JP2009100191A - Coordination system among devices - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain communication that uses cellular phones, in a state where a document, or the like, is shared on an external device among a plurality of users. <P>SOLUTION: Each external device establishes P2P connection, on the basis of information received from a coordination server 1, by transmitting communication information (session IDs) that contains information (telephone numbers) regarding the cellular phones 3A, 3B to the external devices (complex machines 2A, 2B) by the cellular phones 3A, 3B, and transmitting the information regarding an external device which should serve as a connection partner, to each external device, on the basis of the session IDs and device IDs transmitted from the external devices by the coordination server 1. Thus, while the users conduct communication with the cellular phones 3A, 3B, each user can conduct P2P connection of the external devices, to which the cellular phones are held up, and common work environment to the document, and the like, by using the external devices is provided in an ad-hoc manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-device cooperation system, and more particularly to an inter-device cooperation system that connects and links information devices.

  Along with the recent development of the information society, when using a mobile phone in a daily work to talk to a remote user, it is desirable to use various office devices that are connected to the user at the same time as a remote call to ad hoc. Exists.

  For example, (1) during a conversation using a mobile phone, a multifunction device existing in the vicinity of each user is connected to each other, and a document scanned by one user with the multifunction device is located near the other user. (2) During a conversation using a mobile phone, one user writes on an electronic whiteboard in the vicinity and projects the contents onto the projector of the other user. Or if you want to connect electronic whiteboards that exist in the vicinity of both users and write to each other, or (3) the screen of the computer on which one user is working during a conversation using a mobile phone For example, when a document editing operation or the like is performed jointly by displaying on a computer screen used by the user.

  On the other hand, recently, the sender side recognizes the position of the recipient, notifies the recipient that the document is to be sent to the printing device that is closest to the recipient, and the recipient side Depending on the technique of printing a document transmitted by the sender (see Patent Document 1) by executing printing on the printing apparatus or the location of the mobile phone of the user at the transmission destination, A technique for searching for a printing device having the most suitable performance for printing and notifying the user and outputting the printed material in a safe form from the printing device designated by the user is proposed (see Patent Document 2). Has been.

  Further, when a connection request between video communication devices is issued during a call with a mobile phone, a connection request is issued to the address of the other video communication device associated with the number of the call destination mobile phone. Based on technology issued (see Patent Document 3) where both video communication devices are connected via a network, and data received from a mobile phone (data related to information desired to be known) when making a call on the mobile phone A technique for sharing multimedia data by a server searching multimedia data and distributing the search result to a mobile phone has also been proposed (see Patent Document 4).

JP 2005-173793 A JP 2005-275724 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-276781 JP 2006-228087 A

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the sender must recognize the location information of the transmission partner (recipient) and search for the nearest output device to identify the device. In addition to being complicated, devices that can be output to the receiver are limited.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 3, since it is necessary to set the correspondence relationship between the call destination and the video communication device in advance, the devices that can be used are limited, and the video communication device installed at the destination is limited. It cannot be used for ad hoc without going through usage registration.

  Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 4, information can be exchanged with a call partner, but shared information can be searched on a network using a mobile phone (multimedia). Therefore, this technology does not enable collaboration using information devices other than mobile phones.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides an inter-device cooperation system that enables communication between users having portable information terminals while sharing materials on information devices. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first inter-device cooperation system according to the present invention is used for one portable information terminal and another portable information terminal used for communication between users, and the other portable information terminal. One information device connected to a network for acquiring communication information including information related to the two portable information terminals from the one portable information terminal connected in a communicable manner, and the one portable information terminal The communication information is acquired from the other portable information terminal connected in a communicable manner, the other information device connected to the network, the communication information, the information related to the one information device, and the Information on other information devices is registered, and the one information is registered based on the information. A server that transmits information related to the other information device to the device via the network, and a server that transmits information related to the one information device to the other information device via the network; The one information device and the other information device establish a connection relationship on the network based on information received from the server.

  According to this, the server transmits information on the information device to be connected to each information device based on the communication information collected via the information device and the portable information terminal and information on each information device. Since each information device establishes a connection relationship on the network based on information received from the server, it is collected via the information device and the portable information terminal while the user communicates with the portable information terminal. Information can be used to connect information devices. As a result, a collaborative work environment for materials using information devices is provided in an ad hoc manner, so that each user can communicate using a portable information terminal while sharing the materials on the information devices. It becomes.

  In this case, the server stores content data that can be used in the two information devices, and the content information is stored in the two information devices in a state where a connection relationship is established between the two information devices. Data can be shared. In such a case, the content data stored in the server is shared by both information devices, so that the user can communicate using the portable information terminal while performing collaborative work using the information device for the content data. It becomes possible.

  In this case, operation information from each information device for the content data is accumulated, and both the information devices can perform the same operation on the content data based on the operation information. In such a case, the operation on the content data performed in one information device can be shared by both information devices.

  In the first inter-device cooperation system of the present invention, the mobile information terminal is a mobile phone, and communication information transmitted from each of the mobile phones to each of the information devices includes telephone numbers of the two mobile phones. Can be included.

  Further, the processing by the server relating to the registration of information relating to the information device can be executed at predetermined time intervals. In such a case, the information on the information device registered in the server is updated at predetermined time intervals, so that the connection relationship between the information devices can be reviewed at an appropriate timing.

  In the first inter-device cooperation system of the present invention, the end of the connection between the two information devices is executed under the instruction of the server that has received the end information transmitted from one of the two information devices. Can be made.

  The second inter-device cooperation system of the present invention is used for communication between one information device and other information devices connected via a network, and between users, and performs data communication with each other via a wireless network different from the network. One portable information terminal and another portable information terminal that respectively receive information related to each information device from each of the information devices, and the one portable information terminal and information to this Between the transmitting information device and between the other portable information terminal and the information device transmitting the information to the information device are connected in a state where data communication is possible, and the two portable information terminals receive each of them. Information related to the information device is transmitted / received to / from each other, and the both information devices are based on the information related to the information device shared by the portable information terminals. , And establishes the connection relationships within the network.

  According to this, a portable information terminal having a function of performing data communication via a wireless network receives information related to the information device from the information device, and allows data communication between the portable information terminal and the information device. Are connected, and both information devices establish a connection relationship in the network based on information about the information devices received by both portable information terminals shared between both portable information terminals. During communication, information collected through the information device and the portable information terminal can be used to connect the information devices. As a result, a collaborative work environment for materials using information devices is provided in an ad hoc manner, so that each user can communicate using a portable information terminal while sharing the materials on the information devices. It becomes.

  In this case, when each of the portable information terminals receives information on the information devices, the portable information terminals transmit communication information including information on the portable information terminals to the information devices. Can establish a connection relationship in the network based on the communication information.

  In the second inter-device cooperation system of the present invention, the information devices share the content data stored in the one information device in a state where the connection relationship is established between the information devices. can do.

  Moreover, in the 2nd inter-apparatus cooperation system of this invention, the transmission / reception of the information regarding the said information apparatus by the said both portable information terminals can be performed at predetermined time intervals. In such a case, it becomes possible to review the connection relationship of the information devices at an appropriate timing.

  The connection between the portable information terminal and the information device may be a peer-to-peer connection.

  In the first and second device cooperation systems of the present invention, the connection between the two information devices can be performed by peer-to-peer connection.

  In the first and second inter-device cooperation systems of the present invention, the portable information terminal has an identification mark, and transmission / reception of information between the portable information terminal and the information device is performed using the identification mark. Can be done through. In such a case, information can be easily transmitted and received between the portable information terminal and the information device by using the identification mark.

  The information on the information device can be an information device ID based on the IP address of the information device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the inter-device cooperation system which can perform communication using a portable information terminal in the state which shared the document etc. on the information device between the users who have a portable information terminal can be provided. .

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an inter-device cooperation system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an inter-device cooperation system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-device cooperation system 100 includes an external device (in the present embodiment, multifunction devices 2A and 2B), a coordination server 1, a document server 9, and mobile phones 3A and 3B owned by the user. With. The multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B, the coordination server 1, and the document server 9 are connected to the LAN 6. The external device is not limited to the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B, and various devices such as a personal computer (PC), an electronic whiteboard, a scanner, and a printer can be employed.

  The multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B have a function of scanning a paper document, a copy function, a print function, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the multifunction machines 2A and 2B has a memory 12A and a CPU 12B, and a control program is installed in the memory 12A. Further, identification mark reader / writers 7A and 7B for performing information communication with the mobile phones 3A and 3B possessed by the user are connected to the multifunction devices 2A and 2B by USB connection or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, these identification mark reader / writers 7A and 7B have functions of writing data received from the outside into the control program, reading data from the control program, and transmitting the data to the outside. Even when a device other than the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B (a device such as a PC or an electronic whiteboard) is used as an external device, an identification mark reader / writer is connected to these devices as described above (or in advance). It is necessary to use a device equipped with an identification mark reader / writer.

  The coordination server 1 is a mediation server for establishing a connection between the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B by exchanging data with each of the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B. The coordination server 1 can also store a document image read by the scanning function of the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B.

  The document server 9 is a server for storing data (for example, document content) that can be shared by the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phones 3A and 3B include a memory 13A and a CPU 13B, and a control program is installed in the memory 13A. In addition, these mobile phones 3A and 3B include identification signs (IC tags, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for performing information communication with the identification sign reader / writers 7A and 7B connected to the multifunction devices 2A and 2B. Etc.) 8A and 8B are provided. As shown in FIG. 2, these identification marks 8A and 8B have a function of writing data received from the outside (identification mark reader / writer) into the control program, and a function of reading data from the control program and transmitting it to the outside.

  Next, a data structure processed by the inter-device cooperation system 100 of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3A shows a data structure of the mobile phones 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the mobile phones 3A and 3B have their own phone numbers and contact phone numbers, and the identification signs 8A and 8B provided on the mobile phones 3A and 3B include The session ID is stored. Here, the session ID is an ID composed of “the telephone number on the calling side, the telephone number on the receiving side, and the date and time”.

  FIG. 3B shows the data structure of the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 3B, the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B can have a device address, a session ID, and a URL of the coordination server. The MFPs 2A and 2B have a connection destination device set that is a set of data of connection destination devices and a provided service set that is a set of data of provided services. Among these, the data of the connection destination device includes a device address, and the data of the provided service includes a service description. Further, the identification mark reader / writers 7A and 7B connected to the MFPs 2A and 2B by USB have session ID data received from the above-described identification marks.

  FIG. 4A shows the data structure of the coordination server 1. As shown in FIG. 4A, a server address is set in the coordination server 1, and the coordination server 1 also includes a session ID, connected device data (including the device address), shared document data (document URL). A shared document set which includes a set of event pools including application data (including an application name).

  FIG. 4B shows the data structure of the document server 9. As shown in FIG. 4B, a server address is set in the document server 9, and the document server 9 possesses a document set that is a set of document data. The document data includes a document URL and a document (content).

  Next, the cooperation method between the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B in the inter-device cooperation system 100 of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to other drawings as appropriate along the sequence diagram (flow) of FIG. Explained. The numbers in parentheses used in the following description correspond to the processing numbers shown in FIG.

  As a premise of this processing, a user who has the mobile phone 3A exists in the vicinity of one multifunction device 2A, and a user who has the mobile phone 3B exists in the vicinity of the other multifunction device 2B.

  (1) First, a user on the calling side uses the mobile phone 3A to make a call (make a call) to the mobile phone 3B on the receiving side, and (2) the user on the receiving side responds to the call by the receiving side. By pressing the call start button of the mobile phone 3B (answering a call), communication (call) between the two users via the mobile phones 3A and 3B is started (see symbol (I) in FIG. 8A). ).

  (3) Next, the originating mobile phone 3A generates a session ID. As described above, the session ID in this case is an ID composed of “the telephone number on the calling side, the telephone number on the receiving side, and the date and time”. The mobile phone 3A writes this session ID to the identification mark 8A (see reference numeral (II) in FIG. 8B). (4) Similarly, the mobile phone 3B on the receiving side also generates a session ID composed of “the telephone number on the calling side, the telephone number on the receiving side, and the date and time”. The mobile phone 3B writes this session ID to the identification mark 8B (see reference numeral (II) in FIG. 8B). The session ID is deleted from each of the identification signs 8A and 8B when the call between the mobile phones 3A and 3B ends.

  (5) Next, when the mobile phone 3A (identification indicator 8A) is held over the identification indicator reader / writer 7A of the multifunction peripheral 2A disposed around the user by the user on the transmission side, the identification indicator reader / writer 7A is identified. A “session ID transmission message” is received from the sign 8A. When the identification mark 8A is held over the identification mark reader / writer 7A, it is actually necessary to operate the mobile phone 3A to display a message as shown in FIG. 6A on the screen.

  Here, the session ID transmission message received by the identification mark reader / writer 7A is composed of “message ID, session ID”. Therefore, when the identification mark reader / writer 7A receives this session ID transmission message, the session ID generated in the above-described process (3) is delivered to the multi-function device 2A (FIG. 9 ( a) (see symbol (III)). The multi-function device 2A is in a state (standby state) where it can always receive a session ID transmission message from the mobile phone 3A, and the multi-function device 2A receives the session ID transmission message. Then, a “session ID reception completion message (including a reply target message)” is sent back to the mobile phone 3A. In this case, on the mobile phone 3A that has received the session ID reception completion message, the display as shown in FIG. 6B (display of “MFD-001”, which is the name of the multifunction machine 2A) is made. Yes.

  (6) Similarly, on the receiving side, when the user holds the mobile phone 3B (identification mark 8B) over the identification mark reading / writing device 7B of the multifunction peripheral 2B arranged around the user, the mobile phone 3B side A “session ID transmission message” is transmitted to the MFP 2B side. Since this session ID transmission message is composed of “message ID, session ID”, the session ID generated in the above-described process (4) is delivered to the multi-function device 2B by the transmission of the message. (Refer to symbol (III) in FIG. 9A). Note that the multifunction device 2B is also set in a state (standby state) where the session ID transmission message can always be received. In addition, the multifunction device 2B sends back a “session ID reception completion message (including a reply target message)” to the mobile phone 3B when the session ID transmission message is received.

  (7) Next, the originating multifunction device 2A transmits a “registration request message” to the coordination server 1 when it receives the session ID from the mobile phone 3A. Here, since the registration request message is composed of “message ID, session ID, device ID”, the session ID and device ID are delivered to the coordination server 1 by transmission of the message. . Note that the “device ID” is calculated by an IP address of the device (multifunction device 2A) or a value calculated from the IP address by a hash function or the like (for example, an algorithm such as SHA-256 generally used for encryption or the like). Value) can be used.

  (8) The reception side multifunction device 2B also includes a “registration request message (“ message ID, session ID, device ID ”) at the stage of receiving the session ID from the mobile phone 3B, similarly to the transmission side multifunction device 2A. Is sent to the coordination server 1.

  (9) In this way, the coordination server 1 that has received the session ID and the device ID from the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B registers (accumulates) the session ID and the device ID (the symbol ( See IV). When the registration (accumulation) is completed, the coordination server 1 transmits a “registration completion message (including a reply target message)” to each of the MFPs 2A and 2B.

  (10) After that, the MFPs 2A and 2B periodically send a “device list acquisition request message (including message ID)” to the coordination server 1 to make an inquiry, and the coordination server 1 responds accordingly. Then, a “device list acquisition reply message” is transmitted to the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B. This device list acquisition reply message includes a reply target message ID and a device ID set (device list). Here, the device ID set (device list) is configured by “{session ID} → {combination of device IDs}” as shown in FIG. In other words, it can be said that the device ID set (device list) is associated with the mobile phone having the phone number included in the session ID. In other words, in the process (10), the device list associated with the session ID can be acquired by exchanging messages (see symbol (V) in FIG. 10A). In FIG. 7, the phone number of the mobile phone 3A is shown as (090-0123-** 67), the phone number of the mobile phone 3B is shown as (090-8901-** 45), and The device ID is indicated as α, and the device ID of the multifunction machine 2B is indicated as β.

  (11) Next, the MFPs 2A and 2B execute P2P (Peer to Peer) connection between the MFPs 2A and 2B based on the device ID set (device list) acquired in the process (10). (See symbol (VI) in FIG. 10B).

  Here, the P2P connection is realized by (i) sharing the document list and (ii) sharing the operation event for the shared document between the MFPs 2A and 2B.

  Specifically, the coordination server 1 holds a set of documents (document URLs) that are shared by collaborative work using the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B corresponding to the session ID. That is, for example, a document (document URL) scanned by the MFP 2A, a document (document URL) included in a document set in the document server 9, and the like are held.

  Therefore, for example, when a document (for example, “estimate draft 1”) is scanned by the multifunction device 2A, it is included in the shared document list displayed on the screen (touch panel) of the multifunction devices 2A and 2B. 6C, the estimate draft 1 is added (in actuality, the user needs to input the document name). In this case, the file of “estimate draft 1” is stored in the coordination server 1.

  Then, on the screen of the multifunction device 2A, “estimate draft 1” is selected, and the multifunction device 2B (in FIG. 6C, the multifunction device 2B is shown as “MFD-11 Yokohama.bldg”). When called and “Print” is selected as the sharing operation, the coordination server 1 generates an event pool (corresponding to the user's operation on the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B) associated with the session ID and the application set. (See FIG. 4A). On the other hand, by calling the operation event in the multifunction device 2B, it is possible to print the estimate document 1 in the multifunction device 2B. In this way, a user existing in the vicinity of the multifunction device 2A and a user present in the vicinity of the multifunction device 2B can use the multifunction devices 2A and 2B without manually inputting any information (such as a fax number) into the multifunction device. It is possible to share the draft estimate 1 by using it.

  In the above description, the case where two multi-function peripherals are adopted as external devices connected to P2P has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two PCs are adopted as external devices connected to P2P. Is possible. In this case, for example, when a user of one PC performs an operation on a document using an application registered in the PC, the PC transmits the operation event to the coordination server 1 and the coordination server 1 receives the operation event. Accumulate operation events in the event pool. Note that the operation event in this case includes {operation event ID, operation date / time, operation target document, operation name, option set}.

  Then, when a new operation event is added to the event pool of the coordination server 1, the information on the operation event is notified to the application of the other PC, and the application of the other PC that has received the event is notified to the document with respect to the document. The process corresponding to the operation event information is executed.

  More specifically, when a document file is opened using a certain application in one PC, the operation event is registered in the event pool of the coordination server 1. Then, the operation event is notified from the coordination server 1 to the application program executed on the other PC, and the same operation (document file) as the operation performed on the other PC is performed on the other PC. Open) is executed. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to synchronize the operation of the application on each connected PC.

  Further, when the P2P-connected devices are, for example, a multifunction device and a PC, the user calls the “operation interface” of the multifunction device on the PC, and in the shared document set held by the coordination server 1. An operation such as printing or display is executed on a document, or a result of an operation such as scanning is stored in a shared document set. In this case, the multi-function device needs to publish an operation interface that enables the multi-function device to be operated on a Web browser on the LAN and provide it to a PC or the like.

  Returning to FIG. 5, processing for confirming whether or not the device list has been updated is periodically executed between the MFPs 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B. Specifically, as can be seen from the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 5, in the process of (12), the MFPs 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B confirm the presence / absence of a newly added device to the coordination server 1. In the process of (13), the coordination server 1 returns a message including a device list associated with the session ID, and in the process of (14), the MFPs 2A and 2B When it is determined that there is a newly added device in the received device list, a process of performing P2P connection with the newly added device is executed at predetermined time intervals, as in the above-described process (11).

  (15) Thereafter, when the communication between the users ends, the user presses an end button on the screen (touch panel) of one of the multifunction devices (for example, the multifunction device 2A), but in the multifunction device 2A, the coordination server 1 An end request message is transmitted to (16) the coordination server 1 to notify the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B of the end. (17) Each of the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B disconnects the P2P connection when the end notification is detected.

  (18) Thereafter, when the user disconnects the cellular phone call, the processing in FIG. 5 ends.

  As described above in detail, according to the first embodiment, the mobile phones 3A and 3B communicate with external devices (multifunction devices 2A and 2B) including information (phone numbers) on the mobile phones 3A and 3B. The information (session ID) is transmitted, and the coordination server 1 transmits information on the external device to be a connection partner to each external device based on the session ID transmitted from the external device and the device ID. Since each external device establishes a connection relationship on the LAN 6 based on the information received from the coordination server 1 (P2P connection), while the user is communicating with the mobile phones 3A and 3B, the mobile phone It is possible to make P2P connections between external devices (multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B) using data acquired by holding A. As a result, a collaborative work environment for materials using external devices is provided to ad hoc, so that each user can communicate using the mobile phones 3A and 3B while sharing the materials on the external devices. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, the coordination server 1 (or the document server 9) stores content data (document image data and document files scanned by a multifunction machine) that can be used in an external device. Since the content data is shared between the two external devices in a state where the devices are P2P connected, the user can perform communication using the mobile phones 3A and 3B while collaborating with the external devices on the content data. Can be planned.

  Further, in the first embodiment, operation information (operation event) from each external device for content data is accumulated, and each external device performs the same operation on the content data based on the operation information. The operation on the content data performed in one external device can be shared by both external devices.

  In the first embodiment, since the device list is updated by the coordination server 1 at predetermined time intervals, the connection relationship of external devices can be reviewed at an appropriate timing.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the inter-device cooperation system includes the document server 9 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the document server 9 may not be provided. In this case, a document file or the like may be stored in a memory of an external device (such as a multifunction device, a PC, or an electronic whiteboard) or the coordination server 1, and the document file may be shared by a plurality of external devices.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the session ID is exchanged between the mobile phone (3A, 3B) and the external device (2A, 2B) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not necessary to exchange In this case, for example, simultaneously with the start of a call on the mobile phones 3A and 3B, a session ID specified by the destination telephone number and the destination telephone number is generated in the mobile phones 3A and 3B and stored in the coordination server 1 The telephone numbers of the mobile phones 3A and 3B are associated with the user's biometric ID (or the user name and password registered in advance by the user) in advance. Then, when the biometric identification ID (or user name and password) is recognized (input) in the external device used by the user, the external device corresponds to the biometric identification ID (or user name and password). If the ID information is searched and found, the IP address of the external device is registered in the entry of the external device, so that ad hoc device cooperation between the devices can be realized based on the information. it can.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment of the inter-device cooperation system of the present invention will be described in detail based on FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a configuration of an inter-device cooperation system 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 11 and the configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the inter-device cooperation system 100 ′ of the second embodiment is characterized in that the coordination server 1 is not provided. have.

  The mobile phone 3A, 3B is different from the first embodiment in that it is an IP mobile phone having a function of performing data communication between mobile phones via a wireless network.

  Here, a data structure processed by the inter-device cooperation system 100 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 13.

  FIG. 12A shows the data structure of the mobile phones 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the mobile phones 3A and 3B have their own phone numbers and contact phone numbers, and are provided on identification signs 8A and 8B provided on the mobile phones 3A and 3B. Stores the session ID. Here, as in the first embodiment, the session ID is an ID composed of “calling side telephone number, receiving side telephone number, date and time”. The session ID is also held in the mobile phones 3A and 3B as session ID data, and the mobile phones 3A and 3B correspond to the session ID data and are connected to a set of connected device data (including device addresses). It also holds a set of devices.

  FIG. 12B shows the data structure of the multifunction machines 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 12B, the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B have device addresses. The multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B also include a connection destination device set that is a set of connection destination device data (device address), a provided service set that is a set of provided service data (service description), and application data (application name). ) And an event pool set including an event pool that is a set of events related thereto, and a shared document set that is a set of shared document data (document URL). Further, the identification mark reader / writers 7A and 7B connected to the MFPs 2A and 2B by USB have the session ID data received from the identification marks 8A and 8B.

  FIG. 13 shows the data structure of the document server 9. As shown in FIG. 13, a server address is set in the document server 9, and the document server 9 possesses a document set which is a set of document data. A document URL and a document (content) are set in the document data.

  Next, regarding the cooperation method between the multifunction peripherals 2A and 2B in the inter-device cooperation system 100 ′ of the second embodiment, along with the sequence diagram (flow) of FIG. This will be described in detail. The numbers in parentheses used in the following description are associated with the process numbers shown in FIG.

  (1) First, a user on the calling side uses the mobile phone 3A to make a call (make a call) to the mobile phone 3B on the receiving side, and (2) the user on the receiving side responds to the call by the receiving side. By pressing the call start button of the mobile phone 3B (answering a call), communication (call) between the two users via the mobile phones 3A and 3B is started (see reference sign (I) in FIG. 15A). ).

  (3) Next, the originating mobile phone 3A generates a session ID. As described above, the session ID in this case is an ID composed of “the telephone number on the calling side, the telephone number on the receiving side, and the date and time”. The mobile phone 3A writes this session ID on the identification mark 8A. (4) Similarly, the mobile phone 3B on the receiving side also generates a session ID composed of “the telephone number on the calling side, the telephone number on the receiving side, and the date and time”. The mobile phone 3B writes this session ID on the identification mark 8B. The session ID is deleted from each of the identification signs 8A and 8B when the call between the mobile phones 3A and 3B ends.

  (5) Next, when the mobile phone 3A (identification indicator 8A) is held over the identification indicator reader / writer 7A of the multi-function device 2A arranged around the user by the user on the calling side during a call, the identification indicator reader / writer 7A receives the “session ID transmission message” from the identification mark 8A. Here, the session ID transmission message received by the identification mark reader / writer 7A is composed of “message ID, session ID”. Therefore, when the identification mark reader / writer 7A receives this session ID transmission message, the session ID generated in the above-described process (3) is delivered to the multi-function device 2A. (6) On the other hand, the multifunction device 2A sends back a “session ID reception completion message (including a reply target message)” to the mobile phone 3A, and sends a “device ID transmission message”. Since the device ID transmission message is composed of “message ID, device ID”, the device ID is transmitted to the mobile phone 3A by the transmission of the message (reference numeral (b) in FIG. 15B). II)).

  (7) When the device ID is received by the mobile phone 3A, (8) the mobile phone 3A sends back a “device ID reception completion message (including a reply target message)” to the multi-function device 2A. A P2P connection is made with the machine 2A (see symbol (III) in FIG. 16A).

  Similarly to the above, in the cellular phone 3B and the multifunction device 2B, in the processes (9) to (12) in FIG. 14, the session ID and the device ID are exchanged, and the P2P between the cellular phone 3B and the multifunction device 2B is performed. A connection is established (see symbol (III) in FIG. 16A).

  (13) Next, between the mobile phones 3A and 3B, the device ID is shared by exchanging a set of device IDs possessed by each mobile phone (see symbol (IV) in FIG. 16B).

  (14) Thereafter, the mobile phone 3A transmits a set of device IDs to be connected to the multifunction device 2A via the P2P connection and transmits a connection request message to another device (here, the multifunction device 2B). To do. (15) Similarly, the mobile phone 3B transmits a set of device IDs to be connected to the multifunction device 2B via the P2P connection, and a connection request message to another device (here, the multifunction device 2A). Send.

  (16) In this way, the multifunction device 2A and the multifunction device 2B that have acquired each other's device ID establish a P2P connection between both the multifunction devices 2A and 2B based on the device ID (see reference numeral (V) in FIG. 17). ).

  Regarding the sharing of documents between the MFPs 2A and 2B established with the P2P connection and the sharing of operation events for the shared documents, the shared documents and the operation events are stored in the memories of the MFPs 2A and 2B. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment as well, a process of periodically checking whether or not the device list is updated is executed between the mobile phones 3A and 3B. Specifically, as can be seen from the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 14, in the process of (17), the presence / absence of a newly added device is confirmed between the mobile phones 3A and 3B. In the process (18), when it is determined that there is a newly added device, a process of performing P2P connection with the newly added device is executed.

  (19) After that, when the communication between the users ends, the user presses an end button on the screen (for example, touch panel) of one of the multifunction devices (for example, the multifunction device 2A), and the multifunction device 2A causes the multifunction device 2B to An end notification is sent to it. Then, (20) the multifunction device 2B disconnects the P2P connection when the end notification is detected.

  (21) When the user disconnects the cellular phone call, the processing in FIG. 14 ends.

  As described above in detail, according to the second embodiment, mobile phones (IP mobile phones) 3A and 3B having a function of performing data communication via a wireless network are transferred from external devices (multifunction devices 2A and 2B). The mobile phone 3A, 3B and the external device are connected (P2P connection) in a state where data communication is possible while receiving information (device ID) related to the external device. A P2P connection is established based on the device ID shared between the 3Bs. As a result, when the user is making a call (communication) using the mobile phones 3A and 3B, it is possible to make a P2P connection between the external devices each holding the mobile phone. As a result, a collaborative work environment for materials using external devices is provided to ad hoc, so that each user communicates using the mobile phones 3A and 3B while sharing the materials on the external devices. Can do.

  In the second embodiment, since no coordination server is used, it is possible to reduce the minimum necessary number of devices constituting the inter-device cooperation system as compared to the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the document server 9 is provided in the inter-device cooperation system 100 ′. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the document server 9 may not be provided. In this case, a document file or the like may be stored in a memory of an external device (such as a multifunction device, a PC, or an electronic whiteboard), and the document file may be shared among a plurality of external devices.

  In the second embodiment, the session ID is generated in the mobile phone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the session ID may be generated in the external device.

  In each of the above embodiments, the session ID including the phone numbers of the mobile phones 3A and 3B is adopted as the session ID. However, the session ID is not limited to this, and other than the phone number, for example, a mobile phone is set. A session ID including an IP address and a device number may be employed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, information is exchanged between the mobile phones 3A and 3B and the external device using the identification mark and the identification mark reader / writer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and infrared communication or wireless communication is possible. Information may be exchanged using voice (ultrasound), electronic mail, or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a mobile phone having an identification mark is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a portable information terminal (such as a PDA or a smartphone) other than a mobile phone having an identification mark is used. It's also good. Moreover, when using means other than an identification mark (infrared rays or the like) for communication, these portable information terminals do not have to have an identification mark.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a case where two external devices are connected to each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user is allowed to recognize a mobile phone (or a user ID) in a plurality of devices. Thus, three or more devices can be connected.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is the schematic which shows the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 1st Embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a mobile phone and a multifunction device. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a mobile telephone and a multifunction device. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a coordination server and a document server. It is a sequence diagram (flow) which shows the process of the cooperation apparatus between apparatuses concerning 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a screen of a mobile phone and a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure shown about association of session ID and apparatus ID. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 1st Embodiment. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 1st Embodiment. It is FIG. (3) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a mobile telephone and a multifunction device. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a document server. It is a sequence diagram (flow) which shows the process of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is FIG. (3) for demonstrating the operation procedure of the cooperation system between apparatuses concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Coordination server (part of the server)
2A, 2B MFP (information equipment)
3A, 3B mobile phones (portable information terminals)
6 LAN (network)
7A, 7B Identification sign reader / writer 8A, 8B Identification sign 9 Document server (part of server)

Claims (14)

One portable information terminal and another portable information terminal used for communication between users;
An information device connected to a network for acquiring communication information including information relating to the two portable information terminals from the one portable information terminal in a state of being communicably connected to the other portable information terminal; ,
Other information devices connected to the network that acquire the communication information from the other portable information terminal that is connected to be communicable with the one portable information terminal;
The communication information, the information related to the one information device, and the information related to the other information device are registered, and the information related to the other information device is registered to the one information device based on the information. A server that transmits the information about the one information device to the other information device via the network.
The inter-device cooperation system, wherein the one information device and the other information device establish a connection relationship on the network based on information received from the server. The server stores content data that can be used in both information devices,
The inter-device cooperation system according to claim 1, wherein the content data is shared between the two information devices in a state where a connection relationship is established between the two information devices. The server stores operation information from the information devices for the content data,
The inter-device cooperation system according to claim 2, wherein the two information devices perform the same operation on the content data based on the operation information. The portable information terminal is a mobile phone;
The communication information transmitted from each of the mobile phones to each of the information devices includes the phone numbers of both the mobile phones. Cooperation system. The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein processing by the server relating to registration of information related to the information device is executed at predetermined time intervals. Termination of the connection between the two information devices
The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inter-device cooperation system is executed under an instruction from a server that has received end information transmitted from either of the two information devices. One information device and other information devices connected via a network;
One portable information terminal used for communication between users, having a function of performing data communication with each other via a wireless network different from the network, and receiving information related to each information device from each of the information devices, and others Mobile information terminal, and
Between the one portable information terminal and the information device that has transmitted information thereto, and between the other portable information terminal and the information device that has transmitted information to the information device are connected in a state capable of data communication,
Between the two portable information terminals, each transmits and receives information on information devices received by each other, and shares,
The both information devices establish a connection relationship in the network based on information on the information devices shared by the two portable information terminals. Each portable information terminal, when receiving information about each information device, transmits communication information including information about both portable information terminals to each information device,
8. The inter-device cooperation system according to claim 7, wherein the two information devices establish a connection relationship in the network based on the communication information. 9. The content information stored in the one information device is shared by the information devices in a state where a connection relationship is established between the information devices. Inter-device linkage system. The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein transmission / reception of information regarding the information device by the two portable information terminals is performed at predetermined time intervals. The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the connection between the portable information terminal and the information device is a peer-to-peer connection. The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connection between the two information devices is performed by peer-to-peer connection. The portable information terminal has an identification mark,
The inter-device cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein transmission / reception of information between the portable information terminal and the information device is performed via the identification mark. 14. The inter-device cooperation system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the information device is an information device ID based on an IP address of the information device.

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