JP2003015911A - Processing completion notification system and processing completion notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing completion notification system which various electronic devices are applicable for as notification devices and can notify a user more reliably. SOLUTION: A personal computer 100 previously registers the electronic devices of a portable telephone 200, a music reproducing machine 300 or the like to which processing completion is notified with a device-to-be-notified registration processing part 107. When given processing is terminated, a device- to-be-notified selection processing part 105, in accordance with then situation, selects any electronic device from the electronic devices registered with the device-to-be-notified registration processing part 107, and a processing completion information refinement processing part 106 generates processing completion information for the electronic device selected with the device-to-be-notified selection processing part 105. Then, the processing completion information generated with the processing completion information refinement processing part 106 is transmitted to the electronic device selected with the device-to-be- notified selection processing part 105, thereby notifying the user of the processing completion by means of the personal computer 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing completion notifying system and a processing completion notifying method for notifying a user of the completion of processing executed by, for example, a personal computer, and more particularly to a notification device for various electronic devices. The present invention relates to a processing completion notifying system and a processing completion notifying method that can make the notification to the user more reliable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an information processing device such as a personal computer, when a time-consuming process is performed, or when the completion time of the process cannot be accurately predicted, a user can perform a process near the information processing device. It is necessary to wait for completion, or to use the time to wait for completion of the process to perform another work, and return to the information processing device to confirm the completion of the process at the time of completion. However, it is a waste of time for the user to simply wait for the completion of the processing near the information processing apparatus, and if the processing is not completed even if the user waits for the completion time and returns, it is necessary to wait again. Furthermore, when doing other work, you must always be aware of when the process is complete,
It is a burden on the user. Therefore, if the information processing apparatus notifies the user of the completion of processing, the user can effectively use the time to wait for the completion of processing.

As a technique for notifying the user of the completion of processing, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32127, when a copying machine stops, a voice message corresponding to the stop factor is registered in advance. There is described a voice message notification device for notifying a user by transmitting to a simple mobile phone having an extension number.

According to this voice message notification device, the user can know the completion of the process in a timely manner, and the work can be efficiently advanced.

[0005]

However, the voice message notifying apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32127 is premised on an office environment, and an extension telephone system is an essential constituent element. It is not possible to deal with the environment where the extension telephone system is not installed. Also, it is difficult to introduce a new extension telephone system into a home because of problems such as wiring, cost, and construction.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a situation, and various electronic devices can be applied as a notification device, and a process that can make the notification to the user more reliable. An object is to provide a completion notification system and a processing completion notification method.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a processing completion notifying system for notifying a user of processing completion of an information processing device by an electronic device connected via a local wireless communication path. The information processing apparatus includes processing completion information generating means for generating processing completion information indicating processing completion of its own apparatus according to the type of the electronic device, and processing completion information generated by the processing completion information generating means. Processing completion information transmitting means for transmitting information to the electronic device via the local wireless communication path, wherein the electronic device transmits the processing completion information transmitted from the information processing device via the local wireless communication path. And a processing completion information receiving unit that receives the processing completion information by the processing completion information receiving unit when the processing completion information is received by the processing completion information receiving unit. Providing processing completion notification system characterized by comprising a notification means for knowledge.

In this processing completion notification system, when the information processing apparatus completes some processing, for example, a cellular phone, a television apparatus, or the like is transmitted via a local wireless communication path established in the personal area by Bluetooth or the like. It is connected to various electronic devices and, according to the type of the connected electronic device, generates and transmits information indicating the completion of the process. On the other hand, the electronic device that has received this information notifies the user of the information.

Thus, even in an environment where the extension telephone system is not installed, such as in a home, various electronic devices can be applied as the notification device, so that the completion of the processing can be known in a timely manner. It becomes possible to proceed with work efficiently.

Further, in the processing completion notification system of the present invention, when the information processing apparatus cannot establish the local wireless communication path with the electronic device or when there is no response from the electronic device to the processing completion information. It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises control means for newly executing transmission of the processing completion information to another electronic device.

For example, due to various reasons, the user is not always near a predetermined electronic device. Even when the user is near the electronic device, there is a possibility that the electronic device cannot notify the completion of processing due to a failure or the like. In consideration of such a case, in this processing completion notification system, the processing completion information is newly transmitted to another electronic device to prevent the user from not being notified and to make the notification to the user more reliable.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a processing completion notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This processing completion notification system connects to another electronic device by 2.45 GHz band wireless communication when the process performed by the personal computer (PC) 100 used as an information processing device is completed, and through the electronic device. It is a system that notifies the user of the completion of the processing. In the present embodiment, for example, the mobile phone 200 is a personal computer (P
C) Used as an electronic device for notifying the user of the processing completion of 100.

That is, a personal computer (PC)
The completion of the processing performed on the application program of 100 can be confirmed by the personal computer (PC) 100. However, in the system of the present embodiment, the personal computer (PC) 100 does not need to directly confirm the completion of the personal computer (PC) 100. Computer (PC) 100
The completion of processing of the application program is notified to the mobile phone 200, and the completion of processing of the application program of the personal computer (PC) 100 can be known through the mobile phone 200.

A personal computer (PC) 1
The device to which 00 can transmit the processing completion information is not limited to the mobile phone 200, and may be another device such as the music player 300 or the television device 400.

Further, a personal computer (PC) 1
00 to notify the mobile phone 200 directly by using a local communication link established between the personal computer (PC) 100 and the mobile phone 200, not via a global network such as the Internet or a telephone network. To be done. Then, in this processing completion notification system, the processing completion information is transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 100 to the mobile phone 200 via this local communication link, so that the user can personalize the information without constructing a special environment. Even if the user is not near the computer (PC) 100, the processing completion of the personal computer (PC) 100 can be known in a timely manner.

It is preferable that the communication link between the mobile phone 200 and the personal computer (PC) 100 uses radio waves, particularly radio waves. Unlike infrared rays and the like, radio waves have little influence on obstacles, and the mobile phone 200 and personal computer (P
This is because it is not necessary to directly face C) 100. Therefore, by using the radio wave, it is possible to realize a usage pattern of notifying the completion of processing of the application program of the personal computer (PC) 100 to the mobile phone 200 in another room at home, for example. Further, even in the case of devices other than the mobile phone 200, it is preferable to use radio waves for the communication link with the personal computer (PC) 100.

The personal computer (PC) 100 and the mobile phone 200 are connected by radio waves using a specific frequency band. Here, both the personal computer (PC) 100 and the mobile phone 200 are 2.4
It is assumed that it has a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving 5 GHz band radio waves. More specifically, a 2.45 GHz band wireless LAN (Local Area Network)
rk) or Bluetooth system is used.
This Bluetooth system is a short-range wireless communication standard, and realizes wireless communication of about 10 m by using the radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band.

The personal computer (PC) 100 has an antenna section for transmitting / receiving radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band to / from the mobile phone 200, an LCD or a cathode ray tube used as a display monitor, and data inputting. A keyboard is provided.

A personal computer (PC) 1
00 has various application programs such as word processor software, spreadsheet software, Web browsing software, development software, etc., and here also has communication functions for realizing this system and its control software. ing. The same applies to the mobile phone 200, and here, in addition to various functions used in general mobile phones such as a function of browsing service information and a battery check function, here, a communication function for realizing the present system and its control. Software is installed.

Bluetooth as a wireless communication system
When h is used, a personal computer (PC) 10
0 memory, system software 101 such as operating system and application programs
And the BUS driver 102 of Bluetooth are resident. The BUS driver 102 controls the host controller 104, which is a Bluetooth device itself, via the USB driver 103. The system software 101 is control software for realizing the present system, and together with a processing unit that performs control processing, a notification device selection processing unit 105, a processing completion information generation processing unit 106, and a notification device as illustrated. A registration processing unit 107 is provided.

The notification device selection processing section 105 performs a process of selecting a device to notify the user of the completion of the process. Also,
The processing completion information generation processing unit 106 causes a personal computer (PC) 10 to be a device that notifies the user of the completion of processing.
The process of generating the process completion information transmitted by 0 is performed. This is because the processing completion information transmitted by the personal computer (PC) 100 differs depending on the device notified to the user, and therefore the processing completion information needs to be generated for each device.
Then, the notified device registration processing unit 107 performs a process of registering a device that notifies the user of the completion of the process. A personal computer (PC) 10 is a device for notifying the user.
It is executed when 0 is registered.

The host controller 104 is also provided with a wireless communication module 108 including a link manager and a link controller. With this wireless communication module 108, the mobile phone 100
Physical link control between and is performed.

Hereinafter, a personal computer (PC) 1
00 and the mobile phone 200 will be described separately for the hardware configuration and the software configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a personal computer (PC).
3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of 100. FIG. Here, the description will focus on the hardware parts necessary to realize this system.

The personal computer (PC) 100 uses the radio wave in the 2.45 GHz band for the mobile phone 2.
As a wireless communication module 108 for communicating with 00, an antenna unit 109, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 110,
Baseband unit 111, memory unit 112, crystal oscillator unit 1
13, AD / DA conversion unit 114, microphone / speaker unit 1
15 are installed. A similar wireless communication module is also mounted on the mobile phone 200. Further, the wireless communication module 108 and the personal computer engine section 116 which is a main unit of the personal computer are
For example, they are connected via a serial I / F 117 of RS-232C standard.

The antenna section 109 is a section for transmitting and receiving radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band for realizing radio communication with the mobile phone 200. Upon reception, the RF unit 110 mixes the radio wave received by the antenna unit 109 with the fundamental frequency signal oscillated from the crystal oscillating unit 113 to convert it into an intermediate frequency signal, and then converts it into a digital signal that can be handled by the baseband unit 111. Performs demodulation processing. The baseband unit 111 performs protocol processing. Antenna part 1
09, the signal input via the RF unit 110 is converted into a data string that can be processed by the CPU in the baseband unit 111.

At the time of transmission, the flow reverses to that at the time of reception, and the transmission data is converted by the baseband unit 111 into a signal which can be handled by the RF unit 110 according to a predetermined protocol, and the RF unit 11
At 0, it is modulated into a radio wave in the 2.45 GHz band and transmitted from the antenna unit 109.

The microphone / speaker unit 115 is a device for inputting and outputting an audio signal, and is a device for AD / DA.
It is connected to the baseband unit 111 via the conversion unit 114.

On the other hand, in the personal computer engine section 116, C
In addition to the PC engine 118 including the PU, memory, peripheral control circuit, etc., an LED (Light Em
itting diode (119), USB (Universal Serial Bu)
s) USB interface 120 for connecting standard peripheral devices, monitor 121 used as a display monitor, keyboard 122 for data input, P
PCMCIA (Personal Com for mounting C card
A putter Memory Card International Association) interface 123 and the like are provided.

FIG. 3 shows a personal computer (PC).
3 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of 100. FIG. FIG. 3 shows a structure in which a wireless protocol stack for 2.45 GHz band wireless communication is mounted on the personal computer engine 116 side.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the side of the wireless communication module 108 of the personal computer (PC) 100,
RF unit 110 and baseband unit 11 which are hardware
1 and a LMP (Link Management Protocol) 124 for controlling a wireless link with the wireless communication device on the side of the mobile phone 200 by wireless radio waves on the baseband unit 111.
And an HCI (Host Control Interface) 12 that performs serial interface processing with the personal computer engine unit 116.
5 has been implemented.

In the personal computer engine section 116, an OS (Operating System) 126 that is standardly installed as a personal computer (PC), driver software 127 for controlling various peripheral devices, word processor software, spreadsheet software, In addition to various application software 128 such as system software 101 for realizing electronic mail software and notification transfer control function, a wireless protocol stack 129 for wireless communication in the 2.45 GHz band, and a serial interface with the wireless communication module 108 side The HCI 130 and the like that performs processing are installed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile phone 200. Here, the description will focus on the hardware parts necessary to realize this system.

A personal computer (PC) 1 is used for the mobile phone 200 by using a radio wave in the 2.45 GHz band.
As a wireless module 201 for communicating with 00,
Antenna section 202, RF section 203, baseband section 20
4, a memory unit 205, and a crystal oscillator unit 206 are mounted. This wireless module 201 and mobile phone engine unit 2
07 is, for example, RS-232C standard serial I /
It is connected through F208.

The antenna unit 202 realizes wireless communication with the personal computer (PC) 100 2.4.
It is a part that transmits and receives radio waves in the 5 GHz band. Upon reception, the RF unit 203 mixes the radio wave received by the antenna unit 202 with the fundamental frequency signal oscillated from the crystal oscillating unit 206 to convert it into an intermediate frequency signal, and then converts it into a digital signal that can be handled by the baseband unit 204. Performs demodulation processing. The baseband unit 204 performs protocol processing. A signal input via the antenna unit 202 and the RF unit 203 is converted by the baseband unit 204 into a data string that can be processed by the mobile phone engine unit.

At the time of transmission, the flow reverses to that at the time of reception, and the transmission data is converted by the baseband unit 204 into a signal that can be handled by the RF unit 203 according to a predetermined protocol, and the RF203
The radio wave in the 2.45 GHz band is modulated by the unit and transmitted from the antenna unit 202.

On the other hand, in the mobile phone engine section 207, in addition to the antenna 209 for the mobile phone, the RF section 210 and the base band section 211, an LCD for displaying data is provided.
212, a key operation unit 213 for data input, an LED 214 for displaying a warning, a memory 215 for data storage, and the like are provided.

As the common section 216, an AD / DA conversion section 217, a microphone / speaker 218, and a power supply section 219 are provided.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the mobile phone 200. In Figure 5, 2.45GH
The structure when a wireless protocol stack for wireless communication in the z band is mounted on the mobile phone engine unit 207 side is shown.

Radio module 201 of mobile phone 200
As shown in FIG. 5, there is an RF unit 203 and a baseband unit 204, which are hardware, on the side, and wireless communication is performed on the baseband unit 204 to communicate with the wireless communication device on the personal computer (PC) 100 side. LMP (Link Management Protocol) 220 for controlling wireless links between
And an HCI (Host Control Interface) 22 that performs serial interface processing with the mobile phone engine unit 207.
1 and are implemented.

Further, the mobile phone engine section 207 has an RF section 210, which is standardly mounted as a mobile phone,
Baseband unit 211, mobile phone protocol stack 2
In addition to 22, application software 223 including system software for realizing the notification transfer control function, a wireless protocol stack 224 for wireless communication in the 2.45 GHz band, and serial interface processing with the wireless module 201 side are performed. The HCI 225 is installed.

Next, the processing completion information transfer processing from the personal computer (PC) 100 having such a configuration to the mobile phone 200 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing of the system software installed on the portable telephone side to realize the system of this embodiment.

Here, the case where the link is established between the personal computer (PC) 100 and the mobile phone 200 will be described as an example when a link request is made from the personal computer (PC) 100.

The system software on the portable telephone 200 side first determines whether or not there is a wireless link establishment request from the personal computer (PC) 100 (step A1). When there is a link establishment request, the system software controls the baseband unit 204 to establish the 2.45 GHz band wireless link and communicates with the 2.45 GHz band wireless communication module unit 108 on the personal computer (PC) 100 side. A process for establishing a link between them is executed (step A2).

After the wireless link is established, the system software determines whether or not the processing completion information is notified from the personal computer (PC) 100 via the wireless link (step A3), and the processing completion information is notified. If there is any (YES in step A3), notification processing to the user is performed. Specifically, the speaker 2 of the mobile phone 200
A notification sound is output from 18 to notify the user (step A4). The notification sound is a personal computer (PC) 1
00, which is determined by the processing completion information and is provided in the mobile phone 20 in advance by using the system software, or a notification sound given by the processing completion information. Also, the mobile phone 2 together with the notification sound
The contents of the processing completion information and the response screen for the user to respond are displayed on the LCD 212 of 00 (step A5).
The contents of the processing completion information and "O
For example, a "K" button. As the contents of the processing completion information,
The name of the personal computer (PC) 100, the name of application software, the name of processing, the processing completion time, and the like are included.

Next, the system software determines whether or not the re-notification request is received from the personal computer (PC) 100 via the wireless link (step A6). The re-notification request is transmission data that requests the mobile phone 200 to re-notify the user. When the re-notification request is received (step A6)
YES), the notification process to the user is performed again (steps A4 and A5).

If the re-notification request has not been received (NO in step A6), the system software determines whether the notification stop request has been received from the personal computer (PC) 100 via the wireless link (step S6). Step A7). The notification stop request is transmission data requesting the mobile phone 200 to stop the notification to the user. When the notification stop request is received (YES in step A7), the personal computer (PC) 10
Waiting for a link release request from 0 (step A10), if there is a request (YES in step A10), the wireless link with the personal computer (PC) 100 is released.

On the other hand, when the notification stop request has not been received (NO in step A7), the system software on the mobile phone 200 side presses the "OK" button on the response screen displayed on the LCD 212 of the mobile phone 200. It is determined whether or not (step A8).

When the "OK" button is pressed on the response screen (YES in step A8), the system software
Data representing that there is a response from the user is transmitted to the personal computer (PC) 100 via the wireless link (step A9). If the "OK" button has not been pressed (NO in step A8), the process waits for a response from the user or the personal computer (PC) 100 again.

Between step A6 and step A8,
The LCD 212 of the mobile phone 200 continues to display the response screen.

Thereafter, the system software determines whether or not there is a request for releasing the link from the personal computer (PC) 100 via the wireless link (step A10), and if there is the request for releasing the link (step A10).
YES), the process of releasing the wireless link with the personal computer (PC) 100 is executed, and this process ends. The link can be released in response to a link release request from the user of the mobile phone 200 input via the system software.

In the present embodiment, since the device to be notified is a mobile phone, voice and characters are used as a notification means to the user. However, when the device to be notified is a music player, etc. Sometimes the only means is voice. That is, the notification means to the user differs depending on the type of device to be notified.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the system software installed on the personal computer side in order to realize the system of this embodiment.

Here, the case where the link is established between the personal computer (PC) 100 and the mobile phone 200 will be described as an example in which the link request is made from the personal computer (PC) 100.

The system software of the personal computer (PC) 100 first monitors the processing of the application software on the personal computer (PC) 100 registered as the monitoring target, and determines whether the processing of the monitoring target is completed. Is determined (step B
1). The process of the monitoring target is registered by the user in the monitoring target processing table in the format as shown in FIG. The monitoring target processing table includes a personal computer (PC) 10
The application software executed on Windows 0 and the processing performed by the application software are registered. In FIG. 8, as a specific example, development software, Web browsing software, and FTP software are registered as application software, and each application software is compiled, file download 1 and file download 2,
The monitoring target processing table in which the file upload processing is registered is shown.

When the processing of the application on the personal computer (PC) 100 is completed (YES in step B1), the personal computer (PC) 1
In order to notify the user that the processing of the application software has been completed, the system software on the 00 side selects a device for notifying the user of the completion of the processing from the notification device table (step B2). Figure 9
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of registration of this notification device table. The notification device selection processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

The device for notifying the user is registered in advance in the notification device table on the personal computer (PC) 100. The number of registered devices for notifying the user of the processing completion may be one, but it is preferable to register a plurality of devices. By registering a plurality of devices, it is possible to make the notification to the user more reliable. Specifically, when it is not possible to notify the user of the processing completion because the device for which the processing completion is first notified from the personal computer (PC) 100 is out of order or there is no user near the notified device. There is. In such a case, by registering a plurality of devices, it is possible to remove the device that cannot be notified to the user, notify the other device of the processing completion, and notify the user of the processing completion.

Also, it should be avoided to notify all the registered devices at the same time. It is wasteful to notify all devices of the completion of processing, and if many devices perform notification processing to the user at one time, it may confuse the user. Therefore, a personal computer (P
C) The device with the highest priority is determined as the device for notifying the user first from the notification device table 100, and the user is notified to the device. The priority of the device to be notified to the user is set when the device to be notified to the user is registered in the notification device table. The notification device registration process will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile phone 200 is selected as a device for notifying the user of the completion of processing.

If the device to be notified to the user cannot be selected in the notification device selection process of step B2, the personal computer (PC) 100 means that there is no device to be notified of the completion of the process. The notification process ends. As a case where the device for notifying the user cannot be selected, there is a case where the device for notifying the user is not registered in the notification device table on the personal computer (PC) 100.

On the other hand, when the device for notifying the user of the completion of the processing of the application program on the personal computer (PC) 100 can be selected in the notification device selection process of step B2, the personal computer (P
C) 100 side system software is 2.45GH
Baseband unit 111 for establishing a z-band wireless link
To execute a process of establishing a link with the 2.45 GHz band wireless communication module unit 201 on the mobile phone 200 side (step B3).

When the wireless link cannot be established (NO in step B3), the personal computer (PC) 1
The system software on the 00 side updates the state of the mobile phone 200 in the notification device table to "wireless link establishment impossible" so that this device cannot be selected as the notification device (step B9). By this processing, it is possible to prevent a wasteful attempt to reestablish a wireless link to a device that cannot establish a wireless link.

Next, it is judged whether or not the notification to the user is to be ended (step B10). Since the notification to the user has not been issued yet, the notification to the user is not ended (NO in step B10), and the notification device is selected again in step B2.

After the wireless link is established (YES in step B3), the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side generates processing completion information for notifying the mobile phone 200 (step B4). There are various types of devices for notifying the completion of the process, such as a television device and a music player, as well as a mobile phone. Therefore, the structure of the processing completion information differs depending on the device for notifying the user. Therefore, it is necessary to generate the processing completion information to be transmitted in accordance with the device that can establish the wireless link. Taking a mobile phone as a specific example, since a speaker and an LCD are installed as the basic functions of the mobile phone, the displayable screen size and the performance of the sound source are used to generate the processing completion information for the mobile phone. Processing completion information must be generated in consideration of the above. The contents of the processing completion information generated by the mobile phone include the name of the personal computer (PC) 100, the name of the application program for which the processing is completed, the name of the processing, the time at which the processing is completed, the type of notification sound,
There is time to play the notification sound. The process completion information generation process when the mobile phone is selected as the device for notifying the user will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the personal computer (PC) 1
The system software on the 00 side transmits the processing completion information generated in step B4 to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link established in step B3 (step B).
5). Further, in step B5, a timer for measuring the time after transmitting the processing completion information is set. This timer is used in step B12.

After transmitting the processing completion information, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side determines whether or not there is a direct response from the user to the personal computer (PC) 100 (step B).
6). When the user directly responds, the mobile phone 20
It is shown that the user who knows the completion of the processing of the application program on the personal computer (PC) 100 through 0 directly responds to the personal computer (PC) 100 instead of returning the response to the mobile phone 200. There is. The user may respond to either the personal computer (PC) 100 or the mobile phone 200.

When there is a response from the user to the personal computer (PC) 100 (Y in step B6)
S), the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side transmits the stop data to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link (step B7). Upon receiving this stop data, the system software on the mobile phone 200 side stops the notification process to the user and moves to the process of determining whether or not there is a link release request. Then, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side transmits the stop data, and then the mobile phone 1
The link with 02 is released (step B8).

Next, the personal computer (PC) 1
The system software on the 00 side updates the state of the mobile phone 200 on the notification device table (step B9). That is, if the user can be notified using the mobile phone 200, the mobile phone 2 in the notification device table is displayed.
The state of 00 is updated to "notification possible". Further, when there is no response from the user, the state of the mobile phone 102 in the notification device table is updated to “no response from the user”.

After updating the notification device table, it is determined whether or not the notification to the user is ended (step B1).
0). Then, since there is a response from the user, the notification to the user is ended (YES in step B10).

When there is no response from the user to the personal computer (PC) 100 (NO in step B6),
The system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side determines whether or not there is a response from the user to the mobile phone 200 (step B11). When there is a response from the user to the mobile phone 200, the mobile phone 2
The system software on the 00 side transmits response information notifying that there is a response from the user to the personal computer (PC) 100 via a wireless link. In step B11, it is determined whether or not the response information is received by the personal computer (PC) 100.
In step B6, the personal computer (PC) 1
Although it is determined whether or not there is a direct response from the user to 00, in step B11, the personal computer (PC) 100 sends the processing completion information to the mobile phone 200 transmitted via a wireless link. It determines whether or not there is a response from the user.

When there is a response from the user to the mobile phone 200 (YES in step B11), the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side is
The stop data is transmitted to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link (step B7), and the link is released (step B8). Next, the mobile phone 200 in the notification device table
Is updated to "notification possible" (step B9), and since the notification to the user has been completed, the notification processing to the user ends (YES in step B10).

On the other hand, when there is no response from the user to the mobile phone 200 (NO in step B11), that is, when there is no response from the user, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side stores in the mobile phone 200. It is determined whether or not a certain time has passed since the processing completion information was transmitted (step B1).
2). The fixed time means a personal computer (P
C) It is the time when the system software on the 100 side waits for a response from the user. This time is measured using the timer set in step B5. Any value can be set for the fixed time.

If the fixed time has not elapsed (NO in step B12), the personal computer (P
C) The system software on the 100 side is step B6.
The process of determining the response from the user is performed again. This means waiting for a response from the user until a fixed time has elapsed.

If a certain period of time has passed (YES in step B12), it is determined whether or not a re-notification request should be issued to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link (step B13). The re-notification request is sent when the user does not respond to the re-notification request even after a certain period of time has passed, although the processing completion information has been transmitted to the mobile phone 2
00 to request the notification process to the user again. In the present embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is used as a method for determining whether or not to make a re-notification request.
An item called a re-notification mode is provided in the system software on the 100 side. That is, if the re-notification mode is ON, the re-notification process is performed and the re-notification mode is OFF.
When it is set, the user is not notified again. In step B13, the state of the re-notification mode is checked to make a determination.

When the re-notification request is made (YES in step B13), the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side transmits re-notification request information indicating the re-notification request to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link ( Step B14). The system software on the mobile phone 200 side that has received the re-notification request information performs the notification process to the user again.

After transmitting the re-notification request, the system software on the personal computer side sets the timer and the re-notification mode (step B15). The timer is reset to measure the time since the re-notification request was sent. To set the re-notification mode, set the re-notification mode to ON /
Switch off. When the re-notification mode is ON, the notification to the user is repeated even though there is no response from the user. Therefore, when the re-notification request is transmitted a predetermined number of times, the re-notification mode is changed to OFF. When the re-notification mode is changed to OFF, NO is selected in the determination as to whether or not the next re-notification request is to be made (step B13), and the notification process to the mobile phone 200 ends. The predetermined number of times can be set arbitrarily. When the setting of the timer and the re-notification mode is completed, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side performs the process of determining the response from the user again. This means waiting for a response from the user until a fixed time has elapsed.

When the re-notification request is not made (step B1)
3), the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side transmits stop data to the mobile phone 200 via the wireless link (step B7), and releases the link (step B8).

At this point, the personal computer (PC) 100 has not received a response from the user. That is, the user does not yet know that the processing of the application software on the personal computer (PC) 100 has been completed. Therefore, in order to notify the user of the completion of the process, it is necessary to notify the completion of the process using a device other than the mobile phone 200. Mobile phone 2
Since there was no response from the user even when 00 was notified, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side updates the state of the mobile phone 200 in the notification device table to “no response from user” (step B
9) Do not select this device in the next selection process. Next, it is determined whether or not the notification to the user is to be ended (step B10), but since the notification to the user has not been completed, the notification to the user is not ended (step B1).
0), the notification device is selected again, and the other devices are notified that the processing of the application software on the personal computer (PC) 100 is completed.

FIG. 10 shows a personal computer (P
10C is a flowchart showing a notification device selection processing procedure executed by the system software on the 100 side.

First, it is determined whether or not the notification device table on the personal computer (PC) 100 in which the device notified of the completion of the process is registered is not empty (step C1). If the notification device table is empty (step C
1 YES), personal computer (PC) 100
Since there is no device to be notified of the completion of the processing of the above application software, the notified device selection processing ends.

On the other hand, when the device is registered in the notified device table (NO in step C1), the device having the highest priority is selected from the notified device table (step C2). Since the priority is set by the user, it is highly possible that the device with the higher priority can notify the user of the completion of the process with less processing.

Next, it is judged whether or not the device selected in step C2 is a device capable of notifying the user (step C3). A device that may notify the user is a personal computer (P
C) A device whose status in the notification device table on 100 is "not notified" or "notifiable". The device status in the notification device table includes “not notified”, “notification possible”, “wireless link established”, “wireless link not established”, and “no response from user”. “Not notified” is an initial state immediately after being registered in the notified device table in a state where no attempt has been made to establish a wireless link.
“Notifiable” is a state when a wireless link is established and a response is received from the user. In other words, a device that can establish a wireless link and that can notify the user is a device in the “notifiable” state.

“Wireless link being established” is a state when the wireless link has been established. "Cannot establish wireless link"
Is a state when the wireless link cannot be established. That is, it means that the device is in a state in which the wireless link cannot be established because the device is out of order or is not in a place where the wireless link can be established.
“No response from user” is a state in which there is no response from the user even though the wireless link has been established and the user has been notified.

When the device selected in step C2 is "not notified" or "notifiable" (Y in step C3)
ES) indicates that the device that notifies the user of the completion of the processing of the application program on the personal computer (PC) 100 can be selected. After that, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side establishes a wireless link with the selected device, performs the process of generating the process completion information, and notifies the device for notifying the user of this generation. The completed processing information is transmitted.

Further, the device selected in step C2 is
If not "Not notified" or "Notifiable" (Step C
No of 3), the device with the next highest priority is selected from the notified device table (step C4). When the notification device having the next highest priority can be selected (YES in step C4), the determination in step C3 is performed again. On the other hand, if the notification device with the next highest priority cannot be selected (NO in step C4), the status of each device in the notification device table on the personal computer (PC) 100 is cleared (to the “end notification” state). It is determined whether or not (step C5).
When it is not possible to select the notification device with the next highest priority, the status of all the devices registered in the notification device table is "wireless" as a result of determining all the devices registered in the notification device table. Cannot establish link ", or
It indicates that there is no response from the user. In other words, the notification process was performed for all registered notification devices, but there was no response from the user,
Or, unable to establish a wireless link with the device,
This indicates that the processing completion notification could not be sent to the user.

Whether or not to clear the status is determined, for example, by referring to the number of times the status of the notification device table has been cleared. If there is no response from the user despite clearing the state many times and repeating the notification, there is a high possibility that there is no user near the notification device registered in the notification device table. In such a case, since the notification is useless, the state of the notification device table is not cleared, and the process for the notification device is terminated. If the status of each device in this notification device table is not cleared (N in step C5)
O), Stop notifying the user of the completion of the process, and finish the notification process to the user.

When the status of each device in the notification device table is cleared (YES in step C5), the process of clearing the status of each device in the notification device table is performed (step C6). Then, the selection process is performed again. Clearing the status of each device in the notification device table and restarting the selection process of the notification device is because the situation such as the movement of the user or the power of the device is turned on with the passage of time, This is because there is a possibility that a device of “not possible” or “no response from the user” can be used as a notification device to the user.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11 and the above FIG. 9, the process completion information generation process executed by the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side will be described.

The completion of processing of the application software on the personal computer (PC) 100 is notified to the user through the device. Therefore, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side is
It is necessary to generate processing completion information suitable for the device that notifies the user of processing completion. In the present embodiment, since the notified device is the mobile phone 200, a process of generating process completion information suitable for the mobile phone 200 is performed. The processing completion information transmitted to the mobile phone 200 includes the name of the personal computer that notifies the completion of the processing, the name of the application software that has executed the completed processing, the name of the completed processing, the processing completion time, and the processing completion. There are elements such as the type of notification sound for notifying the user of, and the time for playing the notification sound.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a concrete procedure of the generation processing of the processing completion information transmitted to the mobile phone 102.

The system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side receives the ID or screen size information and sound source information from the mobile phone 200 when the link is established (step D1). On the personal computer (PC) 100 side, there is a notification device table indicating the correspondence between the ID and the performance of the mobile phone 200 (screen size, sound source, memory size, etc.). The screen size information and sound source information of the mobile phone 200 received at the time of link establishment are registered in this notification device table. Further, by registering the performance of the mobile phone 200 in the notification device table in advance, the performance of the mobile phone 200 can be determined from the ID without directly receiving the screen size information and the like. Since the notification means to the user is different depending on the device that notifies the user of the processing completion, it is possible to generate the processing completion information according to the type of the device to be notified to the user by the ID or the device information notified from the device when the link is established. .

The system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side compares the screen size of the mobile phone 200 with a predetermined threshold value,
Generate the process completion information including the name of the personal computer that notifies the completion of the process, the name of the application that was executing the completed process, the name of the completed process, and the completion time of the process, or Whether to further select information to be transmitted from the name of the personal computer that notifies the completion information of the processing, the name of the application software that was executing the completed processing, the name of the completed processing, and the processing completion time decide.

A priority is assigned to each of the name of the personal computer that notifies the process completion information of the completion of the process, the name of the application software that was executing the completed process, the name of the completed process, and the completion time of the process. Therefore, the items with lower priority are excluded from the transmission target in order. In this embodiment, the following priorities are used.

(1) Name of completed process (2) Name of application that executed completed process (3) Name of personal computer (4) Completion time, that is, if screen size is threshold value X or more (YES in step D2), personal computer (PC)
The name of 100, the name of the application software executing the completed process, the name of the completed process, and the completion time of the process are all generated as the process completion information (step D3). If the screen size is smaller than the threshold value X and is equal to or larger than the threshold value Y (YE in step D4).
S), the name of the personal computer (PC) 100,
The name of the application software that was executing the completed process and the name of the completed process are generated as the process completion information (step D5). Further, when the screen size is smaller than the threshold value Y and is equal to or larger than the threshold value Z (YES in step D6), the name of the application software that has executed the completed process and the name of the completed process are used as the process completion information. It is generated (step D7). Otherwise (NO in step D6), only the name of the process is generated as the process completion information (step D8).

In this way, by excluding the processing completion information one by one in descending order of priority in accordance with the screen size, the optimum processing for the screen size of the mobile phone 200 used. A completion message can be displayed.

The voice notification to the user is made by using the voice function of the mobile phone 200. Step D
Based on the sound source information of the mobile phone 200 obtained in 1 or the information of the notification device table determined from the ID, it is determined whether the notification sound specified by the mobile phone 200 can be used (step D9). If the designated notification sound can be used (YES in step D9), the designated notification sound is generated as the processing completion information as a notification to the user (step D10). If the notification sound specified by the mobile phone 200 cannot be used (step D9 N
O), a notification sound usable by the mobile phone 200 is generated as processing completion information from the sound source information of the mobile phone 200 as a notification sound to the user (step D11). Also, the reproduction time of the selected notification sound on the mobile phone 200 is generated as the processing completion information (step D12). When the mobile phone 200 has a vibration function as a function, it is possible to use the vibration function as a notification means to the user instead of the voice function. Furthermore, it is possible to use the voice function and the vibration function at the same time.

Next, the notification device registration processing executed by the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 9 described above. Here, the notification device to be registered will be described as a mobile phone.

First, the personal computer (PC) 1
From 00, the type of device to which the processing completion information is notified is selected (step E1). The types of devices include mobile phones, televisions, music players, and personal computers. When the mobile phone 200 is registered as a notification device, “mobile phone” is selected from the types of notification devices and the mobile phone 200 is registered. Personal computer (P
C) In order to establish a wireless link between 100 and the mobile phone 200, it is necessary to register information for establishing a wireless link. For example, Bluetooth on a wireless link
If you want to use oooth, B of the mobile phone 200
It is necessary to register the Bluetooth device address and the like. Bluetooth device address is Bl
It is a 48-bit identifier uniquely assigned to a Bluetooth device. When registering the notification device table, an ID for identifying each notification device is added. The ID may be the Bluetooth device address used to establish the wireless link.

If Bluetooth is used for the wireless link, a personal computer (PC)
100 is familiar (personal computer (PC) 10
It has a function to search for and find equipment with a radius of about 10 m (centered around 0). The personal computer (PC) 100 can also discover a device using this function and register it as a notification device in the notification device table.

Next, the personal computer (PC) 1
The system software on the 00 side sets the priority of the device selected in step E1 (step E2). This priority is used when the personal computer (PC) 100 selects a device for transmitting the processing completion information.
That is, a device with a high priority is first selected as the personal computer (PC) 100. Therefore, a high priority is set for a device for which notification is to be given priority.

The setting of the notification means of the notification device differs depending on the type of the notification device. In the present embodiment, since the type of device selected is “mobile phone”, the notification sound used for notifying the user and the reproduction time thereof are set. Mobile phone L
On the CD, the content of the processing completion information generated by the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side and a screen responsible for the response from the user are displayed. In addition to this, if the mobile phone used for notification has a vibration function, set vibration for notification,
It can also be used.

After setting the priority, the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side sets the notification sound used by the mobile phone 200 to notify the user (step E3). Since the voice function of the mobile phone differs depending on the type of the mobile phone, the designated notification sound cannot always be used. Therefore, if the designated notification sound cannot be used, the notification sound provided in advance in the mobile phone, such as a ring tone, is used.

When the notification sound is decided, first, the time for reproducing the notification sound is set (step E4). The playback time sets how long the notification sound continues to sound.
After adding one notification device, it is determined whether or not to add another device (step E5). When the notification device is further added (YES in step E5), the registration is performed again from the selection of the type of the notification device. If not added (NO in step E5), the notification device registration processing ends.

By the way, in order to make the notification to the user more reliable, it is preferable to register a plurality of notification devices. However, when registering a plurality of devices, it is a complicated task for the user to individually set all the devices. Therefore, if the initial value is set for each type of notification device and the notification device can be set only by selecting the notification device, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when registering the notification device. . Further, in order to increase the certainty of notifying the completion of processing to the user, a notification device table correction function of causing the system software on the personal computer (PC) 100 side to change the priority of the notification device table according to the notification result to the user. May have.

That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified in the implementation stage within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved,
When the effects described in the section of the effects of the invention can be obtained, a structure in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as the invention.

[0107]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, various devices can be applied as the notification device even in an environment such as home where the extension telephone system is not installed. The completion of processing can be known in a timely manner, and the work can be efficiently performed.

When the user is not near the electronic device or when the electronic device cannot notify the completion of the process due to a failure or the like, the process completion information is newly transmitted to another electronic device to notify the user. Prevent unreported notifications and make notifications to users more reliable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a processing completion notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a personal computer in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a software configuration of a personal computer in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a mobile phone in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram showing a software configuration of a mobile phone in the processing completion notification system of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a process of system software implemented on the mobile phone side in order to realize the process completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing a process of system software implemented on the personal computer side to realize the process completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing an example of a monitoring target processing table included in a personal computer in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing an example of a notification device table provided in a personal computer in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing a notification device selection processing procedure executed by system software on the personal computer side in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing completion information generation processing procedure executed by the system software on the personal computer side in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart showing a notification device registration processing procedure executed by system software on the personal computer side in the processing completion notification system of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Personal computer (PC) 101 ... System software 102 ... BUS driver 103 ... USB driver 104 ... Host controller 105 ... Notification device selection processing unit 106 ... Processing completion information generation processing unit 107 ... Notification device registration processing unit 108 ... Wireless communication module 109 ... Antenna section 110 ... RF section 111 ... Baseband part 112 ... Memory unit 113 ... Crystal oscillator 114 ... AD / DA converter 115 ... Microphone / speaker 116 ... PC engine section 117 ... Serial I / F 118 ... PC engine 119 ... LED 120 ... USB interface 121 ... Monitor 122 ... keyboard 123 ... PCMCIA interface 124 ... LMP 125 ... HCI 126 ... OS 127 ... Driver software 128 ... Application software 129 ... Wireless protocol stack 200 ... Mobile phone 201 ... Wireless module 202 ... Antenna section 203 ... RF unit 204 ... Baseband section 205 ... Memory unit 206 ... Crystal oscillator 207 ... Mobile phone engine 208 ... Serial I / F 209 ... Antenna 210 ... RF section 211 ... Baseband part 212 ... LCD 213 ... Key operation unit 214 ... LED 215 ... Memory 216 ... Common part 217 ... AD / DA converter 218 ... Microphone / Speaker 219 ... Power supply unit 220 ... LMP 221 ... HCI 222 ... Mobile phone protocol stack 223 ... Application software 224 ... Wireless protocol stack 225 ... HCI 300 ... Music player 400 ... Television device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A processing completion notification system for notifying a user of processing completion of an information processing device by an electronic device connected via a local wireless communication path, wherein the information processing device indicates processing completion of its own device. Processing completion information generating means for generating processing completion information according to the type of the electronic device, and processing for transmitting the processing completion information generated by the processing completion information generating means to the electronic device via the local wireless communication path. Completion information transmitting means, the electronic device, by the processing completion information receiving means for receiving the processing completion information transmitted from the information processing device via the local wireless communication path, the processing completion information receiving means. A process completion notification, which notifies the user of the process completion of the information processing device when the process completion information is received. Knowledge system. 2. The information processing apparatus, when the local wireless communication path cannot be established with the electronic device or when there is no response from the electronic device to the processing completion information, the information processing device completes the processing for another electronic device. The processing completion notification system according to claim 1, further comprising control means for newly executing transmission of information. 3. The electronic device for transmitting the processing completion information is provided with destination setting means for setting the type and priority order, and the control means sets the type and priority order set by the destination setting means. The processing completion notification system according to claim 2, wherein the processing completion information is transmitted based on the transmission. 4. A target process setting unit for setting a process to be transmitted of the process completion information, wherein the control unit sets the process completion information of the process completion information when the process set by the target process setting unit is completed. The processing completion notification system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein transmission is executed. 5. The local wireless communication path is 2.4 GH
5. The processing completion notification system according to claim 1, wherein the system uses a radio wave in the z band. 6. A processing completion notifying method for notifying a user of processing completion of an information processing device by an electronic device connected via a local wireless communication path, wherein the information processing device indicates processing completion of its own device. A step of generating processing completion information according to the type of the electronic device; and a step of transmitting the generated processing completion information to the electronic device via the local wireless communication path, the electronic device comprising: A step of receiving processing completion information transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the local wireless communication path; and a step of notifying a user of processing completion of the information processing apparatus when the processing completion information is received. A method of notifying the completion of processing. 7. The information processing apparatus, when the local wireless communication path cannot be established with the electronic device or when there is no response from the electronic device to the processing completion information, the processing completion for another electronic device. 7. The method of notifying the completion of processing according to claim 6, further comprising the step of newly executing transmission of information.