Communication Method, Communication System and Communication Apparatus

Abstract

When wireless communications are performed with other communication devices, an inquiry message to discover other communication devices residing in the vicinity is wirelessly transmitted by having communication ranges altered at a plurality of stages; response messages to the transmitted inquiry message are received; information relating to a receiving state or frequency of receipt of the response messages from the respective communication ranges is preserved with respect to each communication device which is a source of the response message; and based on the preserved information relating to the receiving state or the frequency of receipt of the response messages a communication device to be a connection object for wireless communication is selected. By doing so, when short-range wireless communications are performed, communication services can be performed appropriately between required devices.

1 . A communication apparatus for providing network connection service for an information processing device residing in the vicinity thereof, comprising:
 a memory;   a network connection unit configured to connect the communication apparatus to a network;   a control unit configured to:
 discover the information processing device; 
 wirelessly connect the information processing device to the communication apparatus; and 
 provide data communication between the connected information processing device and the network via the communication apparatus. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method, implemented by a communication apparatus, for providing network connection service for an information processing device residing in the vicinity of the communication apparatus, comprising:
 connecting, using a network connection unit, the communication apparatus to a network;   discovering, by the communication apparatus, the information processing device;   wirelessly connecting the information processing device to the communication apparatus; and   providing data communication between the connected information processing device and the network via the communication apparatus.