JP2008107988A - Information processing system and relay - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system and a relay, capable of improving versatility of an information processor. <P>SOLUTION: This information processing system 1 has: the information processor 2 having a processor side terminal; an external apparatus 3 outputting prescribed information through an apparatus side terminal 311 connectable to the processor side terminal; and the relay 4 connected to the information processor 2 and the external apparatus 3. The information processor 2 is provided with power supply terminals supplying power to the relay 4 connected to the processor side terminal. The external apparatus 3 is provided with power input terminals 312 composed such that the power input terminals can be connected to the power supply terminals, and input with power driving the external apparatus 3, in addition to the apparatus side terminal 311. The relay 4 has: a processor side connection part 41 connected to the processor side terminal and the power supply terminals; an apparatus side connection part 42 connected to the apparatus side terminal 311 and the power input terminals 312; and a cable 43 electrically connecting the processor side connection part 41 and the apparatus side connection part 42, and having a prescribed length size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system including an information processing device, an external device, and a relay that connects the information processing device and the external device, and a relay used in the information processing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mobile phones and game machines are known as portable information processing devices. In recent years, such portable information processing apparatuses are configured to be able to add information and functions that can be processed by updating software stored therein. However, in order to add a function that was not assumed at the design stage, it is necessary to externally connect an external device related to the function, and in consideration of such necessity, a terminal to which the external device can be connected is added. A portable terminal provided is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The portable terminal described in Patent Document 1 includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal that can be connected to an external device, and is connected to the USB device via the USB terminal. Examples of such USB devices include a keyboard module for inputting characters, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module, a camera module, and the like. When such a USB device is connected to a portable terminal, Functions in the hardware of the terminal can be added, and the versatility of the mobile terminal can be improved.

JP 2005-353049 A

  However, since the portable device described in Patent Document 1 is designed on the assumption that the USB device is directly connected to the portable terminal, there is a problem that the use and function of the USB device are limited. For example, when a USB device having a GPS module is directly attached to a mobile terminal, it is necessary to move the USB device together with the mobile terminal to a place where the reception state of radio waves is good in order to appropriately acquire position information by the USB device. There is. For this reason, there is a problem that the function of the GPU module cannot be utilized when the mobile terminal is arranged in a place where the reception state of radio waves is not good. For these reasons, there has been a demand for an information processing system that can further improve the versatility of an information processing apparatus such as the above-described portable terminal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and a repeater that can improve the versatility of an information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an information processing system of the present invention has a device-side terminal, and can be connected to the information-processing device that processes information input via the device-side terminal and the device-side terminal. An external device that has a device-side terminal and outputs predetermined information via the device-side terminal, and is connected to each of the information processing device and the external device, and information input from the external device is the information processing device An information processing system including a repeater that outputs power to the information processing apparatus, the power supply terminal supplying power to the repeater connected to the apparatus-side terminal separately from the apparatus-side terminal In addition to the device-side terminal, the external device is configured to be connectable to the power supply terminal, and is provided with a power input terminal for inputting power for driving the external device, and the relay Vessel A device-side connection connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power supply terminal, a device-side connection connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power input terminal, the device-side connection, and the device And a cable having a predetermined length dimension for electrically connecting each of the side connection portions.

  Here, as an external device that outputs information to the information processing apparatus, for example, a keyboard that can be input with a touch pen, a user's finger, or the like, a character input unit that outputs a code related to the input character, a microphone, or the like is provided. A microphone unit that outputs voice information acquired by the microphone; a portable unit that performs wireless communication with a predetermined base station, outputs the received voice information, and transmits the voice information acquired by the microphone or the like to the predetermined base station A phone unit, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit that receives a radio wave carrying position information and outputs the position information, an acceleration sensor, an acceleration detection unit that outputs acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor, And an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and outputs image information acquired by the imaging means. The camera unit etc. which can be illustrated can be illustrated.

  According to the present invention, the repeater has a predetermined length dimension between the device-side connection portion connected to the information processing device and the device-side connection portion connected to the external device, and these By providing a cable that electrically connects the device-side connection unit and the device-side connection unit, even when the information processing device and the external device are separated, the information processing device and the external device are securely connected. can do. According to this, since the information output from the external device is input to the information processing device via the repeater, the information processing device receives the information from the external device installed at a remote position. It can be processed reliably. Therefore, the information processing apparatus and the external device can be installed apart from each other, and the versatility of the information processing system can be improved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the repeater includes winding means for winding the cable.
According to the present invention, when the repeater includes winding means for winding the cable, when the distance between the information processing apparatus and the external device is shorter than the length of the cable, the cable is By winding by the winding means, the cable length can be set to an appropriate length. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cable from getting in the way.

In the present invention, the device side connection portion and the device side connection portion are configured to be connectable to each other, and when the device side connection portion and the device side connection portion are connected, the device side connection portion and It is preferable that a space for storing the cable is formed between the device side connection portion.
According to the present invention, when the device side connection unit connected to the information processing device and the device side connection unit connected to the external device are coupled, the device side connection unit and the device side connection unit are connected. A cable is stored in the space to be formed. According to this, when the apparatus side connection portion and the device side connection portion are connected to each other, it is possible to prevent the cable from being exposed to the outside of the repeater due to hanging down or the like, thereby preventing it from getting in the way. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the handling of the information processing system including the information processing apparatus, the external device, and the repeater from becoming complicated.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the device-side connection portion includes positioning means for positioning and fixing the device-side connection portion to the information processing device.
According to the present invention, since the positioning means of the device side connection portion positions and fixes the device side connection portion and the information processing device, the repeater can be reliably fixed at an appropriate position in the information processing device. In particular, when the information processing apparatus is configured with a portable small terminal, it is possible to prevent the repeater from being detached from the information processing apparatus during use of the information processing apparatus. It is possible to more reliably prevent the handling of the vessel from becoming complicated.

In the present invention, the positioning means includes a positioning pin projecting from the device-side connecting portion and a screw pivotally supported by the device-side connecting portion, and the positioning pin is provided on the outer surface of the information processing device. It is preferable that a pin insertion opening into which a screw is inserted and a screw hole into which the screw is screwed are formed.
According to the present invention, the device-side connection is made by inserting the positioning pin of the device-side connection portion into the pin insertion port of the information processing device and screwing the screw of the device-side connection portion into the screw hole of the information processing device. The part can be fixed to the information processing apparatus more reliably and easily. Therefore, positioning and fixing of the repeater to the information processing apparatus can be performed easily and reliably.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the device-side terminal is configured so that a USB miniB terminal can be inserted and removed, and the device-side terminal is a USB miniB terminal.
According to the present invention, since the miniB terminal conforming to the USB standard is small among the USB terminals, the apparatus-side connection unit and the external device having the miniB terminal can be configured to be small. Therefore, the repeater and the external device can be reduced in size.

  In the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes power supply means for supplying power to the repeater via the power supply terminal, and control means for controlling the apparatus main body, and the control means is connected to the repeater. When a request signal input determination unit that determines whether or not a request signal for communication connection is input and the request signal input determination unit determines that the request signal is input, a response signal is sent to the repeater. A response signal output unit for outputting, and when the external device is supplied with power from the repeater, the request signal output unit for outputting the request signal and whether the response signal is input from the repeater It is preferable to include a response signal input determination unit that determines whether the response signal is input by the response signal input determination unit, and a connection establishment unit that establishes a communication connection.

According to the present invention, the power supplied from the power supply unit of the information processing apparatus is input to the relay device via the power supply terminal, and is supplied from the relay device to the external device. The request signal output unit of the external device to which such power is supplied outputs a request signal to the repeater in order to establish a communication connection. On the other hand, the request signal determination unit of the information processing apparatus determines whether or not the request signal has been input. If it is determined that the request signal has been input, the response signal output unit outputs the response signal to the repeater To do. Here, the external device determines whether or not a response signal is input, and if it is determined that the response signal is input, the connection establishment unit establishes a communication connection between the external device and the information processing apparatus. .
According to this, after the output of the request signal to the information processing device by the external device and the output of the response signal to the external device by the information processing device according to the output of the request signal, respectively, Since the connection establishment unit establishes each communication connection, information communication between the information processing apparatus and the external device can be reliably performed. Therefore, the communication connection between the information processing apparatus and the external device can be established reliably and appropriately.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit includes a power supply control unit that stops power supply by the power supply unit when the request signal input determination unit determines that the request signal is not input.
According to the present invention, when there is no input of a request signal to the information processing apparatus, that is, when an external device is not connected to the information processing apparatus via a repeater, or the external device is out of order. When the external device cannot output the request signal, the power supply control unit stops the power supply to the repeater by the power supply means. According to this, when an external device cannot be used, power supply to the repeater by the power supply means is stopped, so that unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. Therefore, power saving of the information processing apparatus can be achieved.

  In the present invention, the repeater includes a device-side connection establishment unit that establishes a communication connection with the information processing device, and a device-side connection establishment unit that establishes a communication connection with the external device, and the device-side connection When power is supplied from the information processing device, the establishing unit outputs a request signal output unit for the relay for communication connection with the information processing device, and the response signal from the information processing device. When the repeater side response signal input determination unit and the repeater side response signal input determination unit determine that the response signal has been input, the connection to the information processing device is established. A relay-side connection establishment unit to establish, wherein the device-side connection establishment unit determines whether the request signal for communication connection with the external device is input from the external device Request signal input determination unit, and The vessel side request signal input judging unit, when the request signal is determined to have entered, it is preferable to provide a relay side response signal output unit which outputs the response signal to the external device.

According to the present invention, when a repeater makes a communication connection with an information processing apparatus and an external device, the repeater can reliably establish a communication connection with the information processing apparatus and the external device. it can.
That is, when power is supplied from the power supply means of the information processing apparatus, the repeater-side request signal output unit constituting the device-side connection establishment unit of the repeater outputs a request signal to the information processing apparatus. Then, in response to the request signal, the information processing apparatus outputs a response signal, and when the repeater-side input signal determination unit determines that the response signal is input, the repeater-side connection establishment unit and the repeater Establish a connection with the information processing device.

On the other hand, when the repeater side request signal input determination unit constituting the device side connection establishment unit determines that a request signal is input to the repeater from an external device to which power is supplied via the repeater, the repeater side response The signal output unit outputs a response signal to the external device. Accordingly, the connection between the external device and the repeater is established by the connection establishment unit of the external device.
Therefore, even when the repeater establishes a communication connection between the information processing device and the external device, respectively, a communication connection between the information processing device and the repeater and a communication connection between the external device and the repeater are established. Can be done properly and reliably.

  In the present invention, the device-side connection portion is provided with a first connection portion to which the external device is connected and a second connection portion to which another external device having the device-side terminal is connected, and the relay A power supply control unit that controls a supply state of power input from the information processing apparatus to the external device and the other external device, and the device-side connection establishment unit includes the external device and the other external device. It is preferable to establish a communication connection for each of the devices.

  According to this invention, the 1st connection part to which an external apparatus is connected and the 2nd connection part to which another external apparatus is connected are provided in the apparatus side connection part of a repeater. The power supply control unit supplies power to the external device and other external devices connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, respectively, and the device side connection establishment unit includes the external device and other external devices. Establish a communication connection with each. According to this, even when a plurality of external devices are connected to the device-side connection unit, power supply to each external device and establishment of a communication connection between each external device and the repeater are executed reliably and appropriately. be able to. Therefore, information from a plurality of external devices can be appropriately input to the information processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the repeater is configured to measure the time after the communication connection with the external device is established, and until the time measured by the time measuring unit elapses a predetermined time. An input information storage unit that stores information input from the above, an elapsed time determination unit that determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed, and an elapsed time determination unit that sets the predetermined time to the predetermined time. An input information integration unit that integrates information stored in the input information storage unit and an input information output unit that outputs the information integrated by the input information integration unit to the information processing device when it is determined that the information has passed It is preferable to comprise.

According to the present invention, the input information storage unit stores each information input to the repeater from the external device and other external devices within a predetermined time, and the elapsed time determination unit sets the time measured by the time measuring unit to the predetermined time. If it determines with having passed, an input information integration part will integrate each information, and an input information output part will output the integrated information to an information processing apparatus.
According to this, information input from the external device and other external devices can be periodically output to the information processing apparatus. In addition, when information is input a plurality of times from an external device and other external devices within a predetermined time, and the difference between the information is small, information processing is performed by editing and deleting duplicate information. The amount of information output to the device can be reduced. Further, by compressing information input within a predetermined time and outputting it to the information processing apparatus, the amount of information output to the information processing apparatus can be similarly reduced.

  The repeater of the present invention has a device-side terminal, an information processing device that processes information input to the device-side terminal, and a device-side terminal configured to be connectable to the device-side terminal. A relay that relays between external devices that output predetermined information to the information processing device, wherein the information processing device includes the relay connected to the device side terminal separately from the device side terminal A power supply terminal for supplying power to the device is provided, and the external device is configured to be connectable to the power supply terminal separately from the device-side terminal, and power for driving the external device is input to the external device. A power input terminal is provided, and the repeater is connected to each of the device side terminal and the power supply terminal, and a device side connected to each of the device side terminal and the power input terminal. A connection part and the device side connection Characterized in that it comprises a cable having a predetermined length for electrically connecting the respective parts and the device-side connecting portion.

According to the present invention, the same effects as those of the information processing system described above can be achieved.
That is, a repeater having a device-side connection unit and a device-side connection unit that are connected to the information processing apparatus and the external device, and a cable that electrically connects the device-side connection unit and the device-side connection unit is used. Thus, the information processing apparatus and the external device can be reliably connected. Therefore, when an external device is disposed at a position away from the information processing device, power can be reliably supplied from the information processing device to the external device, and information can be reliably received from the external device. Can be input.

[1. First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Entire configuration of information processing system 1]
1 to 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the information processing device 2, the external device 3, and the repeater 4 constituting the information processing system 1 are connected, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which isolate | separated the apparatus 3 and the repeater 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cable 43 and the reel 44 of the repeater 4 are stored from the state of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing device 2, an external device 3 configured to be directly connectable to the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2, A repeater 4 that relays between the external devices 3 is provided.

[Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 2]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the information processing apparatus 2 as viewed from the front side.
The information processing apparatus 2 is configured by a portable small terminal. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2 is configured as a game machine that reads and executes a program from an optical disk and a semiconductor memory card accommodated therein. The information processing apparatus 2 is configured to be able to process image information and audio information related to moving images and still images in addition to the program. In addition, the information processing apparatus 2 processes information input from the connected external device 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, such an information processing device 2 includes a case 21 having a flat horizontally long rectangular shape and both ends formed in an arc shape, and a device main body 22 accommodated in the case 21. It is configured with. The configuration of the apparatus main body 22 will be described in detail later.
On the front surface 21A of the housing 21, a horizontally long liquid crystal panel 21A1 is provided at the center position. Further, the keys 21A21 to 21A29 are arranged on the front surface 21A, and the keys 21B1L and 21B1R are arranged on the upper surface 21B, and these constitute the operation means 21A2.

Specifically, four direction keys 21A21 indicating up, down, left, and right are arranged on the left side portion (left side portion in FIG. 4) of the liquid crystal panel 21A1. In addition, on the right side portion (the right side portion in FIG. 1) of the liquid crystal panel 21A1, four determination keys 21A22 and power keys (illustrated) in which the characters “Δ”, “O”, “X”, and “□” are respectively shown. Is omitted). Further, the lower part of the liquid crystal panel 21A1 (the lower part in FIG. 4) is displayed on the home key 21A23 for stopping the game and returning to the initial display state, the volume key 21A24 for increasing / decreasing the volume, and the liquid crystal panel 21A1. A luminance switching key 21A25, a mute key 21A26, and a select key 21A27 and a start key 21A28 that are operated during the game are arranged. Further, below the direction key 21A21, a direction key 21A29 provided so as to be slidable along the front surface 21A is disposed.
The keys 21B1L and 21B1R provided on the left and right ends of the upper surface 21B are determination keys used during a game or the like.

  A device-side terminal 21B2 for connecting an external device is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface 21B. In the present embodiment, the device-side terminal 21B2 is configured such that a miniB terminal conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard can be inserted and removed. In addition, a power supply terminal 21B3 having an electrode exposed through an opening is provided so as to sandwich the device-side terminal 21B2. Further, outside these power supply terminals 21B3, on the left side of the housing 21, a screw hole 21B4 is formed in which screws 313 and 413 for fixing the external device 3 or the relay device 4 connected to the device side terminal 21B2 are screwed. On the right side, when the external device 3 or the repeater 4 is screwed, a pin insertion port 21B5 into which the positioning pins 314 and 414 provided in the external device 3 and the repeater 4 are inserted is formed. . Thereby, the external device 3 can be positioned and fixed to the housing 21 with high accuracy. In the present embodiment, the screw hole 21B4 is formed on the left side of the upper surface 21B, and the pin insertion port 21B5 is formed on the right side. However, the left and right sides may be reversed, and at the position where the pin insertion port 21B5 is formed. It is good also as a structure in which the screw hole was formed.

  In addition, an infrared communication module (not shown) that performs infrared communication with another external device via the light receiving window 21B6 is provided between the determination key 21B1L and the screw hole 21B4 adjacent to the determination key 21B1L. . Further, an eject switch 21B7 that opens the lid member 21B8 is provided between the determination key 21B1R and the pin insertion port 21B5. When the eject switch 21B7 is slid along the upper surface 21B, a lid member 21B8 provided on the back side of the housing 21 opens toward the back side of the housing 21 to store the optical disk. (Not shown) is opened. Information recorded on the optical disk stored in the disk storage port is read by the optical drive 23 (FIG. 6) provided in the housing 21, and the information is processed by the control means 223 constituting the apparatus main body 22. Is done.

[Configuration of external device 3]
As described above, the external device 3 is configured to be directly connectable to the information processing apparatus 2. In the present embodiment, the external device 3 is configured as a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit, acquires position information from radio waves received via an antenna, and outputs the position information to the information processing apparatus 2. In the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the external device 3 is connected to the information processing device 2 via the repeater 4 so that information communication with the information processing device 2 is possible. Such an external device 3 includes a housing 31 and a device main body 32 housed in the housing 31. The configuration of the device main body 32 will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a device-side terminal 311, a power input terminal 312, a screw 313, and a positioning pin 314 are provided at one end of the housing 31.
Among these, the device-side terminal 311 is configured to be connectable to a device-side terminal 21B2 provided in the information processing apparatus 2, and in this embodiment, is configured with a miniB terminal that conforms to the USB standard. The power input terminal 312 is a pair of electrodes provided so as to sandwich the device side terminal 311, and is connected to the power supply terminal 21 </ b> B <b> 3 through an opening formed in the housing 21 of the information processing apparatus 2. The screw 313 and the positioning pin 314 are provided so as to sandwich the pair of power input terminals 312, and the screw 313 provided on one end side is rotatably supported by the housing 31. Further, the positioning pin 314 formed on the other end side protrudes in the same direction as the protruding direction of the device side terminal 311, the power input terminal 312 and the screw 313.

  When connecting the external device 3 to the information processing apparatus 2, first, the positioning pin 314 is inserted into the pin insertion port 21 </ b> B <b> 5 formed in the housing 21 of the information processing apparatus 2. Thereafter, the device-side terminal 311 and the power supply input terminal 312 are connected to the device-side terminal 21B2 and the power supply terminal 21B3 similarly provided on the housing 21, and then the screw 313 is screwed into the screw hole 21B4. The external device 3 is connected to the information processing apparatus 2.

[Configuration of repeater 4]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the repeater 4.
As described above, the repeater 4 connects the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3. Specifically, the repeater 4 is located at a position (for example, the external device 3) away from the information processing apparatus 2. Is configured with a GPS unit, it connects to an external device 3 arranged at a position where the radio wave reception state is good.
As shown in FIG. 5, the repeater 4 includes a device-side connection portion 41, a device-side connection portion 42, a cable 43 having a predetermined distance for connecting them, and winding means for winding the cable 43. And a reel 44.

  The device-side connection portion 41 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens toward the device-side connection portion 42. The information processing apparatus 2 has a size that covers a range from the screw hole 21B4 formed in the casing 21 of the information processing apparatus 2 to the pin insertion opening 21B5, and is configured to be connectable to the information processing apparatus 2. In other words, the apparatus side connection portion 41 includes a connection terminal 411, a power input terminal 412, a screw 413, and a positioning pin similar to the device side terminal 311, the power input terminal 312, the screw 313, and the positioning pin 314 provided in the external device 3. 414 protrudes.

  Among these, the connection terminal 411 configured by the miniB terminal and the power input terminal 412 are electrically connected to the wiring of the cable 43. When the repeater 4 is connected to the information processing device 2, the screw 413 is screwed into the screw hole 21B4 of the information processing device 2, and the positioning pin 414 is inserted into the pin insertion port 21B5. Thereby, the repeater 4 is positioned and fixed to the information processing apparatus 2.

  The device-side connection portion 42 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens toward the device-side connection portion 41, and the opening width is formed larger than that of the device-side connection portion 41. And this apparatus side connection part 42 is united with the said device side connection part 41 so that the apparatus side connection part 41 may be pinched | interposed, as shown in FIG. The device-side connection unit 42 is configured so that the external device 3 can be connected, and has the same configuration as the portion of the information processing apparatus 2 to which the external device 3 is connected. That is, on the side opposite to the side facing the device-side connection portion 41, as shown in FIG. 5, a connection terminal 421 configured to allow the miniB terminal to be inserted and removed, and a pair of power supplies sandwiching the connection terminal 421 A terminal 422 is provided, and a screw hole 423 and a pin insertion port 424 are formed so as to sandwich the pair of power supply terminals 422.

  Similarly to the case where the external device 3 is connected to the information processing apparatus 2, the device side terminal 311 of the external device 3, the power input is connected to the connection terminal 421, the power supply terminal 422, and the pin insertion port 424 of the device side connection unit 42. After inserting the terminal 312 and the positioning pin 314, the device side connection portion 42 and the external device 3 are connected by screwing the screw 313 provided in the external device 3 into the screw hole 423.

  Here, the connection terminal 421 and the power supply terminal 422 are electrically connected to the wiring in the cable 43. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, the power supplied from the information processing device 2 is conducted from the device-side connection unit 41 to the device-side connection unit 42 via the cable 43 and connected to the device-side connection unit 42. Supplied to the external device 3. In addition, the electrical signal output from the external device 3 is conducted from the device side connection unit 42 to the device side connection unit 41 via the cable 43 and is input to the information processing device 2 via the device side terminal 21B2.

  The reel 44 is a winding unit that winds up the cable 43 that is electrically connected to the apparatus-side connection unit 41 and the device-side connection unit 42. The reel 44 is provided with a mainspring spring therein, and rotates to rotate the rotating shaft 441 that pulls the cable 43 in a direction in which the apparatus-side connecting portion 41 and the device-side connecting portion 42 are close to each other, and the rotating shaft 441 rotates. And a support portion 442 that is freely supported. In addition, the rotation shaft 441 is configured to be able to lock the rotation state at a predetermined position, thereby adjusting the length of the cable 43 and the distance between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3. Can be adjusted. The reel 44 is formed in a portion where the connection portions 41 and 42 face each other when the device side connection portion 42 is attached to the device side connection portion 41 so as to sandwich the device side connection portion 41. It is stored in the space. In the present embodiment, the length dimension of the cable 43 is set to about 1 m, but may be set as appropriate. Moreover, you may comprise the apparatus side connection part 41 and the apparatus side connection part 42 so that it may mutually connect with a magnet etc.

[Configuration of Device Body 22 of Information Processing Device 2]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing system 1. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3. In FIG. 6, the reel 44 of the repeater 4 is not shown.
The apparatus main body 22 is accommodated in the housing 21 of the information processing apparatus 2 as described above. The apparatus body 22 is configured as a circuit board on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like are mounted, and controls the entire information processing apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus main body 22 includes a USB port 221, a power supply unit 222, a control unit 223, and a storage unit 224.
Among these, the memory | storage means 224 memorize | stores a program and data required for operation | movement of the apparatus main bodies 22, such as OS (Operating System), for example. Such a storage means 224 can be composed of a ROM, as well as a semiconductor memory card.

The USB port 221 controls the communication state of information input / output to / from the device-side terminal 21B2. Specifically, the USB port 221 outputs information input from the control unit 223 to the device side terminal 21B2, and outputs information input from the external device 3 via the device side terminal 21B2 to the control unit 223.
The power supply means 222 controls the supply state of power supplied from a battery (not shown) to the apparatus body 22 and supplies power of a predetermined voltage to the power supply terminal 21B3 according to a control signal input from the control means 223. Supply.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control means 223.
The control means 223 is constituted by a CPU, and controls the entire apparatus main body 22 and thus the information processing apparatus 2 as a whole. Specifically, the control means 223 is a game application program (hereinafter referred to as “program”) read from an optical disk (not shown) via the storage means 224 and the optical drive 23 based on the operation signal input from the operation means 21A2. And a variety of data are processed to display a processing result and a predetermined image accompanying the progress of the program on the liquid crystal panel 21A1. Further, the control unit 223 processes information input from the external device 3 via the device side terminal 21B2 and the USB port 221.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the control means 223 includes a device use determination unit 2231, a power supply control unit 2232, a time measurement unit 2233, a signal input determination unit 2234, an elapsed time determination unit 2235, a response signal output unit 2236, a connection An establishment unit 2237, an established state determination unit 2238, and an input information processing unit 2239 are provided.

The device usage determining unit 2231 needs to use the external device 3 when executing the program loaded in the control unit 223, that is, information input from the external device 3 when executing the program. It is determined whether or not.
The power supply control unit 2232 controls the power supply state to the power supply terminal 21B3 by the power supply unit 222 when the device usage determining unit 2231 determines that the external device 3 is used. Specifically, the power supply control unit 2232 causes the power supply unit 222 to start supplying power to the power supply terminal 21B3 when a program using the external device 3 is loaded into the control unit 223 and executed. In this power supply state, when the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal is not input, the power supply control unit 2232 stops the power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3 by the power supply unit 222. Let
The time measuring unit 2233 measures the time from the time when the power supply control unit 2232 starts to supply power.

The signal input determination unit 2234 corresponds to the request signal input determination unit of the present invention, and determines whether or not a request signal for establishing a connection is input from the external device 3.
When the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal is not input, the elapsed time determination unit 2235 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measurement unit 2233 has passed a predetermined time.

The response signal output unit 2236 outputs a response signal to the external device 3 via the USB port 221 and the device side terminal 21B2 when the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal has been input.
The connection establishment unit 2237 establishes a connection with the external device 3 when the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal has been input. At this time, the connection establishment unit 2237 defines the format of information input from the external device 3, the period of information input from the external device 3, and the like.
The establishment state determination unit 2238 determines whether or not the connection establishment unit 2237 has appropriately established communication connection with the external device 3.
The input information processing unit 2239 processes information input via the USB port 221 from the external device 3 with which the connection has been established. For example, when a connection is established with the external device 3 configured as the GPS unit, position information input from the external device 3 is processed.

[Configuration of Device Body 32 of External Device 3]
The device main body 32 of the external device 3 is housed in the housing 31 as described above. The device main body 32 acquires position information based on the radio wave received via the antenna 322, and outputs the position information to the information processing device 2 via the device side terminal 311. As shown in FIG. 6, the device main body 32 includes a power control circuit 321, an antenna 322, a receiving circuit 323, a clock generation unit 324, a position information processing circuit 325, a USB control circuit 326, and a storage unit 327. Yes.
Among these, the memory | storage part 327 is comprised by EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable ROM), and has memorize | stored the various programs and data utilized with the USB control circuit 326. FIG. Examples of such data include device type information indicating what information the external device 3 acquires and outputs.

The power supply control circuit 321 converts the power input from the information processing apparatus 2 via the power input terminal 312 into a predetermined voltage and supplies it to each component of the device main body 32.
The antenna 322 receives a radio wave having a predetermined frequency.
The reception circuit 323 includes a filter that removes signals other than the carrier wave component of the received radio wave, an amplification circuit such as an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), an A / D converter, and the like, and is received by the antenna 322. Obtain a received signal related to radio waves.

The clock generation unit 324 generates a reference clock and outputs the reference clock to the position information processing circuit 325 and the USB control circuit 326. More specifically, the clock generator 324 includes three crystal units that generate clock signals of 24 MHz, 32 MHz, and 12 MHz. Of the clock signals generated by these crystal units, 24 MHz and 32 MHz The clock signal is output to the position information processing circuit 325, and the 12 MHz clock signal is output to the USB control circuit 326.
The position information processing circuit 325 acquires position information where the external device 3 is located based on the reception signal input from the reception circuit 323. The position information is output to the information processing apparatus 2 by the USB control circuit 326 via the device side terminal 311.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the USB control circuit 326.
The USB control circuit 326 is activated when power is supplied from the information processing device 2 via the power control circuit 321, and when the external device 3 is directly connected to the information processing device 2, or when the external device 3 is relayed When connected to the information processing apparatus 2 via the device 4, the connection between the external device 3 and the information processing apparatus 2 is established, and the position information input from the position information processing circuit 325 is received from the information processing apparatus 2. The circuit that outputs to
Here, the external device 3 functions as a master, and the information processing apparatus 2 functions as a slave. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 2 can be connected to a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, but cannot actively establish a connection from the information processing apparatus 2 to the external device 3. For this reason, the external device 3 is activated by the power supplied from the information processing device 2 and establishes a mutual connection from the external device 3 to the information processing device 2.
As shown in FIG. 8, such a USB control circuit 326 includes a request signal output unit 3261, a signal input determination unit 3262, a connection establishment unit 3263, and an information output unit 3264.

The request signal output unit 3261 outputs a request signal for establishing a connection with the information processing apparatus 2 via the device side terminal 311.
The signal input determination unit 3262 corresponds to the response signal input determination unit of the present invention, and determines whether or not a response signal to the request signal is input from the information processing device 2 via the device side terminal 311.
The connection establishment unit 3263 establishes a connection with the information processing device 2 when the signal input determination unit 3262 determines that a response signal has been input. At this time, the connection establishment unit 3263 defines the format and output cycle of the position information output from the information output unit 3264 to the information processing device 2 from the information input from the information processing device 2.
The information output unit 3264 outputs the position information input from the position information processing circuit 325 to the information processing apparatus 2 via the device side terminal 311.

[Program execution processing]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of a program execution process executed by the information processing system 1.
Here, a program execution process executed when the information processing apparatus 2 establishes a communication connection with the external device 3 connected directly or via the relay device 4 and acquires information from the external device 3. explain.

The processing at the time of executing the program is performed in the entire information processing system 1, and in the information processing apparatus 2, the control means 223 constituting the apparatus main body 22 is stored in the storage means 224 that also constitutes the apparatus main body 22, or This is performed when a program read from the optical disk is executed by the optical drive. As such a program, for example, there is a position display program for displaying the current location where the external device 3 is installed on a map. The program execution process is stored in the storage unit 224 and is performed on the OS that manages the information processing apparatus 2 as a whole.
Such program execution processing processes information (position information) input from the external device 3 after establishing a communication connection with the external device 3. In the following processing, the repeater 4 mediates the signal and power output from the information processing device 2 to the external device 3, and mediates the signal output from the external device 3 to the information processing device 2. Therefore, the processing of the repeater 4 is omitted.

Specifically, in the program execution process, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the control means 223 constituting the apparatus main body 22 of the information processing apparatus 2 loads an application program to be executed (step S1). This program may be a program recorded on an optical disc and read by the optical drive 23, or may be a program stored in the storage unit 224.
Thereafter, whether or not the device usage determining unit 2231 of the control unit 223 uses the function of the external device 3 when executing the loaded program (for example, the above-described position display program), that is, from the external device 3 It is determined whether or not input of information is necessary (step S2).

In the determination process in step S2, if the device usage determination unit 2231 determines that the function of the external device 3 is not used, the control unit 223 ends the program execution time.
On the other hand, in the determination process in step S2, if the device use determination unit 2231 determines that the function of the external device 3 is to be used, the control unit 223 executes a connection establishment process S3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of the connection establishment process S3.
The connection establishment process S3 supplies power from the information processing device 2 to the external device 3, and the information processing device 2 responds to a request for establishing a communication connection from the external device 3 side. This is processing for establishing a mutual communication connection with the device 3.
Specifically, in the connection establishment process S3, as shown in FIG. 10, first, the power supply control unit 2232 constituting the control unit 223 of the information processing apparatus 2 outputs a control signal to the power supply unit 222, The power supply means 222 supplies power of a predetermined voltage to the external device 3 via the power supply terminal 21B3 (step S31). Thereafter, the time measuring unit 2233 of the control means 223 measures the elapsed time from the start of power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3 by the power supply means 222 (step S32), and the control means 223 moves to step S33. To do.

In step S31, the power supply control circuit 321 constituting the device main body 32 of the external device 3 to which power is supplied via the power input terminal 312 supplies driving power to the entire device main body 32. As a result, the USB control circuit 326 constituting the device main body 32 is activated (step SX31).
Next, the request signal output unit 3261 of the USB control circuit 326 activated in step SX31 makes a request signal for establishing a communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2 to the information processing apparatus 2 via the device side terminal 311. Is output (step SX32). Thereafter, the USB control circuit 326 proceeds to step SX33.

In step S33, the signal input determination unit 2234 of the control unit 223 determines whether a request signal is input from the external device 3 via the device-side terminal 21B2 and the USB port 221 (step S33).
Here, when the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal is not input, the elapsed time determination unit 2235 is timed by the time measuring unit 2233 after the power supply to the external device 3 is started. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S34).

In the determination process in step S34, when the elapsed time determination unit 2235 determines that the time measured by the time measurement unit 2233 has not passed the predetermined time, the process returns to step S33, and the request by the signal input determination unit 2234 is again made. Performs signal input judgment.
On the other hand, when the elapsed time determination unit 2235 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the power supply control unit 2232 stops the power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3 (step S35). Thereby, the power supply to the external device 3 is stopped.

If the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal is input from the external device 3 in the determination process in step S33, the response signal output unit 2236 receives the external device 3 via the device-side terminal 21B2. A response signal is output (step S36).
Thereafter, the connection establishment unit 2237 establishes a connection with the external device 3 (step S37).

On the other hand, the signal input determination unit 3262 constituting the USB control circuit 326 of the external device 3 determines whether or not a response signal is input from the information processing device 2 via the device side terminal 311 (step SX33).
In the determination process in step SX33, when the signal input determination unit 3262 determines that the response signal is not input, the signal input determination unit 3262 waits until the response signal is input.
In this determination process, if the signal input determination unit 3262 determines that a response signal has been input, the connection establishment unit 3263 establishes a connection with the information processing apparatus 2 (step SX34).
Thereby, the communication connection between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3 is established with each other, and the connection establishment process S3 ends.

As shown in FIG. 9, the establishment state determination unit 2238 that configures the control unit 223 of the information processing apparatus 2 that has completed the connection establishment process S3 determines whether the establishment of the communication connection with the external device 3 has been completed. (Step S4).
In the determination process in step S4, if the established state determination unit 2238 determines that the communication connection with the external device 3 has not been established, it is determined that the information input from the external device 3 cannot be executed. The control means 223 ends the program execution process.
On the other hand, when the established state determination unit 2238 determines that the communication connection with the external device 3 has been established, the control unit 223 executes device-specific processing S5.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of device-specific process S5.
In the device-specific processing S5, processing according to the external device 3 connected to the information processing apparatus 2 is executed. That is, in the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment, the external device 3 connected to the information processing device 2 is configured as a GPS unit, and thus the location information of the external device 3 acquired by the external device 3 is located. Is used when the above-mentioned program is executed.
Specifically, in the device-specific process S5, as shown in FIG. 11, first, radio waves of a predetermined frequency are received by the antenna 322 and the receiving circuit 323 of the external device 3 (step SX51). At this time, the position information processing circuit 325 determines whether or not the antenna 322 and the reception circuit 323 have received radio waves, that is, whether or not a reception signal has been input to the position information processing circuit 325 (step SX52). If it is determined that the radio wave has not been received, the process returns to step SX51, and the reception of the radio wave is performed again by the antenna 322 and the reception circuit 323.

  If the position information processing circuit 325 determines in step SX52 that the position information processing circuit 325 has received a radio wave, the position information processing circuit 325 acquires position information from the received signal input from the reception circuit 323 (step SX53). ). Then, the position information is input from the position information processing circuit 325 to the USB control circuit 326, and the information output unit 3264 constituting the USB control circuit 326 converts the input position information into the information via the device-side terminal 311. The data is output to the processing device 2 (step SX54).

On the other hand, the control unit 223 of the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether or not the signal input determination unit 2234 of the control unit 223 has received a signal related to position information from the external device 3 when the device-specific process S5 is started. Determination is made (step S51), and the signal input determination unit 2234 continues to execute step S51 until the signal input is detected.
When the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the signal related to the position information is input via the device-side terminal 21B2 and the USB port 221, the input information processing unit 2239 determines the position information based on the signal. It is acquired and processed and used for the above-mentioned program (step S52). As a result, the device-specific process S5 ends.
In the device-specific process S5 of the present embodiment, the external device 3 is configured as a GPS unit, and thus is configured as a process for acquiring position information. For example, the external device 3 has a microphone. The device-specific process S <b> 5 is a process in which the external device 3 acquires audio information and outputs an audio signal related to the audio information to the information processing apparatus 2.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the device-specific processing S <b> 5 ends, the control unit 223 of the information processing device 2 determines whether or not to continue processing information input from the connected external device 3 (step S <b> 6). When the control unit 223 determines that the external device 3 is to be continuously used, the device-specific process S5 is executed again. When the control unit 223 determines that the external device 3 is not to be continuously used, the control unit 223 performs the program execution process. finish.

[Effects of First Embodiment]
According to the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment as described above, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) The repeater 4 includes a device-side connection unit 41 having a connection terminal 411 and a power input terminal 412 inserted into the device-side terminal 21B2 and the power supply terminal 21B3 of the information processing device 2, and a device-side terminal of the external device 3. 311 and the apparatus side connection part 42 which has the connection terminal 421 and the electric power supply terminal 422 in which the power input terminal 312 is inserted, and these apparatus side connection part 41 and the predetermined length dimension which electrically connects the apparatus side connection part 42 And a cable 43 having.
According to this, by connecting the information processing device 2 and the external device 3 via the repeater 4, the information processing device 2 and the external device 3 that outputs position information to the information processing device 2 are separated. Can be arranged. Therefore, the external device 3 that receives the radio wave carrying the positional information can be placed in a place where the radio wave reception state is good, such as a dashboard of an automobile, and the positional information input from the external device 3 The information processing device 2 that processes the above can be placed at a position close to the user, for example, in the passenger seat. Thereby, the versatility of the whole information processing system 1 can be improved.

(2) Further, the repeater 4 includes a reel 44 as a winding unit that winds the cable 43 that electrically connects the device-side connection unit 41 and the device-side connection unit 42.
According to this, when the distance between the information processing device 2 and the external device 3 is shorter than the length of the cable 43, the cable 43 is wound by the reel 44 to keep the cable 43 at an appropriate length. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cable from getting in the way.

(3) Moreover, the apparatus side connection part 41 and the apparatus side connection part 42 of the repeater 4 are each formed in the cross-sectional view substantially U shape, and are comprised so that a mutual connection is possible. When the device-side connection portion 42 is coupled to the device-side connection portion 41, the reel 44 that winds up the cable 43 electrically connected thereto is connected to the device-side connection portion 41 and the device-side connection portion 42. And placed in a space formed between the two.
According to this, when the repeater 4 and the external device 3 are connected to the information processing device 2 and the device side connection portion 42 is connected to the device side connection portion 41 of the repeater 4, the cable 43 and the reel 44 hang down. Thus, it can be prevented from being exposed to the outside of the repeater 4 and getting in the way. Therefore, the information processing system 1 configured by these can be easily handled.

(4) Further, the housing 21 of the information processing device 2 is formed with a screw hole 21B4 and a pin insertion port 21B5, and the device-side connecting portion 41 of the repeater 4 is screwed into the screw hole 21B4. And a positioning pin 414 to be inserted into the pin insertion port 21B5. Further, the device side connection portion 42 of the repeater 4 is formed with a screw hole 423 into which a screw 313 provided in the external device 3 is screwed and a pin insertion port 424 into which the positioning pin 314 is inserted.
According to this, the apparatus side connection part 41 and the information processing apparatus 2 and the apparatus side connection part 42 and the external apparatus 3 can be fixed accurately and reliably. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 2 and the repeater 4 and the external device 3 and the repeater 4 can be made difficult to be detached, so that the information processing system 1 can be handled more easily.

(5) The device side terminal 311 of the external device 3 and the connection terminal 411 of the repeater 4 are configured by miniB terminals conforming to the USB standard, and the device side terminal 21B2 and the connection terminal 421 of the information processing device 2 are The miniB terminal is configured with a terminal that can be inserted and removed.
According to this, since the miniB terminal is small among the terminals compliant with the USB standard, the external device 3 and the repeater 4 can be miniaturized. Therefore, the information processing system 1 excellent in portability can be constructed together with the portable information processing device 2.

  (6) When the position information is output from the external device 3 to the information processing device 2 with the repeater 4 and the external device 3 connected to the information processing device 2, the control means 223 of the information processing device 2 is used. The power supply means 222 supplies power to the external device 3 via the repeater 4 under the control of the power supply control unit 2232 configuring the above. Then, the request signal output unit 3261 constituting the USB control circuit 326 of the external device 3 outputs a request signal to the information processing apparatus 2 via the repeater 4, and the signal input determination unit 2234 of the control unit 223 receives the request signal. When it is determined that is input, the response signal output unit 2236 outputs a response signal.

On the other hand, in the external device 3, when the signal input determination unit 3262 of the USB control circuit 326 determines that the response signal has been input, the connection establishment unit 3263 establishes communication connection between the external device 3 and the information processing apparatus 2. Then, the information output unit 3264 outputs the position information to the information processing apparatus 2 via the repeater 4.
According to this, after mutually outputting a request signal and a response signal between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3, mutual communication connection is established, so that these communications can be reliably performed. . Therefore, the position information can be input from the external device 3 to the information processing apparatus 2 reliably and appropriately, and the position information can be surely processed by the information processing apparatus 2.

(7) In addition, the power supply control unit 2232 constituting the control unit 223 of the information processing device 2 determines that the request signal from the external device 3 is not input by the signal input determination unit 2234 and determines the elapsed time. When the unit 2235 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power supply, the power supply means 222 stops the power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3.
According to this, since power is not supplied to the repeater 4 and the external device 3 due to the stop of the power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3, the information processing apparatus is used when the external device 3 does not meet the conditions for communication connection. 2 can prevent unnecessary power from being output to the repeater 4. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption of the information processing apparatus 2 can be suppressed, and power saving of the information processing apparatus 2 can be achieved.

[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, an information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The information processing system 1A of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 described above, but in the information processing system 1, the repeater 4 only relays between the information processing apparatus 2 and the external device 3. On the other hand, the repeater 5 constituting the information processing system 1A of the present embodiment is configured so that a plurality of external devices 3 and 3A can be connected, and communication connection and information processing with each of the external devices 3 and 3A. The information processing system 1A is different from the information processing system 1 in that a communication connection with the device 2A is established. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[Configuration of External Device 3A]
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1A of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the information processing system 1 </ b> A according to this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 2 </ b> A, two external devices 3 and 3 </ b> A, and a repeater 5.
Among these, the external device 3A is configured as an acceleration detection unit including an acceleration sensor 3A22. The configuration of the connection part of the external device 3A to the information processing device 2A and the repeater 5 is the same, and the external device 3A is not illustrated in detail, but the device side terminal 311, the power input terminal 312, the screw 313, and A housing 31 provided with positioning pins 314 and a device main body 3A2 are provided.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing system 1A. Specifically, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external device 3A and the repeater 5.
As described above, the external device 3A is configured as an acceleration detection unit. As shown in FIG. 13, the device body 3A2 includes a power supply control circuit 321, an acceleration sensor 3A22, an A / D conversion circuit 3A23, and a clock generator. 3A24, the USB control circuit 326, and the memory | storage part 327 are comprised.

Among these, the acceleration sensor 3A22 measures the acceleration of the external device 3A. Thus, when the external device 3A is attached, for example, when the external device 3A is attached to the automobile, Measure acceleration. Then, the acceleration sensor 3A22 outputs the measured acceleration to the A / D conversion circuit 3A23.
The A / D conversion circuit 3A23 digitally converts the acceleration input from the acceleration sensor 3A22 and outputs a signal related to the acceleration to the USB control circuit 326.
The clock generation unit 3A24 generates a reference clock and outputs the reference clock to the USB control circuit 326.

  As described above, the USB control circuit 326 is activated when power is supplied from the power supply control circuit 321, and the external device 3A is directly connected to the information processing apparatus 2A, or the external device 3A is connected to the relay 4. Is connected to the information processing apparatus 2A, the connection between the external device 3A and the information processing apparatus 2A is established. Further, when the external device 3A is connected to the information processing apparatus 2A via the repeater 5, the USB control circuit 326 establishes a connection between the external device 3A and the repeater 5. Furthermore, the USB control circuit 326 provided in the external device 3A outputs acceleration information input from the A / D conversion circuit 3A23 to the information processing apparatus 2A or the repeater 5.

[Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 2A]
The information processing apparatus 2A has the same configuration as the information processing apparatus 2 described above. When the external devices 3 and 3A are directly connected, the information processing device 2A processes information input from the external devices 3 and 3A. When the repeater 5 is directly connected, information input from the external devices 3, 3A, etc. via the repeater 5 is processed. The information processing apparatus 2A includes a casing 21 having a liquid crystal panel 21A1 and an operation unit 21A2, an apparatus main body 22A, and an optical drive 23. Of these, the apparatus main body 22A is configured to include a USB port 221, a power supply unit 222, a control unit 223A, and a storage unit 224, although detailed illustration is omitted.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control means 223A.
The control means 223A controls the entire apparatus main body 22A, and consequently the information processing apparatus 2A, in the same manner as the control means 223 described above. Similar to the control unit 223, the control unit 223A includes a device usage determination unit 2231, a power supply control unit 2232, a timing unit 2233, a signal input determination unit 2234, an elapsed time determination unit 2235, a response signal output unit 2236, and a connection establishment unit. 2237, an established state determination unit 2238, and an input information processing unit 2239. In addition to these, a necessary device information output unit 223L, an input information determination unit 223M, and an error processing unit 223N are configured.

Among these, the required device information output unit 223L is connected to the device side terminal 21B2 and connected to the connection device (for example, the external device 3 or 3A or the relay device 5) that is connected by the connection establishment unit 2237. Information on the type of device that outputs information necessary for executing the loaded program, that is, necessary device information is output.
The input information determination unit 223M determines whether information necessary for executing the above-described program is included in the input information from the connected device via the USB port 221. That is, the input information determination unit 223M determines whether or not the type information of the connected devices (for example, the external devices 3 and 3A and the repeater 5) included in the input information satisfies the necessary device information.
The error processing unit 223N executes error processing when the input information determination unit 223M determines that the type information of the connected device does not satisfy the necessary device information. For example, as such a process, the power supply control unit 2232 displays a process for stopping the power supply to the power supply terminal 21B3 or a message indicating that a device necessary for executing the program is not connected to the liquid crystal panel 21A1. The process to perform etc. can be illustrated.

[Configuration of repeater 5]
As shown in FIG. 12, the repeater 5 connects the information processing device 2A and the external devices 3 and 3A arranged at positions away from the information processing device 2A, and has an azimuth angle inside. It is also an azimuth detection unit including a sensor 526. The repeater 5 includes a device-side connection portion 41 connected to the information processing device 2A, two device-side connection portions 52 to which the external devices 3 and 3A are connected, and the device-side connection portion 41 and the device-side connection portion. 52, and a reel 44 as a winding means for winding the cable 43.

Among these, the apparatus side connection part 52 is comprised so that the external apparatuses 3 and 3A can each be connected. More specifically, the device-side connection portion 52 is provided with a first connection portion 521 and a second connection portion 522 to which the external devices 3 and 3A can be connected.
Among these first connection portion 521 and second connection portion 522, the first connection portion 521 is provided with a connection terminal 5211 and a pair of power supply terminals 5212 sandwiching the connection terminal 5211, and the pair of power supplies. A screw hole 5213 and a pin insertion hole 5214 sandwiching the terminal 5212 are formed. When the external devices 3 and 3A are connected to the first connection portion 521, the device-side terminal 311 of the external devices 3 and 3A is inserted into the connection terminal 5211, and the power input terminal 312 is connected to the power supply terminal 5212. Is inserted. Further, the screw 313 is screwed into the screw hole 5213, and the positioning pin 314 is inserted into the pin insertion port 5214.

The second connection part 522 has the same configuration as the first connection part 521. That is, the second connection portion 522 is provided with a connection terminal 5221 into which the device side terminal 311 is inserted and removed, and a power supply terminal 5222 into which the power input terminal 312 is inserted and removed, and a screw hole into which the screw 313 is screwed. A pin insertion port 5224 into which 5223 and the positioning pin 314 are inserted is formed.
In the present embodiment, the external device 3 is connected to the first connection unit 521 and the external device 3A is connected to the second connection unit 522. However, the external device 3A is connected to the first connection unit 521. The external device 3 may be connected to the second connection portion 522.

As shown in FIG. 13, the device-side connection unit 52 includes, in addition to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522, a power supply control circuit 523, USB ports 524 and 525, an azimuth angle sensor 526, A A / D conversion circuit 527, a clock generation unit 528, a USB control circuit 529, and a storage unit 530 are included.
The power supply control circuit 523 controls the supply state of power input from the information processing apparatus 2 </ b> A via the device-side connection unit 41 and the cable 43. Specifically, the power supply control circuit 523 supplies power to the components of the device side connection unit 52 and is connected to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522 under the control of the USB control circuit 529 described later. Electric power is supplied to the external devices 3 and 3A. When the external device 3 or 3A is not connected to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522, the power supply control circuit 523 is connected to the connection unit 521 or 522 to which the external device 3 or 3A is not connected. Is not supplied with power.

  The USB ports 524 and 525 control the input / output states of signals performed via the connection terminals 5211 and 5221 of the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522, respectively. The USB ports 524 and 525 are independently connected to the USB control circuit 529, the USB port 524 is connected to the connection terminal 5211 of the first connection unit 521, and the USB port 525 is connected to the second connection unit 522. A terminal 5221 is connected to each terminal.

The azimuth sensor 526 measures the azimuth between the origin and the moving point with the north or south azimuth as a reference. The azimuth angle sensor 526 outputs the measured azimuth angle to the A / D conversion circuit 527 in analog form.
The A / D conversion circuit 527 converts the analog signal related to the azimuth angle input from the azimuth angle sensor 526 into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the USB control circuit 529.

The clock generation unit 528 generates a reference clock having a predetermined frequency and outputs the reference clock to the USB control circuit 529.
The storage unit 530 is composed of a flash memory, stores various programs and data used in processing in the USB control circuit 529, and is connected to an external device (this embodiment) connected to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522. In the embodiment, information input from the external device 3, 3A) is temporarily stored.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the USB control circuit 529.
The USB control circuit 529 is activated when power is supplied from the power supply control circuit 523 and controls the entire repeater 5. Specifically, the USB control circuit 529 establishes a communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A that is a slave, and the external devices 3 and 3A that are hosts are connected to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522. If it is, the host is switched to the slave, and the communication connection with the external device 3 or 3A is established.
As shown in FIG. 15, the USB control circuit 529 includes a host / slave switching unit 5291, a power supply control unit 5292, a device-side connection establishment unit 5293, a device-side connection establishment unit 5294, a timing unit 5295, and an information output unit. 5296 is provided.

The host / slave switching unit 5291 switches between the host and the slave in the USB connection of the repeater 5 during the connection with the information processing apparatus 2A as the slave and the information communication with the external devices 3 and 3A as the host. And the entire repeater 5 is controlled so that the communication connection with these is appropriately performed.
The power supply control unit 5292 corresponds to the power supply control unit of the present invention, and controls power supply to the power supply terminals 5212 and 5222 provided in the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522. Specifically, the power supply control unit 5292 supplies power to the power supply terminals 5212 and 5222 to which the external device whose communication connection has been established by the device-side connection establishment unit 5294 is connected, and the communication connection is established. Control is performed so that no power is supplied to the power supply terminals that are not present.

  The device-side connection establishment unit 5293 establishes a communication connection with the information processing device 2A under the control of the host / slave switching unit 5291. The device-side connection establishment unit 5293 includes a request signal output unit 52931, a signal input determination unit 52932, a connection establishment unit 52933, and a necessary device information storage unit 52934, and the request from the USB control circuit 326 of the external device 3 described above. Processing similar to that performed by the signal output unit 3261, the signal input determination unit 3262, and the connection establishment unit 3263 is executed.

That is, the request signal output unit 52931 outputs a connection request signal to the information processing apparatus 2A, and the signal input determination unit 52932 determines whether a response signal is input from the information processing apparatus 2A. When the signal input determination unit 52932 determines that a response signal has been input, the connection establishment unit 52933 establishes a communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A. These request signal output unit 52931, signal input determination unit 52932, and connection establishment unit 52933 correspond to the repeater side request signal output unit, repeater side response signal input determination unit, and repeater side connection establishment unit of the present invention.
In addition, the necessary device information storage unit 52934 causes the storage unit 530 to store necessary device information input from the information processing apparatus 2 </ b> A with which communication connection has been established.
When the device side connection establishment unit 5293 functions, the repeater 5 needs to function as a host, and thus the host / slave switching unit 5291 described above switches to the host.

The device-side connection establishment unit 5294 establishes a communication connection with the external devices 3 and 3A under the control of the host / slave switching unit 5291. The device side connection establishment unit 5294 includes a port switching unit 52941, a timing unit 52294, a signal input determination unit 52934, an elapsed time determination unit 52944, a response signal output unit 52945, a connection establishment unit 52946, a type request signal output unit 52947, a device determination. Unit 52948, connection state storage unit 52949, and port determination unit 52940.
Among these, the timer unit 52294, the signal input determination unit 52934, the elapsed time determination unit 52944, the response signal output unit 52945, and the connection establishment unit 52946 are respectively a timer unit 2233 that constitutes the control unit 223A of the information processing apparatus 2A. The same processing as that of the signal input determination unit 2234, the elapsed time determination unit 2235, the response signal output unit 2236, and the connection establishment unit 2237 is executed.

The port switching unit 52941 switches the USB ports 524 and 525 to be communicated when performing communication (information input / output) with the external devices 3 and 3A.
When the time measuring unit 52942 establishes a communication connection with the external devices 3 and 3A connected to the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522, the time from the start of power supply by the power supply control circuit 523 is obtained. Keep time. That is, when establishing a communication connection with an external device connected to the first connection unit 521, the time measuring unit 52294 measures the time since the power is supplied to the external device, and the second connection When establishing a communication connection with an external device connected to the unit 522, the time from when power is supplied to the external device is counted.

The signal input determination unit 52934 corresponds to the repeater-side request signal input determination unit of the present invention, and determines the presence / absence of a signal input from the USB ports 524 and 525 for each USB port and each signal type.
The elapsed time determination unit 52944 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measuring unit 52944 has passed a predetermined time. At this time, the elapsed time determination unit 52944 determines the time measurement for each of the USB ports 524 and 525 switched by the port switching unit 52941.
The response signal output unit 52945 corresponds to the repeater side response signal output unit of the present invention, and a request signal for establishing a connection from the external devices 3 and 3A is received by the signal input determination unit 52543 via the USB ports 524 and 525. When it is determined that the request has been input, a response signal is output to the external devices 3 and 3A via the USB ports 524 and 525 to which the request signal has been input.

The connection establishment unit 52946 establishes a connection to the external devices 3 and 3A that output the response signal by the response signal output unit 52945. In this connection establishment, the types of connected external devices 3 and 3A, the format of input / output information, the input / output cycle, and the like are defined.
The type request signal output unit 52947 outputs a device type request signal for requesting the type information of the external devices 3 and 3A to the external devices 3 and 3A established by the connection establishment unit 52946.
Based on the device type information input from the external devices 3 and 3A that have established communication connection, the device determination unit 52948 corresponds to the content of the necessary device information input from the information processing apparatus 2A by the external devices 3 and 3A. It is determined whether or not. When the type of the external device 3 or 3A with which communication connection is established does not match the content of the necessary device information by the device determination unit 52948, the power supply control unit 5292 supplies power to the external device. Stopped.

The connection state storage unit 52949 stores information on the external devices 3 and 3A that have established communication connection via the USB ports 524 and 525, information specified in establishing the connection with the external devices 3 and 3A, and the like. Store in 530.
The port determination unit 52940 determines whether or not processing related to connection establishment has been executed for each of the USB ports 524 and 525 from the information stored in the storage unit 530 by the connection state storage unit 52949.

  The timer unit 5295 measures the time since the communication connection with the external devices 3 and 3A is established. Here, when the communication connection with the external device is established via any one of the USB port 524 or the USB port 525, the time measuring unit 5295 When the time is measured and the communication connection with the external device is established through each of the USB ports 524 and 525, the time from the establishment of the communication connection with the external device through the USB port 525 is calculated. Keep time. In this case, the time after the establishment of the communication connection with the external device via the USB port 524 may be measured.

The information output unit 5296 outputs information input from the external devices 3 and 3A to the information processing apparatus 2A. The information output unit 5296 includes an output format determination unit 522961, an input information storage unit 522962, an elapsed time determination unit 52963, an input information integration unit 52964, and an input information output unit 52965.
The output format determination unit 52961 determines the format of the output information stored in the storage unit 530 by the connection state storage unit 52949. Specifically, the output format determination unit 52961 outputs (sequentially outputs) information to the information processing apparatus 2A as soon as information is input from each external device 3, 3A, or receives information input from each external device 3, 3A. It is determined whether the information is output to the information processing apparatus 2A (integrated output).

The input information storage unit 522962, the elapsed time determination unit 52963, and the input information integration unit 52964 operate when the output format determination unit 52296 determines that the input information from the external devices 3 and 3A is to be output collectively.
Among these, the input information storage unit 52962 causes the storage unit 530 to store information input from the external devices 3 and 3A via the connection units 521 and 522 and the USB ports 524 and 525. The input information storage unit 52962 stores the azimuth angle information input from the azimuth angle sensor 526 via the A / D conversion circuit 527 in the storage unit 530.

The elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines whether the time measured by the time measuring unit 5295 has passed a predetermined time. If the elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the elapsed time determination unit 52963 clears the time measured by the time measurement unit 5295.
When the input time integration unit 52964 determines that the time measured by the time measurement unit 5295 has passed the predetermined time by the elapsed time determination unit 52963, the input information and azimuth information from the external devices 3 and 3A stored in the storage unit 530 Are integrated as one piece of integrated information.

The input information output unit 52965 outputs the input information input from the external devices 3 and 3A and the azimuth angle information measured by the azimuth angle sensor 526 to the information processing apparatus 2A.
Specifically, the input information output unit 52965, when the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the output form of the input information is a form in which each input information is sequentially output, the USB ports 524, 525 and the A / Each information input from the D conversion circuit 527 is output to the information processing apparatus 2 </ b> A via the cable 43 and the connection terminal 411 of the apparatus-side connection unit 41.
Further, the input information output unit 52965 is integrated by the input information integration unit 52964 when the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the output form of the input information is a form in which the input information is integrated and output. The single integrated information is output to the information processing apparatus 2A as described above.

[Program execution processing]
Hereinafter, information communication in the information processing system 1A will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of a program execution process executed by the information processing apparatus 2A, the external devices 3 and 3A, and the repeater 5 constituting the information processing system 1A.
In the information processing system 1A, the information processing apparatus 2A executes the following processes in order to acquire and process the input information input from the external devices 3 and 3A via the repeater 5, The processes in the information processing device 2A and the external devices 3 and 3A are substantially the same as the operations of the information processing device 2A and the external device 3 in the information processing system 1 described above.
In the following description, the relay device 5 is connected to the information processing apparatus 2A, the external device 3 is connected to the first connection portion 521 of the device-side connection portion 52 constituting the relay device 5, and the second connection portion 522 is connected. Assume that the external device 3A is connected to the.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the control means 223A constituting the apparatus main body 22A of the information processing apparatus 2A loads the aforementioned program from the storage means 224 or the optical drive 23 (step S1). The device usage determination unit 2231 determines whether to use the functions of the external devices 3 and 3A and the repeater 5 (step S2). When the device usage determining unit 2231 determines that the device (external device 3, 3A or repeater 5) connected to the device-side terminal 21B2 is used, the control unit 223A executes the connection establishment process S3 described above. In accordance with this, the repeater 5 executes the processing device connection establishment process SY1.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the connection establishment process S3 executed by the information processing apparatus 2A and the processing apparatus connection establishment process SY1 executed by the repeater 5.
As described above, in the connection establishment process S3, as shown in FIG. 16, the power supply control unit 2232 constituting the control unit 223A of the information processing apparatus 2A is operated by the power supply unit 222 via the power supply terminal 21B3. Electric power is supplied to the repeater 5 (step S31). Then, the timer unit 2233 starts measuring time (step S32), and the control unit 223A moves to step S33.

On the other hand, when the repeater 5 for which power supply is started executes the processing device connection establishment process SY1, the power supply control circuit 523 constituting the device side connection unit 52 is connected via the device side connection unit 41 and the cable 43. The input electric power is supplied to the components of the device side connection unit 52. As a result, the USB control circuit 529 is activated (step SY11).
Then, the host / slave switching unit 5291 constituting the activated USB control circuit 529 switches to the host (step SY12), and the request signal output unit 52931 constituting the device side connection establishing unit 5293 establishes connection with the information processing apparatus 2A. To output a request signal (step SY13). Thereafter, the USB control circuit 529 proceeds to step SY14.

  In step S33, as described above, the signal input determination unit 2234 constituting the control unit 223A of the information processing device 2A is connected to the device-side terminal 21B2 (the repeater 5 in the information processing system 1A of the present embodiment). It is determined whether or not a request signal is input from (step S33). If the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the request signal is not input, the elapsed time determination unit 2235 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measurement unit 2233 has passed a predetermined time (step S34). When it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S33. When it is determined that the time has elapsed, the power supply control unit 2232 stops the power supply to the device (relay device 5) (step S35). ).

  On the other hand, if the signal input determination unit 2234 determines in step S33 that the request signal has been input, the response signal output unit 2236 outputs the response signal to the repeater 5, and the connection establishment unit 2237 performs relaying. A communication connection with the repeater 5 is established by defining information such as an input form of information from the device 5 (step S37). Thereafter, the necessary device information output unit 223L outputs information indicating the device type for outputting information necessary for executing the loaded program, that is, necessary device information to the repeater 5 (step S38). Thereby, the connection establishment process S3 by the control means 223A of the information processing apparatus 2A is completed.

In step SY14 which is processing on the repeater 5 side, the signal input determination unit 52932 of the USB control circuit 529 determines whether or not a response signal is input from the information processing apparatus 2A (step SY14). Here, if the signal input determination unit 52932 determines that no response signal is input, step SY14 is continued.
On the other hand, if the signal input determination unit 52932 determines that a response signal has been input, the connection establishment unit 52933 establishes a communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A (step SY15). At this time, as described above, the output form of information to be output to the information processing apparatus 2A is defined.

Thereafter, the signal input determination unit 52934 of the repeater 5 determines whether or not necessary device information is input from the information processing apparatus 2A (step SY16). When the signal input determination unit 52543 determines that a signal related to necessary device information has been input, the required device information storage unit 52934 stores the input necessary device information in the storage unit 530 (step SY17).
Thus, the processing apparatus connection establishment process SY1 by the repeater 5 is completed.

Returning to FIG. 16, the repeater 5 that has established the communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2 </ b> A executes the external device connection establishment process SY <b> 2 to establish the communication connection with the external devices 3 and 3 </ b> A connected to the repeater 5. To do. Further, according to the processing of the repeater 5, the external devices 3 and 3A respectively execute connection establishment processing SZ1 with the repeater 5.
Note that the relay 5 does not determine whether or not the communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A has been established. If the communication connection has not been established, the repeater 5 receives the information from the information processing apparatus 2A in step S35 described above. This is because the power supply is stopped and the USB control circuit 529 of the repeater 5 does not function.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the external device connection establishment process SY2 executed by the repeater 5 and the connection establishment process SZ1 executed by the external devices 3 and 3A.
In the external device connection establishment process SY2, the repeater 5 executes the same process as the connection establishment process S3, which is a process for the information processing apparatus 2A to establish a communication connection with the external device 3 and the repeater 5. At this time, in the external device connection establishment process SY2, when an external device corresponding to the necessary device information input from the information processing apparatus 2A is connected, communication connection with the external device is established.

Specifically, in the external device connection establishment process SY2, as shown in FIG. 18, first, the host / slave switching unit 5291 of the USB control circuit 529 is connected to the slave in order to connect to the external devices 3 and 3A that are hosts. Switching (step SY21). Thereafter, the power supply control unit 5292 first supplies power to the external device connected to the first connection unit 521 (the external device 3 in this embodiment) via the power supply terminal 5212 by the power supply control circuit 523. Supply (step SY22).
Thereafter, the time measuring unit 52294 constituting the device-side connection establishment unit 5294 measures the time since the start of power supply (step SY23), and the USB control circuit 529 proceeds to step SY24.

  In the external device 3 to which power is supplied, the power control circuit 321 supplies power to the components of the device body 32. As a result, the USB control circuit 326 is activated (step SX31). Then, the request signal output unit 3261 constituting the USB control circuit 326 outputs a request signal for establishing a connection with the device to the device (the repeater 5 in this embodiment) connected to the external device 3. (Step SX32). Thereafter, the USB control circuit 326 proceeds to step SX33.

  In step SY24, the signal input determination unit 52934 constituting the device side connection establishment unit 5294 of the USB control circuit 529 determines whether or not a request signal is input from the external device 3 (step SY24). At this time, if the signal input determination unit 52543 determines that the request signal has not been input, the elapsed time determination unit 52944 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measuring unit 52944 has passed a predetermined time (step) SY25). If the elapsed time determination unit 52944 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the step SY24 is repeatedly executed. If the elapsed time determination unit 52944 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the power supply control unit Under the control of 5292, the power supply control circuit 523 stops the power supply to the power supply terminal 5212 of the first connection unit 521 (step SY26). Thereby, the power supply to the external device 3 is stopped, and the USB control circuit 529 proceeds to step SY2D.

  Also, in the determination process at step SY24, when the signal input determination unit 52543 determines that a request signal has been input from the external device 3, the response signal output unit 52945 receives the first through the USB port 524. A response signal is output to the connection terminal 5211 of the connection unit 521 (step SY27). Thereby, the response signal is input to the external device 3 connected to the first connection unit 521. Thereafter, the connection establishment unit 52946 establishes a communication connection with the external device 3 (step SY28), and the type request signal output unit 52947 transmits the external device 3 to the external device 3 with the communication connection established. A device type request signal for requesting type information is output (step SY29). Then, the USB control circuit 529 of the repeater 5 proceeds to Step SY2A.

On the other hand, in step SX33, the signal input determination unit 3262 constituting the external device 3 determines whether or not a response signal is input from the repeater 5 until the power supply is stopped (step SX33). When the determination unit 3262 determines that a response signal has been input, the connection establishment unit 3263 establishes a connection with the repeater 5 (step SX34).
Thereafter, the signal input determination unit 3262 repeatedly determines whether or not the device type request signal is input from the repeater 5 until the device type request signal is input (step SX35). If the signal input determination unit 3262 determines that the device type request signal has been input, the information output unit 3264 of the external device 3 outputs the device type information stored in the storage unit 327 (step SX36). .
Thereby, the connection establishment process SZ1 in the external device 3 ends.

On the other hand, in step SY2A processed by the repeater 5, whether or not the signal input determination unit 52934 has input the device type information of the external device 3 from the external device 3 with which the communication connection has been established as described above. Is repeatedly determined until the device type information is input (step SY2A).
Here, if the signal input determination unit 52543 determines that the device type information has been input, the device determination unit 52948 requires the information processing apparatus 2A stored in the storage unit 530 in step SY17 (FIG. 17). It is determined whether or not the device information includes the type of the external device 3 indicated by the device type information (step SY2B).

In the determination process in step SY2B, if the device determination unit 52948 determines that the type of the external device 3 is not included in the necessary device information, the process proceeds to step SY26, and the power supply control unit 5292 Power supply to the external device 3 with which the connection has been established is stopped (step SY26). Thereafter, the USB control circuit 529 proceeds to step SY2D.
On the other hand, if the device determination unit 52948 determines that the type of the external device 3 is included in the necessary device information, the time measuring unit 5295 starts measuring time (step SY2C) and proceeds to step SY2D.

  In step SY2D, the connection state storage unit 52949 stores the state of communication connection with the external device 3 that executed steps SY22 to SY2C in the storage unit 530 (step SY2A). Specifically, the connection state storage unit 52949 stores the port name (such as the number of the connection unit) of the USB port for which communication connection has been established (the USB port for which the power supply stop at Step SY26 has not been executed), the USB port concerned The information about the communication connection with the external device 3 such as the type of the external device connected to and the format of information to be input / output is stored.

Thereafter, the port determination unit 52940 determines whether there is a USB port that has not performed the above-described steps SY22 to SY2C (step SY2E).
At this time, if the port determination unit 52940 determines that the corresponding USB port exists, the port switching unit 52941 determines from the USB port (USB port 524 at this stage) from which the steps SY22 to SY29 are currently executed. The connection target is switched to another USB port (USB port 525 at this stage) (step SY2F). Then, the USB control circuit 529 shifts the processing to step SY22, executes the above-described steps SY22 to SY2C for the USB port 525, and the external device 3A connected to the USB port 525 and the second connection unit 522. Establish a connection with.
On the other hand, if the port determination unit 52940 determines that there is no corresponding USB port in step SY2B, it determines that the above processing for all the USB ports has ended, and ends the external device connection establishment processing SY2. .

Returning to FIG. 16, the external devices 3 and 3 </ b> A that have established a connection with the repeater 5 repeat information (position information and acceleration information) specific to each of the external devices 3 and 3 </ b> A to the repeater 5. Output (step SZ2).
On the other hand, the repeater 5 should output the input information (position information and acceleration information) input from the external devices 3 and 3A and the azimuth angle information measured by the repeater 5 to the information processing apparatus 2A. Then, the information output process SY3 is executed, and the information processing apparatus 2A executes the device-specific process S5 to use the input information.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the device-specific processing S5 executed by the information processing apparatus 2A and the information output processing SY3 executed by the repeater 5.
In the information output process SY3, as shown in FIG. 19, first, the output format determination unit 52961 constituting the USB control circuit 529 of the repeater 5 is the information processing apparatus 2A in which the communication connection is established by the apparatus side connection establishment unit 5293. On the other hand, it is determined whether the input information input from the external devices 3 and 3A and the azimuth angle information measured by the azimuth angle sensor 526 are sequentially output or integrated (step SY31).
If the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the output format to the information processing apparatus 2A is sequential output, the USB control circuit 529 proceeds to step SY35.

On the other hand, if the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the output format is an integrated output, the input information input from the external devices 3 and 3A established through the USB ports 524 and 525, and the direction The input information storage unit 52962 stores the azimuth angle information input from the angle sensor 526 via the A / D conversion circuit 527 in the storage unit 530 (step SY32).
Thereafter, the elapsed time determining unit 52963 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measuring unit 5295 started in step SY29 has passed a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) (step SY33).

Here, if the elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines that the time measured by the time measuring unit 5295 has not passed the predetermined time, the process returns to step SY32 and the input information and the azimuth information are continuously stored. .
In addition, when the elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the input information integration unit 52964 receives the input information and azimuth information stored in the storage unit 530 as one piece of information ( (Integrated information) is integrated (step SY34).

In step SY35, the host / slave switching unit 5291 switches from the slave state communicating with the external devices 3 and 3A to the host in order to communicate with the information processing apparatus 2A as the slave (step SY35).
Thereafter, the input information output unit 52965 outputs the information input to the USB control circuit 529 to the information processing apparatus 2A. At this time, if it is determined in step SY31 that the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the information output format is sequential output, the input information output unit 52965 inputs the input information input from the external devices 3 and 3A. As soon as the azimuth angle information input from the A / D conversion circuit 527 is input to the USB control circuit 529, it is sequentially output to the information processing apparatus 2A (step SY36). When it is determined that the output format of the information is an integrated output, the input information output unit 52965 outputs the integrated information integrated by the input information integration unit 52964 to the information processing apparatus 2A.

At this time, when outputting each piece of information (position information, acceleration information, and azimuth angle information), the input information output unit 52965 associates each piece of information with the output source of each piece of information and outputs the information to the information processing apparatus 2A. . Thus, even when the connection between the repeater 5 and the external devices 3 and 3A is released during the execution of the program in the information processing apparatus 2A, the information input to the information processing apparatus 2A by the information processing apparatus 2A The state of communication connection with the output source can be determined.
As described above, the information output process SY3 by the repeater 5 ends. However, unless the power supply from the information processing apparatus 2A is stopped, the repeater 5 repeatedly executes the information output process SY3.

On the other hand, in the device-specific process S5 executed by the information processing apparatus 2A, the signal input determination unit 2234 of the control unit 223A constituting the apparatus main body 22A is connected to the apparatus side terminal 21B2 of the information processing apparatus 2A (this book In the embodiment, it is determined whether or not a signal related to information input from the repeater 5) is input (step S51).
If the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the signal is not input, it repeatedly executes step S51. If the signal input determination unit 2234 determines that the signal is input, the input information determination unit 223M It is determined whether or not the type of the device that is the output source of each information included in the input information corresponds to all the device types included in the necessary device information (step S5A). That is, the input information determination unit 223M determines whether or not all information necessary for executing the loaded program has been input.

Here, when the input information determination unit 223M determines that the device type included in the input information does not correspond to the device type included in the necessary device information, that is, it is determined that necessary information is not input. In that case, the error processing unit 223N executes error processing (step S5B). For example, as described above, the error processing unit 223N causes the power supply control unit 2232 to stop power supply to the repeater 5 or to display a message indicating that a necessary device is not connected to the liquid crystal panel 21A1. Display.
On the other hand, if the input information determination unit 223M determines that the device type included in the input information corresponds to the device type included in the necessary device information, that is, if it is determined that necessary information has been input, The information processing unit 2239 acquires and processes information related to the signal and uses it for processing the program loaded in step S1 (step S5C).
Thereby, the device-specific processing S5 by the information processing apparatus 2A is completed.

  In the device-specific process S5 of the present embodiment, when the input information determination unit 223M determines that not all information necessary for program execution has been input, the error processing unit 223N executes error processing. However, if the minimum information for executing the program is input, the information may be processed by executing step S5C without executing the error processing. In addition, when executing error processing, the error processing unit 223N connects an external device that outputs information necessary for executing the program without stopping power supply to the repeater 5, and the external device Until the information is input via the repeater 5, the execution of the program may be waited.

Returning to FIG. 16, the control means 223A of the information processing apparatus 2A determines whether or not to continue the information input from the repeater 5 by the program that is loaded and executed in step S1 (step S6). When the control unit 223A determines that the information is to be continuously processed, the control unit 223A repeatedly executes the device-specific process S5. When the control unit 223A determines that the information is not to be continuously processed, the control unit 223A performs the program execution process. At this time, the power supply control unit 2232 of the control unit 223A may stop the power supply to the repeater 5.
Thus, the program execution process by the information processing system 1A is completed.

According to the information processing system 1A of the present embodiment as described above, the same effects as (1) to (7) that can be achieved by the information processing system 1 described above can be achieved, and the following effects can be achieved. be able to.
(8) The USB control circuit 529 constituting the repeater 5 includes a host / slave switching unit 5291. When communicating with the information processing apparatus 2A, the USB control circuit 529 switches to the host, and when communicating with the external devices 3 and 3A. Switches to slave. When establishing a communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A, the request signal output unit 52931 constituting the apparatus side connection establishment unit 5293 outputs a request signal to the information processing apparatus 2A, and the signal input determination unit 52932 If it is determined that a response signal is input from the information processing apparatus 2A, the connection establishment unit 52933 establishes a communication connection between the repeater 5 and the information processing apparatus 2A. According to this, when the repeater 5 performs communication connection with the information processing apparatus 2A independently of the external devices 3 and 3A, the information is input after the request signal and the response signal are input and output reliably. Since the communication connection with the processing apparatus 2A is established, the communication connection between the repeater 5 and the information processing apparatus 2A can be established reliably and appropriately.

In addition, the power supply control unit 5292 constituting the USB control circuit 529 of the repeater 5 uses the power supply control circuit 523 to input the power input from the information processing apparatus 2A to each power of the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522. The power is supplied to the external devices 3 and 3A via the supply terminals 5212 and 5222. When the signal input determination unit 52934 of the device-side connection establishment unit 5294 determines that a request signal is input from the external device 3 or 3A to which power is supplied, the response signal output unit 52945 is connected to the external device 3 or 3A. A response signal is output, and the connection establishment unit 52946 establishes a communication connection between the repeater 5 and the external devices 3 and 3A.
According to this, since the mutual communication connection is established for the external devices 3 and 3A after inputting / outputting the request signal and the response signal, the communication connection can be reliably and appropriately established. it can.

  (9) The repeater 5 includes a first connection unit 521 and a USB port 524 to which the external device 3 is connected, and a second connection unit 522 and a USB port 525 to which the external device 3A is connected. ing. The device-side connection establishment unit 5294 that constitutes the USB control circuit 529 includes a timing unit 52294, a signal input determination unit 52944, an elapsed time determination unit 52944, a response signal output unit 52945, and a connection that constitute the device-side connection establishment unit 5294. The establishment unit 52946 establishes a communication connection with the external device 3 that is connected to the first connection unit 521 and that inputs and outputs information with the USB port 524. Thereafter, the port determination unit 52940 determines the state of the other USB port, and performs the same processing for the external device 3A that inputs and outputs information via the other USB port (the USB port 525 at this stage). If it is determined that the port is not executed, the port switching unit 52941 sets the connection destination to the other USB port 525, and similarly performs communication connection with the external device 3A.

  According to this, even when a plurality of external devices 3 and 3A are connected to the device-side connection unit 52 of the repeater 5, it is possible to reliably and appropriately establish communication connections with the respective external devices 3 and 3A. it can. Therefore, information (position information and acceleration information) can be reliably input to the repeater 5 from the plurality of external devices 3 and 3A, whereby a plurality of types of information can be obtained from the plurality of external devices 3 and 3A and the repeater 5. Information (position information, acceleration information, and azimuth angle information) can be input to the information processing apparatus 2A.

  (10) The input information (position information and acceleration information) from the external devices 3 and 3A and the azimuth angle sensor 526 provided in the repeater 5 are detected and digitally converted by the A / D conversion circuit 527. The azimuth angle information is output to the information processing apparatus 2A by the information output unit 5296. At this time, if the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the information output format is sequential output, the input information output unit 52965 stores the information as the information is input to the USB control circuit 529. The information is output to the information processing apparatus 2A. On the other hand, when the output format determination unit 52961 determines that the output format of the information is an integrated output, the elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines that the time measured by the time measurement unit 5295 has passed a predetermined time. The input information is stored in the storage unit 530 by the input information storage unit 52962. When the elapsed time determination unit 52963 determines that the measured time has passed the predetermined time, the input information integration unit 52964 integrates the input information stored in the storage unit 530, and the input information output unit 52965 The integrated information (position information, acceleration information, and azimuth angle information) is output to the information processing apparatus 2A.

  According to this, the repeater 5 can output each information in the output format of the information requested by the information processing apparatus 2A. In the case of integrated output, the information is integrated every predetermined time. Since it outputs collectively, each information can be regularly output to information processing apparatus 2A. Therefore, the information input to the repeater 5 can be buffered on the repeater 5 side and periodically output as one integrated information to the information processing apparatus, so that different information can be output simultaneously during information communication. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of information due to mixing or the like caused by, for example. As a result, the host / slave switching unit 5291 of the USB control circuit 529 does not need to perform frequent host / slave switching, so the burden on the USB control circuit 529 can be reduced and the information processing apparatus 2A In addition, communication with the external devices 3 and 3A can be performed stably.

  (11) The repeater 5 includes an azimuth angle sensor 526, and outputs the azimuth angle information detected by the azimuth angle sensor 526 to the information processing apparatus 2A. According to this, not only can it be used as an extension cable that increases the distance between the external device 3 and the information processing apparatus 2A, but it is different from the information (position information and acceleration information) acquired by the external devices 3 and 3A. It can also be used as an external device that acquires azimuth information. Therefore, the versatility of the information processing system 1A can be improved.

[3. Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In each of the embodiments described above, the external device 3 configured as a GPS unit that acquires position information and the external device 3A configured as an acceleration detection unit that acquires acceleration information are illustrated as external devices. Not limited to this. For example, it may be configured as a microphone unit that includes a microphone that acquires sound and outputs sound information acquired by the microphone to the information processing apparatuses 2 and 2A, or may be configured as an external device having other functions.

  In the second embodiment, the repeater 5 includes the azimuth angle sensor 526 and the A / D conversion circuit 527 that digitally converts the azimuth angle information detected by the azimuth angle sensor 526. However, the azimuth angle sensor 526 and the A / D conversion circuit 527 may be omitted. On the other hand, the repeater 5 may be configured to include a functional unit having other functions instead of the azimuth angle sensor 526.

  In the second embodiment, the device side connection unit 52 is provided with the first connection unit 521 and the second connection unit 522 to which the external devices 3 and 3A are connected, respectively. Although the USB control circuit 529 for inputting information via the 525 is provided in the device side connection unit 52, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second connection unit and the USB control circuit may be provided in the device side connection unit 41. Further, the second connection unit 522 and the USB port 525 may be omitted.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the device-side terminal 21B2 provided in the information processing devices 2 and 2A for inputting / outputting a signal as information is configured by a miniB terminal compliant with the USB standard, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may comprise with B terminal based on USB specification. In other words, other terminals may be used as long as the terminals are suitable for the information processing apparatuses 2 and 2A functioning as slaves when communicating with the external devices 3 and 3A and the repeaters 4 and 5.

  In each of the above embodiments, the information processing apparatuses 2 and 2A are configured as portable game machines, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the present invention is not limited to a game machine as long as information input from a connected external device can be processed. For example, a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) can be exemplified as such an information processing apparatus.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an information processing system that includes an information processing apparatus that processes input information, an external device that outputs predetermined information to the information processing apparatus, and a repeater that connects them to each other. .

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the information processing system in the said embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the information processing system in the said embodiment. The perspective view which looked at the information processor in the embodiment from the front side. The schematic diagram which shows the repeater in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control means in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the USB control circuit in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the program execution time process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the connection establishment process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the process classified by apparatus in the said embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the information processing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control means of the information processing apparatus in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the USB control circuit of the repeater in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the program execution time process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the connection establishment process in the said embodiment, and a processing apparatus connection establishment process. The flowchart which shows the process of the external apparatus connection establishment process in the said embodiment, and a connection establishment process. The flowchart which shows the process of the process classified by apparatus and the information output process in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... Information processing system, 2, 2A ... Information processing apparatus, 3, 3A ... External apparatus, 4, 5 ... Repeater, 41 ... Apparatus side connection part, 42, 52 ... Equipment side connection part, 43 ... Cable, 44 ... reel (winding means), 222 ... power supply means, 223, 223A ... control means, 311 ... equipment side terminal, 312 ... power input terminal, 413 ... screw (positioning means), 414 ... positioning pin (positioning means) 521: First connection unit, 522: Second connection unit, 21B2: Device side terminal, 21B3: Power supply terminal, 21B4: Screw hole, 21B5: Pin insertion port, 2232 ... Power supply control unit, 2234: Signal input determination Unit (request signal input determination unit), 2236 ... response signal output unit, 3261 ... request signal output unit, 3262 ... signal input determination unit (response signal input determination unit), 3263 ... connection establishment unit, 5292 Power supply control unit (power supply control unit), 5293 ... device side connection establishment unit, 5294 ... device side connection establishment unit, 5295 ... timing unit, 52931 ... request signal output unit (relayer side request signal output unit), 52932 ... Signal input determining unit (repeater-side response signal input determining unit) 52933 ... Connection establishing unit (relayer-side connection establishing unit) 52543 ... Signal input determining unit (repeater-side request signal input determining unit) 52945 ... Response signal output Unit (repeater-side response signal output unit), 52962 ... input information storage unit, 52963 ... elapsed time determination unit, 52964 ... input information integration unit, 52965 ... input information output unit.

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus that has an apparatus-side terminal and processes information input via the apparatus-side terminal; an apparatus-side terminal that can be connected to the apparatus-side terminal; and predetermined information via the apparatus-side terminal An information processing system comprising: an external device that outputs information; and a relay that is connected to each of the information processing device and the external device and outputs information input from the external device to the information processing device,
In the information processing apparatus,
Apart from the device side terminal, a power supply terminal for supplying power to the repeater connected to the device side terminal is provided,
The external device includes
Separately from the device side terminal, it is configured to be connectable to the power supply terminal, and a power input terminal for inputting power for driving the external device is provided,
The repeater is
A device-side connecting portion connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power supply terminal;
A device-side connection connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power input terminal;
An information processing system comprising: a cable having a predetermined length dimension that electrically connects each of the device-side connection unit and the device-side connection unit. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The information processing system, wherein the repeater includes winding means for winding the cable. In the information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The device side connection unit and the device side connection unit are configured to be connectable to each other,
When the device side connection portion and the device side connection portion are connected, a space for storing the cable is formed between the device side connection portion and the device side connection portion. Information processing system. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the device side connection unit includes positioning means for positioning and fixing the device side connection unit to the information processing device. The information processing system according to claim 4,
The positioning means includes
A positioning pin protruding from the device-side connecting portion;
It is composed of a screw that is pivotally supported by the device side connection part,
On the outer surface of the information processing apparatus,
A pin insertion opening into which the positioning pin is inserted;
An information processing system, wherein a screw hole into which the screw is screwed is formed. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The device side terminal is configured such that a USB miniB terminal can be inserted and removed,
The information processing system, wherein the device side terminal is a USB miniB terminal. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Power supply means for supplying power to the repeater via the power supply terminal;
Control means for controlling the apparatus body,
The control means includes
A request signal input determination unit for determining whether a request signal for communication connection is input from the repeater; and
A response signal output unit that outputs a response signal to the repeater when the request signal input determination unit determines that the request signal has been input;
The external device is
When power is supplied from the repeater, a request signal output unit that outputs the request signal;
A response signal input determination unit that determines whether or not the response signal is input from the repeater;
An information processing system comprising: a connection establishment unit that establishes a communication connection when the response signal input determination unit determines that the response signal is input. The information processing system according to claim 7,
The control means includes
An information processing system comprising: a power supply control unit that stops power supply by the power supply unit when the request signal input determination unit determines that the request signal is not input. In the information processing system according to claim 7 or claim 8,
The repeater is
A device-side connection establishment unit for establishing a communication connection with the information processing device;
A device-side connection establishment unit for establishing a communication connection with the external device,
The device side connection establishment unit
When power is supplied from the information processing device, a repeater side request signal output unit that outputs the request signal for communication connection with the information processing device;
A repeater side response signal input determination unit that determines whether or not the response signal is input from the information processing apparatus;
When the repeater side response signal input determination unit determines that the response signal has been input, the repeater side connection establishment unit that establishes a connection with the information processing device includes:
The device side connection establishment unit
From the external device, a repeater side request signal input determination unit that determines whether or not the request signal for communication connection with the external device is input,
An information processing system comprising: a repeater-side response signal output unit that outputs the response signal to the external device when the repeater-side request signal input determination unit determines that the request signal has been input. system. The information processing system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
In the device side connection part,
A first connection part to which the external device is connected;
A second connection part to which another external device having the device side terminal is connected is provided;
The repeater is
A power supply control unit that controls a supply state of the electric power input from the information processing apparatus to the external device and the other external device;
The information processing system, wherein the device-side connection establishment unit establishes a communication connection between the external device and the other external device. In the information processing system according to claim 9 or 10,
The repeater is
A timekeeping unit that times the time since the establishment of the communication connection with the external device;
An input information storage unit that stores information input from the external device until the time measured by the time measuring unit passes a predetermined time;
An elapsed time determination unit that determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed,
An input information integration unit that integrates information stored in the input information storage unit when the elapsed time determination unit determines that the predetermined time has passed the predetermined time;
An information processing system comprising: an input information output unit that outputs information integrated by the input information integration unit to the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus having a device-side terminal and processing information input to the device-side terminal; a device-side terminal configured to be connectable to the device-side terminal; and providing predetermined information to the information processing apparatus It is a repeater that relays between external devices to output,
In the information processing apparatus,
Apart from the device side terminal, a power supply terminal for supplying power to the repeater connected to the device side terminal is provided,
The external device includes
Separately from the device side terminal, it is configured to be connectable to the power supply terminal, and a power input terminal for inputting power for driving the external device is provided,
The repeater is
A device-side connecting portion connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power supply terminal;
A device-side connection connected to each of the device-side terminal and the power input terminal;
A repeater comprising: a cable having a predetermined length dimension that electrically connects each of the device-side connection unit and the device-side connection unit.

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