JP3697438B2 - Communication control device and method, communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication control apparatus and method for forming a group among a plurality of portable information devices and communicating with each other, and a communication terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When using the infrared communication function installed in recent portable information devices, it is not necessary to select the device identifier each time, but it is used to send a reply to a short-distance terminal. Although the transfer was possible, the receiving side knows who the transmission information was from, but the sender did not go through the procedure to whom the information was addressed, so there was a problem that the sender did not know who it was actually sent to. It was.
[0003]
Therefore, it is necessary to have a unique identifier for specifying each device, which is conventionally used in a large-scale wired network or the like. By using this identifier as a destination address, information can be transmitted to a designated terminal. However, the number of terminals that exist within a communicable range between terminals in short distances that perform wireless communication is extremely small compared to a large-scale wired network, and a large address space such as a large-scale wired network cannot be handled. There was a problem that it led to a decrease in complexity and communication efficiency.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional communication control apparatus has a problem that the transmission destination cannot be specified. An object of the present technology is to provide a communication control apparatus and a method thereof capable of specifying a transmission destination.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A communication control device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives terminal identification information having terminal identifier information of the other terminal from one or a plurality of terminals, and all terminal identification information received from the receiving unit. A self-terminal identifier setting means for setting a terminal identifier that is not the same as the terminal identifier of the obtained other terminal as a self-terminal identifier; and a transmission means for transmitting the self-terminal identifier set by the self-terminal identifier setting means as terminal identification information. It is provided.
[0006]
In the communication control apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, by transmitting the own terminal identifier, a terminal that newly sets an identifier can assign an unused identifier as the identifier of the own terminal.
[0007]
The communication control device of the second invention comprises a terminal identifier storage means for storing a terminal identifier of one or a plurality of terminals to which a terminal identifier is assigned in a currently communicating terminal, and one or a plurality of terminals usable as a terminal identifier An identifier candidate storage unit for storing a terminal identifier as a terminal identifier candidate, and a terminal identifier other than the terminal identifier stored in the identifier candidate storage unit and stored in the terminal identifier storage unit is selected as an unused identifier Unused identifier selection means, unused identification information transmission means for transmitting the unused identifier selected by this unused identifier selection means as unused identification information, and unused identification transmitted by this unused identification information transmission means Request permission from a non-participating terminal, which is a terminal to which no terminal identifier is assigned in the communication for information Use application receiving means for receiving use application information, and use permission for determining whether to allow use of the unused identifier to the non-participating terminal when the use application receiving means receives use application information And a use permission transmitting unit configured to transmit use permission information to the non-participating terminal when the use permission determining unit permits the use.
[0008]
In the communication control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, by managing unused terminal identifiers and used terminal identifiers, by transmitting unused terminal identification information to terminals not assigned terminal identifiers, A terminal identifier can be assigned.
[0009]
A communication control device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an unused identification information receiving unit that receives unused identification information from a terminal that transmits unused identification information indicating an unused terminal identifier for current communication, and the unused identification information. Usage application information creation means for creating usage application information for requesting permission to use unused identifiers in the unused identification information received by the receiving means, and usage applications for sending usage application information created by this usage application information creation means Permission reception for receiving use permission information indicating that the unused identifier transmitted by the terminal that has received the use application information and has determined that the unused identifier can be used can be used. And a self-terminal identifier storage that stores, as its own terminal identifier, an unused identifier for which the use application has been made when the use permission receiving means receives the use permission information. It is that a stage.
[0010]
In the communication control apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, an application for use of an unused identifier is made from the received unused identification information, and the terminal identifier is assigned by permitting the use.
[0011]
A communication control device according to a fourth aspect of the invention is a transmission means for transmitting information of its own terminal identifier as terminal identification information to the first other terminal, and terminal identification information for receiving the terminal identification information of the second other terminal. A receiving means, a receipt confirmation information creating means for creating receipt confirmation information by adding the terminal identification information to the terminal identification information received by the terminal identification information receiving means, and a receipt created by the receipt confirmation information creating means. A receipt confirmation transmitting means for transmitting confirmation information to the second other terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information; a receipt confirmation information receiving means for receiving receipt confirmation information from the first other terminal; The confirmation information receiving means confirms whether the reception confirmation information received includes its own terminal identifier information, and if the reception information includes its own terminal identifier information, Bidirectional confirmation means for recognizing that other terminals are capable of bidirectional communication, storage means for storing a terminal identifier of a terminal capable of bidirectional communication, and the bidirectional confirmation means are capable of bidirectional communication And the comparison means for comparing the terminal identifier of the first other terminal contained in the receipt confirmation information confirmed with the terminal identifier of the storage means, and the comparison means includes the terminal identifier. When the terminal identifier of the first other terminal is different from the terminal identifier stored in the storage means, the terminal identifier of the first other terminal can be bidirectionally communicated to the storage means. It has a registration means for newly registering.
[0012]
In the communication control device of the fourth aspect of the invention, the terminal identification information and its delivery confirmation allow the sender of the terminal identification information to confirm bi-directional communication with the sender of the delivery confirmation.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes a user information processing unit 101 that executes a so-called application and a communication control unit 102 that performs communication control.
[0014]
The terminal identification information transmitting unit 112 receives a request from the user information processing unit 101 or a setting interval of the timer 111, and uses the identifier registered in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116 as the peripheral terminal information together with the terminal identifier of the own terminal. Transmit as identification information.
[0015]
The own terminal identifier acquisition unit 113 acquires the own terminal identifier from the own terminal identifier storage unit 114. The own terminal identifier setting unit 115 sets the identifier of the own terminal in response to a request from the user information processing unit 101. Then, the set identifier is registered in the own terminal identifier storage unit 114.
[0016]
The terminal identification information reception unit 118 receives the terminal identification information and passes the received information to the other terminal identifier acquisition unit 117. The other terminal identifier acquisition unit 118 acquires the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information and the peripheral terminal information from the terminal identification information, and passes the acquired information to the other terminal identifier control unit 119.
[0017]
The other terminal identifier control unit 119 updates the other terminal identifier storage unit 116 with the information from the other terminal identifier acquisition unit 118. Next, processing performed by the terminal identifier setting unit 115 in the apparatus of the first embodiment will be described taking the situation shown in FIG. 2 as an example.
[0018]
In FIG. 2, there are seven terminals C1 to C5, C8, and Cn. The schematic diagram shows a range in which the terminal Cn and the terminal C4 can directly communicate with each other by surrounding them with a line. That is, Cn can communicate with C1, C2, C3, and C4, and cannot communicate with C5 and C8. FIG. 3 shows a table showing which terminal can communicate with each terminal.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows terminal identification information transmitted by the terminal C1. Terminals C1 to C6 regularly broadcast terminal identification information as shown in FIG. The terminal identification information receiving unit 18 of the terminal Cn can receive the terminal identification information of the terminals C1 to C4 among these. When the terminal Cn receives the terminal identification information, the received terminal identifier is compared with the terminal identifier in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116, and if the received terminal identifier is not yet registered, the received terminal identifier and its peripheral terminals The information is registered in the other terminal identification storage unit 116. If already registered, the update time of the received terminal identifier is set to the current time, and if different from the previous peripheral terminal information, the peripheral terminal information is changed. In this way, a table as shown in FIG. 5 is created in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116 from the received terminal identification information.
[0020]
If this update time is not updated for a certain time or more, it is determined that communication with a terminal having a terminal identifier whose update time has not been updated is impossible, and the terminal identifier is deleted from the other terminal identifier storage unit 116.
[0021]
When the user information processing unit 101 makes a request for setting the own terminal identifier to the own terminal identifier setting unit 115, the own terminal identifier setting unit 115 sets the identifier in the following procedure. First, information in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116 is acquired, and all identifiers currently used by other terminals are calculated. This calculation is to search all the identifications present in the terminal identifier field and the peripheral terminal field of FIG. This search result shows that identifiers C1 to C5 and C8 are used.
[0022]
In response to this result, the identifier setting method is set to the smallest value among the unused identifiers. In this case, it is C7. Furthermore, a numerical value may be determined using a random number, and this may be assigned to the free space identification and used as an identifier. In the above example, if the number 3 is determined as a random number, this terminal identifier may be set as C37.
[0023]
Alternatively, the maximum number of identifiers among unused identifiers may be determined and set to the largest value. In addition, the maximum number of identifiers may be determined, random numbers may be applied, and the unused identifiers closest to the determined random numbers may be set.
[0024]
In this way, each terminal determines a terminal identifier that can uniquely identify each terminal, and broadcasts the determined terminal identifier to surrounding terminals, thereby transmitting data using the terminal identifier between the terminals. Is possible.
[0025]
(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2 in the same procedure as Embodiment 1, information related to the identifier of another terminal is stored in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116. The own terminal identifier setting unit 115 has a maximum identifier number, and the terminal identifier of the own terminal is determined from the maximum identifier number. At this time, a method in which the other terminal identifier control unit 119 changes the maximum identifier number based on information in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116 will be described.
When the terminal identification setting unit 115 sets an identifier, an unused identifier is selected from the maximum identifier numbers and set. This maximum identifier number may be given in advance to the other terminal identifier control unit 119 as a default value, or the maximum identification number may be determined by a random number. When a new identifier is detected from the received terminal identification information, the other terminal identifier control unit 119 registers the new identifier in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116. When there are no more usable identifiers in the other terminal identification storage unit 116, the other terminal identifier control unit 119 increases the number of unused identifiers by increasing the maximum identification number. The changed maximum identifier number is notified to the own terminal identifier setting unit 115.
[0026]
When an identifier greater than the maximum identifier number managed by the other terminal identifier control unit 119 of the own terminal is obtained from the terminal identification information, the other terminal identifier control 119 changes the maximum identifier number so that the received identifier can be accepted. . In addition, when the other terminal identifier control unit 119 is used more than X% of the maximum identification number, the maximum identifier number may be increased.
[0027]
Next, a procedure when the other terminal identifier control unit 119 reduces the maximum identifier number will be described. After the terminal identifier setting unit 115 determines the identifier, there may be a case where an unused identifier is generated because the terminal is moved or the power is turned off. At this time, if the maximum identifier number can be reduced by changing the identifier to a smaller unused identifier, the maximum identifier number is reduced.
[0028]
When the same identifier as the maximum identifier number becomes an unused identifier, the largest identifier used may be changed to the maximum identifier number. In addition, the other terminal identifier control unit 119 calculates the number of unused identifiers, and changes the maximum identifier number so that it is X% or less if there is an unused identifier of X% or more of the maximum identifier number. A terminal having an identifier exceeding the new maximum identifier number changes to an identifier within the maximum identifier number.
[0029]
(Third Embodiment) In the same procedure as in the first embodiment, the third terminal stores information related to the identifier of the other terminal in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116. The own terminal identifier setting unit 115 has a maximum identifier number, and the terminal identifier of the own terminal is determined from the maximum identifier number. At this time, an operation method of the other terminal identifier control unit 119 will be described based on the information in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116.
[0030]
When the terminal identification setting unit 115 sets an identifier, an unused identifier is selected from the maximum identifier numbers and set. This maximum identifier number may be given in advance to the other terminal identifier control unit 119 as a default value, or the maximum identification number may be determined by a random number. When a new identifier is detected from the received terminal identification information, the other terminal identifier control 119 registers the new identifier in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116. Then, there may be no usable identifier in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116. When the own terminal identifier setting unit 115 tries to set an identifier, if there is no usable identifier, the own terminal identifier is used until an usable identifier is created. Does not set the identifier.
[0031]
At this time, the identifiers that can be used may be periodically detected by the own terminal identifier setting unit 115 in the other terminal identifier storage unit 116.
[0032]
(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes a user information processing unit 401 that executes a so-called application and a communication control unit 402 that performs communication control.
[0033]
The terminal identification information transmission unit 412 receives the request from the user information processing unit 401 or the setting interval of the timer 411, and uses the identifier registered in the other terminal identifier storage unit 416 as the peripheral terminal information and the terminal identifier of the own terminal. The specific terminal identifier that can uniquely identify the terminal itself is transmitted as terminal identification information. The own terminal identification information acquisition unit 413 acquires the terminal identifier and the specific terminal identifier of the own terminal from the own terminal identification information storage unit 414.
[0034]
The local terminal identifier setting unit 415 sets the local terminal identifier in response to a request from the user information processing unit 401. Then, the set identifier is registered in the own terminal identifier storage unit 414.
[0035]
The terminal identification information reception unit 418 receives the terminal identification information and passes the received information to the other terminal identification information acquisition unit 417. The other terminal identification information acquisition unit 418 acquires the terminal identifier, the specific terminal identifier, and the peripheral terminal information of the sender of the terminal identification information from the terminal identification information, and passes these acquired information to the other terminal identification information control unit 419. The other terminal identification information control unit 419 updates the other terminal identification information storage unit 416 with information from the other terminal identification information acquisition unit 418.
[0036]
Next, processing performed by the own terminal identifier setting unit 415 in the apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described taking the situation shown in FIG. 2 as an example. In FIG. 2, there are seven terminals C1 to C5, C8, and Cn. The schematic diagram shows a range in which the terminal Cn and the terminal C4 can directly communicate with each other by surrounding them with a line. That is, Cn can communicate with C1, C2, C3, and C4, and cannot communicate with C5 and C8. FIG. 3 shows a table showing which terminal can communicate with each terminal.
[0037]
FIG. 7 shows terminal identification information transmitted by the terminal C1. Terminals C1 to C6 regularly broadcast terminal identification information as shown in FIG. Of these, the terminal identification information receiving unit 418 of the terminal Cn can receive the terminal identification information of the terminals C1 to C4. When the terminal Cn receives the terminal identification information, the received terminal identifier is compared with the terminal identifier in the other terminal identifier storage unit 16, and if the received terminal identifier is not yet registered, the received terminal identifier and the specific terminal identifier And the peripheral terminal information are registered in the other terminal identification information storage unit 416. If it is already registered, the update time of the received terminal identifier is set to the current time, and if it is different from the previous peripheral terminal information, the peripheral terminal information is changed. In this way, a table as shown in FIG. 9 is created in the other terminal identification information storage unit 416 from the received terminal identification information.
[0038]
If this update time is not updated for a certain time or more, it is determined that communication with a terminal having a terminal identifier whose update time has not been updated is impossible, and the terminal identifier is deleted from the other terminal identification information storage unit 416.
[0039]
When there is a request for setting the own terminal identifier from the user information processing unit 401 to the own terminal identifier setting unit 15, the own terminal identifier setting unit 415 sets the identifier in the following procedure. First, information in the other terminal identification information storage unit 416 is acquired, and all identifiers currently used by other terminals are calculated. This calculation is to search all the identifications existing in the terminal identifier field and the peripheral terminal field of FIG. This search result shows that identifiers C1 to C5 and C8 are used.
[0040]
In response to this result, the identifier setting method is set to the smallest value among the unused identifiers. In this case, it is C7. Furthermore, a numerical value may be determined using a random number, and this may be assigned to the free space identification and used as an identifier. In the above example, if the number 3 is determined as a random number, this terminal identifier may be set as C37.
[0041]
Alternatively, the maximum number of identifiers among unused identifiers may be determined and set to the largest value. In addition, the maximum number of identifiers may be determined, random numbers may be applied, and the unused identifiers closest to the determined random numbers may be set.
[0042]
In this way, each terminal determines a terminal identifier that can uniquely identify each terminal, and broadcasts the determined terminal identifier together with the specific terminal identifier to surrounding terminals. Terminal can be uniquely identified. Therefore, it is possible to transmit data specifying a destination terminal using a terminal identifier represented by a small address space.
[0043]
(Embodiment 5) An embodiment relating to the fourth invention will be described with reference to FIG. The user information processing unit 500 is a part that executes a so-called application.
[0044]
The terminal identifier candidate storage unit 501 is a part that stores terminal identifier candidates used for identifying nearby communicable terminals. As a method of storing, a list of candidates may be held, but when an integer is used as an identifier, for example, the maximum and minimum values may be held.
[0045]
The terminal identifier storage unit 502 is a part that holds an identifier that is currently used for a nearby communicable terminal. The unused identifier selection unit 503 is a part that selects an identifier that is not yet used by a nearby communicable terminal. Among the identifiers held in the terminal identifier candidate storage unit 501, the identifiers not held in the terminal identifier storage unit 501 are unused identifiers.
[0046]
Select one of the unused identifiers. The selected identifier is sent to the transmitting unit 504 and the use permission determining unit 506 as unused identification information.
[0047]
The unused identification information is held for a certain period of time after being sent to the transmission unit 504 and the use permission determination unit 506. When use permission is notified from the use permission determination unit 506 while the information is held, identification information is notified to the terminal identifier storage unit 501 and new unused identification information is selected.
[0048]
When the use permission is not sent within a certain time, the held identification information is sent again to the transmission unit 504 and the use permission judgment unit 506. And it waits for the use permission to be sent for a certain period of time.
[0049]
The transmission unit 504 is a part that transmits user information, unused identification information, usage permission, and the like to the network. The transmission unit 505 is a part that receives user information, usage permission application, and the like transmitted to the network. If the received information is user information destined for the terminal itself, the information is sent to the user information processing unit 500, and if it is a use permission application, it is sent to the use permission judgment unit 506.
[0050]
The use permission determination unit 506 is a part that determines whether or not to permit use when a permission application is received. When an identifier for inquiring whether there is a terminal to be used is sent from the unused identifier selection unit 503, the identifier is stored for a certain period of time. When a use permission application is sent from the receiving unit 505 while it is stored, it can be seen that there is a terminal that wants to use the stored identifier. It is determined whether or not the use is permitted. When the use is permitted, the use permission is sent to the transmission unit 504 and the unused identifier selection unit 503. If it is not allowed, nothing is done. Alternatively, in order to clearly indicate that the use is not permitted, a use non-permission may be sent to the transmission unit 504.
[0051]
As described above, an identifier can be assigned to each communication terminal that has applied for a use permission. If all the identifiers held in the terminal identifier storage unit 502 can be erased as a function for resetting identifier assignment, it is easy to redo the identifiers.
[0052]
(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The user information processing unit 500 is a part that executes a so-called application.
[0053]
The terminal identifier candidate storage unit 501 is a part that stores terminal identifier candidates used for identifying nearby communicable terminals. As a method of storing, a list of candidates may be held, but when an integer is used as an identifier, for example, the maximum and minimum values may be held.
[0054]
The terminal identifier storage unit 502 is a part that holds an identifier that is currently used for a nearby communicable terminal. The identifier to be held is sent from the unused identification information selection unit 503 and the communicable terminal recognition unit 510.
[0055]
The unused identifier selection unit 503 is a part that selects an identifier that is not yet used by a nearby communicable terminal. Before starting the selection of unused identifiers, the unused identification information transmission judgment unit 511 is inquired as to whether or not to transmit unused identification information. When a reply of transmission from the unused identification information transmission determination unit 511 is returned, the following unused identifier selection and transmission to the transmission unit 504 are performed.
[0056]
When the unused identification information transmission judgment unit 511 returns a reply that the unused identification information is not transmitted, nothing is done. After this, after waiting for a certain time, the unused identification information transmission determination unit 511 may be inquired whether or not the unused identification information is transmitted again, or a transmission start signal is transmitted from the unused identification information transmission determination unit 511. You may keep waiting until you are.
[0057]
When transmitting an unused identifier, identifiers that are not held in the terminal identifier storage unit 502 among the identifiers held in the terminal identifier candidate storage unit 501 are unused identifiers. Select one of the unused identifiers. The selected identifier is sent to the transmitting unit 504 and the use permission determining unit 506 as unused identification information. The unused identification information is held for a certain period of time after being sent to the transmission unit 504 and the use permission determination unit 506. When use permission is notified from the use permission determining unit 506 while it is held, identification information is notified to the terminal identifier storage unit 502, and new unused identification information is selected. When the use permission is not sent within a certain time, the held identification information is sent again to the transmission unit 504 and the use permission judgment unit 506. And it waits for use permission to be sent for a certain period of time.
[0058]
The transmission unit 504 is a part that transmits user information, unused identification information, usage permission, and the like to the network. The receiving unit 505 is a part that receives user information, usage permission application, unused identification information, usage permission, and the like sent to the network. When the received information is user information addressed to the terminal itself, the use permission application is sent to the user information processing unit, and the use permission application is sent to the use permission judging unit 506 and the communicable terminal recognizing unit 510. In the case of unused identification information, the information is sent to the communicable terminal recognition unit 510 and the unused identification information transmission determination unit 511. The use permission is sent to the communicable terminal recognition unit 510.
[0059]
The use permission determination unit 506 is a part that determines whether or not to permit use when a permission application is received. When an identifier for inquiring whether there is a terminal to be used is sent from the unused identifier selection unit 503, the identifier is stored for a certain period of time. When a use permission application is sent from the receiving unit 505 while it is stored, it can be seen that there is a terminal that wants to use the stored identifier. It is determined whether or not the use is permitted. When the use is permitted, the use permission is sent to the transmission unit 504 and the unused identifier selection unit 503. If it is not allowed, nothing is done. Alternatively, in order to clearly indicate that the use is not permitted, a use non-permission may be sent to the transmission unit 504.
[0060]
The communicable terminal recognizing unit 510 is a part for recognizing a communicable terminal around the user. When unused identification information is sent from the receiving unit 505, the unused identification information is held for a certain period of time. If a use permission application and a use permission for the same are sent from the receiving unit 505 while holding, it is considered that there is a communication terminal using the held unused identification information, and the identifier is set as a terminal identifier. Notify the storage unit 502.
[0061]
The unused identification information transmission determination unit 511 is a part that determines whether or not to transmit unused identification information. When there is an inquiry from the unused identifier selection unit 503 as to whether or not to transmit unused identification information, it returns whether or not to transmit. The method for determining whether or not to transmit is not particularly limited.
[0062]
For example, the unused identification information is not sent while the unused identification information is periodically sent from the receiving unit 505, and is unused when the unused identification information is not sent for a certain period of time. A method of starting transmission of identification information is conceivable.
[0063]
Also, a transmission start signal may be sent to the unused identifier selection unit 503 when the state that should not be transmitted changes to the state that should be transmitted. As described above, even when there are a plurality of communication terminals having a function of sending unused identification information, a different identifier can be assigned to each communication terminal that has applied for a use permission.
[0064]
(Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The user information processing unit 700 is a part that executes a so-called application.
[0065]
The transmission unit 701 is a part that transmits user information sent from the user information processing unit 700 and a use permission application sent from the use permission application unit to the network. The receiving unit 702 is a part that receives user information and unused identification information indicating an identifier that is not used by a nearby communication terminal, and a use permission that indicates permission to use an unused identifier from the network. User information addressed to the own device is sent to the user information processing unit 700, and other user information is discarded. The unused identifier information and the usage permission are sent to the usage permission application unit 703.
[0066]
When the unused identification information is sent from the reception unit 702, the usage permission application unit 703 sends a usage permission application indicating that the identification information is to be used to the transmission unit 701. The unused identification information is retained for a certain period of time after the use permission application is sent. If use permission is sent from the receiving unit 702 while holding the unused identification information, it is assumed that use of the held unused identifier is permitted, and the identifier is stored in the own terminal identifier. Send to section 704. After the own terminal identifier is determined, the unused identification information sent is ignored.
[0067]
The own terminal identifier storage unit 704 is a part that holds an identifier for identifying its own communication terminal. As described above, an identifier unique to the own terminal can be obtained as long as the unused identification information can be received even in a new location.
[0068]
(Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The user information processing unit 700 is a part that executes a so-called application.
[0069]
The transmission unit 701 is a part that transmits user information sent from the user information processing unit 700 and a use permission application sent from the use permission application unit to the network. The receiving unit 702 is a part that receives user information and unused identification information indicating an identifier that is not used by a nearby communication terminal, a usage permission that indicates permission to use an unused identifier, and a usage permission application from the network. User information addressed to the own device is sent to the user information processing unit 700, and other user information is discarded. The unused identifier information and the usage permission are sent to the usage permission application unit 703. The use permission application is sent to the use permission application transmission determination unit 710.
[0070]
When the unused identification information is sent from the receiving unit 702, the usage permission applying unit 703 is a part that sends a usage permission application indicating that the identification information is to be used to the transmitting unit 701. Whether or not to send a use permission application to the sending unit 701 is determined by a result of inquiring the use permission application transmission determining unit 710.
[0071]
When there is a response from the use permission application transmission determination unit 710 that the transmission is made, the use permission application is sent to the transmission unit 701. The unused identification information is retained for a certain period of time after the use permission application is sent. If the use permission is sent from the receiving unit 702 while holding the unused identification information, it is assumed that the use of the held unused identifier is permitted, and the identifier is stored in the own terminal identifier storage unit. Send to.
[0072]
After the own terminal identifier is determined, the unused identification information sent is ignored. If there is a reply from the usage permission application transmission determination unit 710 that the usage permission application is not transmitted, the unused identification information is discarded.
[0073]
After this, after waiting for a certain period of time, it may be inquired to the use permission application transmission determining unit 710 whether or not to transmit the use permission application again, or until a transmission start signal is sent from the use permission application transmission determining unit 710 You can keep waiting.
[0074]
The own terminal identifier storage unit 704 is a part that holds an identifier for identifying its own communication terminal. The use permission application transmission determination unit 710 is a part that determines whether or not to transmit a use permission application. When there is an inquiry about whether or not to send a license application from the license application, whether or not to send it is returned. The method for determining whether or not to transmit is not particularly limited.
[0075]
For example, when the use permission application transmitted with respect to the same unused identifier is received, the use permission application collides, so the transmission of the use permission application may be stopped.
[0076]
In addition, a transmission start signal may be sent to the use permission application unit 703 when the state changes from a state that should not be transmitted to a state that should be transmitted, such as when moving to another place and acquiring a new identifier.
[0077]
As described above, an identifier unique to the own terminal can be obtained as long as the unused identification information can be received even when the location is new or when the location is moved.
[0078]
(Embodiment 9) Embodiment 9 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes a user information processing unit 801 that executes a so-called application and a communication control unit 802 that performs communication control.
[0079]
The information transmission unit 810 transmits information to the network in response to a request from the receipt confirmation transmission unit 811 or the terminal identification information transmission unit 813. The receipt confirmation transmitting unit 811 assigns its own terminal identifier to the sender of the terminal identification information received by the terminal identification information receiving unit 817, and transmits the receipt confirmation information of the terminal identification information.
[0080]
In response to a setting interval of the timer 11 or a request from the user information processing unit 801, the terminal identification information transmission unit 813 transmits the terminal identifier of the own terminal as terminal identification information. The own terminal identifier acquisition unit 813 acquires the own terminal identifier from the own terminal identifier storage unit 814.
[0081]
The own terminal identifier storage unit 814 stores an identifier of the own terminal. The information reception unit 816 receives the terminal identification information and the reception confirmation information, and distributes the information to the terminal identification information reception unit 817 or the reception confirmation reception unit 818 according to the received information.
[0082]
When receiving the terminal identification information, the terminal identification information receiving unit 818 requests the reception confirmation transmitting unit 811 to transmit a receipt confirmation to the sender of the terminal identification information. When the reception confirmation receiving unit 811 receives the reception confirmation, the reception confirmation is passed to the bidirectional confirmation unit 821.
[0083]
The bidirectional confirmation unit 821 confirms whether the reception confirmation is for terminal identification information from the own terminal. The confirmation result is passed to the terminal information control unit 820, and the terminal control unit 820 registers / updates the confirmation result in the terminal information storage unit 819.
[0084]
Next, processing performed by the bidirectional confirmation unit 821 and the terminal information control unit 820 in the apparatus of the ninth embodiment will be described by taking the situation shown in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment as an example. Now, the terminal Cn can communicate with C1, C2, C3, and C4, but cannot communicate with C5 and C8.
[0085]
1. The terminal Cn periodically broadcasts terminal identification information carrying its own terminal identifier. The terminal identification information may be transmitted by a request from the user information processing unit 801.
[0086]
2. The terminal identification information transmitted from the terminal Cn is received by the information receiving unit 816 of the terminals C1 to C4. When the terminals C1 to C4 that have received the terminal identification information determine that the received information is the terminal identification information, they pass the terminal identification information to the terminal identification information reception 17.
[0087]
3. The terminal identification information receiving unit 817 gives a terminal identifier and its own terminal identifier in the received terminal identification information, and issues a request to the reception confirmation transmitting unit 813 to transmit to the sender of the terminal identification information as a reception confirmation. .
[0088]
4). When the terminal Cn receives the reception confirmation of the terminals C1 to C4 by the information reception unit 816, the information reception unit 816 passes the reception confirmation to the reception confirmation reception unit 818.
[0089]
5. The reception confirmation receiving unit 818 passes the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information and the terminal identifier of the sender of the reception confirmation to the bidirectional confirmation unit 821 from the reception confirmation.
[0090]
6). If the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information is the same as the own terminal identifier, the bidirectional confirmation unit 821 determines that the bidirectional communication has been confirmed and sends the terminal identifier of the sender of the reception confirmation to the terminal identifier control unit 820. hand over.
If they are different, the two-way communication cannot be confirmed and the reception confirmation is discarded.
[0091]
7. When the terminal identifier control unit 820 receives the terminal identifier of the transmission confirmation sender, the terminal information storage unit 819 checks whether the terminal identifier already exists.
If not, the terminal identifier is registered in the terminal information storage unit 819 as a new terminal. If it already exists, the update time may be updated.
Also, the terminal information control unit 820 periodically checks the terminal information storage unit 819, determines that a terminal identifier that has not been updated for a certain period of time has been broken, and deletes the terminal identifier. Sometimes.
[0092]
8). Then, by showing this terminal information storage unit 819 to the user information processing unit 801, the user can know the current surrounding link information. By performing such a procedure for each terminal, each terminal can know the surrounding link status independently. And the example of the terminal information storage part 819 of the terminal Cn obtained in this way is shown in FIG.
[0093]
(Example 10)
A method in which the terminal information storage unit 819 manages which terminal can communicate with other terminals capable of bidirectional communication with the own terminal in the same procedure as in the ninth embodiment will be described.
[0094]
When the terminal identification information transmission unit 813 transmits the terminal identification information with the terminal identifier, the terminal identifier registered in the terminal information storage unit 819 is assigned and transmitted as peripheral terminal information communicable with the own terminal.
[0095]
The information receiving unit 8 that has received the terminal identification information passes the terminal identification information to the terminal identification information receiving unit 817. The terminal identification information receiving unit 817 passes the peripheral terminal information of the terminal identification information to the terminal information control unit 820, and requests the receipt confirmation transmitting unit 8 to transmit the receipt confirmation as in the ninth embodiment. At this time, peripheral terminal information of the own terminal may or may not be added to the receipt confirmation. Upon receiving the peripheral terminal information, the terminal information control unit 820 registers the peripheral terminal information in the terminal information storage unit 819 together with the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information.
[0096]
By performing such a procedure for each terminal, each terminal can independently know the surrounding link status and can know what terminal can communicate with the terminal that can communicate with the own terminal. . An example of the terminal information storage unit 819 of the terminal Cn obtained in this way is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0097]
(Embodiment 11) A method for managing which terminal can communicate with another terminal capable of two-way communication with the own terminal in the same procedure as in Embodiment 9 will be described.
[0098]
The information receiving unit 8 that has received the terminal identification information passes the terminal identification information to the terminal identification information receiving unit 817. Similarly to the eighth embodiment, the terminal identification information receiving unit 817 requests the receipt confirmation transmitting unit 8 to transmit a receipt confirmation. At this time, the terminal identifier registered in the terminal information storage unit 819 is added and transmitted as peripheral terminal information communicable with the own terminal together with the terminal identifier of the own terminal in the receipt confirmation.
[0099]
The information receiving unit 816 that has received the reception confirmation passes the reception confirmation to the reception confirmation receiving unit 818. The reception confirmation receiving unit 818 that has received the reception confirmation passes the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information, the terminal identifier of the sender of the reception confirmation, and the peripheral terminal information to the bidirectional confirmation unit 821 from the reception confirmation. If the terminal identifier of the sender of the terminal identification information is the same as the own terminal identifier, the bidirectional confirmation unit 821 passes the terminal identifier of the sender of the reception confirmation and the peripheral terminal information to the terminal identifier control unit 820. If they are different, the reception confirmation is discarded. When the terminal identifier control unit 820 receives the terminal identifier and the peripheral terminal information of the transmission confirmation sender, it checks whether the terminal identifier already exists in the terminal information storage unit 819. If not, the terminal identifier and peripheral terminal information are registered in the terminal information storage unit 819 as a new terminal. If already present, the update time and peripheral terminal information may be updated.
[0100]
By performing such a procedure for each terminal, each terminal can independently know the surrounding link status and can know what terminal can communicate with the terminal that can communicate with the own terminal. . An example of the terminal information storage unit 819 of the terminal Cn obtained in this way is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0101]
(Embodiment 12) Embodiment 12 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes a user information processing unit 901 that executes a so-called application and a communication control unit 902 that performs communication control.
[0102]
The information transmission unit 910 transmits information to the network in response to a request from the communication terminal identification information transmission unit 912 and the user information processing unit 901. The communication terminal identification information transmission unit 912 assigns its own terminal identifier, the terminal identifier of the terminal registered in the communication terminal identification information storage unit, and the communication status with the terminal, and transmits it as communication terminal identification information. There are two communication situations: bidirectional communication is possible and reception is only possible.
[0103]
The information receiving unit 911 receives communication terminal identification information transmitted by another terminal and information transmitted by the user information processing unit, and passes the communication terminal identification information to the communication terminal identification information receiving unit 913.
[0104]
The communication terminal identification information transmission unit 913 passes the received communication terminal identification information to the bidirectional confirmation unit 914. The bidirectional confirmation unit 914 confirms whether or not the received communication terminal identification information includes the terminal identifier of the terminal itself, and notifies the communication terminal identification information control unit 915 of the confirmation result.
[0105]
Next, processing performed by the bidirectional confirmation unit 914 and the communication terminal identification information control unit 915 in the apparatus of the twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15 taking the situation shown in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment as an example. . Now, the terminal Cn can communicate with C1, C2, C3, and C4, but cannot communicate with C5 and C8.
[0106]
1. The terminal Cn periodically broadcasts communication terminal identification information as shown in FIG. 17 in which its own terminal identifier and the terminal identifier of the terminal registered in the communication terminal identification information storage unit are assigned as surrounding communication information.
[0107]
2. When the terminals C1 to C4 that have transmitted the communication terminal identification information from the terminal Cn determine that the received information is the communication terminal identification information, the terminals C1 to C4 pass this from the communication terminal identification information reception unit 913 to the bidirectional confirmation unit 914. (S1)
3. The bidirectional confirmation unit 914 of the terminals C1 to C4 checks whether the communication terminal identification information includes the terminal identifier of the own terminal. (S2)
If the terminal identifier of the own terminal is not included, it is possible to receive information between the sender of the communication terminal identification information and the own terminal because the information from the sender of the communication terminal identification information has been received. The terminal identification information control unit 915 is notified. (S3)
If the terminal identifier of the own terminal is included, the communication terminal identification information sender has already confirmed the reception of information from the own terminal, so two-way communication between the communication terminal identification information sender and the own terminal is possible. The communication terminal identification information control unit 915 is notified that it is possible. (S4)
In addition to the terminal identifier of the sender of the communication terminal identification information and the communication status between the own terminals, the surrounding communication information is sent to the communication terminal identification information control unit 915 to notify the surrounding communication status of the sender of the communication terminal identification information. You may pass.
[0108]
4). When the communication terminal identification information control unit 915 receives the terminal identifier and the communication status with the terminal, the communication terminal identification information storage unit 916 checks whether the terminal identifier is present. (S5)
If not, the terminal identifier is registered in the communication terminal information storage unit 916 as a new terminal. (S6)
In some cases, the notified communication status is compared with the communication status of the terminal registered in the communication terminal identification storage unit 916. (S7)
If it is different, the notified communication status is registered. (S8)
If they are the same, the update time may be updated.
Furthermore, when the surrounding communication information is passed, it may be registered in the communication terminal identification storage unit 916 as the peripheral terminal information. Further, the communication terminal identification control unit 915 periodically checks the communication terminal identification storage unit 916, and determines that the terminal identifier that has not been updated for a certain period or longer is that the link between the terminal and the own terminal has been disconnected. Sometimes deleted.
[0109]
5. Then, by showing this communication terminal identification storage unit 916 to the user information processing unit 901, the user can know the current surrounding link information. As shown in FIG. 18, an example of the communication terminal identification information storage unit 916 of the terminal Cn obtained in this manner allows each terminal to independently perform the surrounding communication status by performing such a procedure. Can know.
[0110]
【The invention's effect】
In the communication control apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, by transmitting the own terminal identifier, a terminal that newly sets an identifier can assign an unused identifier as the identifier of the own terminal.
[0111]
In the communication control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, by managing unused terminal identifiers and used terminal identifiers, by transmitting unused terminal identification information to terminals not assigned terminal identifiers, A terminal identifier can be assigned.
[0112]
In the communication control apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, an application for use of an unused identifier is made from the received unused terminal identification information, and the terminal identifier is assigned by permitting the use.
[0113]
In the communication control device of the fourth aspect of the invention, the terminal identification information and its delivery confirmation allow the sender of the terminal identification information to confirm bi-directional communication with the sender of the delivery confirmation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use situation of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication state between terminals according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of terminal identification information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another terminal identifier storage unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of terminal identification information in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another terminal identification information storage unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 7 of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 8 of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of terminal identifier information in Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a bidirectional confirmation unit and a communication terminal identification information control unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing communication terminal identification information.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a communication terminal identification information storage unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
101: User information processing unit
102: Communication control unit
111 ... Timer
112 ... Terminal identification information transmission unit
113 ... Own terminal identifier acquisition unit
114 ... Own terminal identifier storage unit
115: Own terminal identifier setting unit
116: Other terminal identifier storage unit
117 ... Other terminal identifier acquisition unit
118 ... Terminal identification information receiving unit
119 ... Other terminal identifier control unit
401: User information processing unit
402: Communication control unit
411 ... Timer
412 ... Terminal identification information transmission unit
413 ... Own terminal identifier acquisition unit
414 ... Own terminal identifier storage unit
415 ... Own terminal identifier setting unit
416 ... Other terminal identification information storage unit
417 ... Other terminal identification information acquisition unit
418 ... Terminal identification information receiving unit
419 ... Other terminal identification information control unit
500 ... User information processing section
501 ... Terminal identifier candidate storage unit
502 ... Terminal identifier storage unit
503 ... Unused identifier selection section
504: Transmitter
505 ... Receiver
506 ... Use permission judgment part
510 ... Communication enabled terminal recognition unit
511 ... Unused identification information transmission judgment unit
700: User information processing unit
701: Transmitter
702: Receiver
703 ... Usage permission application department
704 ... Own terminal identifier storage unit
710 ... Use permission application transmission judgment part
801: User information processing unit
802 ... Communication control unit
810: Information transmission unit
811: Reception confirmation transmitter
812 ... Timer
813 ... Terminal identification information transmission unit
814 ... Own terminal identifier acquisition unit
815 ... Own terminal identifier storage unit
816 ... Information receiver
817 ... Terminal identification information receiving unit
818 ... Reception confirmation reception unit
819 ... Other terminal identifier storage unit
820 ... Terminal identifier control unit
821 ... Bidirectional confirmation part

Claims (7)

Storage means for storing terminal identifier information ;
Self-terminal identification information transmitting means for transmitting terminal identification information to an unspecified other terminal, including its own terminal identifier and terminal identifier information stored in the storage means ;
Terminal identification information receiving means for receiving terminal identification information transmitted from the first terminal to an unspecified other terminal;
Reception confirmation information creating means for creating reception confirmation information by adding information of its own terminal identifier to the terminal identification information received by the terminal identification information receiving means;
A receipt confirmation transmitting means for transmitting the receipt confirmation information created by the receipt confirmation information creating means to the first terminal;
Receipt confirmation information receiving means for receiving receipt confirmation information transmitted from the second terminal to its own terminal;
Confirmation means for confirming whether the reception confirmation information received by the reception confirmation information receiving means includes information on its own terminal identifier;
When the receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving means includes its own terminal identifier, the terminal identifier of the second terminal included in the receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving means and Registration means for registering terminal identifiers of terminals other than the second terminal in the storage means;
A communication control device comprising: The registration means includes a comparison means for comparing a terminal identifier included in the receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving means with a terminal identifier stored in the storage means;
Of the terminal identifiers included in the receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving means , register one that does not match any of the terminal identifiers stored in the storage means,
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1. The registration means registers the terminal identifier and the registration time in association with the storage means,
The registration means includes
Of the terminal identifier the receipt confirmation information receiving means is included in the receipt confirmation information received, means for updating the register time of which matches one of the terminal identifier the storage means has stored and,
Means for deleting a terminal identifier that has not been updated for a certain period of time from the storage means;
Having
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A terminal identification information transmission step of transmitting terminal identification information including information on the terminal identifier of the terminal itself and information on the terminal identifier stored in the storage means to an unspecified other terminal;
A terminal identification information receiving step for receiving terminal identification information transmitted by the first terminal to an unspecified other terminal;
A receipt confirmation information creating step of creating receipt confirmation information by adding information of its own terminal identifier to the terminal identification information received in the terminal identification information receiving step ;
A receipt confirmation transmitting step for transmitting the receipt confirmation information created in the receipt confirmation information creating step to the first terminal;
A receipt confirmation information receiving step for receiving receipt confirmation information transmitted from the second terminal to its own terminal;
A confirmation step for confirming whether the reception confirmation information received in the reception confirmation information reception step includes information on its own terminal identifier;
If it contains its own terminal identifier to receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving step, the included in the receipt confirmation information received by the receipt confirmation information receiving step, the terminal identifier of the second terminal And a registration step of registering in the storage means a terminal identifier of a terminal other than the second terminal ;
A communication control method comprising: In the registration step,
Comparing the terminal identifier contained in the receipt confirmation information received in the receipt confirmation information receiving step with the terminal identifier stored in the storage means;
Of the terminal identifiers included in the receipt confirmation information received in the receipt confirmation information receiving step, register those that do not match any of the terminal identifiers stored in the storage means in the storage means ,
The communication control method according to claim 4. In the registration step,
Register the terminal identifier in association with the registration time in the storage means,
Of the terminal identifiers included in the receipt confirmation information received in the receipt confirmation information receiving step, update the registration time of one that matches any of the terminal identifiers stored in the storage means,
Deleting a terminal identifier whose registration time is not updated for a certain period of time from the storage means;
The communication control method according to claim 4 or 5.   A communication terminal provided with the communication control apparatus described in any one of Claim 1- Claim 3.

Images