JP2011147151A - Radio communication apparatus, method and program for selecting communication connection destination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a radio communication apparatus which efficiently selects a communication connection destination apparatus so as to reduce a time until radio communication conforming to a radio communication specification of Bluetooth(R) or the like is started. <P>SOLUTION: A radio communication apparatus conforms to the Bluetooth(R) that is a radio communication specification for communicating by connecting apparatuses wirelessly. The radio communication apparatus selects an apparatus which becomes a candidate of a communication connection destination based on a specific profile of Bluetooth(R) among profiles of Bluetooth(R) that the apparatus itself can handle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a communication connection destination device selection method, and a communication connection destination device selection program compliant with a wireless communication specification such as Bluetooth for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly.

  In recent years, one of the wireless communication specifications for wirelessly connecting electronic devices to communicate with each other is known as Bluetooth, and an electronic device equipped with a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth has been realized. Has been. Examples of such electronic devices include portable information terminals and stationary personal computers, and file transfer and the like can be performed between the portable information terminals and the stationary personal computer by wireless communication based on Bluetooth. is there.

  The Bluetooth has a plurality of profiles that define wireless communication conditions such as communication procedures. These profiles include those relating to basic matters on wireless communication and those relating to communication applications. As a profile related to basic matters in wireless communication, for example, there is a profile for ensuring safety in communication. A profile for communication use includes a file transfer. In order to perform wireless communication between Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication devices, both devices need to support the same profile.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in which a conventional wireless communication apparatus selects a communication connection destination apparatus that is a partner for performing wireless communication based on Bluetooth. Hereinafter, a method for selecting a communication connection destination apparatus in a conventional wireless communication apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the wireless communication apparatus waits for input of a detection start instruction of a communication partner apparatus (device). Here, when the user inputs a device detection start instruction, the wireless communication apparatus starts a device detection timer and enters a device detection state in which device detection processing is performed. In this device detection process, the wireless communication apparatus wirelessly searches for a device compatible with Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication, and when a device is detected as a result of this search, information specifying the device is recorded as detected device information. The wireless communication apparatus continues this search until the timer expires, and when the time expires, the device detection process ends (steps S101 to S108 in FIG. 4).

  Next, when the wireless communication apparatus cannot detect the device and the number of detected device information recorded is 0, the wireless communication apparatus notifies the user of “no detection device” by display or the like and ends the processing (FIG. 4). Step S116). On the other hand, if at least one device is detected and the number of detected device information records is one or more, the wireless communication device is in a selection waiting state for determining a communication connection destination device from the detected devices. It becomes. Here, the wireless communication apparatus displays a list of detection devices based on the recorded detection device information (steps S109 and S110 in FIG. 4).

  Next, when the user selects and inputs one or more detection devices from the displayed list of detection devices, the wireless communication device displays a list of profiles that the device can handle and waits for profile selection. It becomes. When the user selects and inputs a profile from the displayed list of profiles, the wireless communication apparatus displays either the selected profile or one of the profiles that can be supported by the detection device selected by the user. It is confirmed by radio whether or not they match. Note that the wireless communication apparatus may display a list of profiles of the detection device selected by the user. In this case, the selected profile matches one of the profiles that can be supported by the own apparatus. (Steps S111 to S114 in FIG. 4). If the two profiles do not match, the user is notified of the fact that the wireless communication connection by Bluetooth is not possible, and the process is terminated (step S117 in FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, if both profiles match, the wireless communication apparatus determines the detection device as a communication connection destination apparatus, and executes a wireless communication connection process using Bluetooth (step S115 in FIG. 4). In this manner, the conventional wireless communication apparatus starts wireless communication by Bluetooth with the communication connection destination apparatus selected by the user.

  However, the above-described conventional wireless communication apparatus has a problem that there are many procedures that a user inputs in order to select a communication connection destination apparatus, and it takes time until wireless communication by Bluetooth is started. Further, the input operation may be troublesome for the user. In particular, when there are a large number of detection devices, an input operation for selecting a target connection partner from among them may be felt as a burden, which is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to efficiently select a communication connection destination device and start wireless communication complying with wireless communication specifications such as Bluetooth. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of selecting a wireless communication apparatus and a communication connection destination apparatus that can shorten the time.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication connection destination device selection program for realizing the wireless communication device using a computer.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device including the wireless communication device.

In order to solve the above problems, the following means were adopted.
A wireless communication device according to the present invention is a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly, and the Bluetooth profile that can be supported by the device itself Among them, a device to be a communication connection destination candidate is selected based on a specific Bluetooth profile.

  The method of selecting a communication connection destination device according to the present invention is a method of selecting a communication connection destination device in a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly. And selecting a device as a communication destination candidate based on a specific Bluetooth profile among the Bluetooth profiles that can be handled by the device itself.

  The communication connection destination device selection program according to the present invention performs a selection process of a communication connection destination device in a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly. A communication connection destination device selection program for selecting a device as a communication connection destination candidate based on a specific Bluetooth profile among the Bluetooth profiles that the device can handle. It is made to perform.

  According to the present invention, a device capable of supporting wireless communication specifications for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly is searched for wirelessly, and the device can respond from the devices detected as a result of this search. Since a device that is a candidate for a communication connection destination is selected based on a profile specified by the user from among profiles that define various wireless communication conditions, the user can select a target connection partner. The number of devices that are candidates for selection can be reduced, and the communication connection destination device can be selected efficiently. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time until the start of wireless communication complying with wireless communication specifications such as Bluetooth. Moreover, the effect that the burden of the selection input operation of a communication connection destination apparatus with respect to a user can be reduced is also acquired.

  Further, if the candidate device is determined as the communication destination device on condition that the number of selected devices becomes one, the user selects the communication destination device from the detected devices. It is possible to omit the input procedure. As a result, the time until the start of wireless communication can be further shortened. Further, it is possible to further reduce the burden of the selection input operation of the communication connection destination device for the user.

  In addition, when the number of selected devices is plural, if a selection input screen for selecting a communication connection destination device from the candidate devices is displayed on the display means, the selected devices can be selected from the selected devices. It is possible to provide a user with selection input means for selecting a communication connection destination device.

  In addition, if information that identifies a device that can communicate with its own device based on wireless communication specifications is stored and this stored information is used to select a candidate device, the candidate selection is performed. Can be performed efficiently, and the time until the start of wireless communication can be further shortened.

  Furthermore, if there is storage information in advance, the device search is omitted, and if the device included in the storage information is selected as a communication connection destination candidate, wireless communication is started. Can be further shortened. By using the past device search history in this way, it is possible to efficiently select devices that are candidates for communication connection destinations, and to improve the efficiency of device search. As a result, the time until the start of wireless communication can be shortened.

  Also, if the device search is omitted if the new device search is performed on the condition that the stored information does not include information on a device that can correspond to the profile specified by the user In the above, device search can be performed as necessary. As a result, the device search history is updated and the accumulated information is updated, and it becomes possible to more efficiently select a device as a communication connection destination candidate based on the device search history. .

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system which the radio | wireless communication apparatus 10 by one Embodiment of this invention selects a communication connecting point apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the wireless communication device 10 shown in FIG. 2 selects a communication connection destination device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus selects a communication connection destination apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system for selecting a communication connection destination device that is a partner with which a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention performs Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 10 and 20 are wireless communication apparatuses compliant with Bluetooth. Reference numeral 11 denotes an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and includes the wireless communication device 10. In this electronic apparatus 11, reference numeral 3 denotes an input key, an operation unit provided with various function keys, and reference numeral 4 denotes a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display device, and display control of the display device. It is the display part comprised from the circuit. The operation unit 3 and the display unit 4 are connected to the wireless communication device 10.

  Note that the wireless communication device 20 is a candidate device of a communication connection destination device that is a communication partner of the wireless communication device 10, but the device 20 may be the one according to the present embodiment similarly to the wireless communication device 10. Alternatively, a conventional wireless communication device may be used. Further, the wireless communication device 20 may be a single device, or may be provided in an electronic device in the same manner as the wireless communication device 10.

  In addition, although the block regarding the application function peculiar to the electronic device 11 is not illustrated, the application function block is communicated with other electronic devices by wireless communication performed between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless communication device 20. It is possible to exchange information between. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 3 and the display unit 4 are provided outside the wireless communication device 10, but the wireless communication device 10 includes either the operation unit 3 or the display unit 4. It may be provided with both or both.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) that controls each part of the circuit. The CPU 1 performs processing for selecting a communication connection destination device that is a Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication partner. Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage unit composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program of the CPU 1 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data. Reference numeral 5 denotes an antenna, and reference numeral 6 denotes a communication processing unit that transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna 5 and performs wireless communication processing based on Bluetooth.

  The communication processing unit 6 corresponds to a plurality of Bluetooth profiles. This profile defines wireless communication conditions such as a communication procedure, and includes a profile related to basic matters on wireless communication and a profile related to communication use. Among those profiles that can be handled by the communication processing unit 6, profile information relating to communication use is recorded in the storage unit 2 in advance.

  The profile information recorded in the storage unit 2 is referred to by the CPU 1 when the communication connection destination device is selected. Examples of the profile related to the communication application include a profile for performing file transfer, a profile for performing Internet connection by dial-up connection, a profile for performing communication between a mobile phone and a headphone set, and a parent of a fixed phone. There is a profile for communication between the machine and the cordless slave unit.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment selecting a communication connection destination apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in which the wireless communication device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 selects a communication connection destination device that is a partner that performs Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication. First, the CPU 1 of the wireless communication device 10 enters a state of waiting for selection of a profile used for communication. Here, the CPU 1 displays a list of profile information relating to the communication application recorded in the storage unit 2 on the display unit 4 (step S1 in FIG. 3). The profiles displayed in this list can be handled by the own device 10. The screen displayed on the display unit 4 is a profile selection input screen.

  Next, when the user selects and inputs a profile according to the communication purpose from the list displayed on the display unit 4 by the operation unit 3 in order to specify a profile according to the communication purpose, the CPU 1 The detection timer of the device (device) is started, and a device detection state in which device detection processing is performed is entered. In this device detection process, the CPU 1 wirelessly searches for a device compatible with Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication via the communication processing unit 6, and when the device is detected as a result of this search, the CPU 1 detects information specifying the device. Recorded in the storage unit 2 as device information. The CPU 1 continues this search until the timer expires, and when the time is up, ends the device detection process (steps S2 to S8 in FIG. 3).

  Next, the CPU 1 wirelessly confirms, through the communication processing unit 6, profiles that can be handled by each detection device for all the detection device information recorded in the storage unit 2. Based on the result of the confirmation, the CPU 1 deletes the information of the detection device that does not include the profile of the user-specified device 10 input from the operation unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as the user-specified profile) from the detection device information. (Step S9 in FIG. 3).

  Next, when the number of remaining detection devices is one, the CPU 1 determines this detection device as a communication connection destination device, and the communication processing unit 6 performs wireless communication by Bluetooth with respect to the communication connection destination device. Connection processing is executed (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 3). Further, when the number of remaining detection devices is two or more, the CPU 1 enters a selection waiting state for determining a communication connection destination device from the detection devices. Here, the CPU 1 displays a list of the remaining detection devices on the display unit 4 based on the detection device information recorded in the storage unit 2 (step S12 in FIG. 4). The screen displayed on the display unit 4 is a selection input screen for a communication connection destination device.

  Next, when the user selects and inputs only one detection device from the displayed list of detection devices using the operation unit 3, the CPU 1 determines the selected detection device as a communication connection destination device, and performs communication. The processing unit 6 executes a wireless communication connection process by Bluetooth for the communication connection destination device (steps S13 and S14 in FIG. 3). In this way, the communication processing unit 6 of the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment starts wireless communication using Bluetooth with the selected communication connection destination device.

  On the other hand, when the number of remaining detection devices is 0, the CPU 1 displays “no detection device” on the display unit 4 to notify the user and ends the processing (step of FIG. 3). S15).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the device detected by the device search is selected based on the user-specified profile (the process in step S9 in FIG. 3), the user aims. It is possible to reduce the number of detection target candidate devices when selecting a connection partner and to efficiently select a communication connection destination device. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to shorten the time until wireless communication compliant with Bluetooth is started. Moreover, the effect that the burden of the selection input operation of a communication connection destination apparatus with respect to a user can be reduced is also acquired.

  Further, when the number of detection target candidate devices becomes one by selection based on the user-specified profile, the detection device is automatically determined as a communication connection destination apparatus, and wireless communication is started. As a result, it is possible to omit the procedure for the user to select and input a communication connection destination device from the detection devices, and the time until the start of wireless communication can be further shortened. Further, it is possible to further reduce the burden of the selection input operation of the communication connection destination device for the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, among the devices detected in the device detection process (the processes in steps S3 to S8 in FIG. 4), for the detection device that can communicate with the own device 10 via Bluetooth, the CPU 1 Information to be specified may be accumulated in the storage unit 2 and the accumulated information may be used for selecting a device that is a candidate for a communication connection destination device. For example, if there is storage information in advance, the device detection process is omitted, and the devices included in the storage information are selected according to the user-specified profile in step S9.

  In addition, a search for a new device may be executed on condition that the stored information does not include information on a device that can correspond to the user-specified profile. If the past device search history is used in this way, device search can be performed efficiently, and the time until wireless communication is started can be further shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth. However, for wireless communication devices compliant with other wireless communication specifications for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly. You may apply similarly.

  In addition to the portable electronic device such as a portable terminal, the electronic device according to the present embodiment can be applied to an electronic device such as a personal computer, an AV (audio / visual) device, and a household electrical appliance. The wireless communication apparatus may be provided. In addition, the electronic device including the wireless communication device of the present invention includes an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit or the display unit may be provided inside the wireless communication device. Alternatively, it may be provided outside the wireless communication device.

  In addition, as said portable terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) other than mobile phones and PHS (Registered Trademark) (Personal Handyphone System) terminals such as so-called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system and PDC (Personal Digital Cellular System) system. : Portable information terminals called personal information devices).

  Further, the program for realizing each step shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer system and executed, thereby executing the communication connection destination device. A selection process may be performed. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system.

  Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... Memory | storage part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Antenna, 6 ... Communication processing part, 10, 20 ... Wireless communication apparatus, 11 ... Electronic device

Claims (3)

A wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly,
A wireless communication device, wherein a device that is a candidate for a communication connection destination is selected based on a specific profile among the Bluetooth profiles that can be supported by the device itself. A method of selecting a communication connection destination device in a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly,
A process of selecting a communication connection destination candidate based on a specific profile among the Bluetooth profiles that can be supported by the own device;
A communication connection destination device selection method. A communication connection destination device selection program for performing selection processing of a communication connection destination device in a wireless communication device compliant with Bluetooth which is a wireless communication specification for connecting and communicating between devices wirelessly,
A process of selecting a device as a communication destination candidate based on a specific profile among the Bluetooth profiles that the device can handle;
A program for selecting a communication connection destination device that causes a computer to execute.

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