JP2014086997A - Information processing system, request source information processor, request destination information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system capable of requesting predetermined processing from a request source information processor to a request destination information processor.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a request source information processor 110; and one or more request destination candidate devices 120. The request source information processor 110 includes: instruction acceptance means 212 for accepting a processing instruction to designate a request destination with request destination identification information; first acquisition means 214 for acquiring, from first request destination candidate devices (120a to 120d) participating in a first network in which communication using a board facility 104 is performed, first device identification information for identifying the device; second acquisition means (216, 218) for acquiring, from second request destination candidate devices (120e, f) participating in a second network in which direct communication is performed, second device identification information for identifying the device; and request issuing means 222 for issuing a processing request to the device to be identified by the first device identification information or the second device identification information matching the request destination identification information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, a request source information processing apparatus, a request destination information processing apparatus, and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing system capable of requesting predetermined processing from a request source information processing device to a request destination information processing device, the request source information processing device, the request destination information processing device, and Regarding the program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a video projection system in which a video is transferred from a terminal device to a projector and projected by network connection via a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN (Patent Document 1). In such a system, in order to project an image on a desired projector, it is necessary to detect the projector from a network and establish a connection using an image transfer utility or the like.

  In the conventional image transfer utility, in order to detect a projector that can be projected, it is necessary to manually switch the operation mode according to the network setting of the projector. That is, in the case of a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a wireless LAN, the operation mode differs depending on whether the mode is the infrastructure mode or the ad hoc mode.

  The change in the operation mode described above is due to the fact that the sequence for searching for a projector that can be projected differs depending on the network setting. In projection to a projector using a wired LAN or a wireless LAN in infrastructure mode, a projector that can be projected is searched by broadcasting a search request from the utility. In response to the search request, the projector returns a response including information such as its own IP address, device identifier, and device name. The utility receives the search response and recognizes a projector that can be projected.

  On the other hand, in the projection to the projector using the wireless LAN in the ad hoc mode, the projector that can be projected is searched for when the utility receives a beacon signal transmitted from the projector. The projector transmits a beacon signal including a service set identifier (SSID), a device identifier, a device name, and the like according to certain rules. The utility receives the beacon signal and recognizes a projector that can be projected.

  As described above, in the conventional image transfer utility, the operation mode must be manually switched due to the difference in the detection sequence. Therefore, in an environment where a plurality of wired LAN, infrastructure mode, and ad hoc mode wireless LAN projectors coexist, the user needs to know these network settings. The user needs to manually switch the operation mode after grasping these settings, and has to perform complicated work.

  Japanese Patent No. 4353096 (Patent Document 2) is known in relation to the wireless communication in the infrastructure mode. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a technique that allows a projector to search from a terminal device, display a list, and select a projector from among them to establish a connection with the projector and perform projection.

  Further, in relation to wireless communication in the ad hoc mode, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-188238 (Patent Document 3) simply connects a wireless communication device set to the wireless LAN ad hoc mode and a terminal. A technique for this purpose is disclosed. In Patent Document 3, by including an IP address and priority information in the SSID included in the beacon signal, information exchange for ad hoc connection to the wireless communication device on the terminal side is performed without user operation. Yes.

  According to the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, it is possible to easily perform a process from searching for a projector to projecting using a wireless LAN set in the infrastructure mode. However, in the prior art of Patent Document 2, when the ad hoc mode is set, only a message prompting the user to change the operation mode is displayed. The user then has to manually switch the projector's network settings to infrastructure mode, which is not sufficient from the point of view of the user's workload. Without switching, it was not possible to search for a projector in which the ad hoc mode was set, and projection could not be performed.

  According to Patent Document 3 described above, it is possible to easily perform a process from searching for a projector to projecting using a wireless LAN set in the ad hoc mode. However, the prior art of Patent Document 3 does not support the infrastructure mode, and it is necessary to manually switch the network setting to the ad hoc mode.

  That is, in an environment where a plurality of types of network configurations are mixed, the user needs to perform a complicated operation of performing an operation on the request source information processing apparatus side after grasping the network settings of the request information processing apparatus. It was. There was still a desire to eliminate such trouble.

  The present invention has been made in view of the insufficiency of the above prior art. The present invention provides an information processing system, a request source information processing apparatus, and a request destination that can perform a processing request from the request source information processing apparatus to the request destination information processing apparatus with a simple operation without making the user aware of the network form. An object is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing system including a request source information processing apparatus and one or more request destination candidate apparatuses, and having the following characteristics. The request source information processing apparatus accepts a processing instruction in which the request destination is specified by the request destination identification information. And this apparatus acquires the 1st apparatus identification information which identifies this apparatus from the 1st request destination candidate apparatus which participates in the 1st network with which communication using a infrastructure is performed. The apparatus further acquires second apparatus identification information for identifying the apparatus from a second request destination candidate apparatus participating in the second network in which direct communication is performed. Then, this device issues a processing request to the device identified by the first device identification information or the second device identification information that matches the request destination identification information among the one or more request destination candidate devices described above.

  With the above configuration, the user can make a processing request from the request source information processing apparatus to the request destination information processing apparatus with a simple operation without being aware of the network form.

1 is a diagram showing a network environment in which a video projection system according to a first embodiment is constructed. The figure which shows the network setting information set to each projector arrange | positioned on the network environment shown in FIG. The functional block diagram relevant to the projection request | requirement function in the image | video projection system by 1st Embodiment. The figure which illustrates the projection destination designation | designated screen displayed on the display etc. of an information terminal in 1st Embodiment. The figure which illustrates the network environment in the case of performing the projection request which straddles a network segment. The figure which illustrates the standby screen which a projector projects in specific embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a projection destination designation screen including a list display that is called when a search button is clicked on the projection destination designation screen shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the information terminal according to the first embodiment to specify a projector that matches identification information specified by a user and to perform a projection request to the specified projector. The sequence diagram which shows the projection request | requirement process in the specific case performed between an information terminal and one or more projectors. The functional block diagram relevant to the projection request | requirement function in the video projection system by 2nd Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the projection request | requirement process in the specific case performed between the information terminal and 2 or more projector in 2nd Embodiment. The functional block diagram relevant to the projection request | requirement function in the video projection system by 3rd Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the projection request | requirement process in the specific case performed between the information terminal and 3 or more projector in 3rd Embodiment. The figure which illustrates the projection destination designation | designated screen containing the selection screen displayed on a display etc. in 3rd Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the information terminal by this embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a utility screen 500 of the related art for searching for a projector on a network. FIG. The figure explaining the search sequence until it searches for the projector connected by wired LAN or the wireless LAN of infrastructure mode, and performs a projection request using the utility of a prior art. The figure explaining the search sequence until it searches for the projector connected with the wireless LAN of an ad hoc mode, and performs a projection request | requirement using the utility of a prior art.

  Hereinafter, although embodiment of this invention is described, embodiment of this invention is not limited to embodiment described below. In the embodiment described below, a video projection system including an information terminal 110 and one or more projectors 120 is taken as an example of an information processing system including a request source information processing apparatus and one or more request destination candidate apparatuses. It explains using.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment in which a video projection system according to the first embodiment is constructed. The network environment 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a network 102 and an access point 104 connected to the network 102. In the network environment 100, an information terminal 110 and a plurality of projectors 120a to 120f are arranged. The information terminal 110 and the plurality of projectors 120a to 120f constitute the video projection system according to the present embodiment.

  The access point 104 communicates with a terminal station existing in the wireless radio wave coverage (also referred to as a wireless cell) and connects the terminal station to the network 102. Here, the terminal station corresponds to the projectors 120c and 120d in the example shown in FIG. A network 106 including the access point 104 and one or more terminal stations under its control is referred to as a basic service set (BBS). In the embodiment to be described, only a single access point 104 is shown, but the number of access points connected to the network 102 is not particularly limited. Also, the terminal station under each access point is not fixed, and may be handed off as the terminal station moves.

  The information terminal 110 is configured as a general-purpose computer device such as a personal computer or a workstation, or a portable information terminal such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). The information terminal 110 operates under an appropriate operating system such as Windows (registered trademark), UNIX (registered trademark), LINUX (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), or the like.

  The projector 120 is a video output device that projects an input video or a video generated from an input file onto a screen or the like. In the following description, video output by connection via a wired or wireless network will be mainly described. However, the projector 120 may support video output by other modes such as a video output interface. In addition, the image projection method is not particularly limited, and a liquid crystal method, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) method, a DLP (Digital Light Processing) method, an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) method, or the like may be adopted. it can.

  Of the plurality of projectors 120a to 120f described above, the first projector 120a and the second projector 120b are connected to the network 102 by wire. The third projector 120 c and the fourth projector 120 d are connected to the network 102 via the access point 104. In other words, the projectors 120c and 120d participate in the network by infrastructure mode wireless communication. On the other hand, the fifth projector 120e and the sixth projector 120f constitute a network by direct communication between terminal stations without going through the infrastructure such as the access point 104. That is, the projectors 120e and 120f participate in the network with the information terminal 110 through ad-hoc mode wireless communication.

  Here, the infrastructure mode and the ad hoc mode are each one of the operation modes of the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11 wireless LAN. The infrastructure mode refers to a form in which a wireless LAN adapter installed in each terminal station communicates via an access point 104 that is a basic facility for managing a network. On the other hand, the ad hoc mode refers to a mode in which wireless LAN adapters installed in respective terminal stations communicate directly with each other.

  FIG. 2 shows network setting information set for each projector 120 arranged on the network environment 100 shown in FIG. Each projector 120a to 120f is assigned a device name and a device identifier, and is further assigned an IP address by manual setting or DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). In the table shown in FIG. 2, the communication mode set for each projector 120 is also written. The device name is a name set for each projector 120. The device identifier is an identifier that is set to uniquely identify each projector 120. The device identifier is not particularly limited as long as the projector can be identified, but can be a character string of a predetermined number of digits combining characters, numbers, symbols, and the like. In the embodiment to be described, the description will be made assuming that it is a 4-digit number string.

  In the network environment 100, in order to make a projection request from the information terminal 110 to a desired projector, a utility for performing image transfer has conventionally been provided with a function of searching for a projector 120 on the network. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 16 to FIG. 18, an operation performed by the user from a projector search using a conventional utility to a projection request will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a utility screen 500 of the prior art for searching for a projector on the network. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a sequence from searching for a projector connected to a wired LAN or a wireless LAN in infrastructure mode using a utility of the prior art to making a projection request. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a sequence from searching for a projector connected by an ad hoc mode wireless LAN to making a projection request using a conventional utility. Note that the network environment used in the description of the prior art is assumed to be the same as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the conventional utility, the processing in the wired LAN or the infrastructure mode wireless LAN and the processing in the ad hoc mode wireless LAN are performed in different operation modes. The utility screen 500 is provided with tabs 510 and 520 for switching such operation modes. The “network connection” tab is for calling up an operation mode corresponding to wireless communication in a wired LAN or infrastructure mode. On the other hand, the “one-to-one connection” tab is for calling up an operation mode corresponding to ad-hoc mode wireless communication.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, “network connection” is selected, and the screen 500 includes a projector list 512 that displays a list of information related to the searched projectors, and various GUI (Graphical User Interface) components. As GUI parts, an update button 514 for instructing re-search, radio buttons 516a and 516b for designating content to be projected, a projection start button 530 for instructing projection start, and an instruction to end projection are given. And a projection end button 532. When “one-to-one connection” is selected, a screen similar to that shown in FIG. 16 is displayed for displaying a list of information relating to the searched projectors in the ad hoc mode.

  As described above, the reason for switching the operation mode is that the search sequence for searching for a projector that can be projected differs depending on the communication mode. A search sequence in the case of a wired LAN or a wireless LAN in infrastructure mode is shown in FIG. The case of the wireless LAN in the ad hoc mode is shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 17, in step S11, the user first determines that the desired projector is set to the infrastructure mode, and then gives an instruction to switch the operation mode to the infrastructure mode. In step S12, the user instructs the utility to start searching.

  Upon receiving the search start instruction, the utility broadcasts a search request to the network 102 to which the utility is connected, and transmits the search request to terminals in the same segment. Here, the steps will be described separately, but in step S13, the utility transmits a search request to the third projector for which the infrastructure mode is set. In step S14, the utility receives a search response from the third projector. Similarly, in step S15, the utility transmits a search request to the fourth projector, and receives a search response from the fourth projector in step S16.

  In step S17, since there is no other infrastructure mode projector, the utility displays a list of search results on the display included in the information terminal 110. The list display shows identification information such as the IP address, device identifier, and device name of the projector that has responded to the search request. Here, the fifth projector set in the ad hoc mode cannot be searched because it cannot receive the broadcast. In step S18, the user who has confirmed the list display issues a projection instruction to the utility specifying, for example, the third projector among the searched ones. In step S19, the utility receives a projection instruction and makes a projection request to the designated third projector.

  A search sequence in the case of a wireless LAN in an ad hoc mode will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21, the user first determines that the desired projector is connected to the information terminal in the ad hoc mode, and then gives an instruction to switch the operation mode to the ad hoc mode. In step S22, the user instructs the utility to start searching.

  In the ad hoc mode, terminal stations constituting IBSS (Independent BSS) transmit radio beacon radio signals (beacons) at arbitrary timings (for example, at regular intervals). The utility waits for this beacon signal, and receives the beacon signal from the fifth projector in step S23. In this beacon signal, an SSID (Service Set IDentifier), a device identifier, and a device name are included according to certain rules, and the utility extracts such information from the beacon signal. In step S24, a beacon signal is received from the sixth projector, and information is extracted.

  In step S25, since there is no other ad hoc mode projector, the utility displays a list of search results on the display. The list display shows the identification information of the projector that has transmitted the beacon signal. In addition, the third projector set in the infrastructure mode is not searched because the beacon signal is not transmitted to the information terminal. In step S26, the user who has confirmed the list display issues a projection instruction designating the fifth projector, for example, to the utility. In step S27, the utility receives a projection instruction and makes a projection request to the designated fifth projector.

  Due to the difference in the detection sequence described above, in an image projection system of the prior art, in an environment where a plurality of projectors of various communication modes coexist, the operation mode of the utility is determined after grasping the communication mode of the desired projector. There was a need to switch. Therefore, the video projection system of the present embodiment specifies a projector that matches the identification information specified by the user from the projectors in all communication modes, and makes a projection request to the specified projector. Is provided. The projection request function in the video projection system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block 200 related to the projection request function in the video projection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a functional block 210 realized on the information terminal 110 and a functional block 250 realized on each projector 120. The function block 210 on the information terminal side is installed in the information terminal 110 as a utility program, and the program is developed on its memory under the control of the CPU of the information terminal 110, whereby each functional unit and each process described later are performed. To realize. Similarly, the function block 250 on the projector side implements each function unit and each process to be described later by hardware such as a processor and a circuit block provided in the projector 120.

  The function block 210 on the information terminal side includes an instruction receiving unit 212 that receives a projection instruction from a user, a projector search unit 214, a sign signal receiving unit 216, an identification information extraction unit 218, a comparison unit 220, and a projection request issue. Part 222. On the other hand, the functional block 250 on the projector side includes an identification information holding unit 252 that holds identification information such as an SSID, an IP address, a device identifier, and a device name, a search response unit 254, a sign signal transmission unit 256, and a projection unit 258. Including.

  The instruction receiving unit 212 is an instruction receiving unit that receives from the user a projection instruction that specifies the above-described apparatus identifier, apparatus name and IP address, or at least one of them, and specifies a projector as a request destination. FIG. 4 illustrates a projection destination designation screen that is displayed on the display of the information terminal 110 in the first embodiment and receives a projection instruction that specifies a request destination from the user.

  FIG. 4A shows a projection destination designation screen 300 for performing a projection instruction using an apparatus identifier as identification information used for specifying a request destination. A projection destination designation screen 300 shown in FIG. 4 (A) includes a type display 302 that displays the type of identification information for which input is accepted (that is, a device identifier), a text box 304 that accepts input of a device identifier, connection establishment and And a connection button 306 for instructing projection. In addition, the projection destination designation screen 300 includes a search button 308 whose details will be described later, and a setting button 310 for performing various settings such as changing the type of identification information.

  FIG. 4B shows a projection destination designation screen 320 for designating a device name as identification information and performing a projection instruction. Similarly, on the projection destination designation screen 320 shown in FIG. 4B, a type display 322 that displays that the input of the device name type is received, a text box 324 that receives the input of the device name, and a connection button 326 including. FIG. 4C shows a projection destination designation screen 330 for designating a projection by designating an IP address as identification information. Note that the input format of the identification information may be any input format such as voice input based on voice recognition in addition to an input operation using a keyboard or software keyboard.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, the projector search unit 214 obtains identification information such as a device identifier, a device name, and an IP address for identifying the projector 120 from the projector 120 participating in the network in which communication using the infrastructure facility is performed. It is an acquisition means. The infrastructure described above includes an access point 104, a switch, a hub, a cable (not shown), and the like. In a specific embodiment, the network that is the search range of the projector search unit 214 includes a wired network and / or an infrastructure mode wireless network.

  In response to the instruction receiving unit 212 receiving a projection instruction from the user, the projector search unit 214 issues a search request by broadcast or the like to a terminal participating in the network, and receives a response to the search request. . The search response unit 254 included in the functional block 250 on the projector side receives the search request from the information terminal 110, reads the identification information given to itself from the identification information holding unit 252, and responds including the information. As a result, the information terminal 110 can acquire identification information from the projector that has received the response and can detect it as a projector capable of projection.

  On the other hand, the sign signal receiving unit 216 and the identification information extracting unit 218 are acquisition units that acquire identification information from the projectors 120 participating in a network in which direct communication with the information terminal 110 is performed. In a specific embodiment, the network that is used as a search range by the beacon signal reception unit 216 and the identification information extraction unit 218 includes an ad hoc mode wireless network.

  In response to the projection instruction, the beacon signal receiving unit 216 waits for a terminal station participating in the ad hoc network to receive a beacon signal periodically transmitted. The sign signal transmission unit 256 on the projector side reads identification information given to itself from the identification information holding unit 252 and transmits a beacon signal at an appropriate timing including the identification information. When a beacon signal is received, the identification information extracting unit 218 extracts identification information from the beacon signal, thereby acquiring identification information such as a device identifier, a device name, and an SSID for identifying the projector, and a projector capable of projection. Can be detected.

  It should be noted that the projector 120 that normally exists in the same segment can be detected by the search processing by the projector search unit 214. On the other hand, in the aspect in which the requested projector is specified using the IP address in the identification information, even when the IP address of a different segment from the information terminal 110 is specified, the requested projector is selected under certain conditions. It can be detected and projected. However, it is necessary that a default gateway is set and routing by the router is possible.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a network environment in the case where a projection request across network segments as described above is performed. A network environment 150 shown in FIG. 5 includes a first segment 160 and a second segment 170, and the segments 160 and 170 are connected by routers 164 and 174. In the network environment 150 shown in FIG. 5, by specifying an IP address, a projection request is sent from the information terminal 110 to the projector 120g of the second segment 170 different from the first segment 160 to which the information terminal 110 belongs. It can be issued.

  Table 1 collectively shows which range can be searched and projected when any of the device identifier, the device name, and the IP address is used.

  In Table 1 above, the symbol “Δ” indicates that retrieval and projection can be performed with conditions. This condition is a condition that the name can be resolved, and whether or not the name can be resolved depends on the environment. It can be said that name resolution is possible if a DNS (Domain Name Server) for performing name resolution of a host name is in operation and an inquiry can be made thereto. In addition, in the case of Windows (registered trademark) which is a specific embodiment, it can be said that name resolution is possible if an association between a host name and an IP address is defined in a hosts file of system files.

  Here, FIG. 3 will be referred to again. The comparison unit 220 compares the identification information received by the instruction reception unit 212 with the identification information acquired by the projector search unit 214 and the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit 218, and matches the specified identification information. 120 is specified.

  The projection request issuing unit 222 is a request issuing unit that issues a projection request to the projector 120 identified as corresponding to the received identification information among the plurality of projectors 120a to 120f. The projection unit 258 on the projector side receives the projection request and projects the requested content from the projection device onto the screen. Thereby, the desktop screen of the information terminal 110 is projected from the projector 120 designated as the request destination.

  Further, in a specific embodiment, the projection unit 258 serves as an identification information output unit that outputs identification information given to itself, for example, as a standby screen so that the user can easily grasp the identification information to be input. Can function. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standby screen 370 projected by the projection unit 258 on the projector side. The standby screen 370 shown in FIG. 6 displays a device identifier display 372, an IP address display 374, and a device name display 376 in order to wait for connection establishment from the information terminal 110.

  With the configuration of the standby screen, the user can easily project by viewing the standby screen 370 displayed by a desired projector, confirming the device identifier, IP address, or device name, and inputting the value on the projection destination designation screen. You can make a request. When a user projects onto a predetermined projector 120, the projector 120 is generally present within the range of the user's field of view. By displaying the identification information on the standby screen, it becomes possible for the user to easily recognize the identification information necessary for designating the projection destination of the projection request without requiring any special operation by the user. The output format of the identification information may be any output format such as audio output or mail transmission output in response to a simple operation in addition to the video output.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the function block 210 on the information terminal side may further include a collective display unit 224. The collective display unit 224 is a display unit that collectively displays the projectors 120 participating in the network in various communication modes. FIG. 7 illustrates a projection destination designation screen 350 including a list display of projectors. The screen 350 shown in FIG. 7 is called when the search button 308 is clicked on the projection destination designation screen 300 shown in FIG. Screen 350 includes detected projector list display 360, as well as type display 352, text box 354, connection button 356, and search button 358 as shown in FIG.

  The projector list display 360 displays a list of various identification information such as a device identifier, a device name, and an IP address acquired for the detected projector. When projector list display 360 is displayed, projector search unit 214, indicator signal receiving unit 216, and identification information extraction unit 218 are called to attempt to acquire projector identification information, and based on the acquired identification information. , Its contents are displayed. In the projector list 360, unlike the conventional technique, projectors 120 of any communication mode acquired by the projector search unit 214, the sign signal reception unit 216, and the identification information extraction unit 218 are listed.

  With the configuration of the list display described above, the user can make a projection request by designating a desired projector from the searched projectors 120 without switching the operation mode of the utility. In that case, the user does not need to know whether the desired projector is participating in a wired network, an infrastructure mode wireless network, or an ad hoc mode wireless network.

  The update icon 362 shown in FIG. 7 is a button for causing the projector list display 360 to be updated by attempting to acquire the projector identification information again. Further, the GUI unit 364 for specifying an IP range performs range specification for limiting the search range.

  Hereinafter, the projection request process in the video projection system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the information terminal 110 according to the first embodiment to specify a projector that matches the identification information specified by the user and to perform a projection request to the specified projector. .

  The process shown in FIG. 8 is started from step S100 in response to, for example, the activation of the utility. In step S101, the information terminal 110 waits for the instruction receiving unit 212 to receive a projection instruction, and loops step S101 during the standby (during NO). If it is determined in step S101 that a projection instruction has been accepted (YES), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the information terminal 110 broadcasts a search request using the projector search unit 214. In step S103, the information terminal 110 receives a response to the search request from the projector that has received the search request by the projector search unit 214. In step S104, the information terminal 110 uses the comparison unit 220 to compare the identification information included in the search response received by the projector search unit 214 with the identification information (device identifier, device name, or IP address) specified by the user. To do. In step S105, the information terminal 110 determines whether or not there is a projector that has transmitted identification information that matches the identification information specified by the user, using the comparison unit 220. If it is determined in step S105 that there is no matching projector (NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S <b> 106, the information terminal 110 continues to wait for a beacon signal from each projector by the sign signal receiving unit 216 and receives the beacon signal. In step S <b> 107, the information terminal 110 uses the identification information extraction unit 218 to extract identification information from the received beacon signal. In step S108, the information terminal 110 uses the comparison unit 220 to compare the identification information acquired by the identification information extraction unit 218 with the identification information specified by the user. In step S109, the information terminal 110 uses the comparison unit 220 to determine whether there is a projector that matches the user-specified identification information.

  Referring to step S105 again, if it is determined in step S105 that there is a matching projector (YES), the process proceeds to step S110. Similarly, if it is determined in step S109 that there is a matching projector (YES), the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the information terminal 110 issues a projection request to the projector 120 determined to be matched by the comparison unit 220 by the projection request issuing unit 222, and ends this processing in step S112.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in both step S105 and step S109 that there is no matching projector (NO), the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the information terminal 110 gives an error notification to the effect that the designated request destination projector is not found and a projection request cannot be made via the display, and the process ends in step S112.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a projection request process in a specific case, which is executed between the information terminal 110 and one or more projectors 120 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the first projector 120a is representatively shown as a wired-connected projector, and the third projector 120c is representatively shown as an infrastructure-mode wirelessly connected projector. Further, the fifth projector 120e is representatively shown as an ad hoc mode projector. In the process shown in FIG. 9, in step S201, the utility receives a projection instruction from a user who has specified the device identifier “5555” that specifies the fifth projector 120e.

  In step S202, the utility makes a search request to the first projector 120a connected by wire. In step S203, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “1111”, the IP address, and the device name from the first projector 120a. In step S204, the utility further makes a search request to the third projector 120c wirelessly connected in the infrastructure mode. In step S205, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “3333”, the IP address, and the device name from the third projector 120c. In step S206, the utility compares the designated device identifier “5555” with the device identifier “1111” of the first projector 120c and the device identifier “3333” of the third projector 120c, and determines that they do not match.

  Subsequently, the utility waits for a beacon signal. In step S207, the utility receives a beacon signal from the fifth projector 120e wirelessly connected in the ad hoc mode, and extracts a device identifier “5555”, a device name, and an SSID. In step S208, the utility compares the designated device identifier “5555” with the device identifier “5555” of the fifth projector 120e, and determines that they match.

  In step S209, the utility issues a projection request to the fifth projector 120e determined to match the designated device identifier “5555”. In step S210, the fifth projector 120e receives the received projection request. The video projection is executed based on the above.

  According to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to input a desired device identifier, a device name, an IP address and other identification information via a user interface as illustrated in FIG. A projection request can be made by specifying a projector. When the projection destination designation screen 300 shown in FIG. 4A is used, the user simply inputs the device identifier in the text box 304 and clicks the connection button 306, and the projector 120 matches the input device identifier. A projection request can be issued. Similarly, if the projection destination designation screens 320 and 330 shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C are used, a desired projector can be obtained simply by inputting the device name and the IP address and clicking the connection buttons 326 and 336, respectively. A projection request can be issued to 120.

  That is, according to the above configuration, the user can make a projection request from the requesting information terminal 110 to the requesting projector 120 by a simple operation without being aware of the network form. Since the user does not have to perform an operation in consideration of the network form, the user's trouble is saved and the convenience of the user is improved. In addition, as a method for specifying the projector 120 as the request destination, various identification information such as a device identifier, a device name, and an IP address can be used, and the options of information that can be specified by the user are widened, improving the convenience for the user. Is done. Further, since the IP address can identify a node across segments, it is possible to make a projection request to the projector 120 belonging to a segment different from the information terminal 110 by designating the IP address.

  In the first embodiment described above, it is assumed that a device identifier and a device name are uniquely assigned to each projector 120. However, depending on the environment, there is a possibility that a duplicate of one of the device identifier and the device name is given between a plurality of projectors. The second and third embodiments described below can deal with such a lack of uniqueness of the device identifier or device name.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the video projection system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows a functional block 200 related to the projection request function in the video projection system according to the second embodiment. In addition, since 2nd Embodiment is equipped with the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, it demonstrates below centering on difference. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the functional units that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

  The function block 210 on the information terminal side illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a request destination determination unit 226 in addition to the function units 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222 similar to those in the first embodiment.

  The request destination determination unit 226 is a unit that determines a request destination according to a predetermined priority rule when a plurality of projectors 120 matching the specified identification information (device identifier or device name) are found. The priority rule is preset in order to cope with a case where one of the device identifier and the device name is duplicated. The priority rules are not particularly limited, and examples include “wired LAN priority”, “infrastructure mode priority”, “ad hoc mode priority”, and “detection order priority”.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a projection request process in a specific case, which is executed between the information terminal 110 and one or more projectors 120 according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 11 is started in response to the utility receiving a projection instruction designating the device identifier “1111” from the user in step S301.

  In step S302, the utility makes a search request to the first projector 120a connected by wire. In step S303, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “1111”, the IP address, and the device name from the first projector 120a. In step S304, the utility further makes a search request to the third projector 120c that is wirelessly connected in the infrastructure mode. In step S305, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “1111”, the IP address, and the device name from the third projector 120c.

  Subsequently, the utility waits for a beacon signal. In step S306, the utility receives the beacon signal from the fifth projector 120e, and extracts the device identifier “1111”, the device name, and the SSID. In step S307, the utility compares the specified device identifier “1111” with the device identifiers “1111” of the first, third, and fifth projectors 120a, 120c, and 120e acquired so far, and all of these are compared. It is determined that they match.

  In step S308, the utility requests the first projector 120a to which the wired device identifier “1111” is assigned according to a predetermined priority rule, here “wired LAN priority” rule, by the request destination determination unit 226. Decide as a destination. In step S309, the utility issues a projection request to the first projector 120a determined as the request destination, and the first projector 120a performs image projection based on the received projection request.

  According to the second embodiment described above, even when there are a plurality of projectors to which the same device identifier or device name is assigned among the projectors 120 that can be projected, the projector is set as a projection destination in accordance with a predetermined priority rule. Can be determined. As a result, even when the device identifier or device name is set redundantly, a projection request can be made without changing the setting of the device identifier or device name of the projector, so that the user's trouble is saved.

[Third Embodiment]
The video projection system according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 shows a functional block 200 related to the projection request function in the video projection system according to the third embodiment. Since the third embodiment also has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on differences. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the functional units that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

  The function block 210 on the information terminal side illustrated in FIG. 12 includes an option presenting unit 228 and a request destination designation receiving unit 230 in addition to the functional units 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222 similar to those in the first embodiment. And comprising.

  When a plurality of projectors 120 matching the specified identification information (device identifier or device name) are found, the option presenting unit 228 can select the plurality of projectors 120 together with the identification information via a display or the like. It is a means to present. The request destination designation receiving unit 230 is means for receiving a request designated by the user from the options presented to be selectable and determining a request destination to be determined as a request destination.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a projection request process in a specific case that is executed between the information terminal 110 and one or more projectors 120 according to the third embodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 13 is started in response to the utility receiving a projection instruction from the user who has specified the device identifier “1111” in step S401.

  In step S402, the utility makes a search request to the first projector 120a connected by wire. In step S403, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “1111”, the device name “PJ1111”, and the IP address from the first projector 120a. In step S404, the utility further makes a search request to the third projector 120c that is wirelessly connected in the infrastructure mode. In step S405, the utility receives a search response including the device identifier “1111”, the device name “PJ3333”, and the IP address from the third projector 120c.

  Subsequently, the utility waits for a beacon signal. In step S406, the utility receives the beacon signal from the fifth projector 120e, and extracts the device identifier “1111”, the device name “PJ5555”, and the SSID. In step S407, the utility compares the designated device identifier “1111” with the device identifiers “1111” of the first, third, and fifth projectors 120a, 120c, and 120e acquired so far, and all of these are compared. It is determined that they match.

  In step S408, the utility causes the option presentation unit 228 to display a selection screen that presents the first, third, and fifth projectors 120a, 120c, and 120e as options. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a projection destination designation screen including a selection screen displayed on a display or the like in the third embodiment. In the projection destination designation screen 380 shown in FIG. 14, a selection window 386 for selecting a projector is displayed on the type display 382 and the text box 384 as shown in FIG. Selection window 386 includes a message display 388 that prompts the projector to perform a selection operation, a pull-down menu 390, an OK button 392, and a cancel button 394. The pull-down menu 390 displays information such as device identifiers, device names, and IP addresses of the first, third, and fifth projectors 120a, 120c, and 120e determined to match, and allows the user to select an element. Accept.

  When the OK button 392 is clicked in a state where a specific projector (for example, the third projector) is selected using the pull-down menu 390, a projection instruction for designating the selected specific projector is sent to the utility in step S409. Against. The projection instruction includes information such as the device name in addition to the device identifier. The utility acquires a device identifier and a device name by the request destination designation receiving unit 230. In step S410, the utility issues a projection request to the third projector 120c corresponding to both the designated device identifier and device name, and the third projector 120c executes projection of an image based on the received projection request. To do.

  According to the third embodiment described above, even when there are a plurality of projectors to which the same device identifier or device name is assigned among the projectors 120 that can be projected, a desired projector is projected through dialogue with the user. It can be determined as a destination. As a result, even when the device identifier or device name is set redundantly, a projection request can be made without changing the setting of the device identifier or device name of the projector, so that the user's trouble is saved. Further, since the dialogue with the user is performed, the possibility that a projection request is made to a projector different from the user's intention is reduced.

[Hardware configuration]
Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information terminal 110 in the embodiments described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information terminal 110 according to the present embodiment. The information terminal 110 according to the present embodiment is configured as a general-purpose computer such as a desktop personal computer or a workstation. An information terminal 110 shown in FIG. 15 includes a single-core or multi-core CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a north bridge 14 for connecting the CPU 12 and the memory, and a south bridge 16. The south bridge 16 is connected to the north bridge 14 via a dedicated bus or a PCI bus, and is connected to an I / O such as a PCI bus or USB.

  Connected to the north bridge 14 are a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18 that provides a work area for the CPU 12 and a graphic board 20 that outputs a video signal. The graphic board 20 is connected to the display 50 via a video output interface such as analog RGB, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and DisplayPort (registered trademark).

  Connected to the south bridge 16 are a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) 22, a LAN port 24, an IEEE 1394, a universal serial bus (USB) port 28, an auxiliary storage device 30, an audio input / output 32, and a serial port 34. The auxiliary storage device 30 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores an OS for controlling the computer device, the above-described utility program, various system information, and various setting information. The LAN port 24 is an interface device that connects the information terminal 110 to the network by wire and wireless.

  Input devices such as a keyboard 52 and a mouse 54 may be connected to the USB port 28, and a user interface for receiving input of various instructions from the operator of the information terminal 110 can be provided. The information terminal 110 according to the present embodiment implements the above-described functional units and processes under the control of the CPU 12 by reading a program from the auxiliary storage device 30 and developing the program in a work space provided by the RAM 18.

  As described above, according to the embodiments described above, information that allows a request to be processed from the request source information processing apparatus to the request destination information processing apparatus with a simple operation without making the user aware of the network form. A processing system, a request source information processing apparatus, a request destination information processing apparatus, and a program can be provided.

  In the above description, the projector 120 has been described as an example of an information processing apparatus that can be a request destination. However, information processing apparatuses that can be requested are not limited to projectors, but are requested to be image processing apparatuses such as printers, multifunction machines, scanners, facsimiles, and video projection apparatuses such as displays, televisions, and digital photo frames. Any information processing apparatus capable of executing processing can be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing request is a projection request for the projection instruction. However, the processing request is not limited to the projection instruction and the projection request, and any process corresponding to the function of the information processing apparatus is executed. It may be an instruction and request to do.

  The functional unit can be realized by a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. ROM, EEPROM, EPROM , Stored in a device-readable recording medium such as a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a Blu-ray disc, an SD card, an MO, or through an electric communication line Can be distributed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art may conceive other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be done, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,150 ... Network environment, 102 ... Network, 104 ... Access point, 106 ... Basic service set, 110 ... Information terminal, 120 ... Projector, 150 ... Network environment, 160, 170 ... Segment, 164, 174 ... Router, 200, 210, 250 ... functional block, 212 ... instruction receiving unit, 214 ... projector searching unit, 216 ... sign signal receiving unit, 218 ... identification information extracting unit, 220 ... comparison unit, 222 ... projection request issuing unit, 224 ... collective Display unit 226 ... Request destination determination unit 228 ... Option presentation unit 230 ... Request destination instruction reception unit 252 ... Identification information holding unit 254 ... Search response unit 256 ... Mark signal transmission unit 258 ... Projection unit 300 , 320, 330, 350, 380... Projection destination designation screen, 302, 322, 332, 352 382 ... Type display, 304, 324, 334, 354, 384 ... Text box, 306, 326, 336 ... Connect button, 308, 358 ... Search button, 310 ... Setting button, 360 ... Projector list display, 370 ... Standby screen, 372 ... device identifier display, 374 ... IP address display, 376 ... device name display, 386 ... selection window, 388 ... message display, 390 ... pull-down menu, 392 ... OK button. 394 ... Cancel button 500 ... Utility screen, 510, 520 ... Tab, 512 ... Projector list, 514 ... Update button, 516 ... Radio button, 530 ... Projection start button, 532 ... Projection end button

JP 2011-66485 A Japanese Patent No. 4353096 JP 2011-188238 A

Claims (17)

An information processing system including a request source information processing device and one or more request destination candidate devices, wherein the request source information processing device includes:
An instruction receiving means for receiving a processing instruction specifying the request destination in the request destination identification information;
First acquisition means for acquiring first device identification information for identifying the device from a first request destination candidate device participating in a first network in which communication using the infrastructure is performed;
Second acquisition means for acquiring second device identification information for identifying the device from a second request destination candidate device participating in the second network in which direct communication is performed;
Request issuing means for issuing a processing request to a device identified by the first device identification information or the second device identification information that matches the request destination identification information among the one or more request destination candidate devices; Including an information processing system.   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the request source information processing apparatus further includes a display unit that displays one or more request destination candidate apparatuses participating in either the first network or the second network. .   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the request destination candidate device includes identification information output means for outputting at least one of device identification information assigned to itself.   The request source information processing apparatus further includes request destination determination means for determining a request destination according to a priority rule when a plurality of request destination candidate apparatuses matching the request destination identification information are found. The information processing system according to claim 1. The request source information processing apparatus
Option presenting means for presenting selectable information regarding a plurality of matching request destination candidate devices when a plurality of request destination candidate devices matching the request destination identification information are found;
5. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a request destination designation accepting unit that accepts designation of a request destination from a plurality of matching request destination candidate devices.   The request destination identification information, the first device identification information, and the second device identification information are each independently a name, device identification value, address, and service set identifier assigned to the request destination candidate device, or these The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one of the following.   The first network in which communication using the infrastructure is performed includes a wired network and / or an infrastructure mode wireless network, and the second network for direct communication is an ad hoc mode wireless network. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a network.   In response to the processing instruction, the first acquisition unit issues a search request to a request destination candidate device that participates in the first network, and receives the response to the search request, thereby receiving the first request. The first device identification information is acquired from a destination candidate device, and the second acquisition means receives a radio beacon signal from a request destination candidate device participating in the second network in response to the processing instruction. The second device identification information is obtained from the second request destination candidate device by waiting for the information and extracting the information from the radio beacon signal. 8. Information processing system described in 1.   Each of the request destination candidate devices responds to a search request from the request source information processing device including the device identification information given to itself, and the device identification information given to itself. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a wireless signal transmission unit that transmits a radio beacon signal inclusive. A request source information processing device that communicates with one or more request destination candidate devices, wherein the request source information processing device includes:
An instruction receiving means for receiving a processing instruction specifying the request destination in the request destination identification information;
First acquisition means for acquiring first device identification information for identifying the device from a first request destination candidate device participating in a first network in which communication using the infrastructure is performed;
Second acquisition means for acquiring second device identification information for identifying the device from a second request destination candidate device participating in the second network in which direct communication is performed;
Request issuing means for issuing a processing request to a device identified by the first device identification information or the second device identification information that matches the request destination identification information among the one or more request destination candidate devices; Including a request source information processing apparatus.   The request source information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a display unit configured to display one or more request destination candidate apparatuses participating in either the first network or the second network.   12. The request source information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising request destination determination means for determining a request destination according to a priority rule when a plurality of request destination candidate apparatuses matching the request destination identification information are found. Option presenting means for presenting selectable information regarding a plurality of matching request destination candidate devices when a plurality of request destination candidate devices matching the request destination identification information are found;
The request source information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a request destination designation receiving unit that receives designation of a request destination from the plurality of matching request destination candidate apparatuses. A request destination information processing apparatus that is a request destination candidate that communicates with a request source information processing apparatus, and the request destination information processing apparatus includes:
A first transmission means for transmitting device identification information given to the request destination information processing device via the first network when participating in a first network in which communication using infrastructure equipment is performed;
A second transmission means for transmitting device identification information given to the requested information processing device via the second network when participating in a second network in which direct communication is performed;
A request destination information processing apparatus, comprising: processing execution means for executing a requested process in response to a processing request issued from the request source information processing apparatus based on a processing instruction received by the request source information processing apparatus.   The request destination information processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising identification information output means for outputting at least one of apparatus identification information assigned to itself. The first transmission unit is a response unit that responds to the search request from the request source information processing apparatus and includes the device identification information given to itself,
The request destination information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second transmission unit is a radio signal transmission unit that transmits a radio beacon signal including device identification information given to the second transmission unit. Computer
An instruction receiving means for receiving a processing instruction specifying the request destination in the request destination identification information;
First acquisition means for acquiring first device identification information for identifying the device from a first request destination candidate device participating in a first network in which communication using the infrastructure is performed;
Second acquisition means for acquiring second device identification information for identifying the device from a second request destination candidate device participating in a second network in which direct communication is performed, and the one of the one or more request destination candidate devices A program that functions as a request issuing unit that issues a processing request to a device identified by the first device identification information or the second device identification information that matches request destination identification information.