up timing of that of at least one electronics device in an operating condition among the plurality of electronics devices, relays a wireless communication between the host apparatus and at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and

wherein the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device performs a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the electronics device whose start-up timing is the earliest start-up timing.

8. A wireless communication method for an electronics device system including a host apparatus and a plurality of electronics devices, the host apparatus and the plurality of electronics devices being connected to one another via a wireless communication,

wherein an electronics device, the start-up timing of which is the earliest start-up timing of that of at least one electronics device in an operating condition among the plurality of electronics devices, relays a wireless communication between the host apparatus and at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and

wherein the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device performs a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the electronics device whose start-up timing is the earliest start-up timing.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2019
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 050710/0121 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2011
From: OGATA, HIDEAKI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025652/0707 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-065588 · Mar 23, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110235104A1 · Sep 29, 2011