Information processing apparatus and control method therefor, information processing system, computer program and storage medium

Abstract

An information processing provided with a wireless communication unit adapted to communicate with a wireless network formed by a control apparatus, comprises: a first sending unit adapted to send a probe signal including identification data of the network via the wireless communication unit; a receiving unit adapted to receive a response signal to the probe signal from another information processing apparatus associated with the control apparatus via the wireless communication unit; and a determination unit adapted to determine an information processing apparatus capable of direct link communication, based on the response signal received by the receiving unit.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A communication apparatus comprising:
 a receiving unit configured to receive a predetermined signal from a second another communication apparatus in a case where said communication apparatus wirelessly communicates with a first another communication apparatus via a relay apparatus; and   a switching unit configured to switch the wireless communication with said first another communication apparatus from a communication via said relay apparatus to a direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus, in a case where the predetermined signal is received by said receiving unit.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the predetermined signal is a signal for setting a predetermined communication channel between said communication apparatus and said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said receiving unit receives the predetermined signal, after said communication apparatus receives a search signal for searching for an apparatus existing in a network from said second another communication apparatus and sends a response signal to the search signal. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said response signal is sent using a contention period. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus is a Direct Link Setup compliant communication defined by an IEEE 802.11 series. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said relay apparatus is a wireless access point. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , comprising a display unit configured to display data received from said first another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said communication apparatus performs an IEEE802.11 series compliant communication with said relay apparatus, said first another communication apparatus and said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . A communication apparatus comprising:
 a detection unit configured to detect a second another communication apparatus that wirelessly communicates with a first another communication apparatus via a relay apparatus; and   a sending unit configured to send a predetermined signal to said second another communication apparatus,   wherein said second another communication apparatus switches wireless communication with said first another apparatus from the communication via said relay apparatus to a direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus, in a case where said second another communication apparatus receives the predetermined signal.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said detection unit detects said second another communication apparatus, by sending a search signal for searching for an apparatus existing in a network and receiving a response signal to the search signal from said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the predetermined signal is a signal for setting a predetermined communication channel between said communication apparatus and said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus is a Direct Link Setup compliant communication defined by an IEEE 802.11 series. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said relay apparatus is a wireless access point. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said communication apparatus is a server for sending media data to said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said communication apparatus performs an IEEE802.11 series compliant communication with said relay apparatus, said first another communication apparatus and said second another communication apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . A method for controlling a communication apparatus comprising:
 a receiving step of receiving a predetermined signal from a second another communication apparatus in a case where said communication apparatus wirelessly communicates with a first another communication apparatus via a relay apparatus; and   a switching step of switching the wireless communication with said first another communication apparatus from a communication via said relay apparatus to a direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus, in a case where the predetermined signal is received in said receiving step.   
     
     
         36 . A method for controlling a communication apparatus comprising:
 a detection step of detecting a second another communication apparatus that wirelessly communicates with a first another communication apparatus via a relay apparatus; and   a sending step of sending a predetermined signal to said second another communication apparatus,   wherein, in said second another communication apparatus, wireless communication with said first another apparatus is switched from the communication via said relay apparatus to a direct wireless communication without going through said relay apparatus, in a case where the predetermined signal is received by said second another communication apparatus.   
     
     
         37 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling a communication apparatus of  claim 35 . 
     
     
         38 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling a communication apparatus of  claim 36 .